Uploaded November 2022 | Updated September 2026, 34 minutes ago

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Could this be the most complex CG eye ever created? Let's break down the work of Mike Cauchi.
Check out Mike's Youtube channel: youtube.com/c/MikeCauchiArt (more links below)

Mike is a senior lookdev and groom artist working in VFX, his knowledge is considerable and of use to anyone working in any 3d industry that deal with character art. Catch Mike's full interview at outgang.studio: https://outgang.studio/lecture/mike-cauchi-interview/

Mike's Artstation: artstation.com/michaelcauchi
Mike's website: mikecauchiart.com

References:
Limbus anatomy: youtube.com/watch?v=zlZ9NN0L--s
Iris anatomy: youtube.com/watch?v=vWJUnMTn4As
Astigmatism: youtube.com/watch?v=SaD9rAef-bI&t=398s

During Mike's full interview we discuss:
- Sculpting a face and using tertiary (skin pore) detail maps from 3d Scan Store (Not sponsored).
- Using UDIMS vs traditional unwrapping.
- Understanding skin shaders and discussing optimal subsurface and roughness values.
- How he created the smoke transition on the coat.
- Creating fabric fuzz and microdetail tileable maps.
- Using Yeti in Maya to create eyebrows and beards.
- Everything you ever want to know about hair anatomy and hair shading.
- Extremely detailed exploration of CG eye construction and eye anatomy.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction, Project Presentation
05:53 The Role of a Lookdev Artist
10:00 Eye Construction
15:47 Limbus
18:56 Iris: Pupillary Rough & Fibers
22:55 Iris: Stroma
31:18 Red Eye Effect
34:17 Conclusion