There can be many problems with reference images. Image courtesy of Problems with references If you don't have a blueprint, it's not a problem, as photos and the car's sizes will be enough.

Very often they are incorrect, though they can help during those first stages in the creation of the model, when we need to build the main shape quickly and correctly. A blueprint is not all that necessary for the creation of the car.

We need it to better observe and recreate the proportions. It is good to know the car's sizes too: its length, width, height and wheelbase. If you don't have enough photos or you don't have a large shot with particular details, you need to take a pencil and draw these details in to understand the shapes. We need to see the car's shape with all the details. It is preferable that you have a photo of the car on all sides. Shots on all sides of the vehicle are obligatory, so first let's examine the proper selection of references: 1. Referencesįirst, we need a photo of the car. We will create geometry from a simple box, and will smooth it repeatedly until we obtain the desired level of detail, ultimately ending up with a highly detailed model. We will create the 1939 Delage D8 120 Cabriolet Chapron – but using this tutorial as a base, you will be able to create any vehicle. Despite this, it actually doesn't matter what software you use, as the emphasis will be on the principles behind the creation of a model. During these tutorials we will use Maya for the modeling of the car, V-Ray for its visualization and Photoshop to edit the image. Over the next few issues, we will follow the process of modeling a car from its first blocking stages, to the final render. In this tutorial, you will discover how to begin to visualize and create a photorealistic 3D classic car. Create photorealistic cars in Maya with the help of Alexandr Novitsky's eBook, available in the shop now! Chapter 1 preview.

Maya car modeling