FB 3D Model
 

Since I've found a lack of FB models in the 3D community, I've decided to set out to make one myself. Aside from being fun for me (except that it'll take about 100 or so hours to complete) it can also be useful for people who want concepts for things they want done to their car. Paint jobs, body mods, etc.

I've encountered one large problem already, which is I cannot find a blueprint or adequate set of pictures to model from. To make an accurate model I need a picture of the front, rear, side, and top. The easiest way is just to find a blueprint of the car that has those perspectives.

If anybody has anything that they think might help, or has a helpful link or anything, I'd very much appreciate it

If you have a haynes manual, there should be a set of 3 drawn views of an SA, the front, side and rear.

Rusty, I've asked the same question here three or four times, to no avail.
It's EXTREMELY difficult to get REALLY good side views and perfect front perspective views of our cars.

My advise for now, having modelled MANY MANY cars in my day (3D Studio max), is to get a whole SHIT LOAD of photos from every direction. Don't rely on the blueprints alone, or you'll get a mixed perspective.

Detail. Use LOTS of detail. If there's a weld spot, model it! If there's a bolt, model it!
If you want any more advise on modelling, just PM me or AIM me at barryclipsnbravo.

Good luck, as I'm STILL trying to find some prints!

Edit:
Here's a picture of one of my 'mid level detail' models of a Dodge Viper. You can see that I included everything from body seams to the differential (not TOO visible on this one), and this just adds to the overall quality of the model
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...d=133661&stc=1

Oh, yeah, and there's a GREAT side and I THINK front view in the 83.5 manual that came with the car. I'm sure it's in others. Proble is, it's really small, and I don't have a scanner :(

Monogram Mazda RX-7. Special Limited Edition kit #2257 1/24 scale
that can be had for like 15 bucks. Use a 3D scanner and use that as a starting point. I have one, the scale is very good.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Monogram-Mazda-R...QQcmdZViewItem
Also the SA22 model is cool.
http://cgi.ebay.com/FUJIMI-MAZDA-SAV...QQcmdZViewItem

Oh also the 2nd Gen RX-7 coffee table book has some great drawings!

Hmmm, not all of us have, or even knew the EXISTENCE of, a 3D SCANNER!
Sorry, but that was really freakin' off the wall, lol

For if anyone is interested, I DO have blueprints of other RX models, FC, FD, and RX8.

Yeah I watch way too much star Trek......but so does this guy.
http://www.muellerr.ch/engineering/l...er/default.htm

I've seen that model, and unfortunately, it's not really accurate enough to make a good 3d model. They have one at the local rotary tuning shop, and I'm going to check the instructions to see if they have anything like this 300ZX decal guide that I got from a Tamiya model kit. I'm not too hopeful though, Tamiya makes much higher quality products

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...der-/300ZX.jpg

It had a few minor perspective issues, but nothing like what you would get from using actual photographs. This is from Blender by the way, a completely free and fully capable 3D modeler and animator

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...r-/300ZX50.png

I'm having trouble finishing this one because I keep thinking about how I'd rather model an RX-7 lol

Now, if somebody has a really good telephoto lense and a large, VERY flat parking lot, you could get good photos of the side, front and rear.

Now, that's not too bad. I have more unfinished models than I can count, if you know what I mean.

If ANYONE has a car manual could they check near the front and back of the book for us, and see if they can scan those GREAT side and 'whatever other view' profiles in? I'm pretty sure there's pictures on where to jack the car up and then near the back.


Rusty, although it's good, I have some strong advise for you. Instead of modelling it all as one peice, model EACH PEICE as it is on the car. For example, on a First Gen, the fenders would be modelled seperate from the doors, as a different shape, if you catch my drift. I don't know the limits of 'blender' or anything, so I'm not sure of wether that is POSSIBLE in blender.

I notice on the Z32 that you modeled the hood as the same peice as the rest of the car. That's the BIGGEST no-no, because then you can't pop it and show off the engine you moddeled ;)

It seems to me that some very early ads had a blueprint type drawing...I'll try to remember to check my collection tonight.

Rich

what program will it be made in?

Here are some quick pics.
The first two are from my Owners manual, and the third is from an ad.
If you think they might be helpfull, I can get them scanned later.

Hey guys models look great. I did a few cars back about 6 years ago using rhino/3ds max. But have to admit that I didn't put the weld seams :) It is fun stuff when you can model a car and make changes to it that correspond directly to your car. I think that it is better than photoshop due to the fact that you can see it from all angles.

