Introduction to Maya - Modeling Fundamentals Vol 2
This course will look in the fundamentals of modeling in Maya with an emphasis on creating good topology. It's aimed at people that have some modeling experience in Maya but are having trouble with complex objects.
# 1 21-04-2014 , 10:43 AM
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1998 Ford Ka

Hi all.

Had a couple of stabs at car modelling in the past, with generally disasterous results, but decided to have another go recently. After following a car modelling tutorial, I wanted to take the steps I followed into a project of my own. Decided to go for a 1998 Ka, as theres one on the driveway and figured it would be useful for taking reference photos, and checking things in the flesh.

pleased with the comp (first image) I put together yesterday......

Got some bits I want to add and tweak....already added to this the door lock, some screws on the front number plate, the back seats and a rear view mirror, and smoothed the dome I have above the car creating the reflection on the bonnet. And I will build out a proper front headlight. Ive replaced the tires aswell, as I wasnt too keen on the ones in this render.
The rendering has actually been alot more frustrating than the modelling, Ive used HDRI light studio to help generate the background lighting.....and a few soft point lights.

Added a few other shots to show some of the other steps ive gone through in the rendering.

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# 2 21-04-2014 , 10:46 PM
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Looking good Ben thought you might have done it in Zbrush firstuser added image.............dave




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# 3 22-04-2014 , 08:23 AM
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user added image hi Dave. Long time no speak!

Thanks.... No, no zbrush here, although I have been curious to put it in at some point for a play...




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# 4 22-04-2014 , 11:16 AM
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modelling looks solid. any other angles??

# 5 22-04-2014 , 12:09 PM
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Hey murambi, good call.

I'll try and sort out some angles from the back, got a couple of pieces to finish back there.
The interior bits are just modelled for that low exterior shot.
Next project probably going to be a Porsche boxer where the aim will be to fully flesh out the interior for interior shots too.



You point to the modelling being solid.... do you have any issues with the presentation? Both are the aims I'm working towards with this.

...ah, I see your edit. Yes, fitting in to a backplate is something I want to try.....




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Last edited by ben hobden; 22-04-2014 at 01:33 PM.
# 6 22-04-2014 , 04:00 PM
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Looks nice, however the focal length hides some of the details and proportions.


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# 7 23-04-2014 , 07:05 PM
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Noted ND.

As I didnt pick the most glamerous of cars to model, I thought adjusting the focal length of the camera was a good way to try and make a final image look more appealing. After the first few renders of this and the car I made previous from the tut, and then comparing them with lots of other cgi car images from google, one of the things that stood out to me in a good car render, like any advertising shot......is that they all made me want the car in the shot, so I was trying to look for cheap ways to sexy things up a bit user added image ...or something.

But I've gone back to a more standard focal length in the next one....

added in the headlights. Got some tweaks on them to make. And the new tires are in there with the rear view mirror and back seats. Off round the back now to sort out the rear lights and boot lock.

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# 8 24-04-2014 , 12:15 PM
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pulled off a quick view from the back. Headlights and rear lights are the hardest part of this! gonna tweak the shaders on the rear lights and got a few more tweaks I want to make..... but the idea is there...

think i need to lighten up the lighting overall....think it could be a bit dark?

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# 9 30-04-2014 , 02:39 PM
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Found some free backplates and hdri's so had a go at comping into the one I found most pleasing.

This wont be my final version of this...but I'm chipping away at it.

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# 10 01-05-2014 , 12:31 AM
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making a start on the porsche....

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# 11 05-05-2014 , 11:35 PM
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little update. Some really fiddly area, espec on the back, but a bit more work done there and round the front...

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# 12 06-05-2014 , 06:11 AM
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It's looking pretty damn good Mate!!!

# 13 07-05-2014 , 11:12 PM
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for the motivation, juanpax....likewise.

a couple of updates to the porsche.

The overall aim of this porsche is to get a better exterior than i did on the ka, and then to model the interior aswell, so going in for lots of detail. my dad owns one of these (he got one third or fourth hand as a bit of retirement treat to himself) so i'm taking plenty of photos and walking backwards and forwards to check on little bits and pieces. So much better than scouring google images!

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# 14 09-05-2014 , 08:52 PM
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Looks really good Ben


"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Isaac Newton, 1675
# 15 15-05-2014 , 11:12 AM
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@ctbram...

thankyou.....its great to get that comment from you with your history of surface modelling etc....




feel like ive been losing it somewhat with this....not sure i appreciated the complexity of the task I had set myself... been a bit stop start over the past week, with the weather in the uk being pretty bad i havnt been able to get the roof down on the porsche to ref check certain parts...... but found some useful photos online....and a stunning image of a porsche boxter that I think is amazing and has given me a little direction/inspiration.



Does anyone have any insight into how guys that do automotive modelling like this for a living go about this kind of work? Ive read before I think about modellers working from cad files etc.. to get fully accurate models - this first image is one thats caught my eye, and having spent the last week looking at dozens of images of boxters, the accuracy of it amazes me. I love also the rich blacks and greys with great highlighting which is one route i might try and take a final render.

But before i get ahead of myself....

First image is the one ive been talking about i found on google, second and third of the work ive started with the seats, backrests, and doors, ...last is a wireframe...

Ben

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