Skateboard modeling and texturing tutorial

Hi again

In this tutorial we will model a 3D skateboard, then we will texture it in Photoshop CS3. Let's start it because I don't like to make introductions

1. Make a box with these dimensions :

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2.Now convert the box into an editable poly. After you have made that, just follow the images because its just basic modeling

3. Now lets make the wheels . First we will make the support. You can search on google for "skateboard truck" and you will see what object you need to make. Like this one :

4. I will atempt to make one, I don't know what dimensions it have but I will try to make it. First you can make a box in this place and with these dimensions

5. Now I will hide the plank. Like this I can see better. Follow the images if you don't know how to make it :

6. OPTIONAL : I have added a small detail on this object ( the text , tutorial-z.com )

7. Details of the wheel axe

8. Convert the cylinder into an editable poly, then continue with the modeling

9. I know that this its wrong but you can make it more detailed if you want .

10. Continue with the cylinder modeling :

11. If you unhide the plank, you should have this

12. The wheel axe its a little bot short. Make it a little bit longer by selecting the same vertices as me then scale them. Like this you make both eguals

13. For making the wheel, you need a cylinder with these dimensions.

14. Now, follow the images.

15. We are almost dont with the modeling. We need to make that bolt which keep the wheel in place and we are 99% done with the modeling . First make a cylinder these dimensions

16. Then make a cilinder with 20 faces. Just like in the picture.

17. Now select both objects and place them in the center of the wheel

18. Make a copy of this wheel for the other side

19. Now make a copy of the wheel parts and move it to the other end

20. Apply and smooth modifier on the all parts except bolts (and text if you have made one) and you should have this.

Texturing the skateboard

21. Select the plank, then, from modifier menu, choose "Unwrap UVW"

22. Choose "Face" then select all the faces from the board (br pressing ctrl+a)

23. When are all faces selected, press "Edit" (in the modifier menu). A window will appear. Like this one

24. Now go to the Mapping > Flatten mapping, and press OK. You will have all the parts of the skateboard but its not what I am looking for. I want to have something more easy to texture. Now you have this :

25. Select all the faces and drag them out from that square :

26. Keep that window open and select the faces which are on the upper part of the plank. Only the big ones. Do not select those ones which are on the edge of the plank :

27. Having the faces selected, go to Mapping > Normal Mapping, and from the drop-down menu, choose "Top/Bottom Mapping" then press OK. you should have this

28. Do the same thing for the other side.

29. Keep this in mind. For the plank edges you need to do like this : Select in that way that you can see the entire edge, in a single line. Example : if you are selecting the entire edge and you want to mapping in a single time, you cannot because the entire edge is like a circle and you will not see all the faces on the render. What we need to do is this : we will divide the edge in four parts : left side, right side, front and back . Now I will make the left edge. I will select the faces in viewport, then I will choose the best mapping mode for this. Because you cannot use all the time only "top/bottom mapping" :

30. And here you have the face edge (it doesn't matter if the parts are not proportional, you can scale them up/down after )

31. Do the same thing for the other side, and for the back edges

32. I have put the shapes like this, for a better texturing :

33. Go to Tools > Render UVW Template and make these settings. I will make a high rezolution texture 2800x2800

34. Now press Render UV Template button and you should have this :

35. Save that render as .jpeg and open it with Photoshop (or another photo editing software, i use Photoshop CS3)

36. Duplicate the backgroung layer, and hide the background layer, not the copy.

37. Delete the grey parts

38. Now make a new layer between those 2 layers and there you can make your texture or put a wallpaper. I have this (maybe you will say the it have a strange shape but its not so important. The most important is what is in the place of those grey spots which we have deleted. What is outside of that, it will not be visible):

39. And here you have the bump map, that i will use to make that grip tape effect.

40. Do the same thing for the wheels, Its the same steps on UVWs and the same texturing process

To assign this texture, choose one of the materials in material slot then at diffuse, click on the little button and choose Bitmap then select the texture. Play a little bit with the material settings to make it a little bit glossy. Here you have my result .

3ds max skateboard modeling tutorial beginner detailed step by step texturing tutorial

Comments (11)

1. 

   Reply By Lan on September 1, 2011

   Man thank you.You changed the way of my thinking about 3ds max and learn me a lot things.Thanks

   • 

     Reply By C. Andrei on September 1, 2011

     I’m glad you like it . If you need help with you are following our tutorials, don’t hesitate to ask on our fresh forum. We have a new forum and you can use the account to post tutorials on this website or use it on the forum. You can make an account by clicking the “User Area” button in the right upper corner.

2. 

   Reply By Lan on September 2, 2011

   Some tip on the metal material of the truck wouldnt be bad:D.
   Also i am trying to make an account and when i click the user area it just has buttons to login not to log up

   • 

     Reply By C. Andrei on September 2, 2011

     Send me an email at admin@tutorial-z.com with your user and password and I will make you an account because at the moment we are working on the forum and website. You will be able to change your password after I will make your account. We are trying to make a bridge between the website and the forum. Like this you will be able to use the same account on both.

3. 

   Reply By Jaylin G. on September 30, 2011

   hey can you make a tutorial on how you did the lighting and how you made the glossy look of the skate board. it looks amazing..

   • 

     Reply By C. Andrei on September 30, 2011

     if you are using vray , take a look at http://www.vray-materials.de .And for the lighting just add some omni and vray light on the scene, make more test renders and use photoshop if you need

4. 

   Reply By Persia Boy ( Iran ) on December 19, 2011

   i just wana say Ty for this tutorial. very nice.

5. 

   Reply By leo M on March 20, 2012

   Wouldnt it be better if you said use a tube for the wheel other than cylinder?

6. 

   Reply By mark camilleri on April 30, 2012

   I m sorry, im new to 3dsmax could u explain a bit better the steps involved in part 2 pls? Cos im finding it hard to follow without words pls.

   • 

     Reply By C. Andrei on April 30, 2012

     which steps ? btw . we are offering support on our forum . If you need help you need a forum account. Let me know what username you want on the forum and you can post there. Send an email at Admin@tutorial-z.com with your desired username.

7. 

   Reply By Sietse V. on May 10, 2012

   Hey Mark,
   I’ve got the same issue.
   How far are u in ur progress, and if u mastered it, could u explain it to me?
   Thank u very much!