Creating a Realistic 3D Render of the Audi E-Tron GT: A Case Study

3D automotive rendering has become an integral part of contemporary design. Dave Sturch, a leading designer in the space, is known for his innovative and realistic vehicle renders.

This case study examines his latest project – a striking 3D render of the Audi E-Tron GT in a wet city roof setting, built with CGI.Backgrounds' RAY.HDR maps.

Step One: Conceptualization

Dave started by visualizing the context for his Audi E-Tron GT. He chose to present the car on a wet city roof, presenting an interesting challenge for automotive rendering.

The slick, reflective surfaces of a rain-soaked rooftop can prove a tricky environment to replicate with precision, but it would ultimately serve to enhance the dramatic aesthetic of the Audi E-Tron GT.

Step Two: Utilizing Unreal Engine 5 and Path Tracing

For the 3D rendering process, Dave used the Unreal Engine 5, a cutting-edge tool popular among 3D artists for its real-time rendering capabilities.

One unique aspect of his approach was the use of path tracing - a technique that simulates the way light travels to create ultra-realistic lighting and shading.

This high-quality technique is vital in automotive rendering, particularly when aiming to achieve the exacting details of the Audi E-Tron GT.

Our CGI.B Connect app makes it easy for designers to load our HDRi Maps into the Unreal Engine in a single click. That brings us to the maps themselves!

Step Three: The Use of HDRi Maps from CGI.Backgrounds

Lighting is a fundamental aspect of any 3D render, and for this project, Dave utilized HDRi Maps from CGI.Backgrounds.

These High Dynamic Range Images provide detailed lighting information, enabling an artist to simulate various real-world lighting scenarios with precision and ease.

These HDRi maps added the needed depth and dimension to his automotive rendering, effectively capturing the gloomy, reflective mood of a wet city roof, as well as the visuals.

Step Four: Incorporating Quixel Props and Substance Painter Materials

To further refine his render, Dave incorporated Quixel props into the scene. Quixel offers a library of high-quality 3D models, making it an invaluable resource for adding realistic detail to any 3D environment.

Additionally, Dave used materials from Substance Painter to add texture and authenticity to the Audi E-Tron GT.

Step Five: Creating the Floor Plane in Mixer

Finally, to create the wet city roof, Dave turned to Mixer. Mixer is a tool that allows artists to create realistic, 3D textured surfaces.

The results are often stunning, and in this case, it provided a lifelike, rain-slicked surface on which the Audi E-Tron GT could be showcased.

Final Touch: Composition in DaVinci Resolve

After the rendering process, Dave composed the final image in DaVinci Resolve. This step allowed him to make final adjustments to the image's color grading, ensuring the final automotive rendering aligned with his initial vision.

The result of Dave Sturch's meticulous process was a strikingly realistic and visually engaging 3D render of the Audi E-Tron GT. His use of path tracing in Unreal Engine 5, HDRi maps from CGI.Backgrounds, Quixel props, Substance Painter materials, and a Mixer-created floor plane exemplify the breadth of tools and techniques utilized in contemporary automotive rendering.

Great work, Dave! Want to use our HDRi Maps in your own automotive rendering projects? Check out our Free tier for students and designers who want to evaluate our materials, or sign up for a low-cost subscription plan to use our HDRi Maps in paid client work.