Recently, I started the surface modeling of a car using CATIA — a 3D Engineering software. Today I am attempting to give a ‘crash course’ on making your own cars in CATIA. If some of you started asking questions on this subject, I will be very happy as my mission is accomplished.

You can click on the images for a larger view.

Initial Steps

Here we shall see how to make some awesome surface models in CATIA. The basic approach in CATIA is pretty much similar to the way cars are made in 3ds max or other surface modelers. Some obvious advantages of using CATIA are getting curvature continuity, having a clear construction history etc. Don’t worry of these, if you didn’t understand.

The first step is to choose what we want to model. It can be any product as long as you are clear about its overall form. I started with a particular car model in mind. Making surface models from your own sketches is the best, because you have a pretty clear idea of what you want in the end.

My choice is a 1967 Ford Mustang. I collected enough images from internet to get an idea of the shape, size and the surface of the car.

Backplates

It is important to have good backplates. Search the internet and find some that suit you.



These backplates tell us the relative location of the curves and body features. The importance of good backplate images cannot be stressed enough.

I would like to recommend The-BluePrints.com. It’s an awesome site, with good quality backplates. You can even buy vector blueprints. The JPG ones are free.

How to apply these backplates to CATIA?
Open CATIA and go to START>Shape>Generative Shape Design.

Click on the Sketcher icon and select XY plane. Make a rectangle and hit Exit Sketcher.

The next screen should look like this:

Hit the fill command to fill the sketch you made into a surface. The objective is to get 3 walls like this:

Now we can apply the backplate images and this is what we get:

Please see this link to know this process in detail.

Making our own Car

Now we are ready to start making the car. Switch to START>Shape>Freestyle.

I chose the windshield as the starting point of the modeling. You are free to choose any parts to start with.
Step 1: Right click on the Compass and select Make XY the privileged plane.

The privilege plane decides what the mouse does. XY privileged option will make the points slide along XY plane when dragged with the mouse.

Now go to the 3d curve button.

This allows us to place control points for the curve we want.

After clicking OK to create the curve, click on the control points button.

This allows us to fine tune the curve as we want. It also allows to move the vertices around and also to create a curve which is symmetrical about the mid plane of the car body. The same option also edits surfaces. Control point dialog box is very useful in surface modeling using CATIA.

Using the 3d Curve and control point options, I made the bounding curves for the windshield.

Surfaces

Next step is surface creation. Click on Net surface.

In the dialog box that opens, select the side curves as guides. Hold down CTRL as you select.

Now select the top and bottom curves as profiles.

Don’t forget to hold CTRL to select multiple profiles. Press OK.

Congratulations! You have made your first surface. Yeah!

This surface can be further edited using the control points button.

Surface by surface…

Now you can make curves for the car body and tweak them around. Use your mouse to move them after selecting the points in the control point dialog box.

The following screenshot shows the car body with the top.

You can skip this if you don’t understand!

The key to good surfaces are good quality curves. The curves youu get in this method are NURBS, the degree is up to you.  The degree of surfaces is limited to 16 in CATIA V5.

Next, to ensure good quality surface rendering, curvature continuity is essential. You can read about it here.

Curvature Continuity

To get curvature continuity in CATIA, click this button.

This button works for cures as well as surfaces. This function joins end points of stranded curves to one another, closes gaps between surfaces. It’s the ‘Fevikwik’ of surfacing!
In Match Constraint dialog box, Source is the surface you want to change and Target is the one you keep as reference. Click on G2.

Now click Apply. Check that the source surface is not moving too much. If you are satisfied, click OK.

The three basic commands of control points, net surface and matching constraints are more than enough to make the car. To give surface fillets, a separate command is there.

My Mustang

I am yet to finish the Mustang. Following is its present state.

Lamborghini in CATIA

You can click on the images for a larger view.

My friend Samarendra Das (aka Agent_Sam) modelled this Lamborghini in CATIA.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Samarendra Das for his help. A self taught surface modeler, he is the person who inspired me to become a CATIA car designer.

Further Reading

• Class A surfacing
• G2 continuity

If you have any doubts, feel free to add them as comments below.

Hi there, how have you guys been?

The other day, while screening portfolios of prospective designers for my employers, I spotted a lot of problems and irrelevant data. Then I realized that I too have committed mistakes in presenting my work as a portfolio. Then I determined to jot down some general guidelines on the preparation of an effective product design portfolio. I am sure that these points will help you to ‘wow’ your prospective employers.

So here goes everything….

Tips on making a presentable Design Portfolio

1. Let the Images speak – Have GOOD (can’t stress the word ‘GOOD’ enough) pictures of your prototypes and Models. It’s better to take the help of guys who know about photography.
   

   Always have renderings with a good DPI value (300 DPI is not a bad idea).

   Do not put pixellated images as they look unprofessional.

2. State facts in bold – Make sure to mention that it’s a ‘working prototype.’ Here in the industry, some people make the mistake of confusing ‘working prototypes’ for scaled models, so better mention it.
3. Let your work be your brand ambassador – Do not show your own picture where it’s not necessary, you are focusing on your product; not your face. If you have to/want to show your face, show it by being a user for the product.
4. Detail your methods – Stress on the User Research part of the product.  It is one sure thing the industry people want to see; but is generally missing in the portfolios. Show believable data (E.g. pictures of the people you talked to, for the surveys) and how the survey was conducted. There is no need to show the actual questionnaire; just mention the technique and show relevant analysis data.
5. Every point counts – If you are good enough in sketching, put some pictures in a single page.
   

