rickmastfan67's Showroom (showcasing the 2001 9/11 Carset from Dover2)

[rickmastfan67]

<<< original thread over @ SRD (thank you archive.org for somehow having a copy of it! >>>

So, I know several of you have been wondering what's up with this set since my last 'official' post on it back in 2018 on SRD. Well, LIFE and 2020...., but let's not get into that $*(#^!#$*%#.

Anyways, I've still been slowly chipping away on the set doing minor things here and there from decals to numbers to even more research and even some 'template' work. All for cars on '1024x1024' templates, which were considered 'HR' back in the day, lol. However, please don't ask about 2048x2048 versions, ain't happening unless reasonable templates show up for the 'default' Cup mod that pass my scrutiny for this project. Even if that happens, cars on higher-res templates will be made on a case-by-case decision.

All posts will reference the changes since the original releases of each car back in the day as well. And please, if you notice anything off in the renders of the cars, don't hesitate to mention it. I've been know to sometimes miss stuff, and I appreciate people posting about it so I can correct it. For example, one of those mistakes originally was having the wrong outline color around the roof number on the #19. Can't believe nobody called me out on that back in the past and it took me till 2013 to notice said error.

Alright, I think that's enough chat for now. I'll start showing off some of the overhauled 9/11 cars here in this thread (and maybe some other stuff in the future, who knows) that are pretty much ready for release soon.

=====

Here is where I'll put all of the mass credits that will be universal over all the cars posted in this thread unless noted in an individual post for my 9/11 set:

Templates:
Pontiac: Jason_RSC's template with a few custom modifications
Chevy: From TFR (at least I think it was from there) with some custom modifications
Ford: Original BS template
Dodge: Original BS template, but the front-end heavily modified by me to convert it from a 2003 Dodge into a 2001/2002 Dodge with his permission (originally posted @ Masgrafx Racing, last publicly released revision: v3 ).

Logos:
BOTW
Google Search
Turn 4 Graphics
FW2
Masgrafx Racing
Sim Racing Design
DERacing
and many more that I can't remember unfortunately (this set has been going on for ~20 years, lol), but I do appreciate the help in the past.

Renders:
Done by myself, using a modified scene from 'SMK-CTJP' (I customized it over 10 years ago, forgive me since I don't remember the original site it came from, just the file name part that was left intact, lol).

 

[rickmastfan67]

The first 'updated' car that I'm going to be showing off, will be the #14 Conseco Pontiac out of A.J. Foyt Racing driven by Ron Hornaday.

Some of the fixes include the following since it's original release are as follows:

The base scheme was redone from the ground up.
Brand new numbers on the car. Current version you see is like the 3rd revision. Took awhile to properly get them right, especially till I spotted the angle part on top of the '1'.
Completely redid all the associate sponsor decals in front of the rear wheels (including making new decals). Also originally had a MAC Tools decal there instead of a Racing Electronics decal, which I might add, was a major pain since is was completely custom to the #14 due to it being an all 'white' version. Also added in the 'Blair.com' decal, as they started showing up on the car late in 2001.
Adjusted all the Conseco logos to work better with the overhauled scheme. This includes special thanks to Jonesbrent570 on Twitter for taking the time to take a picture of his old Conseco t-shirt that had the 'conseco.com' text in the correct font that was used on the rear, allowing me to get an ID match!
Accurate "We Care" decal on the rear, that I custom made using several pictures found on eBay.
Fixed the Pontiac logos to match what was used on the car (accidentally had the '3d' version of the Pontiac logo on the rear originally).
Custom made Pit Crew to match what was used in 2001 (not visible on the render).

 

[Slipster17]

I knew I recognized your name from somewhere! Welcome aboard - good to see you back!

 

[rickmastfan67]

Now, the main reason for the revival of this 'thread'. And I'm sure everyone will go crazy over this.

The Bill Davis Racing teammates of #22 Ward Burton and #93 Dave Blaney.

#22:

Some of the fixes include the following:
Base redone from the ground up.
Brand new numbers.
Custom 'CAT' logos trying to get them to properly line up with the rear-side windows.
Custom made Pit Crew to match what was used in 2001 (not visible on the render).


#93:

Some of the fixes include the following:
EVERYTHING. This sucker has been rebuilt from the ground up to work with the new V4 '01-02 Dodge template (more on that in a separate post soon) in mind. See the C-Pillar.
Also now have the correct fonts for all the American Red Cross text that is on the hood.
The numbers.... Oh my, the numbers. Like the 10th version of them. LOL!
Custom made Pit Crew to match what was used in 2001 (not visible on the render).

