[TUTORIAL]Modelling a Vehicle From Scratch [INCOMPLETE - WIP] [UPDATE 1]

[itchboy]

This is tutorial assumes that you already know the basics of Zmodeler. These are the steps I take to model a vehicle from scratch. Incomplete so far while I model this vehicle.

You need a picture of the vehicle from the side, google is your friend. Add the image using the display button. You can add an image on any view, but in our case, do it for the left or right side, depending on the orientation of the image you are using.

Make a surface and that becomes a start for the vehicle.

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Once the model is extruded, you should end up with something that captures most of the details. You may have to make adjustments to the mesh of the model before you are able to get all the details in. Also you may need to add entire rows/columns of polygons just to accomodate some details that you may have missed in the original modelling process. Try to keep the shape smooth for the most part, except for any indents on the actual bodywork. Shading also helps bring out some dimension to it, so definitely needed for getting it right.

I haven't finished this example yet due to lack of time and will be posting a newer, more complete version soon. This temporary example still doesnt have a rear and front bumper, and lacks the door trim.

Now that we have the side body done, the next step to be made is the roof. It is far easier than making the front and rear because car roofs are almost always flat.

Using what we've applied, create a row of polygons that represent the roof.

To make things quicker, we can copy paste those new roof polygons by detaching them with the "keep as new" button.

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Modelling the roof:

Create new polygons on the top of the model, right where the roof starts.

 

Align the newly created vertices, then continue the row until  you reach the center of the model. Try to follow the curvature and angle of the roof based on the reference pictures, but you do not need to follow the picture exactly. As long as it looks correct in 3D, that is what matters above all.

Continue making columns of polygons. You can make them by hand, or create copies of that first row to save time. The next pictures make use of the copy method. If you do not wish to use this method, skip to Step 9:

Move the vertices to the correct points on the model.

Attach the newly created row copy to the main model.

Completing the copy method, and welding the vertices to fill all gaps.

Step 9: Once we have the roof done, its time to do the windshield and the hood.

Let's observe again. We need to pay close attention to the most visible details of the vehicle.

Using what you already know, keep on making rows and columns to set the windshield up.

And after a while, you should have the hood down.

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Modelling the front:

Once you're past the corner, let's do the bumper.

And now to fill the gap on the front end.

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Now to do that headlight.

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Modelling the rear

Now for the bumper

[itchboy]

Update April 30, 2016

Added extruded example.

[Mindcat]

This is a big gift for the whole community. Thank you. This is really really good to learn with.

 

[Nirvan Jonathan Baksh]

but how to open the photo true zmodeler

[ThinBlueLineKY4]

On 12/15/2016 at 6:45 PM, Nirvan Jonathan Baksh said:

but how to open the photo true zmodeler

gotta be more specific

[itchboy]

49 minutes ago, Connor Brumleve said:

gotta be more specific

I added the blueprint procedure into the tutorial.

[ThinBlueLineKY4]

2 minutes ago, itchboy said:

I added the blueprint procedure into the tutorial.

my bad i was talking to nirvan. i honestly didnt get at all what he was asking.

[itchboy]

Had to ask as well, his concern was apparently how to make the blueprint show up in Zmod. Its actually mentioned in Zmod's own built in help file, but I felt it would be useful including it here too.

[ThinBlueLineKY4]

1 minute ago, itchboy said:

Had to ask as well, his concern was apparently how to make the blueprint show up in Zmod. Its actually mentioned in Zmod's own built in help file, but I felt it would be useful including it here too.

ah okay,

[Nirvan Jonathan Baksh]

hey can u complete it plez

[jack45]

focus on school studying kid,these modding are for teenagers and who is over the age of 18,in order to mod you need to know Geometry ,angle related topics ,and the shapes,so focus on School.Modding will help you get to no where now.So leave these stuff from now.

[itchboy]

To be fair, I first started modding when I was 12 so age really doesnt matter tbh. What matters is the maturity and how you are able to say, manage your time, be respecful and humble about it, and know where you need to put the work in.

Modelling isnt an age exclusive thing, it just requires a good sense of space and form which can be learned. It isnt a 100% thing though, some people doing modelling can get the shape perfectly, others like myself, not so much.

[jonnyhappyfeet]

thanks for this tutorial itchboy

[jack45]

do you know how to insert the picture,like from a start

[TheVolume]

Hello
  icth i decided to teach modeling
But I have a problem at the beginning - it's about Zmodeler 3 and new feature

how to start modeling - sketches I already have but the rest I do not know

regards

 

[alexCNP]

Hi @itchboy

I've seen that headlights and tail lights of your zmodeler models have diferents colors from the body of the car  

Is there any "special" option for that or you just change the color of the polygon? 

Thanks! 

[itchboy]

I selected the headlights and tailights and assigned them to a different material.

I set each material to a different color for my own sake. I didnt want to get confused with what's the body and what's the headlight.

[emsfan112]

Hello itchboy i have problem picture in z modelere is shrinking like this . Do you know how to resolve the problem? Left  in z modeler on the right in paint.net size 1024x819  

[itchboy]

Change the canvas size of the picture to 1024 by 1024.

[emsfan112]

thx

 

[alexCNP]

On 2/5/2019 at 2:56 AM, itchboy said:

I selected the headlights and tailights and assigned them to a different material.

I set each material to a different color for my own sake. I didnt want to get confused with what's the body and what's the headlight.

thanks!

[alexCNP]

Hi! I have a doubt, and I think i'm becoming crazy. Does de game change how vehicles are seen in any way? I'm looking the model in zmodeler, and when I look the same model inside de editor, it looks much more "flattened". 

I don't know what can cause this, if its the FOV, or what, but it is like ingame models are lower than in zmodeler.

Or may be just my imagination? 

[itchboy]

Yes. Emergency 4 has a different FOV than Zmodeler and Blender. Most people dont notice the difference but it becomes really apparent once you start making models.

Have you noticed how some modellers like MikeyPI intentionally make their models appear taller than they actually are? That is because of the game perspective.

My most recent Ford CVPI model had to be adjusted to look less pudgy looking because of how Em4 distorts the perspective slightly.

You can adjust the FOV value in the em4.cfg file but it doesnt really change the perspective all that much.

[alexCNP]

12 hours ago, itchboy said:

Yes. Emergency 4 has a different FOV than Zmodeler and Blender. Most people dont notice the difference but it becomes really apparent once you start making models.

Have you noticed how some modellers like MikeyPI intentionally make their models appear taller than they actually are? That is because of the game perspective.

My most recent Ford CVPI model had to be adjusted to look less pudgy looking because of how Em4 distorts the perspective slightly.

You can adjust the FOV value in the em4.cfg file but it doesnt really change the perspective all that much.

Oh, woah, thanks for the response. I had created my first complete 3D model and it looks completely awful on the editor compared to the zmodeler one.

I tried changing the FOV, but as you said, doesn't really match the Zmod one.

I will try making it taller and shorter, and we will see if it works... I don't like pudgy models lol.

Thanks again!

[TheVolume]

Well , I can already imagine how my modeled Toyota GT86 will look like ” thanks itch for the info