3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by

Step
6 Comments / 3ds Max / Updated: February 23, 2020

Modeling a car in Autodesk 3ds Max is not as hard as you would think. This tutorial will
teach you how. We start with the basics of car modeling. From setting up the
background pictures, and modeling from Plane objects using poly-modeling
methods.

Finished car rendered in high resolution in 3ds Max

The vehicle above is a model of a 1974 Datsun (my very first car I bought when I was
sixteen for $600 bucks). To model this in 3ds Max, I used three background images.

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 1/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

Then I just modeled a rough shape of the side body of the car using a Plane primitive,
and started cutting out Elements like the door, handle, and lights. By selecting the
Border sub object, Holding the Shift key, and Dragging on the X axis I started to
build out a rough 3D model of my car.

Download the CarStart.zip file below. Then you can start modeling the bumper, hoods,
and windows of the car. Continue to model from new Plane objects and begin shaping
the front & back grills and lights.

The video tutorial and written tutorial below will show you step by step how to model
a car in 3ds max. The video gives you a good primer on how to proceed with this
tutorial.

Watch the Video:

3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial

Watch this video on YouTube

Files:

Carpics

CarStart_2012_01

Setting Up Background / Plane object

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 2/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

Setup the background images. See Background Setup tutorial.

Create a Plane object. Then move it out on the Y axis. Convert to Editable poly. And
Right click to go to Object Properties and checkmark See Through.

Make a Rough Shape

Go to Vertex mode to start a rough shape of the background.

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 3/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

Go to the Top view and move the top points and bottom points up to match the
background.

Now we have a rough 3d shape of the left side.

Add more Geometry

In Edge Mode, add two edge loops using Insert Loop if you are using the Graphite
Modeling Tools tab, or use Ring and Connect.

Space the vertices out evenly. Use Cut to create a new edge loop to separate the
windows.

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 4/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

Now to make each vertical line of points curved. We need to because of the new edge
loops. Select one line at a time and click Hide Unselected. In the Front view, move the
points on the new edges out a bit so the line is smooth in its curve. When you are
done click Unhide All.

As you go down further you might need to Hide the polygons to see what you are
doing. Go to Polygon mode and hide the mesh you already shaped.

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 5/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

Ignore the window area. We want this to be flat. Just curve the side of the body. When
you are done with the last line of points to curve, check the Top viewport to make sure
all points are where they should be.

Check the Front and Back views and make adjustments in Vertex mode if need be.

Let’s make the outline edge loop for the door. Cut new edges where we need them, to
make the polygons 4 point. Triangle polygons, and 5 point polygons are ok on a flat
surface, but not on a curved one.

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 6/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

Side Windows
Now to model the side windows. In Polygon Mode, go and Inset the polygons a bit.

Go to Vertex mode to match the points to the background image. Go back to

Polygon mode and in the Top viewport, negatively push in the poly’s on the Y axis.
This will make an indent.

Chamfer to create hard edges in TurboSmooth. Fix the triangles. Try not to leave any
3 point or 5 point polygons except on a flat surface. This makes for a cleaner
subdivision in TurboSmooth.

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 7/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

Fix the mesh to an all quad connection. Use Remove in Edge mode to remove a
couple edges, and Cut new ones in.

Model the Door

On the edge shown hold shift and drag a bit on the Y axis.

Select the shown edges and use Connect to add an edge loop down the middle. In
Vertex mode, fix the corner and space the edges.

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 8/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

Select the edges that will make the outline of the door. Go to Chamfer. Fix any
triangles.

Go to Polygon mode. Select all the polygons in the middle of the Chamfered edges.

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 9/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

Extrude negative on Y axis (by Local Normal). Delete to erase the polygons. Now we
have two separate Elements.

Apply a TurboSmooth modifier to the stack with 3 iterations. Notice the edges are
rounded. We want the edges to be sharp at near 90 degrees.

Let’s start on the body. Go to Element mode and select and Hide the door. We have
to tie down the corners so they do not smooth and round. Use Cut in Vertex or Edge
mode.

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 10/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

Add a tight edge loop shown here to prevent that spot from curving under
TurboSmooth.

Create tight loops to sharpen the edges. Turn on TurboSmooth to see the hard edges.

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 11/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

To make sharp corners, create a tight edge loop in the first picture, then make tight
edge loops for the corners to prevent them from curving under TurboSmooth.

Tie down the left corner of the window like below. Now all edges are sharp. Go to
Element, and Unhide All. Turn TurboSmooth on. This is how we get nice grooves
between Elements of mesh.

