Thursday, February 07, 2008

more cars that chicks dig

yes, we're at it again with more garmin nüvi gps device vehicle icons — this time it's the 2005 "tumbler" batmobile from "batman begins".

tumbler specs

this time, instead of photographing toys, i used computer-generated 3d models. in fact the tumbler model — one of many freely available at foundation3d — was so impressively detailed (360,000 polygons) that my machine suffered a big-time performance hit. my program of choice, lightwave 3d, crashed like a subprime lender.

tumbler 3d wireframe

NOTICE: these custom icons that i make freely available are not for resale!

actual size: (click to download)

tumbler vehicle icon

close up:

tumbler

all that's missing is the roar of a jet engine ...

nuvi tumbler

vehicle menu

and yes, as you can see in the snapshot of the selection screen, also new on the menu is the legendary mach 5 from the classic 60's cartoon tv series "speed racer":

speed racer

unlike the tumbler, which i found online, i built this model myself using lightwave:

mach 5 3d wireframe

mach 5 3d

mach 5 model

NOTICE: these custom icons that i make freely available are not for resale!

actual size: (click to download)

mach 5 vehicle icon

close up:

mach 5

out on the town:

nuvi mach 5

and all that's missing is the roar of the crowds ...

update:

all my custom icons are now available in one convenient download.

Posted by aarrgghh at 11:55:00 PM
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15 comments:

  1. IllegalOpsFebruary 20, 2008 8:44 AM

    These are amazing. How long does it take for you to create one of these after you have the model?

    ReplyDelete
  2. aarrgghhFebruary 20, 2008 10:20 AM

    now that i'm out of the experimental phase, it only takes an hour or so to assemble the images in photoshop and generate the icon, once i have them ready.

    in the photographic method most of the time was consumed by painting out the background of every image. in the 3d method, the time goes into modifying any found models or making them yourself. i was lucky to find one of the tumbler, which had an amazing amost of detail.

    obviously the models i've been making include a level of detail mostly lost in an 80x80 graphic. i just spent the last ten days making, lighting and shooting the latest one. but if i'm going to build the thing, the detail might prove useful for later projects.

    ReplyDelete
  3. IllegalOpsFebruary 20, 2008 10:42 AM

    What's the new one?

    ReplyDelete
  4. aarrgghhFebruary 20, 2008 1:00 PM

    what else? another batmobile!

    ReplyDelete
  5. IllegalOpsFebruary 21, 2008 10:03 AM

    Why do you put the halo around the cars? If you need them, why not use a purple halo so it matches the route?

    (I don't mean to tell you how to do what you do cuz you're really great at it. Just things i've noticed)

    ReplyDelete
  6. aarrgghhFebruary 21, 2008 10:25 PM

    the haloes are gratuitous — i simply prefer having them since it makes the icon easier to see. so the colors i use are for the best contrast, and for that reason purple wouldn't be one of them.

    ReplyDelete
  7. M-lonFebruary 28, 2008 3:12 PM

    Hey there mate...
    Do you (for any chance), sell the 3d file or something, cause i'm doing this project and I really need de MACH-5 3d model and I can't find it anywhere...

    So, can you help me out?

    Thanks there mate. Cheers
    By the way: EXCELLENT WORK, it rules.

    ReplyDelete
  8. zFebruary 28, 2008 8:10 PM

    Very impressive, well done! If I had the time I'd figure out how to do this for my Durango, but I think I'll stick with the generic Garmin SUV for now!

    ReplyDelete
  9. aarrgghhFebruary 28, 2008 8:58 PM

    m-lon said: Hey there mate...
    Do you (for any chance), sell the 3d file or something, cause i'm doing this project and I really need de MACH-5 3d model and I can't find it anywhere...

    what's your project?

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownJuly 21, 2008 12:46 PM

    Would love to see icons for different versions of the Starship Enterprise.

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownNovember 12, 2008 9:28 PM

    You are awesome. I have been wondering why no one was making there own vehicles and so far, you are the master. I know you don't know me and have any reason to grant my request but would you consider making ones from the Halo game series. A Wharthog, Scorpion, and Ghost would be incredible.

    Robert
    xyzlandry@verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  12. AviJanuary 16, 2009 4:43 AM

    Hey can you post a 2008 Prius vehicle for the Garmin by any chance. I bet you get a million of these requests but I really like your work. Thanks so much for the vehicles.

    ReplyDelete
  13. aarrgghhJanuary 16, 2009 5:18 AM

    sorry papaavi, but my interest is obviously for unusual vehicles, especially imaginary ones out of pop culture, so don't expect any "aarrgghh" brand icons for ordinary vehicles like the prius, which you could actually buy in real life.

    ReplyDelete
  14. UnknownAugust 08, 2009 1:16 PM

    Another one that would look awesome on a gps would be the Michael Jackson Moonwalker car! =)

    ReplyDelete
  15. UnknownSeptember 22, 2010 4:56 PM

    could i get the 3D cad file from you of the mach5?

    ReplyDelete

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