3d Battle : Cars! [JOIN]

[grinch]

Hey guys,
Alright, since we decided on cars, we'll do it!

RULES::

Theme: Any kind of car, retail or concept
Size of Render: > 1600x1200
Due Date: N/A
Regulations: Must be modeled and textured in any 3d program (maya, 3dsmax, swift, etc)
Editing MAY NOT be done in Photoshop, or any other 2d editing program.



//What date are you guys looking for these to be turned into.

[DDD]

im in....I am against photoshoppin your image, but its cool. Everyone should state what they are modelling...I am modelling a chevy ssr.

[grinch]

im in....I am against photoshoppin your image, but its cool. Everyone should state what they are modelling...I am modelling a chevy ssr.


Hey, if you feel that way about PS, I'll take it out, it was just a thought!


MY CAR::


1986 Toyota Corolla GTS (trueno)

http://www.students.dsu.edu/burrin/trueno.jpg

[.soulty]

Im in!

: modelling a Porsche 911 GT3 (http://content2.us.porsche.com/prod/911/gt3.nsf/ausenglish/A380DE8621554AE2C1256EEE005824BF/$file/gt3_highlights_thumb_4_big.jpg)

: my 3d skills are so rough, hopefully i do my favourite car justice :lol: :ne:

[grinch]

I actually have a toy model of my car, it's about less then a foot big, so it's a great ref. I also have a great Porsche 911 GT3 model too :D

[REEF·]

Wait you forgot to put the most important rule. Whoever does a realistic classic batmobile HDRI render, get's reef's vote :beam:!

http://www.savvycenter.com/explorer/areas/infopages/DASbatmobile.jpg

Batmobile > Porsche

[grinch]

lmao! ^

I wish I could that well

[Ψ]

i am modelling somecar that i havent decided yet... plus i gotta install my old maya... soo hopefully ill decide by tonight what i am modelling. i modelled a face be4 and thats about it.. soo i dunno bout car but ill give it a try.. plus i suck at rendering..

[bwh2]

i was under the impression that we would be designing the car ourselves, but i'll pick an existing car... either the 2005 ford thunderbird (http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/thunderbird/) or 1966 ford shelby mustang (http://www.chien.com/mustang/mustalbum/albums/userpics/normal_shelby%20mustang.jpg). i'm not great at 3d rendering yet, but this should be good practice. how long does a normal 3d battle take?

also, are we going to be making the interior as well?

[DDD]

I am pretty sure if you do you will get extra votes.

[ya3]

I might... ;)

I'm assuming I should get some time, seeing as it's the school holidays.

EDIT: If I do, it'll be the 2005 Aston Martin Vanquish :)
http://www.edmunds.com/media/2001/genevaautoshow/astonmartin.vanquish.f3-4.350.jpg

[ar]

I'm in. I'm doing a mini cooper, new, and ducati 996.






!GB! - PEACE -

[grinch]

Guys, if you don't want to do interiors, you don't have to. I'm most likely going to just tint the windows, and add a nice glare to it.

And I'm glad we have multiple people joining this time, I hope we all stay in this!

[ya3]

Actually, scrap the Vanquish. There's no decent blueprints of it.

I'm changing mine to the Aston Martin AMV8 Vantage :)
http://www.edmunds.com/media/2003/naias/astonmartin.amv8.vantage/astonmartin.amv8.vantage.f34.500.jpg

[deletedUser459]

:P

[Dewfiend]

i'm in! but alas, it will be my first whole-hearted render with cinema 4d. I just got the software, so i would imagine its gonna be a blast. I'm going to render a 1970 VW Beetle. Its gonna be a scream! :crazy: :D

[ya3]

i'm in! but alas, it will be my first whole-hearted render with cinema 4d. I just got the software, so i would imagine its gonna be a blast. I'm going to render a 1970 VW Beetle. Its gonna be a scream! :crazy: :D
Yes, C4D definitely is a blasting scream :P
I'm using it, too.

[Vexir]

Hehe, I was using C4D but a lot of people say its more for abstracts and **** for modelling so I'm triyng to learn 3DS. Its hard though hehe.

Not that I was ever anygood in C4D apart from abstracts.. but I never really tried modeling. Hehe.

By the way... Ya3.. the Vanquish is a sweet car, but its rep is ruined by the bond movie :lol:

or mabye the other way around..

i wouldnt know ;)

[ya3]

Hehe, I was using C4D but a lot of people say its more for abstracts and **** for modelling so I'm triyng to learn 3DS. Its hard though hehe.

That's not true. C4D is amazing for modelling. It's actually quite similar to Silo and even Modo, with the Bridge technique and interactive subdivisioning. Aparently, C4D's HyperNURBS sub-d system is worse than 3dsmax's Meshsmooth, and tends to make a gazillion polygons... but it's never bothered me. Everything's just so intuitive and interactive. Very nice to use and you can model pretty quickly with it.

Don't let anyone tell you otherwise ;)
Only reason I taught myself 3dsmax was so I could use VRay - which is an amazing renderer :pleased:

[grinch]

Lol, for my blue prints on my car, I took my toy model, and set it up in a mini-stage, and took pictures of it. I couldn't find any side, front, or back profiles.

[grinch]

If you guys are looking for cars or blueprints, check this website out

http://cgworld.ru/modules.php?name=Blueprints

[Vexir]

That's not true. C4D is amazing for modelling. It's actually quite similar to Silo and even Modo, with the Bridge technique and interactive subdivisioning. Aparently, C4D's HyperNURBS sub-d system is worse than 3dsmax's Meshsmooth, and tends to make a gazillion polygons... but it's never bothered me. Everything's just so intuitive and interactive. Very nice to use and you can model pretty quickly with it.

Don't let anyone tell you otherwise ;)
Only reason I taught myself 3dsmax was so I could use VRay - which is an amazing renderer :pleased:

Yeah but in the new version of C4D they have bridging :)

[Ψ]

i am going to have to pick the volkswagon golf 2005

[.soulty]

i forgot to post this..

where i got my blueprints
http://blueprints.onnovanbraam.com/blueprints/cars/

[grinch]

Here's mine, just if anyone is interested:

http://www.smcars.net/forums/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=13132.0;id=18217;i mage

[Ψ]

a question.. are we allowed post unfinished work for comments/suggestions?

P.S can we add spoilers and other stuff to imporve the car? or do we just keep it as the normal car

[REEF·]

Sure, no one is restricting you from doing that.

[Vexir]

Grinch, the link is broken :)

[ar]

Here's another site for blueprints. They have some really good ones here (http://blueprints.onnovanbraam.com/home/).






