Hello! I'm Dean
3D artist and visualization specialist with 14+ years creating photorealistic renderings and real-time VR content for industrial, manufacturing, and defense clients. My work spans product visualization, marketing, and immersive training environments. A background in photography and videography informs my approach to lighting, composition, and storytelling.
Dean Fritzel
3D GENERALIST
Phone:
715-297-2364
Email:
Address:
20216 Roscoe Blvd. Unit 4
Winnetka, CA 91306
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EXPERIENCE
Sept 2024 – Dec 2024
Freelance 3D Modeler / Generalist
3D MEDIA​
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U.S. Air Force Hydraulic System VR Training Module
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Modeled a wide range of mechanical assets for a VR-based hydraulic system training module, including aircraft components, ground support equipment, tools, and hardware.
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Created and textured PBR-ready assets in Substance Painter for real-time deployment in Unity/Unreal Engine.
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Optimized geometry and verified pipeline compatibility in 3ds Max to ensure clean, integration-ready asset delivery to the development team.
Mar 2025
Freelance 3D Modeler / Generalist
A&B GRAF/X
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Product Visualization
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Modeled a fully UV-mapped mattress asset for use in an exploded-view animation
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Delivered clean, accurate geometry aligned to client animation and rendering requirements.
Jan 2022 – Apr 2024
Senior 3D Modeler / Team Lead
3D MEDIA​
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U.S. Air Force VR Training Content
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Managed a team of two junior 3D artists, overseeing daily workflow, providing ongoing guidance, and keeping projects on schedule.
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Built high-detail 3D models for VR training environments, maintaining strict accuracy against engineering specifications.
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Executed UV mapping and PBR texturing in Substance Painter to optimize assets for real-time rendering.
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Integrated assets into Unity and Unreal Engine, working directly with developers to ensure functionality in VR environments.
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Coordinated directly with developers, project managers, and the client to align asset delivery with project milestones and content requirements.
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Enforced consistent standards in modeling, texturing, and asset integration across the team, keeping output quality high.
Jun 2006 – May 2020
Digital Media Designer
GREENHECK FAN CORPORATION
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Marketing, Sales, and Training Visualization, 10 Business Units
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Produced 1,200+ photorealistic product renderings from CAD models and engineering drawings for global marketing, sales, and training use.
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Modeled 150+ precision components from engineering specs, ensuring accurate representation of materials, geometry, and finish.
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Led rendering engine migrations from Scanline to Mental Ray and Mental Ray to V-Ray, building and managing material libraries of 50+ assets each time, resulting in a 40% improvement in rendering efficiency.
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Developed marketing materials, instructional animations, and training videos for 10 internal business units and international manufacturers.
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Presented marketing strategies to business unit stakeholders during annual budget planning, contributing to a 25% increase in marketing budget allocations.
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Trained staff on 3ds Max, rendering workflows, photography, lighting, and video production.
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Collaborated daily with engineering, manufacturing, and marketing teams to produce visually accurate, on-brand content.
Sep 2002 – Jun 2006
Graphic Designer
WILSON HURD
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Designed custom digital artwork and circuitry layouts for membrane keypads used in screen printing.
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Generated detailed drawing packages for switch assemblies using AutoCAD to streamline production.
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Established standard operating procedures that improved department consistency and efficiency.
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Coordinated with customers, screen printing vendors, and toolmakers to ensure quality and manufacturability.
SKILLS
3DS MAX
MAYA
UNREAL ENGINE
MENTAL RAY
V-RAY
SCANLINE
SUBSTANCE PAINTER
RIZUMUV
ADOBE PHOTOSHOP
ABODE ILLUSTRATOR
ADOBE PREMIER
ABODE AUDITION
EXPERTISE
3DS MAX
I'm passionate about working in 3-D and creating realistic looking images. I have 14 years experience and over that time have worked on developing and honing my skills. Its a challenging yet rewarding skill to have and really enjoy it.
Photography
One of my creative outlets over the years has been photography. It has taught me about lighting and composition. I love to capture not only a moment in time but also the feelings of that moment.
Videography
Working in a video format has allowed me to combine both 3-D elements and the skills I've acquired in photography. I love the ability to tell a concise story and give the viewer the opportunity to learn something new.