Working with Models: Vehicles and Transportation free models on the Web, Part 1
(version September 16, 2007)
The Web is an extensive source for models using 3D software. There are many excellent free models out on the web. This article talks about how to make the best use of them. For instance, you are working in Vue Infinite and you wonder if that LWO file (Light Wave object file) can work in your program. Or you see a great picture of a model, you download it, open it and it does not look too good. Can you rescue the model and make it look great, just like in the sample picture you saw? (Answer: Maybe the textures need to be flipped to work properly, something that was missed by the modeler in converting the file.) These questions are covered in this article as well.
Below is an example of an Electric Trolley Bus (1974) model in COB format (trueSpace format) downloaded from http://www.3dtransit.com which is a source of vintage and modern streetcar, trolley bus and other transportation models. (Please note that free does not mean you can do anything you want with the model; commercial use may mean that you need the artist's permission.) The models are generally available in other formats as well, but you will that many of the applications in our 3D Animation Lab can load the COB format. The render below is down in trueSpace version 7.51, which is the version we run in the 3D Animation Lab. We could have loaded the 3DS model from this free Web site instead, and we would have achieved similar results. (Occasionally you might find slight variations depending on how the models were built and what textures were used in its construction.) Note that in order load the Trolley Bus model here, I went into the trueSpace6 modeling mode and used the load command from the File menu.
Looking below, the next model--a streetcar used in Boston in the 1920s--from the same web site brought about some extra challenges. Although four model types are available for download, only the LWO (Light Wave object format) zip file was complete. When loading the COB model, trueSpace correctly reported that some of the needed textures were missing. Fortunately these were contained in the zip file for the LWO format, and it was a simple matter to copy them to a location for trueSpace to be loaded. Additionally the texture files had to be renamed using the names that trueSpace reported as missing files.
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One more example from this Web site is a modern Toronto Trolley shown below which is called a Canadian Light Rail Vehicle (CLRV).
Note that the Web site www.3dtransit.com has a provision for users to submit models for free download by others. Models are typically available in COB, 3DS, LWO, OBJ and VRML formats.
Now that you have had a chance to look over these image files here is some additional information about loading free models off the web. (Models that come from well-established Web stores may be cleaned up an work with no modifications.) These models will load in an orientation that needs to be changed. Some of the streetcars and trolleys were point upward or showing their underside. This is never a problem in 3D software, since you can always rotate the model around to show the view that yo prefer. If you are new to doing this, however, you may be surprised by what you see. The model may load very small, almost too small to be seen. You will have to scale it larger in order to work with it. That happens with some of the 3D software which is importing non-native models. (A non-native model is one written in another format rather than in the manufacturer's preferred format.)
We next take a look at free models from http://dmi.chez-alice.fr/models1.html which has a large collection of cars, racing vehicles, police and emergency vehicles, military vehicles, and trucks and buses. Most of the formats are LWO. We can still load these into trueSpace and render the models. Let's take a look at one of the trucks.
Any models that you can import into trueSpace can be further worked on. You can add additional components or detail, change what is already there, and of course you can animate the object. Learning how to import successfully will expand your skills in all areas of 3D. Most of the time when you import an object you will not be bringing in the lighting that was used when the object was first created. Lighting is significant for everything you do in a scene. You will want to adjust the light after importing an object so that it looks its best.
Another example from this same Web site is the Volvo Police Car (UK). This is an LWO format object file.
The site also contains military vehicles. Here is an example of the Jeep Wills.
We conclude this article with one final example, the Formula 1 Ferrari 2001 from http://dmi.chez-alice.fr/models1.html.
In reviewing our work here note the following. Free downloads give you a chance to build your collection of models. If you are serious about 3D and working in this area, you should start collecting free models on your own and organizing them carefully by Web site and model name. A model collection will expand your view of 3D and show you techniques that you need to learn. You will be able to modify the models to suit your needs in a project. You will be in a better position to get started on a new project if you have models that you can use to build your scenes. Take a look at some of the topics and suggestions below.
We will continue this section about free models over time.
Topics for further exploration and reading on your own
1. Browse the following extensive list of free models from the last web site mentioned to see what kinds of free models are available. The Web site is: http://dmi.chez-alice.fr/freemodels.html. Start downloading your own personal collection of free models. Although a list of where free models are available today is useful, those Web sites may close over time and you will lose your chance to obtain free downloads. Lists extensive as this one is are likely to contain links which are no longer functional. If you come across a link that does not work, skip over it and come back to it another day.
2. Learn the major types of model files: LWO, OBJ, COB, 3DS, DXF, VRML, MAX, PZ3, VOB. Understand what products can use which model formats directly.
3. Obtain the free version of P3do Explorer at http://www.senosoft.com/. This tool has a free and paid version. Both versions allow you to "browse" (similar to using Windows explorer to browse files) your model collection and view a thumbnail of the model. When using the tool you can scale, rotate and move objects so that you view the model from all sides. The full version of P3dO Explorer is available at the 3D Animation Lab.
We enjoy hearing from you. Some of the questions listed above will appear in future "Topics in 3D" articles. Please send your comments about this article to 