   Show sketches of products; not your grandmother’s or some hot babe’s.

   You can have a section dedicated to sketches, but don’t overdo it.

6. Specify your specialty – If you are a product designer interested in graphic design, show some work where you have used graphic design to increase a product’s appeal or to alleviate some of its problems.
   E.g. You would like to show some car decals that you have done. While showing such projects, do prepare a small write-up of what is going on in the piece and what was the thought process behind it.
7. Outline your thinking method – If you have done some posters, you can show them; but do have a short write-up on the idea that led to the design.
   

   Remember, Graphic design is not about showing your hidden muscles in Photoshop.

   It follows a philosophy similar to product design. Do not disrespect graphic design (and graphic designers) by showing random images that you have created using a bunch of downloaded brushes.

8. Be concise – Maximum 15 pages in a portfolio. In fact, 15 pages are too much, but this can be forgiven if and only if the showcased work is excellent. To steer clear of being a drag, stick with a number lower than 15 pages.
9. Maintain a flow – Have a good flow in the portfolio. Start with projects with completed prototypes, then projects with more conceptual designs, then product sketches and lastly, your hobbies.
10. Don’t overdo – Do not say or show things that aren’t relevant.
    E.g. While applying for a product design or graphic design job, there is no need to mention that you are an expert in C# and .NET.

    If you claim that you can write a code while tied upside down from the ceiling with one hand holding a glass of beer, while balancing a knife set on your chin — the industry guys may consider these as bragging.

11. Use lists effectively – To show your software and technology skills, talk about the tools you have used for your product design process. These include processes for which software may not exist like the TRIZ or QFD

A perfect list will look something like this:

“I know the following software:  1. Solidworks; 2. Rhino; 3. 3DS Max; 4. Alias studio tools; 5. Hypershot; 6. Vray; 7. Illustrator; 8. Adobe Suite; 9. Photoshop; 10. Ansys…

I also have the skills for/ I have also been taught: 1. TRIZ; 2. QFD; 3. Use-centric design research; 4.Lean manufacturing; 5. Six-Sigma; 6. Project Management; 7. Finance…”

Extra Points

So far we are discussing about the ‘perfect portfolio’, but I would like to remind you that ‘Nobody is perfect.’ Practice ain’t ever gonna make you perfect, but it can definitely get you closer. You need to have working knowledge of the all the software listed in your portfolio.

For a product designer, one modelling software (preferably a good surface modelling one like ALIAS), one rendering software, Solidworks and Photoshop – all these will see you through your career.

I’m inclined to say that Solidworks and Photoshop are a must. Because Solidworks is a complete end to end solution for product design and Photoshop is created by Zeus himself.

I hope that these pointers will help in improving your portfolios. I also hope that you will appreciate the viewpoint of an industry person who might look at your portfolio.

Cheers and happy designing!

Further Reading

Earlier antzFx had written a quick start guide for portfolio design. It tries to answer the question “How can I make a good portfolio?”

Organized Trade: End Caps

Emerging Channels: Interactive Kiosks

Token of appreciation received for the designs

Greg Norman T-shirt

Dhoni & Ishant USB Memory Sticks (1GB)

Fastrack Sunglasses

Software: SolidWorks, Photoshop
Design Date: 31-Oct-2009

‘SunFlow’ is an LED (Light Emitting Diode) Solar Lantern designed and prototyped by Geo Paul and I. The lamp on the left (Orange color) is a 3D rendered model and the one on the right (Yellow color) is the final working prototype.

We did 3D solid modelling, impact analysis, electronics design and integration testing.

Anas K A and Geo Paul with ‘SunFlow’ prototype
(Photo Courtesy: Urvesh Bharambe)

Software: SolidWorks, Photoshop
Design Date: Project finished on 8-Dec-2009

I won third prize for this design that can be placed on the dining tables.

Design thoughts
In Kerala, snake boats are traditionally used for boat races and ceremonies related with temples. Miniature models of snake boats and Kathakali faces are the most gifted items or souvenirs from Kerala.

In the place of oars, holes are provided for lacing the toothpicks. Space between two toothpicks are sufficient for picking one easily. Provisions are provided for placing menu cards, if this design is used in hotels.

Judge’s comment
Amit Dongre, Desmania Design, New Delhi
“WOW is clear as the Indian form is used with good usability. I can imagine that the South Indian restaurants can use this happily and the customers will relate to it instantly. If the menu cards were like flags, it would have been even better. Picking the toothpick seems easier. The form will look great on dinner table.”

Acknowledgments
The background image used is ‘Attorney’s table in a courtroom’ by Jason Morrison, US.

Software: SolidWorks, Photoshop
Design Date: 20-Nov-2009

Software: SolidWorks, Photoshop
Design Date: 13-Nov-2009

Bottle Cutout

Pizza Slice!

Software used: SolidWorks 2007
Design Date: 30-Jul-2009

All these displays are meant for in-store use.

Discs

Sunglasses

Pillars

Software used: SolidWorks 2007
Design Date: 23-Jul-2009

Following are some of my designs of tabletop displays for energy drink cans.

Wave

Ribbons

Ice cube

Software used: SolidWorks 2007
Design Date: 22-Jul-2009

I have tried to establish a connection between each concept and ‘Energy.’

Battery and Bulb

‘House of Cans’

Compartments

Engine and pistons

Scanner

Software used: SolidWorks 2007
Design Date: 10-Jul-2009