Rendering the ZORA

[Skank]

I think most do not realize the effort that has gone into the renderings of the mid engined Corvette ZORA. I contacted Autodesk to discuss the programs that would best facilitate the renderings that we have seen so far. There are quite a few videos of the Alias programs that can facilitate a rendering such as Chazcron's beautiful renderings. The Alias suite of programs have the ability to create Class A surfaces with their tools. A couple videos to watch are Downstream use of model, Light ray effects and reflections, Fast concept modeling overview, Deck seam, Multiblend Tool, Predictive Control, and Scan data workflows: surface from mesh.




.




https://www.autodesk.com/products/al...ducts/features

[ltomn]

Hey Skank! Something (a phone call) tells me that this is very expensive stuff. How does one guy sitting in his den afford this program to do "casual" renderings of a car not yet released for his buddies??

[John]

Showing key spline analysis:

[ltomn]

That is one of the images that makes me wonder how this is accomplished by a "Sunday driver."
""

[meyerweb]

The quality of the renderings created by the artists on this site leads me to believe they use these sorts of tools to make a living, and are not just "Sunday drivers."

[ltomn]

The quality of the renderings created by the artists on this site leads me to believe they use these sorts of tools to make a living, and are not just "Sunday drivers."

That is exactly my point!! Makes us wonder if Chaz works for Corvette Design. Look closely at the GIF above. It shows the exact splines that appear in the Alias website videos. That software is super expensive and extremely complex. Skank and I discussed the price of the Alias Suite and it goes from $12k - $40k. This is not run of the mill stuff!!

[John]

Agreed. They are all professional commercial/indistrial artists and share their passion for Corvettes in a beautiful synthesis for us.

[ltomn]

Agreed. They are all professional commercial/indistrial artists and share their passion for Corvettes in a beautiful synthesis for us.

The real question is are these guys working for Corvette Design and were they put on here to appease us while waiting for the release?

[meyerweb]

The real question is are these guys working for Corvette Design and were they put on here to appease us while waiting for the release?

This software is used in many other fields than automotive design.

[ltomn]

I understand that but this stuff is quire expensive and not like buying a fly rod and reel. It's bought by corporations, not individuals.

[fvs]

Alias, Modo, Solidworks... all great software...all pretty pricey

There are a few like Blender that is "free" I think this is what Chaz and BDS use. It has a quicker learning curve but is limited in skins and environments etc.

Alias can render true photo-realistic images that you could not tell from photography. There is specialized software specifically for the output renderings.

Takes a long time which is why we are lucky to have Chaz and BDS doing these 3d renders for us.

[John]

Thanks fvs! We are fortunate to have you, Chazcron and bdsvavars, helping to make out waiting times for the C8 much more pleasurable, downright exciting at times.

I can confirm that Chazcron is learning/using Blender, though I do not know whether he is using other programs too.

[meyerweb]

I understand that but this stuff is quire expensive and not like buying a fly rod and reel. It's bought by corporations, not individuals.

Prior to retirement, I used much corporate software for my own personal use after hours. The company had no problem with that at all, as it didn't cost them anything extra. Come to think of it, I'm still using MS Office software licensed by the company. With their permission.

[Skank]

I talked with a rep from Autodesk, as per post #1 above, about their Alias Surface Design program. By far it is the industry standard worlwide for design and engineering within the auto industry. No other company comes close. In fact most car companies use Autodesk, when I did a LinkedIn search of AutoDesk Alias. They also have some rendering programs that are relatively inexpensive. Yesterday, I received a call back again from them and we discussed what program would be required to render something like Chazcrons latest where he shows a shiny floor under the C8 ME reflecting its image. We discussed light reflection and the potential multiple points of perspective of those lights relative to Chazcrons renderings. Most simple rendering programs, such as Modo and Blender, cannot utilize multiple light points of perspective (typically only one point of perspective) nor can they do reflective ground surfaces that reflect the correct light intensity of the cars surface. He told me that it would require the Alias program with VRED to accomplish that rendering. Both are very expensive programs that are typically only used by auto manufacturers. Chazcron is doing some incredible renderings so I'll just leave it there.....

[fvs]

Thanks.


There are are others that do the same thing but Alias is really great for surfaces. Solidworks and Pro E are used for tooling and can do motion tests but for rendering photorealistic images or video Alias is great.