How to model a 50s van?

ArtHuman

So I summarize again what my problem is. Im trying to model a classic 50s "van" or "truck" for Fallout 3/NV mod and this is all I can make by myself. IDK how to continue further, like... at all. Any suggestions, tutorials or anything? I do 3D for 6 years now but mostly buildings and interiors or clutter

Eric Chadwick

When I'm stuck on getting started with a model, I think it helps to examine models that other people have made, gives me ideas for how to tackle things.

An example, searching the web for "sketchfab 50's car lowpoly"
https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/low-poly-1950s-car-2045e51f13024c07a6f0ed8a650c7905

Then you can use the Model Inspector button on the bottom, turn on Wireframe on the left, and tumble the model around to see different parts:

Eric Chadwick

Then searching around in Sketchfab, I see this model too:
https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/free-1938-vairogs-v8-van-ford-based-3a0b5e65ae0e4c20aa1e2078cad12e1d

ArtHuman

Well thats even harder to understand than blueprint

ArtHuman

How do I even recreate that shape of those mud guards? Smoothen a cube? Those loops are also pretty weird

okidoki

Ups.. didn't see this before posting in "How the f.." .. But found almost the same model

Hmm.. how do analyze usually any form.. and yes "simplifying" a form and subdividing it "later" helps. Also "retracing" some outline and connecting to faces can be a way to get some proper base to refine later.

Ohh.. and yes my example in "How.." started as the default cube.. in fact as you can see it's still named "Cube".. 

ArtHuman

I checked those 2 cars you sent. 1st one is a mess and the 2nd is too low poly. Guess nothing helps me with this. Why do I even bother

kanga

How to model a van in 3d (add the app you are using).
Use google. It works every time.

FrankPolygon

@ArtHuman Polygonal automotive modeling workflows typically involve tracing the body lines with curves or subdivided edges and creating clean guide shapes for the curved panels before cutting in any surface details. Whether or not something is modeled as a continuous surface or split into sections really depends on the type of surface it is and overall complexity of the body curvature. Often less is more and smaller details aren't added until the primary and secondary shapes are fully developed.

Here's a few links to tutorials that cover a basic automotive modeling process:

https://www.ebalstudios.com/blog/car-modeling-polygons-video-recording

https://www.ebalstudios.com/blog/modeling-cars-polygons
https://www.ebalstudios.com/blog/polygon-modeling-basics
https://www.ebalstudios.com/tutorials

And a couple more links to examples of the same principles applied to mid-poly cars:

https://polycount.com/discussion/234789/my-car-thread-low-to-mid-poly-cars/p1

https://polycount.com/discussion/comment/2800962/#Comment_2800962

It's also worth mentioning that subdivision modeling is a great tool for turning very simple meshes into clean curves that can be further refined with destructive modeling as part of a low or mid poly modeling workflow. Below are a few links to examples of subdividing very simple meshes to create a base mesh for additional modeling operations. Using subdivision this way makes blocking out shapes with complex curves a lot easier.

https://polycount.com/discussion/comment/2751340/#Comment_2751340

https://polycount.com/discussion/comment/2801645/#Comment_2801645
https://polycount.com/discussion/comment/2801666/#Comment_2801666

When it comes to modeling something like a 1940's to 1950's panel van it probably makes sense to start by blocking out the basic shapes with some very simple subdivision meshes. This will make it easier to adjust the primary forms before finalizing the shapes, applying one or two subdivision levels, and merging things while also cutting out all the smaller secondary forms and tertiary details. Any extra edge loops can be easily cleaned up using loop select end edge dissolve operations.

Here's a few different examples of ways to block out vehicles with similar shapes:

https://polycount.com/discussion/comment/2774815#Comment_2774815
https://polycount.com/discussion/comment/2771704#Comment_2771704

https://polycount.com/discussion/comment/2747967/#Comment_2747967

Remember to save a copy of the final base mesh before applying the subdivision, since it can be used as a guide shape to shrink wrap to or as a backup in case one of the larger primary forms needs a quick edit.

okidoki

ArtHuman said:

I checked those 2 cars you sent. 1st one is a mess and the 2nd is too low poly. Guess nothing helps me with this. Why do I even bother

Well.. when you said in the other thread you are modeling for 6 years.. and then "complains" about people doesn't show you the best models for your task (which you got paid for).. then this could be read/seen as.. weird. And people might think to spent there free time otherwise. Think about it..

Happy blending.

Also: sometimes other search engines like for example DuckDuckGo "deliver" also some interesting alternatives
There is even some  forum search function here.. (top right ).. and a wiki about 3D.

sacboi

Could also checkout Fallout modding forums for tips, especially vehicles and they do know their stuff imho as well as industry folks.

ArtHuman

FrankPolygon said:

@ArtHuman Polygonal automotive modeling workflows typically involve tracing the body lines with curves or subdivided edges and creating clean guide shapes for the curved panels before cutting in any surface details. Whether or not something is modeled as a continuous surface or split into sections really depends on the type of surface it is and overall complexity of the body curvature. Often less is more and smaller details aren't added until the primary and secondary shapes are fully developed.

