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

0. Introduction

01 - Welcome
02 - Using the exercise files

1. Getting Started

03 - Setting the project defaults
04 - Setting the scene units
05 - Customizing shelves
06 - Importing the reference image
07 - Checking the footprint in Alias Design
08 - Comparing different workflows

2. Creating the Main Body

09 - Using the Create Polygon tool
10 - Snapping polygons
11 - Creating quads with the Interactive Split tool
12 - Creating a solid with the Extrude tool
13 - Adding a chamfer using the Bevel tool
14 - Understanding the Insert Edge Loop tool
15 - Mirroring across the centerline with Duplicate Special
16 - Alternatives to Duplicate Special
17 - Understanding the Combine and Merge commands
18 - Using the Merge Vertex tool
19 - Using the software renderer for quick renders
20 - Using mental ray for higher-quality renders
21 - Understanding mental ray's Approximation Editor

3. Creating the Buttons

22 - Adding button recesses with Boolean operations
23 - Creating quads using the Interactive Split tool
24 - Creating the button base
25 - Creating the button indent
26 - Scaling the buttons

4. Creating the Handle

27 - The main footprint
28 - Creating quads
29 - Create a solid
30 - Fine-tuning the handle
31 - Mirror across the centerline

5. Additional Components

32 - Creating the paddles
33 - Modeling the rotary dial
34 - Modeling the center pad
35 - Modeling the digital display

6. Rendering

36 - Create an alpha in SketchBook Pro
37 - Rendering exercise
38 - Positioning lights and adjusting light attributes
39 - Render settings
40 - Comparing and saving renders

Conclusion

41 - Next steps