DaleTona's fantastical 3d Model Showcase.

[DaleTona]

So as of the past year I've been trying to get into 3d modeling. I'm not very good at it, but you gotta start somewhere right? This place will be where I showcase my 3d models and textures, so I can keep it all in one place.

Right now my focus is on low poly cars, as I don't have to be as precise with the detail, yet it still provides a challenge on how to get all the important design quirks with so few polygons.


First car off the block is a 1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe in racing trim. Right now with no texture, so you can get an idea of the raw model (and I haven't found time to learn UV wrapping yet)



Tell me what you all think. The more feedback the better.

 

[DaleTona]

Next up in line is the Monte's G-Body stablemate, the Grand Prix 2+2.



The car is largely the same, with the main differences being the pointed kick out on the nose, and a more rounded rear bubble glass.

 

[muhan78]

Always good to start than never try. More time doing it more experienced / faster. I can do engineering drawing but can't do modeling especially car body. Surface modeling in engineering drawing software is pain in the ass or maybe I just don't cut it. I am really want make LMP2 mod but there's some problem like I state, I am suck in surface modeling + transferring from CAD to modeling software like blender become mess. This one of my try on modeling. Take almost 2 months ( 2-4 hours everyday ) to finish and it's still really bad.


As for tips start with easy model, take practice every day when ever you can. There's no short cut in this.

 

[DaleTona]

Today I worked on the UV Mapping/Unwrapping, and made a body and tire texture. Now it is ready for a proper paintjob.

The shading is borrowed from TheUSPits, while everything else is done from internet photos.

 

[DaleTona]

Over the last 2 days I have worked on the first proper paint scheme, not just because it's fun, but also to help me with making sure the UV's are mapped right.

I adjusted the nose geometry to better suit the actual car that ran in NASCAR/ARCA, as I had the nose too high like a street stock, when the real cars had them much flatter and lower.

 

[DaleTona]

Decided to try something much more ambitious. A Gen 4 Dodge Charger from 2007. This took 2 whole revisions, one of which was a start from scratch due to the model not looking right.



The hood may seem long, but according to the side shot of a car at Sonoma this is the proper proportions. Once again the shading was lifted from an NR2003 template, this time Zone15's Dodge. Everything else is scratch made.

 

[DaleTona]

I took my 2007 Charger and made it the 2005-2006 model. I also may rework the nose of the 2007 car to make it more angular. I'm much more happy with this model than the 07 version, the proportions of the nose seem much better.

 

[The_Tigg]

I changed the thread title to something more suitable

 

[DaleTona]

I changed the thread title to something more suitable

Glad to see you like my little "doodles"

I also am working on a slightly more detailed car, of which I'm doing the chassis roll cage ATM.

 

[DaleTona]

So on the front of the "more detailed car" I decided I wasn't entirely happy with it. Also I have had the idea bubbling in my head of game/mod development, and wanted something that would fit such a mold.


So here is the rough partially complete model of my NASCAR Style Stock Car. The idea is to keep the shape fairly generic, A. so I can add more specific detail later, and B. if it is to be used in a game I want it to be somewhat genericised to avoid the dreaded copyright, and allow for easier skinning.

The final reason I chose to redo the model from scratch is I wanted it to be closer in dimension to the real car, as previously I was eyeballing it, but I wanted exact scale, height, length, wheelbase, and width, once again to make sure that it would work/scale properly in some form of in game scenario.

 

[DaleTona]

Here is the completed shell. Took me a bit of massaging to get it to how I wanted, but now I finally have something I'm happy with. A basic block chassis and simple wheels will be done to complete the look for now, as I'm not sure how much detail I want to go into for the end product.

 

[Jebrown]

Looks great! You're making a lot of progress, so keep going. I've been trying my hand at 3D modeling too but nowhere near this level.

 

[DaleTona]

Another practice shell. Unlike other projects that are intended to be game material, this is mainly just practice, and might end up as a basis for 3d printing board game minis.


I call this project "PapyBased", as the basic body shell is based off of the proportions of the original Papyrus NR2003 Cup cars. The reason I did this is mainly for proportional reasons, and for experimentation. Like most I have spent plenty of hours with the OG body style, and have come to enjoy it's simple nature. But I wondered if I could use the shape as a stepping off point to make various makes and models from the Gen 4 era, based on a generic blank that can be shaped and molded according to references, as the papy bodyset already does just about every model from 1998-2007 fairly well.

 

[DaleTona]

Today is back to low-poly land, this time with a shell for a 1990 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z.


The main thing with this was me working in tri's rather than quads, further optimising it for game purposes. Who knows, maybe I'll make an rfactor mod using these low poly cars? Only time will tell.

 

[DaleTona]

Today's effort involved taking the Camaro above, and putting an IMSA spin on in, inspired by the Peerless Racing cars of the late 80's.



This includes the larger front air dam, the hood bulge, bigger rear spoiler(which I totally redone the shape from the earlier car for more accuracy, will eventually update the IROC-Z to match) and widebody modifications.

 

[DaleTona]

Added a basic box chassis (so you can't see the underside of the body) and period style BBS rims. Right now the car sits on Goodyears, but just about any tire/rim combination can be made.

Now I think it's time for the paint booth

 

[DaleTona]

And now here is a car with a fresh paint. What do ya think?


Not 100% accurate, as some logos couldn't be found and others were poorly scratch made. I'm definitely no @Highbank when it comes to these 80's sports cars, but I feel it gets the point across.

 

[DaleTona]

This morning saw me tool up a 90's NASCAR Monte Carlo, now just needs chassis and wheels.

And unlike the Aerocoupe, all the shading and parts on this were scratch made, or taken from photos off google.

 

[Mystical]

Great work! You are definitely getting better as I look back at the first models and where you are now. Perfect testament to how practice and dedication pays off.

 

[DaleTona]

Great work! You are definitely getting better as I look back at the first models and where you are now. Perfect testament to how practice and dedication pays off.

Means a lot coming from you! Figuring out how to model in Tris helped a TON with my low poly work. My high poly work is somewhat meh, but it'll improve with time. 3D modeling is really fun when you are able to wrap your head around it.