AC Cobra Modelling Challenge Outcome

I'm really happy to conclude this little project I've had on the fly, a Car Modelling Challenge. The primary objective of the project was (as per the description) to focus on the modelling of a vehicle. I chose the AC Cobra 427 partly because it's iconic curved bodywork presented a challenge as it would clearly force me consider the changes in its geometry, the curves as pinch points: and partially because I've always been fascinated by the vehicle, even as a kid. I still had one of those 1:30 scaled toys of the Cobra on my window seal.
All in all it's been nice to develop my ability to model accurately, render, texture and composite.

AC Cobra 427 Outcome Cam 01

AC Cobra Outcome Camera 03

Vehicle Visualisation: PT1: Modelling

I'm delighted to share with you all the first update of my latest personal project; creating a vehicle visualization based from orthographic sketches. This first post covers a step by step of the modelling construction process of the vehicle and some little hints and tips for people who may find this a daunting task or are simply interested in how I tackle modelling procedures inside 3DS Max

Tip 01: It's really quite handy to arrange your view ports/ screen space in such a way which is comfortable  and coherent for the user. I personally quite like to use my second screen to cycle through reference images, which gives me a better idea of the shape and contours of my model WIP and an easy way to compare differences. 

Fig.1 Screen Layout 

My second tip is to utilize your modifier stack so that you can always move down onto the 'fundamental levels' (if you will) to edit the shape and curvature of the model at hand. Creating a mesh should be tackled in the same way as laying the foundations for a home. (If the foundations are incorrect you can guarantee the bricks which come later will not hold). My typical stack could contain a modifier selection something like this... 

Shell

Turbosmooth

Symmetry

UVW Map

Edit Poly

...theres no wrong or right way to model.But I would strongly encourage a modifier stack somewhat similar  to the above as you can quickly move up and down the stack, and vehicles are generally pretty symmetric (so you're cutting your work flow in half by moving back and forth between the symmetry modifier). 

My third tip is to use the see-through and clay modes to help visualize your model WIP. This tip is more a personal choice. See-through mode (Fig.2) can be accessed by RMB and clicking on the object properties tab, allows you to model your mesh and display a reference/orthographic scale drawing to model against. Obviously very handy. 

Secondly I like to use clay modelling a lot because I find that various textures and colours inside the viewport can become distracting and hinder the objective of working out the shape of the model. 3DS Max will by default assign different colours to different layers, so if you're solely focusing on modelling and not texturing at the same time, it's pretty easy to end up with a multi coloured viewport.

Fig.2 Car Elements in Progress

Fig.3 Clay Mode Modelling 

My fourth and final quick tip for modelling is... do not be afraid to model separate elements inside separate scenes before merging them into a master file. This was particularly helpful for challenging geometry like the wheels, which I just find easier to start from scratch in a separate file to edit it in.

Fig.4 Wheel WIP.

Without further ado, here are some very quick renders for my work in progress. I hope these quick tips help some of you out there, even though I can appreciate a lot of this is basic or common knowledge. Thanks!

Fig.5 Wheel Mesh

Fig.6: Wheel Mesh Wireframe 

Fig.7: AC Cobra Front Cam

Fig.8: AC Cobra Rear Cam

Fig.9: AC Cobra Front Cam Wireframe

Fig.10: AC Cobra Rear Cam Wireframe

Fig.11: Beauty Shot

Automotive Concept PT 3: The Outcome

So here she is, she's been sitting in my drafts for a while waiting to be posted. I didn't do anything spectacular with render layers for the final (although if I did have the time I would like to go back and revisit it; perhaps for another day), there was merely an alpha channel, beauty and AO pass, with a little bit of touching up inside of photo shop. All in all I'm really happy with this project, I got to learn a few new modelling tricks, I think the design of the car sits cohesively. Many thanks for all of your input. 

Automotive Design: PT Two. Texturing and Rendering

Okay, so now the vehicle was more or less modelled all that remained was to set up render passes, light the scene and texture the vehicle. 

I'm not going to go into too much detail, but I used a very basic HDRI of a studio set up, added some reflective objects and set physical camera exposure accordingly. There are three lights, one above (the key light, and two aimed towards a separate tyre from the side cam view. 

Texturing is all pretty straight forward. I used a Falloff map to create a subtle blue/green pearlescent effect on a VRay Car Paint Material. 

Finally I've only set up three render passes, AO, Beauty and ZDepth. I will add a few more between this stage and compositing and will most probably tweak the light set up. 

But for now, check out the final image to see how one of these shots is currently compositing. The car really seems to be coming on! 

Fig.1 Frontal Skew Cam

Fig.2 Rear Skew Cam 

Fig.3 Side Cam 

Fig.4 Front Cam

Fig.5 Elements Composited. 

Automotive Design: PT 1. Modelling.

In my latest project I've decided to model a car from scratch, inside 3DS Max. 

In the initial stages I studied a lot of reference images of cars to make sure I got my design right. To create a realistic sports car design the car needed to follow certain patterns and an overall design language so all elements could exist cohesively. (If the rear looked a completely different design from the front of the car I would fail to create a sense of realism in the model). 

The two images below show my drawing designs I used as image planes inside of Max. Normally I would tidy these images up, make sure all edges are perfectly aligned and use a block black brush to make the lines stand out; but since this was my personal project and I was still undecided on certain parts of the car, I used this these images as a mere guide to figure it out in Max. 

Fig.1 Aerial Orthographic 

Fig.2 Front Orhtographic

The next step was to start blocking in the shapes and model the car. I started with the side panels and worked outwards. I also made the tyres inside a separate file and imported them in. This helped to keep the viewport clean. 

The general rule of thumb here is to create utilise a non destructive workflow, using an edit poly modifier for your Low Res, a turbosmooth to round the mesh and a symmetry modifier down the middle to speed the process. (A lot like a the modelling process for a character). 

Fig.3 Car Model Mirrored

Fig.4 Car Model (Half)

Fig.5 Car Model Rear

To finish up modelling I posed the car, with a light set up and cameras, ready for the texturing and rendering processes to follow... By rendering I was also able to pick out certain parts of geometry and improve my mesh, by adding division lines in the panelling for example or sharpening edges so I could meet that design language I had spent a long time thinking about at the drawing stage. 

Fig.6 Camera/ Light SetUp

Fig.7 Modelling Improvements