neXib

Texturing is done "by hand" still then?

mryoshi

Yes texturing is typically done the traditional way of shooting texture photos, then "painting" those photos onto the UV layout for rendering.
Not all the models were scanned for digital doubles. The RX-8 for instance was a tracking model. This allows them to place digital effects (fire in case of the RX-8) properly. There is no need to texture a tracking model as it is only a place holder.

The tanker was a digital double. So once they have our scan data which was a high resolution random poly mesh. It was modeled as a low polygon ordered mesh and a UV layout created. then the textures married to it. Most "details" need only be textured as you wont see the difference between low res texture and high res 3d dependng on the camera angle.
In the case that they need high resolution details, they can lift displacement maps from the high resolution data.
Large 3D data cant be worked with, without the cost being unrealistic.
For example the fuel tanker as we scanned it was over 30,000,000 polygons. If you think about the fact that it would just be one element in a scene the time/expense it would take to render each single frame would be out of the question.

Photgrammetry is another way of capturing 3d data that can directly marry the textures onto the model. Using Photography rather than expensive 3D digitizers. The time, cost and resolution do not compare to the current pipeline though. Within the next 5-10 years it will probably will though.

neXib

Interesting.

I figure the scanning of objects of that size must have been something that turned cost-viable not that long ago? I remember seeing it for smaller objects probably 4-5 years ago, but was probably insanely expensive then. It's not that hard to make a good high-poly model of a car, even with styling kits and what not. But if the cost of scanning is decent then I guess that would be convenient, especially if the car isn't supposed to be manipulated much in the form of explosions and such.

Would love to see and hear more I have a big passion for 3D modelling and animation, sadly not much time to let it come out

mryoshi

the problem with modeling based on reference photos is you dont have the accuracy.
Our scanning system we use on cars is used by many automotive maufacturers such as Toytota, BMW, Audi Ford etc.
The tech we use has scanned for several Formula 1 teams as well as NASCAR.
They demand accuracy in the .001" range. I'd challenge any modeler to come anywhere near that. Thats biggest reason to scan.

We have been doing 3D scanning for about 12 years now. it has been around a fair bit longer than that. Our Body scanner was originally developed to scan fighter pilots, to make flight suits. 3D scanners were used primarily in manufacturing at first, and later adopted into entertainment applications.

Scanning is still very cost effective even if the item being scanned will be a digital double. Sometimes when trying to do practical shots, you might have to do the shot several times (which costs much more than the digital model does). It also allows you to do things that would be far to dangerous for a real person to do.

Sadly though too many directors these days rely on CG to make thier movies... Story telilng has definately suffered as a result.

QuadRotaryFun

ok so i am somewhat new to the rotary world, especially the rx8, i love there lines but prefer the rx7 myself, but all in all am just a rotary enthuaist but sadly i drive a pgt. anyways to my point I'm prolly gonna get hung for this but since i dont have a trained eye for rx8s yet, that *** end there imo kinda resembles more the S2K to me, but then again as i admit i am new to the rx8 realm and dont have that trained eye yet.