!GB! - PEACE -

[REEF·]

Another sexy car:

http://www.bigglook.com/biggauto/wallpaper/image/mercedes_slr.jpg

[.soulty]

for some 3d inspiration for car modelling check this out!
http://cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=193929&page=1&pp=15&highlight=short

if you have time look through the 40+ page thread, posted are some of the nicest renders of a 3d car i have seen for a long time..:!:

[grinch]

Grinch, the link is broken :)

No?


Anyways, you can mod the car anyway you want, have fun.

[ar]

Check this (http://www.mini2.com/images/minixxl/rear2_1500.jpg) out. What will they think of next?






!GB! - PEACE -

[Vexir]

No?


Anyways, you can mod the car anyway you want, have fun.

I meant as in, it says the thread doesnt exist / you dont have perms to access it

psh i dont want to register just for blueprints

[creativeFuzion]

Does anyone know if we can do other types of 'cars'? Ex.: trucks, SUV's, etc. . .

Just wondering. Don't even comment that I'm a noob, I know that. :)

~Philip

[Vexir]

Well he never said SEDAN... so.. I suppose you could :) Wait for grinch to answer though ;)

[DDD]

yea, I think any vehicle is cool. I am doing a truck myself.

[creativeFuzion]

yea, I think any vehicle is cool. I am doing a truck myself.

Awsome. I'm thinking of attempting a mini-cooper, but was just wondering so that I could have have options. Thx DDD.

~Philip

[ar]

I'm already doing a mini cooper, so, I don't know, sorry.






!GB! - PEACE -

[creativeFuzion]

I'm already doing a mini cooper, so, I don't know, sorry.

If their are 2 mini coopers or 10 mini coopers, I don't think it should matter. If so, Grinch or DDD, please say something.

~Philip

[grinch]

Ofcourse!!! You can do any kind of road vehicle you want! :D
Sorry for not telling y'all before ;)

[ElectricGrandpa]

I will... *probably* be in, but I've never really tried modelling a car before. I will definitely model a car, but if it sucks, I'm not going to enter it :D

Quick question: is it ok if we present our final image as more than just a render? I know it says "just photoshop", but can we maybe give the image some context(text etc.) or adjust levels and all that?

I'd think people should also have to submit a wireframe.

-Matt

[creativeFuzion]

I'd think people should also have to submit a wireframe.

Does anyone know how I can render a wireframe in Alias/Wavefront Maya 6.0? I googled and yahooed, but came up empty. I would greatly appreciate it if anyone has an answer. :)

~Philip

[REEF·]

There should be a default texture shouldn't there? Screenshots work too :).

[ya3]

Does anyone know how I can render a wireframe in Alias/Wavefront Maya 6.0? I googled and yahooed, but came up empty. I would greatly appreciate it if anyone has an answer. :)

~Philip
Just switch the viewport to Wireframe and take a screenshot ;)

[ya3]

Here's mine, just if anyone is interested:

http://www.smcars.net/forums/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=13132.0;id=18217;i mage
FYI, everyone, you need to sign-up to see the 'Blueprints' section of the forum (near the bottom).

[999]

Does anyone know how I can render a wireframe in Alias/Wavefront Maya 6.0? I googled and yahooed, but came up empty. I would greatly appreciate it if anyone has an answer. :)

~Philip
Theres actually a few ways you could do this. You can switch your renderer to Maya Vector and under edge options select Include Edges then set edge style as Entire Mesh. Select hidden edges if you want to render those as well.

Theres also the polydata plugin for rendering Maya wireframes that works pretty good. Seven day trial here: http://products.provide3d.com/polyData/downloads/

[ya3]

WIP!!!
http://www.arach.net.au/~tsg/wip2.jpg

The only blueprints I could find were *horrible* (traced from photographs, not blueprints), so as you can see, I'm not really adhering to them. I'm modelling mostly by looking at photos.

[.soulty]

bah! :a: lol. nice work dude, your using a spline method?

:: oh wait sorry didnt notice the segments , poly modelling it is.

[cholin]

Nice work dude, youre using the what method!? I totally wish I could do this stuff or even understand what you are talking about! :) Actually, Ive made a box in 3ds max once or twice ;)

[ya3]

Yes, polymodelling using C4D's HyperNURBS subdivisioning thingo.


Actually, Ive made a box in 3ds max once or twice
LOL! I hate 3dsmax :) I can use it to an extent, but it's pretty confuzzling:P, and it crashes more than any other program I've ever used.

[grinch]

I'm going all out NURBS on this pup... w00t

[DDD]

Played a lil bit today. I may start this one over. My spline cage was weak. But we will see.

[grinch]

This is a lot tougher that I thought it would be... I'm just not to positive on where I should draw my curves, and where they'll help me... *sigh

[DDD]

Are you using splines? I am open to helping folks in this battle as well if you need it. Although I dont use c4d.

[grinch]

No, I'm not using splines, I'm using NURBS

[Maniaci]

I'm in. I'm doing a mini cooper, new, and ducati 996.

Woo hoo!! I drive a Mini Coop. Gotta love 'em. Here (http://www.eternalsunday.com/mini) are some pics of my mini if you need em :P. Only one that is any good is of the interior.

[creativeFuzion]

Woo hoo!! I drive a Mini Coop.

Great then. :)

Look forward to another mini, I'm doin' one too. :evil: (not that we have to fight over it)

@Maniaci

Have any color preference?

~Philip

[ya3]

Personally, I never could get used to spline modelling... all that cage, sweep, loft, profile, cut, etc... GAH! Just seems so unintiutive to me. Accurate, but unintuitive. Mind you, I've seen some amazing concept cars designed and constructed in Rhino using splines, but I never could grasp it myself :(

Grinch: How are you using NURBS in C4D? Don't you mean polymodelling with HyperNURBS?

[grinch]

Lol, who said I was using c4d... I've been using Maya, and I've never used anything else.

[DDD]

Splines are real easy because it is basically like building the panels similar to how they do in reallife. Just rough out the curves and then patch the panels. Lots of control over the poly flow too. ALthough my spline cage was tweaked but I may weld and keep this going since the poly flow is pretty cool.

[Ψ]

ah forget the golf.... i am gonna do the shelby mustang from gone in 30 seconds...

[ar]

I'm using a different method. I'm actually modeling out every single piece of the body. Using 3d studio, it's confusing, yes, hard to get used to, yes, but it's all I got. I have a little to go to finish the modeling part.

Then off to the fine tuning and rendering :).

That's what I have so far, nothing much, but I'm thinking of starting over, try a more detailed method. Any ideas?






!GB! - PEACE -

[Ψ]

looking very good.. nice job that you have done soo far. i have started mine but i am having trouble with modelling the structure.. i dont what the thing is but it looks very wierd

[Maniaci]

@Panther
I'm not modeling a mini. I'd be surprised if I could modle and render a cube. Ive been trying to learn 3dsm, but haven't had the time to really put some hours in. I was just crusin' the forums and saw someone modeling a mini and thought that was pretty cool heh.