 

[rickmastfan67]

Wow, I'm kinda surprised nobody commented on the special hint I left in the #93 text section above. I'll give you all a little more time to figure it out.

 

[DaleTona]

Wow, I'm kinda surprised nobody commented on the special hint I left in the #93 text section above. I'll give you all a little more time to figure it out.

I presume it is the additional window piece that more accurately depicts the shape of the window? I like that, probably will try and incorporate that into other NR2003 templates I have.

 

[rickmastfan67]

Coming soon to a download center near you!

2001-02 Dodge template V4

Changes are as follows since V3:

Completely brand new rear-end shading (sans spoiler) to accurately match the '01-02 Dodge. This includes adding in the taillight molding. YES! There was molding on the rear of the car for the 'short' version of the taillights. This is something you normally wouldn't see, due to most pictures of that time being so low-rez. Also, includes recreating the molding you see in the middle between the taillights (all previous versions of the template had the original BS shading still), & now having it correctly curve in the middle, and having it accurately end BEFORE it gets to the rear-spoiler. YES, it doesn't make it all the way!


Overhauled the edges and top of the rear window to properly have a sharp edge at the top. Also now have a 'smooth' edge on the sides of it instead of a jagged edge. Thus, giving painters proper pointers as to where the truly viewable area of the top of the C-Pillar is, as that was lacking even on the original Dodge templates that came out back in 2003 from Brian Simpson. Only the original Chevy that BS made ever had the C-Pillars properly blacked out where you couldn't truly paint and have it show up in-game.

BRAND NEW rear side windows on the template. These windows are now properly sized and aligned, allowing for accurate work on the C-Pillar. They also come in 2 different flavors, Evernaham/Davis & Gannassi/Petty style side windows. Creating the windows took awhile, due to the annoying warp issues along the C-Pillar, but I got past that issue, and I think you'll all enjoy the result.

All DODGE logos have been updated. The template now includes 4 (yes, 4) styles of the 'DODGE' text that was used on the Dodge cars in 2001 (3 styles) & 2002 (1 style). In the render, you can see the 'late-2001' style. And let me tell you, trying to get them to work right on the front in above the grill was a pain due to annoying warp issues at where each end of the text went above the headlights.

One final thing. It will come in PSP & PSD files, & the template is 100% compatible with PSP7. Yes, you read that right. If you still have access to that program and still paint with it, this template will work with it.

 

[DaleTona]

Coming soon to a download center near you!

2001-02 Dodge template V4

Changes are as follows since V3:

Completely brand new rear-end shading (sans spoiler) to accurately match the '01-02 Dodge. This includes adding in the taillight molding. YES! There was molding on the rear of the car for the 'short' version of the taillights. This is something you normally wouldn't see, due to most pictures of that time being so low-rez. Also, includes recreating the molding you see in the middle between the taillights (all previous versions of the template had the original BS shading still), & now having it correctly curve in the middle, and having it accurately end BEFORE it gets to the rear-spoiler. YES, it doesn't make it all the way!
View attachment 155809

Overhauled the edges and top of the rear window to properly have a sharp edge at the top. Also now have a 'smooth' edge on the sides of it instead of a jagged edge. Thus, giving painters proper pointers as to where the truly viewable area of the top of the C-Pillar is, as that was lacking even on the original Dodge templates that came out back in 2003 from Brian Simpson. Only the original Chevy ever had it from BS had the C-Pillars properly blacked out where you couldn't truly paint.

BRAND NEW rear side windows on the template. These windows are now properly sized and aligned, allowing for accurate work on the C-Pillar. They also come in 2 different flavors, Evernaham/Davis & Gannassi/Petty style side windows. Creating the windows took awhile, due to the annoying warp issues along the C-Pillar, but I got past that issue, and I think you'll all enjoy the result.

All DODGE logos have been updated. The template now includes 4 (yes, 4) styles of the 'DODGE' text that was used on the Dodge cars in 2001 (3 styles) & 2002 (1 style). In the render, you can see the 'late-2001' style. And let me tell you, trying to get them to work right on the front in above the grill was a pain due to annoying warp issues at where each end of the text went above the headlights.