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 12/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

Add Geometry to make space for the tires

As you continue modeling, in the Edit Geometry rollout, it is sometimes useful to use
constraints on the vertices while you move them. This is so you do not mess up the
geometry you already created.

If you choose Edge Constraint, then when you move vertices, they will stick to the
edge loop that you created. If you choose Face Constraint, the vertex(s) will stick to
the polygon surface area it is on. Be sure to go back to the default None when
finished.

NOTE : Turn Constraints to None after you are done moving points or edges.

We need to add 2 new edge loops to round the mesh where the tires will be placed.
Now turn Constraints to Edge, and move the new vertices tighter together, until the
bottom vertices match the background curve. Then comes the hard part of making the
mesh all quad points. Use Remove in edge mode to remove unwanted edges. Use Cut
to add new edges, as well as Target weld to join points in Vertex mode. Eventually
you will get things looking like the pic on the far right. InVertex mode make a square
for the gas tank lid as shown. Then do the same fix for the front end.

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 13/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

Isolate object and turn on TurboSmooth. The body might look a bit banged up. So it
is just a matter of smoothing the vertical curves in the mesh.

Here are some methods to fix things :

In Vertex mode pick a point, then Orbit around to see points that are in or out too far
on the Y axis. Be careful and pull or push those points just a bit on the Y axis.

In Vertex mode, select points where the dents are, select vertices and use the Relax
settings.

Check the Top, Front and Back viewports to make sure the mesh is following the
background.

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 14/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

Use the Hide Selected, Unhide All, and Hide Unselected, in Vertex and Polygon
mode to see if the vertical lines are evenly curved.

Now most blemishes on are gone. A little more work and everything will look evenly
curved and polished.

Modeling the Smaller Elements

Inset the poly for the gas tank lid.

Add the new edges below. Then Chamfer the inner rectangle.

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 15/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

Select the polygons inside the chamfered edges. Negative Extrude Local Normal.
Delete the polygons.

Now we have a thin gap separating the Lid and body. Both are now separate
Elements. In Polygon mode, Hide the Lid Element. Before going to TurboSmooth,
Chamfer the outside edges below.

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 16/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

Unhide all Elements. Then Hide the body. Do the same thing with Chamfering.
Unhide all Elements, then go to TurboSmooth. We have a nice even gap with sharp
edges.

For the Lid handle, add the edge loops below. Select the poly and negative Extrude.

Chamfer, Chamfer for hard edges. See what it looks like with TurboSmooth applied. It
does not distort the smooth surface. Both are separate Elements now.

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 17/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

Same deal with the Door Handle. Take note of the edge loops that constrain both
Elements.

Same as the forward and rear side lights.

Expand Body

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 18/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

Ok, I will pick up the pace, since most of the fundamentals we have covered. Select the
border of the object. Hold Shift key, and Drag on the X axis to build a rough shape.

Make Planar Z, to straighten the edges vertically. Now we have one half. Once we
finish modeling this half, we will mirror it with the Symmetry modifier. Add two edge
loops for the body.

Hood Grills
Ok this is a bit more complex, but the same principles apply. Minimize the number of
triangle polygons except on flat surfaces. On curved surfaces triangle polygons can
pinch the mesh under subdivision like TurboSmooth. Try and keep all polygons 4 point
(quad) if possible for smooth subdivision.

As you can see you make an indentation in Polygon mode and make Cuts for the
geometry.

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 19/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

In Top down view, you can see the geometry for each rectangular hole. Note the
vertical edges that will restrict the smoothing a bit. Select and delete the polygons to
make the holes.

To give it a bit a of shape, select the edges as seen below and lift up a bit on the Z
axis.

Turn on TurboSmooth, and you should have something like below.

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 20/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

Make the Bumper

By now you should have a grasp of basic modeling techniques with Vertices, Edges,
Polygons, and the basic tools to use.

Select the polygons below and Extrude them a bit.

Select the edge loop in the middle. Pull it down and to the left just a bit. Go to Vertex
mode and even out the points in the Top viewport against the background image. Add
more Chamfered loops.

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 21/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

Select the polygons where the Bumper will separate. Negative Extrude Local Normal.
Turn TurboSmooth on to see the results.

The rear bumper is done the same way as the front.

Grill and Head Lights

Start with a square Plane object. Use an eight sided Cylinder as a visual aid. Right
click the Plane and checkmark See Through. Add a TurboSmooth modifier. Then
follow the progressive modifications seen below. Finally, in Polygon mode, select the
polygons to Delete to separate the mesh into Elements.

