Texture Quest: Gamepad Edition

A Free Community Texturing Challenge at Pablander Academy

You’ll receive a ready-to-go gamepad model (UVs + cameras included), your mission is to texture it however you like. Go realistic, stylised, hand-painted, futuristic, vintage… anything goes!

You can use any software… Substance 3D Painter, Blender, Mari, 3DCoat, hand-painted in Photoshop… the goal is to show off your texturing skills and creativity.

The challenge runs from November 1st to November 15th, 2025, and the winner will earn a free seat in the next cohort of The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Substance 3D Painter (SP101) course.

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‍🧩How to Participate

1. Download the Gamepad Model (FBX) → [Download Link]
2. The file includes the clean topology with UVs, and cameras for your renders.
3. Texture the Model in your style using any software.
4. Render Your Final Images using the included cameras (1 render per camera)
5. Adding a ground plane / shadow catches or background is optional
6. Submit on Discord
   • Post your final renders in the # ⏰︱art-submissions
   • Include only the final renders using the cameras provided.
   • WIPs: use the #🚧︱art-challenge-wips channel in Discord to share moodboards, tests and progress
7. If you don’t want to join Discord, you can still play using Instagram:
   1. Post your WIPs in instagram with the Tag:
      #TextureQuest and tag @pablander.academy
   2. Post your final images as caraousels on an instagram post with the Tag:
      #TextureQuestFinal and tag @pablander.academy

🧠Judging & Voting

Phase 1 – Jury Selection (Nov 15–18):

The Pablander Academy team will shortlist up to 6 finalists, judged on:

• Creativity and originality
• Material definition & technical quality
• Presentation and lighting
• Storytelling or theme

Phase 2 – Community Vote (Nov 17–20):

The top 6 entries will be featured on Discord and Instagram for community voting.

The entry with the most votes (combined) wins the main prize.

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‍⚙️Rules Summary

• Must be 18+ to enter.
• Only one submission (multiple renders) per person.
• Use only the provided model (no mesh edits).
• Final renders must use the included cameras.
• You can use your prefered rendering tool (Blender, Maya, Maverick, Marmoset, etc).
• Any texturing tool or style is allowed.
• All work must be your own. NO AI
• Deadline: Nov 15, 2025 – 11:59 PM AEST.

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Special thanks Dushko B. who sorterd the Retopology and UVs for this asset!

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