Good luck on your mini! Can't wait to see the finished product. :P

[grinch]

Oh man I'm going to get owned in this battle... Modeling cars is so much harder then I thought...

[REEF·]

:love:

Challenges are always frustrating

[grinch]

Here's what I have so far, I'm confused...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/grinchvader/Cartest.jpg

[DDD]

wow eternal you are taking the tru road that is less travelled. Maybe try box modelling with symmetry on since you are going that route. I still would roll with splines. I started mine over to get a cleaner cage. Ill post in a bit.

Grinch
Your cage looks pretty clean, but I see places where you will have some poly flow problems. But then again maya supports n-gons so it wont be that big of a problem but I dont see where your patches will be. (sections that is)

[grinch]

3D, you see I'm not sure where exactly I should have my patches, I mean I've been looking into tutorials, but I can't find one that really explains about it.

[DDD]

let me see your cage with your splines with the blue print in the bgrd......a quad view if possible.

[ar]

I started over on mine. I'm doing the same, piece by piece, thing, this time using boxes instead of plains.






!GB! - PEACE -

[bwh2]

i have a feeling i'm going to get whooped in my first 3d battle.

[grinch]

3D, my blueprints were off, so much of this was done by eye from my toy model. I'm going to upload good blueprints right now, and adjust my curves to fit them.

[creativeFuzion]

@ Maniaci

Hey, I understand completely. This is my first high-poly model. And if you look at my portfolio, you can see that all I've done is abstracts (no talent needed there, lol). Anyways, here is what I got out of 2 hours modeling yesterday:

http://www.rawsonreload.com/mini_front.png

It's obviously far from done, and I keep getting stuck when modeling in polys, I'm used to Maya NURBS.

I know I have tough competition here, but I think it depends on the final render and how everyone textures their models.

Good luck to everyone. :)

~Philip

[mlk]

damn you guys are good at 3d. gotta catch up...

I'll attemp to do either this: http://toco.dk/X%20%20lego.jpg http://toco.dk/X%20%20lego.jpg

or so^mething more stupid.

[ar]

I restarted on my car. I'm now using boxes instead of plains. It's actually working a lot better than I thought.






!GB! - PEACE -

[Ψ]

aaaaaah soo hard :( i am struggling alot.i havent used thos program in forever...

[ya3]

@Panther: Looks really good so far! Accurate, but quite low-poly. Perhaps you could increase the poly subdivision smoothness thingo... thing... :h: (my knowledge of Maya is but a drop in the ocean).

:D

[creativeFuzion]

@mlk

Hahahahaha. . . . I look forward to your finished model. :)

@ya3

Hey, thx for the comment. I was reading a tutorial that was quite in-depth for poly-modeling. I learned that if I do a low-poly model, then at the end I can simply smooth it out with the poly smooth tool. :)

Oh, could someone that has knowledge of 3D rendering in Maya help me out? I'm having trouble getting a good life-like render, like making my car's tires not so shiny and my windows very reflective. Thx go out to anyone that can help me! :book:

~Philip

[.soulty]

panther :: tires shine and window reflection is more about the texture you put on the object, research texturing rubber and texturing windows and you will find out what you need. Regarding rendering you probably would want to look into hdr , using light values on a special (hdr) images to render realistic shadows and highlights in your render (but not good for a testing render, use for final) other than that look into using mental ray renderer.

I havent started mine yet, ive been out and about for my weekend so no time :P Will try to get some work done today on it, Im trying to follow a method using profile curves and birail tool in Maya which has got me a little stuck because ive never tried that before and my 3d is rusty.

Oh btw im wondering why most people are drawing profile curves for both sides of the car? you should really just model half the car then duplicate the final piece with a -x scale value, basically a reflection of what you have modelled, then you would close up the middle seam and your done.

[McGuffin]

Grinch, the way I'm working in Maya is making the curves and then using the Birail tool to add the surfaces between the curves. It can get a little tricky, but this tutorial (http://www.digitaltutors.com/digital_tutors/video_details.php?v=80) is pretty sa-weet and should get you headed in the right direction. Note: you need to register, but its free, and considering its a video tutorial thats pretty thourough, the ends justify the means.

I'm making an RX-8, but considering I'm an absulte noob when it comes to Maya and everything car modelling, I might not get something good out the door.

http://iamcolin.com/kirupa/carbattle/1.jpg

Is my Blueprint setup, and:

http://iamcolin.com/kirupa/carbattle/2.jpg

Is what I have so far using Curves. I'm going through it pretty slowly and carefully, this could take a while. I hope we don't need to adhere to the blueprints tightly, because the front and side blueprints are fine but the top is off by a bit and missing some guidelines.

[.soulty]

haha ^ same method im using, and i watched that video couple of days ago (been a member there for years) *off to watch it again*

btw:: when do you use a birail 3+ ?

[McGuffin]

I'm assuming its when you have five or more sides because when you have a quadrilateral, you use Birail2... thats a guess though, I'll go check the Maya help docs.

Ok, the Maya help docs seem to be saying that the profile curves are what make the difference. So when you have one profile curve, you use Birail1, when you have two you use Birail2, and when you have 3 or more you'd use Birail3+.

I'm finding this method to be extremely tedious... but this is the first model I've ever made in Maya. All I've been doing up to this point is experimenting with the Fur feature :P

[grinch]

Nice work guys!

McGuffin, thanks for link, it'll help.

@soulty

I'm modeling half my car, the wireframe I showed was just a mirror so I could see somewhat what my car would look like.

I re-edited my curves, so right now it looks a lot better, w00t.

I had an idea, what about if at the end of this whole battle, we'll make a collage of all our cars lined up, with our names in small text under them. It'd be a nice collage to show off on kf.

[McGuffin]

Or someone (me?) could model a multi-car garage and have them all parked in there. That'd be awesome :P

[creativeFuzion]

Oh btw im wondering why most people are drawing profile curves for both sides of the car? you should really just model half the car then duplicate the final piece with a -x scale value, basically a reflection of what you have modelled, then you would close up the middle seam and your done.

An even better method for duplication is the live mirror tool (in Maya 6 atleast). What it does is automatically change the left side when you are only modeling the right side. It's an ingenious tool that I have used on numerous occasions. (well, a few)

About Mental Ray renderer, it doesn't seem to work for me. :a: I try and render something with it and it shows either a gray default background or the previous render I did. In the message box it says their is an 'error' and that Mental Ray could not be executed. Anyways, I'm stuck with Maya Software Render for now, so if anyone know some good settings for that that would be great. :)

~Philip

[creativeFuzion]

Or someone (me?) could model a multi-car garage and have them all parked in there. That'd be awesome :P

But to get a good 'effect' or 'look', you would have to have each model on the same stage. Now that would be hard to do, and some people (me, for example) probably wouldn't want someone else with their source file. Good idea though. :)

~Philip

[McGuffin]

There are a lot of trustworthy people here, I'd be fine passing my source over to some members here.

