Follow this tutorial step-by-step to create a 3D Guitar model that you can use in video games, graphic design and illustration projects whilst learning Cinema 4D quickly.
Some of the skills you'll learn in this tutorial include creating basic 3D modelling, importing reference images, adding lighting to the scene and basic rendering techniques.
In this, the first part of the two-part tutorial, I'll show you:
- How to Import Reference Images
- How to Prepare for Modelling
- How to Model the 3D Guitar
1. How to Import Reference Images
Step 1
Use the middle mouse button to click anywhere on the viewport. This displays all four views. From there, use the middle mouse button to select the Front view.
Step 2
In the Attributes tab select Mode > View Settings.
Step 3
In Viewport [Front] select the Back button and click on the button next to Image.
Step 4
Select the reference image from the finder and open it.
Step 5
Once the image is displayed in the background of the viewport, change the transparency of the image. This can sometimes make it easier to model from the reference image.
Change the position and size of the reference image from here using Offset X, Offset Y, Size X and Size Y.
2. How to use Splines to Create the Guitar Body
Step 1
To start modelling the body of the guitar, select the Pen Tool from the top menu bar. This allows you to create a spline to outline the shape of the guitar body.
Step 2
Use the Pen Tool to draw out the outline of one side of the guitar body. Use the mouse to click and drag to create curves
Step 3
Close the spline by clicking on the first point.
Step 4
Adjust the shape of the spline by selecting the Point Selection Tool and then using the Move Tool to move the points and handles.
Step 5
Duplicate the spline once you're happy with the shape. This is done by clicking and dragging the spline in the list view, whilst holding the CTRL key on the keyboard.
Step 6
Select the Object Tool and then select the Rotate Tool. Select one of the splines that you want to rotate to create the other side of the guitar body.
Step 7
Rotate one of the splines by 180 degrees. This creates the other half of the guitar body.
Ensure that the splines overlap in the middle
Step 8
Go to the top menu bar and select Array > Spline Mask
Step 9
Select both of the splines that you have created and move them inside the Spline Mask. This will create one whole spline for the guitar body.
Step 10
Make the spline mask editable by clicking on the Make Editable button. You won't be able to make any changes to the previous splines after this, so ensure you're happy with the shape of the guitar body before committing to this step.
Step 11
From the top menu select Subdivision Surface > Extrude. Then place the spline inside extrude.
Step 12
This creates a 3D object out of the shape of the spline.
Step 13
Use the extrude object options to adjust the look of the guitar body.
Change the thickness of the object so that it accurately matches the body of a guitar.
3. How to Create the Sound Hole
Step 1
Click on the small back arrow on the Cube button and select Cylinder from the list of options. This spawns a Cylinder in the scene.
Step 2
Adjust the properties of the Cylinder so that it is facing the correct way, has the correct size.
Step 3
Return to the front view to use the reference image as a guide to help with the placement and size of the cylinder object.
Step 4
Click on the small black arrow in the bottom right corner of the Array Tool in the top menu bar.
Select Boole from the list. This creates a Boole tool in the list of objects on the right of the screen.
Step 5
Select the extrude group and cylinder object from the list and place them inside the Boole Tool.
Ensure that the cylinder object is positioned below the extrude group.
Step 6
This creates a cut out in the shape of the cylinder object.
Adjust the position of the cylinder object using the Move Tool until you're happy with the appearance of the sound hole.
Step 7
Click on the small back arrow on the Cube button and select Tube from the list of options. This spawns a Tube object in the scene.
Step 8
Adjust so that inner radius is the same as the radius of the cylinder object (that was used to create the sound hole).
You'll also want to adjust the outer radius to a suitable size.
Step 9
Return to the front view to use the reference image as a guide to help with the placement and size of the tube object.
Carefully align the tube so that it fits directly on top of the sound hole.
Step 10
In the perspective view, use the Move Tool to push the tube further into the body until it's only just above the object surface.
Ensure that you use the other views (front, left, right, perspective and so on) to check that the shape looks correct from every angle.
4. Create the Guitar Neck
Step 1
To start modelling the neck of the Guitar, select the Cube object from the top menu bar. This spawns a cube in the viewport.
Step 2
Use the front view to adjust the shape and size of the cube object so that it matches the reference image.
Ensure you make the neck slightly longer than needed. This is so that you can make additional adjustments to the top and bottom of the object.
Step 3
Check that the neck thickness is appropriate in the perspective view and adjust accordingly using the object properties window or the Scale Tool.
Step 4
In the object properties window, increase the number of Y segments for the fretboard. In this example the guitar neck has 14 Y segments.
Step 5
Duplicate the cylinder object that was used to create the sound hole (do this by holding CTRL on the keyboard to click and drag a duplicate object).
Then place both the new cylinder object and the neck object inside a boole.
Step 6
This cuts out the curve for the sound hole for the neck.
5. How to Create the Headstock
Step 1
Create a cube object with two Y segments. Then adjust the size of the cube object so that it becomes a suitable size for the headstock.
Step 2
Make the cube object editable and then use the Edge Selection Tool to move the middle edge closer to the bottom.
Step 3
Use the Edge Selection Tool to select the two bottom corners of the object.
Then use the Scale Tool to move the edges closer together or close to the neck.
Step 4
Click on the small back arrow on the Cube button and select Capsule from the list of options. This will spawn a capsule in the scene.
Step 5
Move the capsule so that half of it sits within the cube object. Then adjust the size of the capsule to something suitable.
Step 6
Duplicate the capsule and place them both side by side inside the cube object. Group both capsules by selecting them both and pressing Alt-G on the keyboard.
Step 7
Select Boole by clicking on the small arrow on the bottom right of the Array button at the top of the screen.
Step 8
Place the capsules and the cube object inside the boole, making sure that the capsules are at the bottom. This will create a cutout of the capsules on the headstock.
6. How to Create the Tuning Machines
Step 1
Create a new cylinder object and resize it down so that it matches the appropriate size for a tuner.
Once you are happy with the size, use the Move Tool to move it into position in the headstock.
Step 2
Duplicate the cylinder object by holding CTRL button on the keyboard and then click and drag the cylinder using the Move Tool. Do this twice more so that you're left with three cylinders.
Step 3
Select all three cylinder objects and duplicate them to the other side of the headstock.
7. How to Create the Bridge and Endpin
Step 1
Create a new cube object and scale it down so that it resembles the size of a guitar bridge.
Once you are happy with the size, use the Move Tool to move the new cube object inside the body of the guitar so that only the top part of the bridge object is above the surface of the body.
Step 2
Click on the small back arrow on the Cube button and select Cylinder from the list of options. This spawns a Cylinder in the scene.
Step 3
Resize the cylinder object so that it is a suitable size for the endpin and then use the Move Tool to place it at the bottom of the guitar body.
Step 4
Use the different camera angles to double check the Guitar model to make sure that it looks correct.
Coming Next...
In the second part of the tutorial series, I'll show you:
- How to Create Coloured Materials
- How to Add Lighting to the Scene
- How to Render the final Guitar Model
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