[CE\Max] Ford Explorer (Jurassic Park)

[PaulH]

Hi all

So this is something I've been working on for the last few months. By profession I'm a games and level designer, however I learnt 3D Max at uni and made a couple of small (crappy) props back then, after which I went into a job at Codemasters for a few years where I used Max to make racing game tracks. I've now decided to focus on crafting a proper model, for almost the first time I guess. Given how I like to tie my work into movies I decided to create the Jurassic Park Ford Explorer and set it in a JP inspired Cryengine scene, along with a couple of other props. One of the references for the car (not the scene) is below

During the course of this project I hope to learn about quite a few new processes, including proper modelling, unwrapping, texturing (something I've not done much at all, I've just bought a graphics tablet for this purpose) and new lighting techniques within Cryengine. I don't however know if I'm creating a low poly or just a high poly though, i'm not trying to be an artist after all just making a scene for the portfolio and learning some new stuff.

Currently I'm still at the stage of creating the car - it's still missing a few details and things like windscreen wipers and I need to re-do the tyre treads as the ones pictured were my first attempt and I'm not overly happy with them. I think however now is a good time to gather any feedback, before I start the unwrapping process. So, critiques welcome!

Also, excuse the renders if they're not that great, i'm new to Vray and rendering in general too

WIP Renders:

[knj]

look's cool, but why those screens lost perspective ?

[PaulH]

You mean why did I render in the perspective viewport? I'm a noob I'll render using a camera for the next batch

[knj]

no, it looks like you've used orthographic view, and rotate your model, there is no proper perspective :-)

[PaulH]

I have I'm re-rendering using a camera perspective at the moment, will update the images in a few minutes when done

[knj]

yeah, good idea, now is kinda funny

[PaulH]

Updated original images to add perspective. Shadows are a bit blotchy in parts but i need to look into better rendering anyway

[macattackk]

nice, very clean model. the treading on the tires doesnt quite look right though.

[PaulH]

Thanks, yep the tyre treads have been on my list to re-do since I made them, they were just a first attempt. Making some better ones at the moment actually and re-doing the rims to fit the original reference too, will post some updated renders this weekend hopefully

[Thrik]

Awesome, nice to see some Jurassic Park stuff. You should make the visitor centre to go with it...

[PaulH]

You actually made me Google the visitor's center to see how feasible that was, however it doesn't seem like there's many shots taken of the outside, possible because it the movie is mainly set inside it. I think I'm going to stick to my plan of just making the car and a couple of other little props for a scene set around the car, then I'll move onto some environment stuff (not JP related )

This week I've been looking at subtle curves and differences between my model and the reference, based on points raised on the Polycount boards. I bought the windshield forward, curved it length-ways and upwards at the base, rounded off the sides of the vehicle, the bonnet and numerous other subtle tweaks. Thickened up and adjusted the front bumper too and bent it out of shape a little so it didn't look so straight. Also I modelled some new tyre treads based off the Goodrich All Terrain tyres linked to in this thread.

Still need to make new rims and haven't got round to adding windscreen wipers and all those other details yet. Renders still need work too

[PaulH]

Pretty much done with the modelling stage now, bar some final tweaks all over the mesh, quite keen to start unwrapping and texturing it all now

[Ginger Lord]

Good stuff, makes me want to break out XSI again.

[PaulH]

Cheers John, you should do it, I've found all this modelling pretty fun, going to do something environmental next

[knj]

soo what's with that Jurassic Park env stuff ? i would be cool