[b.rich]

Nice models everyone! :) ... I wish I could afford maya or 3dmax. My knowledge is very limited tho. I will be reading over this thread though to pick up some tips. :thumb:

btw who makes maya? better yet where is there website so I can dload the trial..

[creativeFuzion]

Nice models everyone! :) ... I wish I could afford maya or 3dmax. My knowledge is very limited tho. I will be reading over this thread though to pick up some tips. :thumb:

btw who makes maya? better yet where is there website so I can dload the trial..

Not able to afford it? Hmmmm, NVM.

Maya is a product of Alias/Wavefront, and their URL is:

www.alias.com (http://www.alias.com)

You will probably get better tips from a video tutorial, those are great. Hope this helps. :)

~Philip

[ElectricGrandpa]

I've seen some amazing stuff made with Blender, which is free. You can check it out at Blender3D.org

I think I might do a custom car... not sure though.

-Matt

[grinch]

Panther, you said you had problems with Mental Ray?

Are you just seeing black, and none of your car?

The thing is that Mental Ray ignores all lights that are created by the user, with you would see in say Software Renderer.

I don't feel like explaining it, so just check out some tutorials on Mental Ray

[ya3]

WIP!!!
Ok, this'll probably be the last WIP I'll post. Honest :)
http://www.deviantart.com/view/20184222/

I think I should rename it to 'Aston Martin YA3 Concept' :D


"show me the blueprints... show me the blueprints, show me the blueprints, show me the blueprints... show me all of them... all the blueprints... show me the blueprints, show me the blueprints, show me the blueprints..."

[creativeFuzion]

@ya3

I think it looks great! :)

Keep it up, I can't wait to see your final render.

~Philip

[McGuffin]

What due date are we looking at here? Progress on my car is relatively slow and I'd like to take the time to do things right (if this excludes me from the battle, sobeit, I'm not sacrificing quality for time constraints).

[creativeFuzion]

My first render, what do you people think?

http://www.rawsonreload.com/mini_final.png

Just so everyone knows, I know it's low-poly, and that the texturing is low-res. It's just a first draft. :)

~Philip

[grinch]

Great job both of you, I love them to death.

And about teh date, we'll worry about that later, let's just keep working on it. Just don't slack off on it, or you'll be to late.

[ya3]

My first render, what do you people think?

http://www.rawsonreload.com/mini_final.png

Just so everyone knows, I know it's low-poly, and that the texturing is low-res. It's just a first draft. :)

~Philip
Excellent! :thumb:
Looking really good!

That's C4D, isn't it? For a more interesting environment:
- Delete all your lights.
- Make a new material.
- on the material, switch off all the things except 'Luminance'
- Create a Sky object (hold down on the Light icon on the toolbar)
- Put the new material on the Sky
- In the Render Settings:
- go to the Options section and uncheck 'Auto Light' (or 'Default Light' - cant remember)
- go to the Radiosity section and turn on Radiosity (default settings'll do)
- RENDER!

You'll recognise that soft look when you see it ;)

For added effect, make a white plane about the same length and width as the car, and place it just above the car with a luminous material on it (more luminous than the sky), then set the car material's Reflection to about 6-10%. You might want to make it invisible to the Camera by using a Compositing tag.

AU$0.02 :)

EDIT: Just realised ur using Maya... :P

[grinch]

^Err thats a Mental Ray technique isn't it?

[grinch]

Can someone help me with something. I have a long curve, which goes along the whole body. I want to cut that curve into two at a certain point, so I can loft it. How do I do that, I've tried cut curve function, but it's not working as I want it to.

[creativeFuzion]

Can someone help me with something. I have a long curve, which goes along the whole body. I want to cut that curve into two at a certain point, so I can loft it. How do I do that, I've tried cut curve function, but it's not working as I want it to.

So what exactly is it doing that you don't want it to do? I mean, it should simply slice it at that point. Just elaborate, or IM me.

~Philip

[Vexir]

Ughhh I want to try but I don't know crap about using splines in 3DS and I don't know how to learn. I WISH it was like Illustrator / Photoshop pentool, but sigh :P

Anyone know of any resources to learn how to use splines? (ie adding curves and stuff)

[ya3]

^Err thats a Mental Ray technique isn't it?
Nope. It's a l33tz0r C4D technique :P
For Maya, it'd just be... "turn on FinalGather" :|

Vexir: Give this a shot http://www.maxhelp.com/content/tutorials/splines/splines.htm
;)

[Ψ]

Ughhh I want to try but I don't know crap about using splines in 3DS and I don't know how to learn. I WISH it was like Illustrator / Photoshop pentool, but sigh :P

Anyone know of any resources to learn how to use splines? (ie adding curves and stuff)

vexir give it a try because you will learn alot from doing it.
it is my first time and i am learning alot. i'll show you my WIP soon after maybe i finsh the door. from the beginning fo this project i have learned lot.

IN conclusion :D give it a try :D

[ar]

@ ya3: I can't believe that cinima could do that. Great, now I have to start over. Could you give some helping hands and some methods that you used?

But nice though, I'm still suffering from a little whip lash, but it's good.






!GB! - PEACE -

[grinch]

Woohoo! I finally got my splines acting as I want.
I'm currently shading the panels, and moving on to detail.

[REEF·]

YA3,

you don't have to finish your WIP. That's enough for me :drool:.

[Ψ]

how do i flip the object in maya?

[DDD]

man am I the only one using Lightwave...lol. I will post a radiosity render in a bit.

[ElectricGrandpa]

Ya3, yours looks awesome, but it's way too tall, I dunno if you are going to be adjusting that later or something?

-Matt

[grinch]

Hey guys,
just wanted to post of WIP of my splines, what do you think? I can sense a lot of fustration coming soon...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/grinchvader/showme.jpg

[999]

Anyone know of any resources to learn how to use splines? (ie adding curves and stuff) Got the Max tutorials installed? Look at the chess piece tutorials if you do, specifically the knight. Thats a fair example of spline modelling.

Looking good ya3! I want to get started on this but its gonna be at least another week before I get the free time.

Was checking out turbosquid and I happened to come across Reefsters batmobile modeled in Lightwave. http://www.turbosquid.com/FullPreview/Index.cfm/ID/247761

At least we now know somebody out there besides DDD uses LW. ;)

[DDD]

I can sense a lot of fustration coming soon...



Why dont you cage and patch sections before you do the whole thing? You can see errors quicker that way....But it looks pretty solid I see a few areas that may be problems. But keep at it man.

[ar]

I started on a custom bike. This is going to be like a futuristic model. This is the front wheel.