What program are you going to be using? I have an older 3ds max program from about 2yrs ago. Do they have a newer one? Sorry for being a little out of touch...my work pays for all my drafting stuff now.

On the Z car model the parts that move are on different layers that I merged for that picture. All of the parts are seperate. I don't model one peice at a time because I tend to get bored, so I'll start with the door and move off in whatever direction I feel like doing at the time.

As for programs, I prefer Blender because it is free and I am familiar with it. I bought a slightly older version of 3DS Max, but I don't use it much because I can model much faster in Blender with the way the 3D view navigation is set up. You can download Blender yourself at http://www.blender3d.org

Here are a few renders from the Blender page gallery, to show you just what this freeware can do

http://blender3d.org/cms/typo3temp/pics/b2ed9a0e4e.jpg

http://blender3d.org/cms/typo3temp/pics/f0d683a0fc.jpg

http://blender3d.org/cms/typo3temp/pics/c1c234fdc6.jpg

Smnc, the last photo you posted is great. Where'd you get it? If you could scan it it'd be useable.

I do Rhinoceros 2.0 and rendering with it for design so if you need any help texturing or what not or tad bits of changes here and there drop me a message on aim "akaiinabikari" or email koihoshi@boombaprojects.com i'm always interested in a good 3D project, I rarely get to mess with it anymore anyway, texturing and lighting are kind of my "thing".

Heres one of mine, i tried to use R3D but im not used to it, i like 3ds Max 6 better. First is done second is a work in progress.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...nderlights.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...E86/s14kai.jpg
Good luck on doing the FB.

How hard is it to use those programs?

i use lightwave, so far its the simplest to use. I've tried 3DSMax, Maya and Blender. Blender is also a good program since its free and pretty easy to use too.

3D modelling and animation isn't hard, it just takes some time to learn. Tutorials and books are the best way to learn the techniques. As for the actual programs, here are a few of the more well known ones

Maya - New, it's about $5,000. Yeah. This is for pros, and no amatuer will ever need it's features enough to justify the price IMO. The user interface is not very good and it's difficult to use, though it's extremely powerful.

3D Studio Max - Probably the most popular, runs around $300 for the latest version I think. Pretty good user interface, doesn't take too long to figure it out.

Lightwave - I've never used it, but most people put it above 3DS Max, though it's a lot more expensive.

If you are interested in modelling, you can get a trial download or Blender and see how you like it before you spend money.

If you ask me, Blender is the way to go for amatuers. Its built-in render engine is okay, but the plugins and python scripts will get you renders every bit as good as most of the licensed programs. User interface is good, not quite as well organized as 3DS Max, but the 3D view navagation is far superior in my opinion. If you look at some of the renders I posted, you'll see that it's rather silly to spend money when you can get those kind of results for free.

As you can see, I'm a big Blender advocate.

dang, i payed almost $1g for my 3DSMax6 and thats with a student discount.

Maybe not 300? I think the current is 7/7.5 and 8 is almost out

yep that seems right.

Damn, SMNC (is that right?), those would be GREAT if you could scan them in for us!

I myself use 3DSMax 6, as it's the free one. Just download the trial, and. . . well, the rest of the info can be found on the web ;)

I've never tried Lightwave, Maya, or Blender, but I'm so comfortable with Max 6 I really can't see going to a new program. I also use Strata 3D pro, but that just isn't suitable for making cars.

3D modelling, as said before, isn't HARD, but you definately have to have a love for it. When modelling, don't EVER imagine the finished project, you will just be lusting after it. Imagine JUST the part that you are currently modelling.

Every so often, even concentrating on small parts at a time, it gets a little tedious. It is at these times (when I was doing this for money, at least. Now it's just a pasttime) that I go and model another part, or start working on my textures. Texturing is what makes the model go from OOOH, to WOW!
Now, I just go driving or something :D

Once again, if you could scan those pictures in, we will only need one thing: A perfect top view :(

DAMN this stuff rules! Hey guys, post some new pics, I want to learn this stuff! I am decent with photoshop and am currently downloading blender....may have to visit the use net ;) ;)

Hey guys, the blender download is not working for me....damn

How big is the blender download?

It says only 4.7 but it is not loading up for the download

EDIT:
Finally went through :)

DOUBLE EDIT:}
AAHHH Dont know what the hell to do!! Looks all complicated..lol

This should be interesting

So it's only 4.7 MB? If so, I'll download it to see what it can do :D

It's from an old ad I have for the GSL-SE...

I'll have to go to the inlaws to scan them. Should be able to get to it tommorow.

I'll search the rest of my RX-7 collection to see what I've got in a top view...