One final thing. It will come in PSP & PSD files, & the template is 100% compatible with PSP7. Yes, you read that right. If you still have access to that program and still paint with it, this template will work with it.

This is awesome! I love seeing updated templates for the old Papyrus Cup bodies. Oh what I'd kill for this level of attention to detail on a 2048 x 2048 template set for all 4 makes ala Dr.Noise's Cup90 templates.

 

[rickmastfan67]

Just a little something that I'm working on for the set.

 

[DaleTona]

I'm loving these updated rear window shapes When these template updates get released, you bet I am applying the quarter window pieces to all my Taurus and Intrepid templates, because they do so much to correct the slight idiosyncrasies of the model. Because I'll admit, while I love the Original bodies, something just seemed "off" especially with the Dodge, and this makes the body look soo much better.

 

[rickmastfan67]

Just note, while I did show a 4096x4096 preview above (in addition to the normal 1024x1024 one), it doesn't mean I'm going to be doing any 4096x4096 or even 2048x2048 cars. Was just showing it this way to prove it can be upscaled and look super amazing. I made that on a 'fake' 4096x4096 template just to allow me to be able to work out all the kinks in the alignment as possible. And trust me, there was a ton of weird quirks in the Ford model in the area below the thinner part of the window that could drive a person insane. I had a lot of back and forth playing tag in Inkscape & PSP7 while crafting that new side window. Especially when it came time to get the rivets to look right on export for the 1024 version.

While still not '100%' perfect at all angles (and never truly can be), it does look very good otherwise on about 95% of them. Sadly, you'll always find an angle that it will look crap from, but that's the nature of the original car models.

I'm loving these updated rear window shapes When these template updates get released, you bet I am applying the quarter window pieces to all my Taurus and Intrepid templates, because they do so much to correct the slight idiosyncrasies of the model. Because I'll admit, while I love the Original bodies, something just seemed "off" especially with the Dodge, and this makes the body look soo much better.

There isn't going to be an 'updated' Ford template release. I only did the window due to it being smaller on the original template than it should have been, and because it was throwing me off on some decals I was working on for a car. The rest of the Ford template that I'm using is still an 'original' BS template otherwise.

Doesn't mean I would rule out just releasing a 1024x1024 file with just the new Ford side windows for painters to plop into their own files.

Anyways, as of this moment, I don't plan on doing any other rear side windows beyond the above Ford & the one on the Dodge template.

 

[tstrobs]

Really looking forward to the release of these cars. Fantastic work!

 

[rickmastfan67]

So, been doing some more research as of late, and I've discovered that Ford had at least 4 different styles of the 'TAURUS' text used in 2001. Similar to Dodge having the 3 different versions in 2001 (there was a 4th, but it was a Gannassi exclusive, and I don't want to go into that ATM, lol). However, unlike with Dodge that had all the teams using the same version by the time Dover2 came around, all the Ford teams were using all 4 versions of the text when they got to Dover2 still......

Amazingly, there's clear enough photos that I've acquired from that race, that have allowed me to ID exactly which version each team used at that race, except for 3 cars. Below is a list (see end of post for an attachment showing 3 of the 4 versions used on cars that weekend).

#2 (bottom)
#6 (NONE)
#7 (top)
#11 (top)
#12 (unknown at this time)
#17 (95% sure it's the bottom version)
#21 (middle)
#26 (top)
#28 (middle - w/ extra outlines)
#32 (CUSTOM - not shown, but is somewhat similar to the bottom one, but way more compressed with a super heavy outline)
#47 (unknown)
#66 (top)
#77 (NONE - had it for Qualifying [top], but removed for race when they also swapped the font for all the text on the car. May consider doing the 'qualifying' version of this car in future too, but only if I can ID the font used for the original text.)
#88 (middle)
#90 (top)
#96 (unknown at this time)
#97 (top)
#99 (bottom)

One of the 3 unknowns, is the #47 DNQ, and will be defaulting to the 'top' version, as that's the most likely one used, for it. The only picture I have of that car is a driver side view of it.

As for the #12 & #96, both were involved in single car wrecks each, and I 'might' be able to see something if I rewatch the coverage of those wrecks to figure out which version they used. If I can't figure it out for them, I will default to the same style each of their teammates used (#2 & #32) as a failsafe.

Still have to finish making all the versions of the 'TAURUS' text used for the cars, but progress is being made on that.

Just thought I'd give a small update.