!GB! - PEACE -

[grinch]

Why dont you cage and patch sections before you do the whole thing? You can see errors quicker that way....But it looks pretty solid I see a few areas that may be problems. But keep at it man.

I just mirrored the half portion, to show you guys what it looks like.

Could you possibly tell me where you see some areas with problems?

[Vexir]

I started on a custom bike. This is going to be like a futuristic model. This is the front wheel.






!GB! - PEACE -


WOW dude I cannot see how that is gonna turn into a bike, I just can't seem to visualize it. I'm sure it'll astound us all though :) Looks very slick :)

[grinch]

I can see how it'll look like, just picture a bike from tron

[DDD]

I just mirrored the half portion, to show you guys what it looks like.

Could you possibly tell me where you see some areas with problems?

Take look at my screen shot and look how I have sections divided into sections like the hood and fender. Then look how I further separate them to create a poly flow. This will basically create all four sided polys with a flow. What you have there will create several n-gons. While maya accepts these, it just makes it a mess later when it comes to editting. Its more of a proper ettiquette (*sp) of modelling. I am by no means suggesting you model like me, just trying to give you an idea of a good technique that works for me. But all in all your cage is ok, and I would run with it and make adjustemts as necessary.

[grinch]

Ooo! I understand, I'll get to work on it, thanks a lot

[GW02]

I started on a custom bike. This is going to be like a futuristic model. This is the front wheel.


!GB! - PEACE -


It's so futuristic it doesn't need to be round! :lol:

[creativeFuzion]

It's so futuristic it doesn't need to be round! :lol:

Hahahahaha. . . funny yet true. :)

~Philip

[grinch]

I don't get it...

[ar]

Hey, thanks for the comments. I'm using mental ray, and I want to make a glass object glow, is there a way to do that?






!GB! - PEACE -

[creativeFuzion]

Hey, thanks for the comments. I'm using mental ray, and I want to make a glass object glow, is there a way to do that?

What was the program you're using again?

~Philip

[ar]

3D Studio 7.






!GB! - PEACE -

[grinch]

Ofcourse theres a way, I know in Maya, theres a glow function. But ofcourse, I'm sure it's different in 3ds

[ElectricGrandpa]

yeah you can use Max's video post effects to add a glow to your glass. Something like this:http://www.skillreactor.org/cgi-bin/index.pl?vpost

[ar]

How's this for the frame? I'm going to add a lot more stuff to it, but how's it anyways?
Thanks :).






!GB! - PEACE -

[ar]

I'm not really going to do this just yet, but I just layered the frame with glass. Hehe, shiny.






!GB! - PEACE -

[DDD]

looks kinda "phallic"...lol....but still cool in a phallicy way.

[REEF·]

Just needs some realistic lighting.

[ya3]

@EternalStudios: Here's the best C4D box-modelling tutorial I know of. I learnt how to model from it :D
The tutorial: http://c4dportal.com/portal/forum/showthread.php?t=3&highlight=audi
You'll have to find and download the blueprints yourself if you want to follow the tutorial precisely, since the links are dead. I think you could just read through the tutorial and learn without actually doing it, though ;)

@ElectricGrandpa: Tall? Well, the body is actually really *low*, if that's what you mean... I've extended the front spoiler downwards quite a bit, as with the side-skirts. The car should be about 5mm off the ground :D:D

Oh, and thanks for the props, everyone :P

[ya3]

I'm not really going to do this just yet, but I just layered the frame with glass. Hehe, shiny.

!GB! - PEACE -

Looking great!!!
It seemed a little 'lumpy' without the glass material, but it looks superb now. All it needs is a massive rear wheel :beam:

[Vexir]

Okay guys since theres no due date yet, I'll give it a go. My second 3DS render will be of the Nissan 350z :) I wanted to do an AstonMartin (my fav cars) but I decided not to butcher it with my poor skills :P

[ar]

Thanks, I'll try that tutorial on the trial version. Oh, I have a question, the cinema trial version, does it have all of the same things as the full version?






!GB! - PEACE -

[grinch]

Alright guys, I'm back from my July 4th campout, which was a total blast...

Now let's get these cars finished!

[McGuffin]

http://www.iamcolin.com/kirupa/carbattle/3.jpg

Is my most recent picture. Progress remains and shall remain painfully slow :P

This is my old shot, for reference:

http://www.iamcolin.com/kirupa/carbattle/2.jpg

[grinch]

Thats awsome! Glad to see other spline wips!

[ar]

Here's an update.






!GB! - PEACE -

[ar]

That's sick.






!GB! - PEACE -

[REEF·]

Your pigfoot is glass. Sexy aint it?

[Ψ]

no one answered my question ... how do i flip someting on the x-axis in maya. pls help me..

[ar]

Is there a mirror option? And that pig thing is just sick, and it doesn't have anything to do with this battle, so you know what to do.






!GB! - PEACE -

[grinch]

No, if your using NURBS, there is no mirror function.

I use the old way, which is great.


Edit>Dupilcate Options

Go to scale, and change one of the 3 text boxes, which represent X,Y,Z and change one to -1, instead of 1.

And Reef, why'd you change your name, TheReefster ruled

[REEF·]

And Reef, why'd you change your name, TheReefster ruledI swear it wasn't me :*(. Musta been the tooth fairy I:-).

[grinch]

I swear it wasn't me :*(.
:huh: Who was it?

[REEF·]

The tooth fairy.

[ar]

Now that I know what kind of model I have to make, I'm going to model the bike in cinema 4d, even though I don't know how to use it.

*sigh

Great.






!GB! - PEACE -

[grinch]

Eternal, why don't you continue with your current model, it's looking great!

[ar]

Okay, I just wanted to use that tutorial that ya3 showed, it's pretty cool, but I got stuck. I don't even know how to put down points :(. Eh, I guess I'll continue with 3d studio.






!GB! - PEACE -

[ya3]

GAH! Just stick with what you're comfortable with :)
And be thankful that you're comfortable with 3dsmax! I can't stand the thing...

[ar]

What do you normally use?






!GB! - PEACE -

[DDD]

that tutorial ports well to other applications.....But yea man just stick with what works...I should have a render of mine in a few. Had some spline clean up to do.

[ya3]

What do you normally use?






!GB! - PEACE -

Me? I'm a C4D man :)

[ar]

The problem is, with max, when you have to use blueprints, you have to put the pics on plains or boxes, that way you can't even see the lines, only jagged things. Is there a way to fix that?

Edit: Eh, I'm just going to stick to 3d studio, it's a lot easier to use.






!GB! - PEACE -

[McGuffin]

You need to do the same in Maya, so that doesn't really matter. What you need to do is get the height and width of your picture, say that for the top view, the height is 500 px and the width is 200 px. Depending on the scale you wanted to build on, you could make a plane that is 500 units long and 200 units wide. Or you could make a plane 5 units long and 2 units wide. The point here is that the length/width radio is the same proportionally as the image you're importing onto the plane. You shouldn't get jaggies or stretching that way.

