From layin’ out on tropical beaches to drivin’ mountain high roads, ShaaraMuse3D has favored the Renderosity marketplace with a wide variety of offerings. That is one of the reasons why, Gustaf Grefberg of Sweden, has been named our Vendor of the Month for April 2024.

Grefberg, who has been a member and vendor with Renderosity for a decade and a half, got involved with computers at the age of 11. His first was a Sinclair Spectrum, which he quickly fell in love with for both the visual art of computers as well as music.

3D design for him began with his first Amiga computer, but he says the real reason to get more involved was when he was doing artwork with products from Renderosity and Daz.

“I felt I was missing dynamic clothes that could be easily textured, so I learned how to make my own, and soon started putting them up for sale, and was surprised by how many people were interested in buying them,” he said.

Later, his interest became geared more toward texturing, photogrammetry and prop modelling.

“I have a lot of passion for the natural elements, which my store contains a lot of these days.”

We asked Grefberg about other elements that have shaped his development to this point.

What are the programs you first used while learning to create digital designs, and what are your favorite tools now for production?

I began using Wings3D along with PaintShop Pro, but eventually moved over to using Blender and Photoshop. Blender was too difficult to use in the earlier versions but has grown into a tool that can do almost everything, although I use 3DCoat for retopology and painting, as well as RizomUV for UVmapping (as a Blender plugin/bridge). And also, Agisoft Photoscan for calculating photogrammetry sets. Photography is a big passion of mine, and I always have the camera with me while travelling to catch that nice texture or piece of nature that can then be put into digital form – the perfect combination of computer work and outdoor activities. I also got a drone some time ago, which is incredible for scanning or photographing larger objects.

How has Renderosity made a difference or helped in your growth as a vendor?

Renderosity has been a great place since the start, with friendly and helpful staff and a community that more often than not, feels like a big family.

What other vendors or artists have influenced your work?

When it comes to other vendors, I am very much guilty of peeking into their stores to look for sources of inspiration on what to work on next. I really like the work of other nature vendors, like for example Flink. (Nature is fun after all)

Do you have any advice for someone who wants to become a vendor?

When it comes to advice for others who want to become vendors, mine is to make products that you would want to use yourself – that never goes wrong. (It's how I started) Especially if you are doing art too, it's great to make a product you can use for yourself right away as well as sharing it with others. Of course, scanning the market to see what people want is good, but as far as inspiration goes, it adds more joy to the process if I find it fun to use as well.

What are some products you want to create in the near future?

In the near future, I have one or more items in the queue for the tropical series, several prop and vignette sets and a few surprises!