Turning 2D pixel art into a 3D diorama using Blockbench

I’ve explored the modelling program Blockbench in previous videos, but it just occurred to me that we could probably use this to create 3D dioramas of pixel art scenes - let’s test out a workflow for that!

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0:00 Intro
0:50 Proof-of-Concept
3:12 Adding More Dimension
5:13 Diorama Build
9:42 FINAL ARTWORK
10:15 CRT Time
10:45 VID OVER

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Check out my art here:

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Software used: Blockbench (Version 4.6.5, on Mac), Adobe Photoshop 2022
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Title sequence theme music by Failpositive:

Background music obtained through Royalty Free Planet:

Downtown Walk by e s c p
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

Digital Sunlight by Raven
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

Other background music courtesy of YouTube Audio Library.

[tsukiiiiiii]

As a Blockbench modeller, seeing BJG making another Blockbench video is a blessing to me

[DenerDoes_Stuff]

blockbench is such an amazing low poly modeling and minecraft software

[Nightfire]

The approach you used for the title "proof of concept" would also be really good for planning out a shadow box. You could plan exactly what elements go on each layer without potentially wasting materials

[ElysianAura]

There's actually a pretty lovely program out there named Crocotile that works really well for this kind of workflow. It uses a sort of tile placing system instead of just mapping any polygon, which kind of makes it feel like using RPG maker but in 3d. I really like it personally.

[dkpsyhog]

DL2 is one of my favourite Kirbies, really appreciate seeing it here!

[billrazor]

Blockbench is an amazing piece of software and a perfect way for a pixel artist to jump into 3D realm of digital art. Pixel art and low-poly 3D aesthetics fit so well together.

[neddyf]

LOVE IT....
This is definitely how a new take on classic Kirby game could look like.
Keeping the pixel love, adding 3D space.

[GuySoSly]

Your Snake and Barbie models motivated me to get back into 3D and I just published my first short using a model I made in Blockbench.

Thanks so much Brandon, you're so smart and funny and cute and cool xoxo

[BurterButterbeans_Studio]

Thanks for the clear instructions! I was able to follow along and used some of Kenney's assets 2D tiny dungeon tiles to make a 3d dungeon starting area 😎✨ For a game jam!

[inky]

Seeing the title screen popped out in 5 layers was so cool, I really want to try this now!

[jacobaobert]

sunday mornings are made so much better with your videos.

[LeeChesnalavage]

This is really cool. It reminded me of the Street Fighter diorama you made out of card. That was literally taking the 2D to another dimension. 😂

[jaredrobinson]

Very cool, the rotating title scene with layers reminds me a lot of the 3ds with the game and app titles that would show on the top screen when in the home menu.

[DadVader]

This is so awesome. It would be cool to have this as 3D printed diorama 🥰

[pixels_per_minute]

Blockbench is by far my favourite modelling tool for low poly works. The whole pixel art thing is just another cherry on top.

I'm so glad you're doing these videos. We definitely need, or want, more.

[bassguitarbill]

Agh this is so sick, what a cool program, and you have such a cool way of working with it, writing numbers on your planes like they're physical index cards and it's a real diorama

[ImusNoxa]

2D to 3D transformations are really cool! It was a lot of fun seeing you pull Kirby into that extra dimension

[thoracis]

I have watched every single one of your videos and I neeeed more ❤❤

[ellesedit]

This is SO creative and cool! the perfect marriage of nostalgic style and modern twist

[creativejon]

Dude, these are so cool. I swear if I had the time I would do something like this as well, but thankfully, I can have these experiences through your videos. Keep em coming Brandon!