[creativeFuzion]

@McGuffin

Nicely said! It took me a while to learn that at first, so it's nice for you to mention it for beginners here. :)

~Philip

[999]

The problem is, with max, when you have to use blueprints, you have to put the pics on plains or boxes, that way you can't even see the lines, only jagged things. Is there a way to fix that?
If you dont like using the planes method in Max you can instead load your images as individual backgrounds for each viewport. Views/View Background, load your image and check Match Bitmap and Lock Zoom/Pan. Personally I think planes are alot better since they scale easier and you can use them in perspective view as well.

As for jaggies in viewports you need to configure your video driver for a better resolution although you'll take a performance hit. Customize/Preference Settings-Viewports-Configure Driver.

Eh, I'm just going to stick to 3d studio, it's a lot easier to use.Than Cinema4D? Are you serious?!!






!GB! - PEACE -
[/color]

[ya3]

Than Cinema4D? Are you serious?!!
By Toutatis!! These 3dsmax'ers are crazy!

[Vexir]

:lol: YOU READ ASTERIX!! I LOVE YOU!! :lol:

I thought only us Indians and those Frenchies read Asterix :D

BTW, C4D is infinetly easier to use, but 3DS has more capabilties :bad:

[999]

By Toutatis!! These 3dsmax'ers are crazy!Crazy is as crazy does my momma always used to say. :crazy:

Wasnt slammin the program. Ive used it quite a few times and liked it alot. Found it very straightforward and easy to use. Im a Max and Maya user mainly because the majority of plugins and renderers I like are readily available for them.

I still keep C4D installed though. ;)

[ya3]

:lol: YOU READ ASTERIX!! I LOVE YOU!! :lol:
I finished reading all of them almost a decade ago. I used to love those comics :beam:
Gah! Why'd the authors have to go and die?? Such a stupid thing to do.

[ar]

For me, it's easier to understand 3d studio.

And ya3, I had no idea what you just said :D.

And thanks hoppy, I'm going to try the background thing :).






!GB! - PEACE -

[Vexir]

I finished reading all of them almost a decade ago. I used to love those comics :beam:
Gah! Why'd the authors have to go and die?? Such a stupid thing to do.


Did you read Tintin too?

[Vexir]

3DS question:

I'm trying to setup reference images as materials on planes but in my viewports they're showing up as grey things :-\ anyone know what the heck to do?

[ya3]

Did you read Tintin too?
Nope :)

'Calvin and Hobbes' and 'Astérix' were pretty-much the only comics I ever seriously followed.

[mlk]

Nope :)

'Calvin and Hobbes' and 'Astérix' were pretty-much the only comics I ever seriously followed.

So then it's France's best export (actually it might be belgian, I'm not sure).

Seriously though, about the car thingy, check out the recent SFX contest on cgtalk, it's mind-blowing !

http://kvaalen.com/cgtalk/fxwars/ (the sixth one down)

[ya3]

So then it's France's best export (actually it might be belgian, I'm not sure).

Seriously though, about the car thingy, check out the recent SFX contest on cgtalk, it's mind-blowing !

http://kvaalen.com/cgtalk/fxwars/ (the sixth one down)
I'm 250% sure it's French :)


Oh, and that FXWars thing... OMG. I AM SPEECHLESS!!!
I'm watching the Matrix-style truck crash one right now... wow :|

[.soulty]

:!: those are amazing. i like that ivan one (2nd, irobot style) the mustang render is hot too on the one you mentioned mlk, entry no.5 is tight in looking realistic.

[McGuffin]

3DS question:

I'm trying to setup reference images as materials on planes but in my viewports they're showing up as grey things :-\ anyone know what the heck to do?

Vexir, you need to open up your Material Editor by pressing m, and there should be a little checkered button that, when rolled over, will say "View Material in Viewport" or something of that sort. That should do the trick. I'm saying this from memory, so if it doesn't work, make sure to tell me :P

[ElectricGrandpa]

Seriously though, about the car thingy, check out the recent SFX contest on cgtalk, it's mind-blowing !

Entry 7 is INSANE.

[grinch]

*sigh

I'm working on my model like a *****, and I think I might finish this week or so... Hows everyone else?

[grinch]

I am getting so mother fcukin fustrated with this stupid fcukin program!!kofg;aerjgkl;ae rjb

Is there a way I can ONLY select curves?!?!

[grimdeath]

I am getting so mother fcukin fustrated with this stupid fcukin program!!kofg;aerjgkl;ae rjb

Is there a way I can ONLY select curves?!?!

You can select to view only the curves in your viewport i dont have maya on this pc right now so i really cant say just go to the view tab on the view your working on and select show none then just enable curves you will see curves in the viewport and the rest will remain the same its very helpfull hope that helps you out ;)

[grinch]

I think I'm going to drop out of this mother fcukin battle... I'm so sick of this damn car, I've spent so long on it, and I'm getting no where.

Thanks grim, it helped

[ar]

Dude, calm down. Here's a tip, trust me it works. Try and try again no matter how frustrating it gets to get the model done. Pratice makes perfect, sorta, but you have to force yourself to complete the project. Try it. I had to go through a lot of saves to get to where I am, and I'm still learning different methods my trying each one out. Just try, and don't give up, you could do it.

(Kirupa, this is your cue, slip something into his drink before he sees)






!GB! - PEACE -

[grimdeath]

I think I'm going to drop out of this mother fcukin battle... I'm so sick of this damn car, I've spent so long on it, and I'm getting no where.

Thanks grim, it helped

Great i suggest you give this book a try grinch i've only read the first 3 chapters and it has helped alot

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1894893611/qid=1120672546/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_ur_1/102-9728062-6856961?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

I also have the dynamics and render book although i still havent been able to finisht this one so its gonna be a while till i get back to Maya :( good luck and make us Maya users proud and at least finish it bro and keep your head up ;)

[creativeFuzion]

Don't drop out grinch! I think you should at least try to get a finished work, no matter what. It's most people's here first time too, so I think it's fare (or fair, whatever) to say that we have all had our tough times. :)

Keep workin on it.

~Philip

[grinch]

Son of a b*tch...

I'm going to try and finish it I guess, but I hope it comes out ok...

[grinch]

Thanks a lot for that book, I'm going to buy it grim. Thanks!

Here's a ****ttty screenshot of my crap

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/grinchvader/test.jpg

[creativeFuzion]

Son of a b*tch...

I'm going to try and finish it I guess, but I hope it comes out ok...

GREAT! Good to hear that. :)

Meanwhile, what do you people think of my new sig/avatar?