Thanks a ton. I've been looking for 'prints since I got my car, and have been unable to find them. You're a real hero :)

Anyway, as soon as you've got those scans in, I can start working on the model, and we'll see how long it takes. It usually takes me quite some time to do a model, because I HATE leaving anything out (even bolts!) The Viper was a bit of a dissapointment to me, because I couldn't get ahold of a real on to see into the engine bay and whatnot, so inside it's rather empty.

The FB, though, I'm confident that I know almost every bolt on the damn thing, so it'll be a VERY detailed model.

Thanks again

Edit: I forgot to mention, that one may have much trouble finding a top view. If it can't be found in print form, Someone's gonna have to go up on their roof to take the pic! ;)

um i have Autocab dont know if it is any good but i tried it many times to get used to and gave up and have uninstalled it cause it pissed me off way to much iam sure i could learn if i put some hours into it..............maybe a rainy day

No, autocad just SUCKS

Okay, I downloaded Blender, and it's confusing as hell and offers only one veiwport, and it's just. . . . empty.

Again, as usual, Max defeats a modeller.

Well, sort of. I do a lot of CAD work (tho my 3D skills aren't so good).

AutoCAD is the jack of all trades in CAD progams. It doesn't do anything especially well, but it does do everything to some degree.

I still use it (OLD AutoCAD LT '95, lol) for tossing together quick sketches of stuff...

Lol, No problem. I'd love to have a 3D model to screw around with... God know I'd never be able to make one myself...

My 3D skills suck, although I'm prety good with 2D CAD...

Fu*k that. We need THIS:

http://www.yfish.net/snkgallary/movie/RX-7/RX-7-2.swf

WOW!

Hey guys, can you do that for us:D

If we can find some more good view point pictures, let's all take a shot at maknig the model. I'll try to make one.

btw, I can't believe some of you guys actually paid fully for these programs o_o...then again...im a cheap mofo.

anyone use cinema 4d?? i remember taking a class back in high school and i made an '98 eclipse model with that program. its a pretty straight forward program. :cool:

I remember wanting Cinema 4D back when I was in HS, but finally decided on Strata 3d Pro (the only 3d modelling program I've ever actually payed for!)

I think if we can all take a shot at this, it'll get done quicker and better. Most programs can export/import to different formats, so if one of us gets stuck on something, we'll be able to help each other out by sending a peice of the model or something.

Know this: I'm a self proclaimed MASTER of lighting, texturing, and rendering, so even if I get fubarred on the modelling, if someone else can finish the model itself, I can paint, light, and render it ;)

Yay us!

Shit, just saw that FC thing. It would be totally possible, other than the fact that I, at least, don't have a clue about SWF flash, so someone else would have to code the pictures into that.
Like I've said before, I model EVERYTHING into my models, when I can, and that includes all of the stuff on that FC and then some.

I can transfer it into flash, but it has to be in 3DS format.

Wow that FC model is incredible. Great detail. I agree auto cad is useless for rendering images however it is great for technical drawings with dimensions. The next program that I will be learning is going to be pro engineer. Great for engineering purposes since it calculates all stresses that correspond to your designed part.

Y'know, being comfortable with the program is really the most important thing. All of the popular programs can do just about whatever you want and are limited pretty much only by your own skill. So basically, whatever you learn to model with is probably the best program for you.

Blender looks complicated at a glance, but once you learn the navigation (a tutorial can teach you in about 5 minutes) it's quite easy to use.

BTW, you can have as many view windows as you want. Here is how I typically have it set up when using a secondary monitor

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...derscreen2.jpg

I've read through most of this topic, and was wondering about the same thing. I agree that it's all about the users familiarity to the program, and maybe even to more than one program. Anyone use Solidworks? It's what my college is using. I've also used Cadkey, AutoCad, Mastercam and many more. By far, it's all how you know the system.

Does anybody have the "RX-7 Gold Portfolio"? It has about 400 pictures, and I figure it might have some usefull angles.

Bah, I was hoping for some prints. :(

Oh well, I'll model my house until I get them :D
Everytime I try modelling an FC, the fucking fenders mess me up. Bad. They have such ODD curves (although the model I'm working with (real life model) is probably more extreme than the real thing, but I can't just take my computer out to my backyard to use the real thing!)

Sorry, didn't get to the inlaws today. I'll try again tommorow...

It's no problem. Not like it'll kill me to wait :D

oh man somebody PLEASE make a full 3d model. I've had a bit of 3d experience, but more in creating 3D virtual environments, nothin like this. So someone with the skills PLEASE do this, i think everyone here would appreciate it, i know i would.