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 22/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

Continue expanding the mesh to the left. My final grill and headlights below (Four
Elements):

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 23/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

The Grill Mesh

In the Front viewport, create a Line with the settings you see. Then hold Shift and
Drag to Clone. Choose Copy and Number of Copies. 30 in this case. Go back and
make a horizontal Line with the right number of copies. Finally, select one Line and
click Attach Multi to make one object.

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 24/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

Back End View

The rear is the same thing… start with a Plane object, and use modeling methods to
manipulate Edges, Vertices, and Polygons. Below are the separated elements.

Here is the TurboSmooth results of the back end.

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 25/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

All other Elements

All the other Elements (hood, trunk and windows) were created just the same way as
you can see below.

Add a Symmetry modifier above Editable Poly. Choose a low Threshold for the auto
welding. Click the Mirror sub mode and slowly move the mirrored half until it sticks to
the other one. Now you have the complete body of the car done.

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 26/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

Below are the links for all the other 3ds Max tutorials in this series. Check ’em out. They
cover all the steps to finishing this car model including the tires, camera setup,
applying procedural materials, and the final rendering of the model.

3ds Max Tire | Lights & Camera | Mental Ray Materials | Clay Render

Add this html code on your Website, Blog, or Forum:

<a href= "https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutoria

Let your friends know about this tutorial!

Related Posts

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 27/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

Make Animated Fire in 3ds Max 3ds Max Cloth Tutorial – Flag Simulation

Clay render objects in 3ds Max Box Modeling a Gun in 3ds Max

3ds Max Lighting Tutorial using Mental Ray Box Modeling the Gun in Nine Steps

6 thoughts on “3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step”

JASON KIAMA
JULY 2, 2015 AT 8:46 PM

Thank you.

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 28/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

Reply

TBY
JULY 5, 2015 AT 8:06 PM

Glad you liked this tutorial 🙂

Reply

CHRIS
JULY 10, 2015 AT 4:16 PM

For a total layman like me, this looks like magic!

Nice, very nice. Too bad I don’t know anything about 3DS max. I don’t know anything
about the pictograms, the menus etc… .

I’d love to be able to make a model of my own car. I can’t find any blueprint and I’m
going to try to make my own blueprint using insight3D and photos I’m going to take
from my car.

Reply

TBY
JULY 11, 2015 AT 4:10 PM

Thank you. You can download a trial version of 3ds Max. It comes with
tutorials. I think ‘insight3D’ is good for the purpose you want…that is
converting images into 3D.

Reply

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 29/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

EB
DECEMBER 29, 2015 AT 5:11 PM

Hi, what is the actual car model that was used?

Thanks, great tutorial

Reply

ERITOJAI
APRIL 18, 2016 AT 2:54 AM

This is Really Helpful ! Thanks for sharing with us

Reply

Leave a Comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 30/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

Type here..

Name*

Email*

Website

Post Comment »

Search For Tutorials

Search … Sea


Submit Tutorials
https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 31/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

We are now accepting user submitted tutorials for our community news page.

Submit tutorials here.

User Submitted Tutorials

Comic style image in Photoshop A short tutorial on how to adapt any image
into a comic style image.

3D paper background In this tutorial we will find out how to create an

abstract 3D paper background.

Cat Wear Glasses Using Photoshop This is the video it teaches you something
simple but quite cute.

Links

somuch.com

Techtutorials.net

3DLinks.com

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 32/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

About

Awesome collection of free tutorials on a variety of popular software applications.

Do you want to contribute? We have a user submitted community news page. Get good do-
follow backlinks to your posts… and a bit of traffic. Give us a try.

Get Social with us:

Popular Tutorials

Photoshop Logos

3D Car Modeling

Gimp Logos

3ds Max Grass Scene

PS TimeLine Animation

Flash Animated Flag

3D Skull Model

Popular Videos

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 33/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

3ds Max Car Series

Animate Flash Text

Paint by Number

X-ray Scanner GIF

Cartoon Landscape

3D Photoshop Text

Draw Vector Flower

Site Menu

HOME
SUBMIT
DESIGN

3ds Max
Gmax
Photoshop
Illustrator
Gimp
Flash
DEV

C++
MISC

SEO
Articles

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 34/35
3/12/2020 3ds Max Car Modeling Tutorial Step by Step

Copyright © 2020 | www.tutorialboneyard.com | All rights reserved

https://www.tutorialboneyard.com/3ds-max-car-tutorial/ 35/35