Cebas discovers a New Talent, Andres Merlo - Arch Viz and budding VFX artist from Argentina.


Cebas: Firstly, Andres, thank-you and Welcome to cebas Insights / New Talent Interview. Let’s start with you telling us something about yourself.

Andres Merlo: Hello Cedar! I also have to thank you for this interview. My name is Andres and I’m 40 years old. I live in Buenos Aires, Argentina and I was doing 3D as a living for the last 16 years. My first contact with computer graphics was even before, when I was 15  years old and I had the chance to try a software called Topaz/VGA. That was a defining moment where I knew that no matter what I should investigate and learn more about it. My first job was making architectural plans and technical drawings with AutoCAD, but always keeping in parallel a connection to 3D graphics. Learning wasn't as easy as it is now... at that time the only source of learning was a magazine called 3D World and the amount of time you had to sit in front of the computer and try things on your own. It wasn't until 2005 that I got a job where I was able to combine architectural drawing and 3ds max.

Cebas: Andres, what does PinkSquare do and why is unique about the way PinkSquare markets 3D animations from other studios/companies?

They have a great working and creative environment. PinkSquare is a company that produces architectural visualization and product design. It's based in Copenhagen, Denmark and the majority of clients are within the country, UK and the US. They offer to the customers an easy, fast and affordable process of creating 3D animations to enhance the customer's needs.

Cebas: our vfx community and followers would love to know more about you, as a person and as a Senior V/FX Artist - do fill everyone with some interesting anecdotes about the journey you took to be a VFX artist?

Andres: I was always amazed by animations and what could be done with VFX. Especially since my daily work was drawing plans in CAD. There were 3 big factors that merged at some point and let me get started into the VFX. Home computers getting stronger. Software more user friendly and a lot of learning resources getting easily accesible. I started formal learning at 'ImageCampus' institute and from there I've learned thanks to jobs, Forums, Tutorials and Groups on social networks. I think it is an exciting activity.

Cebas: Do you see yourself as a specialist or generalist in the world of 3D? And do you see yourself as a freelancer or a staff artist?

Andres: I see myself both as a generalist and stuff artist. If you jump on a project alone, you have to do a little bit of everything. But even as part of a team, you contribute and collaborate as much as you can, especially when the delivery time is tight.

Cebas: Well, Andres, you were on freelance work for some 9 years. That’s a pretty long time and could you say something to that? - how did you succeed in earning a living income as a freelancer? What was it like?

I always kept my permanent position as my main income. Most of the freelance jobs I made was because they were the perfect chance to learn real production cases and meet people from the industry. I'm always looking forward to have the chance to make challenging and fun jobs that allow me to keep improving my skills.

Cebas: Please select one or two of your favorite projects and let’s go more in-depth on these shots where tP were used? Do you use MaxScript/ any scripting at all?

Andres: About a year ago I wanted to create an animation with a big ship and a lot of ropes, sails and other objects moving. I immediately thought in TP and it’s BulletPhysics solver. After many days of work, I managed to have a workflow that allowed me to create what I was looking for. Here is one video: You can check most of my latest works here:

Cebas: Why did you decide to use tP to create your visual effects? And what do you hope to do in the future with tP?

: Every time I saw an animation with a nice VFX that had been created in MAX, I discovered that TP was the tool used to make it. The same was true when searching for FX learning material. TP was not the only choice, but it seemed to me that in order to reach (or exceed) a certain level of complexity, you had to know how to use TP. My current and future plan is to keep learning and try to apply what I know whenever the opportunity arises.

Cebas: And Andres, let’s chat a bit about what you find usually as the more difficult aspects of 3d/ fx design work - is it technology or artistic inspiration ? - is there an available vfx software that resolves all your technology-to-creativity needs? What is missing?

Definitely Inspiration. Both are very important! Technical challenges can eventually be solved with modern equipment, new software, new workflow, and hard work. Inspiration on the other hand, is not something that can be bought or found, so it is the most difficult thing to achieve.There are many programs out there to create 3D and FX and each one with its own pros and cons. Each person can choose the one they like the most, the one they feel most comfortable with. There are no recipes or magic software.

Cebas: Is there a big market for FX work in your country? I understand you were fortunate to be mentored by Allan McKay. Are there good training opportunities in your country?

The market is clearly growing. There are more animation studios creating content for tv commercials and movies.This is awesome! As for the learning material, I have always found the best resources online and outside the country. But hopefully that will also change in the future.

Some of the fun FX simulation Andres did under Allan McKay' mentorship training: 

Cebas: Finally, in your view, what is your wish for cebas software to achieve that is not currently doing for you?

TP can be intimidating at first, but over time the logic starts to get more clear and you can create very complex configurations. There are a lot of people who spend their time teaching others, and what I always wanted (and I think someone is currently doing it) is to unify all the quality learning material in one place and keep it updated. And what projects can we expect from you in the future (if you're able to tell us), I am working with some procedural destruction but nothing worth showing yet. It will be published online as soon as it gets polished enough.

Cebas: What are your professional and what are your personal hopes and dreams in moving into the future in the art of visual effects and balancing life/work?

Finding the balance between work and social life is a challenge that I encounter every day. I confess that I almost always lose. Professionally, I would love to participate in local projects involving VFX.

Andres, that's great to hear from you today. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview and let the community know you as well. We hope to see more cool stuff from you.