~Philip

[DDD]

lol....sounds like you need to get some fresh air grinch. Relax man, my grandfather used to say "The only things worth having are the things youwork for". So keep at it man. No one ever learns a program in one day....Hell I am still learning LW


Judging from you WIP render. I think you need to add a lil contour to your side panels. Very few cars have absolutely straight pieces. Dont be afraid to add more points to your splines to creat a "bow" to your geometry. I think I deleted my splines layer on mine, but if not I will show you what I am referring to.

[DDD]

Like so

[DDD]

and here is a wire that shows the nodes of my splines, notice how the nodes dont exactly match the mesh, but thats all good.

[creativeFuzion]

@DDD

Great examples. :)

I think you have the most knowledge about this kinda stuff, and it's nice you're sharing some of it!

~Philip

[grinch]

I've been using Maya for sometime now, but it's just modeling cars with splines isn't the best way to get into NURBS. My dad was telling me I should continue with the easier models, like bottles, and other house hold appliances.

And ofcourse, I'm going to round the edges, I'm far from done ;)

But thanks for the screenshots, they helped.

[grinch]

I think I'm starting over...

[ar]

Try making every individual things, it's a lot easier. And it's great that you're going to try, keep at it.






!GB! - PEACE -

[grinch]

Yeah, actually I just redid everything, and I'm off to a great start! I started with the sides of the car, before tackling the front and the rear. Everything is smooth, and looks awsome.

[ar]

Congrats grin, nice to see that you had a good start.

Now, people, get ready, these are some great plugins for 3d studio, just take a look at them, and they are completely free! Link here http://plugins.angstraum.at/index.htm






!GB! - PEACE -
(http://plugins.angstraum.at/index.htm)

[grinch]

I decided I'm going to model this car in Poly's, because I realized with such a boxy car, I don't need to be messing around with curves.


Wish me luck :D

[ar]

Yeah, polly's are a bit easier, even though I never tried the other method, I guess I'm too lazy to do that, but eh.

Good luck :).






!GB! - PEACE -

[McGuffin]

Grinch, you need to keep the sides equal in points if you want to use the Birail tool, this is key. Like such:


._______________. < 2 points
| |
| |
. . < 3 Points each side
| |
| |
| |
._______________. < 2 points


Notice how the sides opposite each other have an equal amount of points? Much easier to put surfaces over that, if you're not already doing it.

[signifer123]

Yeah i didn't have a very good idea for this but heres my idea it more based upon features than looks


Close-up on pit
http://tinypic.com/6sfjg4.jpg

Further Out
http://tinypic.com/6sfjo9.jpg

[McGuffin]

I figured this was limited to current day cars...

[signifer123]

Nope

Theme: Any kind of car, retail or concept

[REEF·]

Not to be picky, but do bikes count as cars? If not I think we should change it to automobiles (or Cars & Bikes) for the theme, since ES is doing a bike.

[ya3]

BWAH! Poser!!

Oh, and about that Spline modelling business... I tried this tutorial for modelling a Mini in Rhino and I found it quite bewlidering. I mean, for a start, drawing splines and stuff really doesn't seem as interactive or immediate as actually sculpting the mesh. Plus, there's that dillemma of having the same number of points on the curves for Rail sweeps. Really annoying. I guess I'll learn the technique one of these days, but right now I really can't be bothered... :P

Anyways, I found these car-paint rendering tutorials:
For the Max'ers: http://www.3dfuturebits.org/tutorials.php?id=172
For the Mayans: http://www.3dfuturebits.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=134

;)

[ar]

Wow, thanks ya3, that's going to be a big help. Thanks :).






!GB! - PEACE -

[grinch]

THANKS ya3! woohoo!

[creativeFuzion]

@ya3

Hey, great find! Too bad I can't get mental ray to work, my comp keeps freezing up on me, argh!

Well, I better keep reading, and hopefully get this stuck in my head for future use. :)

~Philip

[.soulty]

yeah dont trip grinch, Im trying to get the birail tool concept down and finding it pretty tricky, not only are my 3d skills rusty as anything i have never tried tackling a 3d car. I havent spent too many hours with the project itself and i havent done much at all but i have tried some background work into using nurbs, birail tool, fillet tool and other tools that might help me better grasp how i can tackle the project using nurbs, This might be a on and off project for me since it all depends when i get the concept and how much time i will have on my hands (or willing to spend on this). No progression screenshot to date since i havent done much but as soon as i do ill be posting ;)

[ya3]

Well... I've just got the rims and tyres to go, and I'm done :)
Then I can start on the render setup.

w00tness :P

[DDD]

I am alil farther along than this update represents....But I had to go in and do some welding and clean up. Still got a few ripples, but for the most part Ihave all of it built and distributed on layers. Are we building the interior as well? I should be finished with mine in the next 2 days. I am working on this on lunch breaks and stuff thats why the delay.

[ar]

Nice job with your car 3D, it's coming along pretty cool.

Hey people! Once you are done, I have a good idea of what we could do. I just found a great new plugin, and (http://www.kirupa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=183662)here's a link to a preview of it (http://www.kirupa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=183662). It's pretty sweet, and I was thinking of maybe putting everyone's cars, or vehicles, together, and making a gallery thing. What do you think about that?






!GB! - PEACE -

[creativeFuzion]

@DDD

Looks good, nice curves and a solid model. I think this battle has giving us all some great practice with modeling.

I can't wait for the polls! :)

~Philip

[creativeFuzion]

Hey people! Once you are done, I have a good idea of what we could do. I just found a great new plugin, and (http://www.kirupa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=183662)here's a link to a preview of it (http://www.kirupa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=183662). It's pretty sweet, and I was thinking of maybe putting everyone's cars, or vehicles, together, and making a gallery thing. What do you think about that?

Hey, pretty cool thing you found there. I think you have a good idea, just make sure you get EVERYONE to send you their models.

~Philip

[ar]

Yeah, I want to make a walk through thing later on, but you need engines for that. But this is all I got so far.






!GB! - PEACE -

[grinch]

Eternal, that is an extremely awsome plug in my friend!

And I've already brought up the tough of putting the cars together for like a collage. I'd say in a garage perhaps?

[Vexir]

GAH this is so hard, ive got to about here:

http://www.graphicslash.com/lifesucks.jpg

But I don't know where to go from here :P I guess I'll start randomly creating a network of splines :P

[grinch]

:huh:

Is there supposed to be a pic?

[Vexir]

:lol: Ya3, looking at your deviant art WIP, someone posted this in the comments (i think it was xgod-0 or something)


Buddy thats like renderd sex, fantastic work so far champ, Can't wait for a final version . . . (one in black would rock as well ;) )

:lol:

@ grinch: WHOOPS. hang on :P

Edit: Okay, fixed :P

[Vexir]

Eugh, I'm confused, someone want to tell me how to use the cross section button (on the edit modifier) ?

