In Hiebler’s opinion, “The future undoubtedly lies in procedural workflows and, looking further ahead, fully dynamic 3D environments with emerging technologies. These tools make it possible to implement even complex changes flexibly and efficiently, opening up entirely new possibilities for creating impressive worlds. New technologies and steadily growing computing power now enable us to integrate millions of objects into a single scene. The emergence of extensive libraries, such as the Quixel library, has also contributed to the rapid creation of complex environments.” Meanwhile, Geldart sees an explosion in resources for DMP. “You have KitBash, Gaea and many online tutorials from working professionals. Matte painting seems much more accessible now than when I started. And, of course, [there’s] AI. I’m not as pessimistic about AI as some people; I do think it will play a larger role in matte painting and concept art in the future, but I don’t think it’s all doom and gloom.”
According to Mueller, “Photoshop and other 2D-based software will always be fundamental tools for the matte painter. Compositing programs like Nuke and 3D modeling software such as 3ds Max are also essential to the workflow. High-end rendering engines like V-Ray are used to recreate realism in computer graphics by accurately simulating global illumination, reflections and refractions, soft shadows, physically accurate materials, lighting and more. Major advancements have also been made in real-time rendering, particularly with Unreal Engine. Additionally, photo-based imaging tools such as Mari, Reality Capture and Agisoft allow for the seamless integration of 2D photographs into 3D models for rendering.”
Photoshop remains the main tool for most digital matte painters, observes Raynault. “Beyond that, any 3D package can be used to generate base geometry or render passes – whatever helps you block out your scene. Blender or Cinema 4D are widely used.” Vidaud concurs, “Photoshop is still the standard for software.” However, “Tools like Krita and Affinity Photo are gaining ground, particularly because of their color management features and Linux compatibility.”
Mueller concludes, “Exciting new worlds have opened up with the expansion and creation of new technologies that have made what was impossible in the past a new possibility for the future. The integration of 2D painting with 3D assets, image projection techniques and real-time engines like Unreal has expanded the possibilities for creating immersive, photorealistic environments. These advances allow artists to work faster, create more dynamic shots, and collaborate more closely with VFX teams. In short, matte painting today is a powerful blend of art and technology, demanding both creative vision and technical expertise, and offering exciting opportunities for those passionate about world-building.”