Here's a few links to tutorials that cover a basic automotive modeling process:

https://www.ebalstudios.com/blog/car-modeling-polygons-video-recording

https://www.ebalstudios.com/blog/modeling-cars-polygons
https://www.ebalstudios.com/blog/polygon-modeling-basics
https://www.ebalstudios.com/tutorials

And a couple more links to examples of the same principles applied to mid-poly cars:

https://polycount.com/discussion/234789/my-car-thread-low-to-mid-poly-cars/p1

https://polycount.com/discussion/comment/2800962/#Comment_2800962

It's also worth mentioning that subdivision modeling is a great tool for turning very simple meshes into clean curves that can be further refined with destructive modeling as part of a low or mid poly modeling workflow. Below are a few links to examples of subdividing very simple meshes to create a base mesh for additional modeling operations. Using subdivision this way makes blocking out shapes with complex curves a lot easier.

https://polycount.com/discussion/comment/2751340/#Comment_2751340

https://polycount.com/discussion/comment/2801645/#Comment_2801645
https://polycount.com/discussion/comment/2801666/#Comment_2801666

When it comes to modeling something like a 1940's to 1950's panel van it probably makes sense to start by blocking out the basic shapes with some very simple subdivision meshes. This will make it easier to adjust the primary forms before finalizing the shapes, applying one or two subdivision levels, and merging things while also cutting out all the smaller secondary forms and tertiary details. Any extra edge loops can be easily cleaned up using loop select end edge dissolve operations.

Here's a few different examples of ways to block out vehicles with similar shapes:

https://polycount.com/discussion/comment/2774815#Comment_2774815
https://polycount.com/discussion/comment/2771704#Comment_2771704

https://polycount.com/discussion/comment/2747967/#Comment_2747967

Remember to save a copy of the final base mesh before applying the subdivision, since it can be used as a guide shape to shrink wrap to or as a backup in case one of the larger primary forms needs a quick edit.

Oh hell thats somehow way more complicated than I anticipated. Its gonna take me years to make 1 car O_O
But thanks for the links, they might be helpful once I learn how to decode them.

ArtHuman

okidoki said:

ArtHuman said:

I checked those 2 cars you sent. 1st one is a mess and the 2nd is too low poly. Guess nothing helps me with this. Why do I even bother

Well.. when you said in the other thread you are modeling for 6 years.. and then "complains" about people doesn't show you the best models for your task (which you got paid for).. then this could be read/seen as.. weird. And people might think to spent there free time otherwise. Think about it..

Happy blending.

Also: sometimes other search engines like for example DuckDuckGo "deliver" also some interesting alternatives
There is even some  forum search function here.. (top right ).. and a wiki about 3D.

6 years of buildings and interiors, not cars. And no I am not getting paid for anything, im unemployed.

ArtHuman

sacboi said:

Could also checkout Fallout modding forums for tips, especially vehicles and they do know their stuff imho as well as industry folks.

Well from what I have seen on Fallout modding scene, almost all car mods are either edited vanilla cars OR bought/DLed models from the internet. If you know about someone who DID make a custom car for FO I would really appreciate you telling me.

Eric Chadwick

I looked around on YT for you and there are speed-modeling videos like this one that could help you. Just be aware this is sped up 4x or so, just to make it less boring. But you can pause anytime and replay things. I would suggest trying to replicate exactly what they are making, following along step by step, just to help you learn all the tools. Then you can branch out and do it with your own design.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViYqd6x5o6Y 

ArtHuman

Eric Chadwick said:

I looked around on YT for you and there are speed-modeling videos like this one that could help you. Just be aware this is sped up 4x or so, just to make it less boring. But you can pause anytime and replay things. I would suggest trying to replicate exactly what they are making, following along step by step, just to help you learn all the tools. Then you can branch out and do it with your own design.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViYqd6x5o6Y 

Thank you very much, I´ll try it out

okidoki

ArtHuman said:

6 years of buildings and interiors, not cars. And no I am not getting paid for anything, im unemployed.

Oh... somehow i missinterpreted the "I´m a Fallout 3/NV 3D "artist" (at least thats what they call me).  I do this for 6 years now.." from the other  thread.. so i thought "they" are somekind of "studio".

Sometime this happens when talking  not using ones native language ..

Anyway: the general workflow is almost the same (itendify forms; build up some basis and refine) and of course it does not go well  the first time when trying something different or out of one own comfort zone. So you do know your tool already and also can do "some things" with it, so just keep up.. every master was once a beginner..

The secret is not: "try again".. it's: "think what went wrong.. and then try again.."

Happy blending.

sacboi

ArtHuman said:

[snip] If you know about someone who DID make a custom car for FO I would really appreciate you telling me.

Yeah sure, here's a one off custom apoc car "Highwayman'ish" authored with physics by tumbajamba over @ Nexusmods:

https://www.nexusmods.com/fallout4/mods/104585?tab=description

...and how it rolls in FO4 (just forward too 16:19mins)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYYCXjXNnSs