AKM Type II Bayonet

Texture Tuesday / This asset was created for an unannounced project in 2018, it's a Russian AK bayonet knife. Introduced in 1965, it’s an improved variant of a Type I. Created by Ryzin Art artist Cohen Brawley - it’s one of the very first assets he worked on with us. He says, “Since working on this asset, I have learned that the more photo real texture information you can apply to the textures, for instance Quixel Materials for the base materials and alphas for damage and gloss variation, the more believable your textures can become.”

One of the most vital steps in the creative process is researching a weapons history to better understand what visual characteristics to apply. Cohen says “gathering reference and understanding an assets function helps me to understand where damage needs to take place and the characteristics for that wear like what was done to areas like the Blade, Wire Cutter hole and the discoloration.” He continues, “Gathering reference for me is a very crucial stage when modeling and texturing an asset as it allows me to understand what areas are most vulnerable to usage/environmental wear and how that wear is formed. Gathering Reference also helps me understand how the surfaces react in different lighting conditions and to make them look like the final product.”

Since a Bayonet is commonly attached to the front end of a weapon right under the barrel, Cohen wanted to express the amount of wear and damage it might receive with such an exposed area of the weapon while avoiding an apocalyptic feel. We think Cohen did an incredible job capturing this weapons history, it’s a beauty!

Artist, Cohen Brawley
https://www.artstation.com/cohenbrawley
Art Direction, Alan Van Ryzin
https://www.artstation.com/polygoo