I don't really get how to use it :P

[DDD]

lol.....the help files man....help files. You spent all that $$$ on max may as well use the help files. ALso check out cgtalk and consult the pros.

[grinch]

Lol, it's kinda funny my dad just taught me a really really quick and great way for modeling a car. I'm almost finished, and it's fun looking at everyone elses and see all those nasty splines! :D

[ya3]

Lol, it's kinda funny my dad just taught me a really really quick and great way for modeling a car

Heheh... isn't that cheating?:sure:
Is it polymodelling?

[Vexir]

lol.....the help files man....help files. You spent all that $$$ on max may as well use the help files. ALso check out cgtalk and consult the pros.

What you think I havent tried the help files? They don't tell me how to specifically use it, like what to click and all...

I will check out CGTalk.

[grinch]

Heheh... isn't that cheating?:sure:
Is it polymodelling?

Cheating? Lol, you wish...

No, it's NURBS

[DDD]

Repeat after me "Splines are our friends"

[grinch]

Splines are our friends...

:D

[signifer123]

Never leanred how to use splines :P

[mlk]

http://www.blissdd.com/WRX/Tutorial/pages/book_pages/Book001.html

[grinch]

Hey, thats a great tutorial on splines, wish you gave that to me before when I was using em... :D

[ElectricGrandpa]

Ofcourse!!! You can do any kind of road vehicle you want!
Sorry for not telling y'all before

Just gotta quote that again, so everyone knows...

[grinch]

Well I just had to bring my model into Alias Studio, because Maya's Round Tool was totally effing up on me. But now, I'm going to be finishing up some details, and then texturing and rendering. I'm really happy with my results, can't wait to show em to y'all!

[grinch]

Hey guys,
here's a wip of a little side project I did in a about an hour. Just wanted to get comfortable with car NURBS modeling...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/grinchvader/roflmao.jpg

[ar]

Nice job! Wow, in a hour, that's pretty good. Nice to see that ou didn't give up :).






!GB! - PEACE -

[grinch]

Yeah, I just use different basic techniques, and it came out simple and quick.

Ofcourse, this isn't my car that I'm going to enter, that one I'm working on again now using the same technique.

[Vexir]

I really don't know how to use the cross section button on the edit splines modifier, its really really confusing me (in 3DS) I click on a vertex, then I click on another one, but it doesnt do anything at all lol

This is all the help file tells me:

Cross Section—Creates a spline cage out of cross-sectional shapes. Click Cross Section, select one shape then a second shape, splines are created joining the first shape with the second. Continue clicking shapes to add them to the cage. This functionality is similar to the Cross Section modifier, but here you can determine the order of the cross sections. Spline cage tangency can be defined by choosing Linear, Bezier, Bezier Corner or Smooth in New Vertex Type group.

Tip: When you edit the spline cage, use Area Selection before selecting your vertices. This will keep their positions together as you transform them.


?? What are cross-sectional shapes?!!?

[DDD]

yo vexir try googling it...I google cross section modifier and got some hits, but I am not sure which one fits your needs so I did not post any links. Did you ask over at Cgtalk? The forum there is real responsive.

[ElectricGrandpa]

vexir you could also probably use a loft to achieve the same effect.

-Mat

[grinch]

Intersect and trim tools are your friends :D

[Prancer]

well you know what guys, maybe mesh modeling is the best way to go *if you are using blender (dang program doesnt have developed Nurbs tools)*
Yeah guys, I think I'm in this battle. I'm working on a Jaguar something something. but once I have a good amount of the car done I'll post a wip.
good luck guys. I'll need it. :thumb:

[McGuffin]

Haven't had a chance to work on my car for the past two or so days, hopefully I can find some time tomorrow.

[ya3]

I'm done :)

Just working on the lighting, materials and rendering.
I think I'm going to stay away from the typical candy-coated car paint this time. Gonna try something somewhat matte-ish...

[.soulty]

nice work grinch, what method did you go for this time?

[grinch]

I used NURBS, with just planes. I pretty much only used the intersect, trim, and round tools

[ar]

Hey ya3, thanks for the paint tutorial. I've just finished saving a few paint colors to my library. Thanks :).






!GB! - PEACE -

[ya3]

Hey, QUESTION!

I've exported my model to 3dsmax for rendering with VRay.
Problem is, I've got a lot of 'editable mesh/poly' objects that I want to combine into one object. How can I do that? For example, I want to combine all the spokes, rims and disc brakes on the wheels into just one object, so it's easier to move around and apply materials to. I've tried grouping, but that's a bit clumsy.

Anyone? :)

[ar]

I don't know, I think group should do the trick, but try this:
Press Ctrl, and go around and click on different things that you want, then go to material editor, and press apply to object. Hehe, that's my solution :D.






!GB! - PEACE -

[ya3]

MEH! There has to be a way to do it. You can in C4D! Bah!!!

[signifer123]

Under Compound Objects theres connect option and in the top menu's theres the group option wihich works uch like that but isn't permenant but i figure you already know what a group is :P

[999]

@ya3. Make a seperate material for each object you want to have grouped. Once thats done select the main object (or any) and attach all the other objects using the attach button in the edit mesh or edit poly rollout. You'll end up with a single object whos various elements can be altered by the seperate materials. Dont drop a new material directly on the grouped object or all the pieces will use that one material. If you need to break your object back up again for some reason use the element selection and the detach button.

<edit> Forgot to mention you need to apply all those individual materials before you attach anything. When you attach the objects choose the first material ID option that it offers you.... I think... I dont have Max open atm.

[ar]

How do you attach two objects, but without having the line thing running down the middle of it? Thanks :).






!GB! - PEACE -

[ar]

Anyways, here's a preview of mine. I got rid of the fender things and that thing in the middle. I have to fix that gap in between the two frames.






!GB! - PEACE -

[999]

As in a mirrored object? Apply a vertex weld modifier and adjust the setting untill all you verts going up the middle are welded. Be careful if your model has alot of vertices elswhere that are close to easch other so they dont weld as well. If thats the case you may need to do it manually by dragging over each center vert (should actually be two there) and hitting weld in the tools panel.

Theres also target weld but that will pull the first chosen vert over to the second instead of splitting the difference if there is any.

Also, instead of mirroring your object you can try using the symmetry modifier which will create the other half and weld it automatically. Its kind of buggy sometimes though.

[ya3]

the attach button in the edit mesh or edit poly rollout.
YES! I knew I'd seen that somewhere before :beam: Thankyou!!
Oh, and I know how to do all that Material ID Sub-Material stuffs :P

[ar]

Wow, thanks, that really helped a lot. Thanks.
Here's an update of what I have so far. I'm going to smoothen out the frame a bit, and make it work. How does it look so far? Oh, I love the render time with mental ray, that picture was done in about a minute forty something.






!GB! - PEACE -

[ya3]

Very Batman-esque :D