Modeling an F1 Wheel in Maya

2h 7mIntermediate2014-04-17

Authors

Veejay Gahir

Automotive and Product Design Specialist

Course details

Once you've drawn your initial product design, it's time to take it to a 3D program for modeling. Veejay Gahir takes the initial sketch of a Formula 1 steering wheel from the first part of this series and shows you how to model and render a fully realized version in Maya. He shows how to import the sketch, use box and freeform modeling techniques to create the basic shape, and add details like buttons, dials, and decals. Finally, Veejay shows how to add texture and lights and render out the final view of your model.

Learning objectives
Importing the reference image
Snapping polygons
Creating quads and solids
Adding chamfered edges
Mirroring across a center line
Adding buttons and handles
Positioning lights
Setting up your render

Skills covered

Maya3D AnimationRenderingMotion Graphics and VFXAutodesk3D ModelingProjectVisualization and Real-TimeAECProduct and ManufacturingAnimation and Illustration

Concepts

Introduction

Welcome
Using the exercise files

Getting Started

Setting the project defaults
Setting the scene units
Customizing shelves
Importing the reference image
Checking the footprint in Alias Design
Comparing different workflows

Creating the Main Body

Using the Create Polygon tool
Snapping polygons
Creating quads with the Interactive Split tool
Creating a solid with the Extrude tool
Adding a chamfer using the Bevel tool
Understanding the Insert Edge Loop tool
Mirroring across the centerline with Duplicate Special
Alternatives to Duplicate Special
Understanding the Combine and Merge commands
Using the Merge Vertex tool
Using the software renderer for quick renders
Using mental ray for higher-quality renders
Understanding mental ray's Approximation Editor

Creating the Buttons

Adding button recesses with Boolean operations
Creating quads using the Interactive Split tool
Creating the button base
Creating the button indent
Scaling the buttons

Creating the Handle

The main footprint
Creating quads
Create a solid
Fine-tuning the handle
Mirror across the centerline

Additional Components

Creating the paddles
Modeling the rotary dial
Modeling the center pad
Modeling the digital display

Rendering

Create an alpha in SketchBook Pro
Rendering exercise
Positioning lights and adjusting light attributes
Render settings
Comparing and saving renders

Conclusion

Next steps