We are in our 18th year of working heavily with Formula 1 teams and their sponsors. This simple statement is not only testament to our skills as 3d illustrators but also our ability to work within demanding arenas and keep clients impressed.
Red Bull Racing Formula 1
You don't last nearly 20 years within Formula 1 if you can't keep up!
We have worked with many Formula 1 teams but for this case study we’re going to focus on Red Bull Racing and the 3d illustrations produced for the 2022 season. Our process has remained the same since 2005 and doesn’t alter from team to team.
The Reference Photoshoot
For each and every 3d illustration we have created for a Formula 1 team or it’s sponsors it always begins the same way, with a reference photo shoot.
We take approximately 250 photos, blitzing the car from all angles. It’s a very quick process, using bridge cameras for quick shots. We don’t care about the photography, we just use the photos for reference to see the forms and details of the car.
The Nurbs Model
The next stage is to take the reference photos and use them to create a nurbs 3d model. *Shown above
We use Nurbs ( non-uniform rational basis splines) because they allow us to quickly generate details that would otherwise be cumbersome with polygonal modeling.
The Devil is in the Details
The image to the right is a close up of the formula 1 car model. It shows the seam between two body panels and a rivet. As you can see we go to the extreme of modelling the rivets, adding a radius to their edge and also a radius to the edge of the body work that the rivet sits in. You can also see we add radius’ to the edges of each body panel.
These could be viewed as “overkill” but our imagery is used the world over for numerous projects at all sizes and these details add lovely highlights to the 3d illustration when viewed at large scales.
You’ll be thankful for a detailed and accurate 3d model when you have to use it to create a 3d illustration for a 3 metre bill board in China at a days notice!
Texture Mapping
Once the model is complete we texture map the logos onto the panels
Finished
Once the texture mapping is done the model is finished. We now have a base mesh for the Formula 1 3d illustrations.
Once the base mesh is complete we modify it to create each driver’s car and also create different cars to be illustrated on track or in the studio.
We repeat this process to create the driver helmets, boots, gloves and driver suits.
While you're here you might as well check out our other 3d illustration services
We’ve had the privilege to work with some amazing clients
If you have a project you’d like to discuss then please don’t hesitate to get in touch
