3DClassics is our Vendor of the Month for October 2023. It's easy to see why: this very talented modeler and designer has a gift for creating cars, trucks, and vehicles. Many of the designs are from historical periods or are international in scope. 3DClassics is a very popular vendor with over 450 followers and nearly 1,000 offerings in their wonderful store. We have a short interview with 3DClassics along with a slideshow of some of their most popular creations.
How did you learn to create such detailed 3D models?
I was an art teacher and when cheap computers arrived in my college at the end of the 80's, I began to learn which kind of 2D and 3D images could be created with these new tools. After that I understood that I could teach differently: photo, video, 2D or 3D software, the possibility of mixing traditional ways to create artistic images and new tools, and so on. Of course, young people always find niceties and new possibilities that they did not know when using software because even a teacher does not know every possibility in each software.
Some of my students were fond of 3D modeling, very gifted and passionate, spending many hours with Poser , Amapi and Vue and I have had to work hard at home so that I remain the teacher who teaches. Then creating 3D models became a kind of "drug" which helped me to forget the hardness of the "real" world.
What is your workflow on a typical project? Do you do much research?
My models are most of the time chosen on the web, even if sometimes I create a particular model asked by someone on RR...if it's a vintage model and if I fell in love with it. I use a lot of photos and blueprints found on the web or photos made by me. I am fond of vintage vehicles and objects and I have myself three vintage cars in my garage. As I can't buy all the real vehicles that I like, I create them as 3D models. I let the customers create the images of their choice with these models.
"If possible, make model which are not available on the web or, if they are, make better and cheaper."
You mention in your bio that you travel a lot. Do you find inspiration for your creations in your travels?
I remember that one of my "great successes" as a vendor on RR was the unexpected meeting with a superb Chevrolet Nomad, fully restored, which I had seen in Flagstaff ( Arizona ). I made a lot of shots of this car and I made the 3D model as soon as I was back home in France. My Dodge COE stake bed has been inspired by an original truck seen in Utah, my Mack school bus has been inspired by a bus cemetery somewhere in the USA. Every time I made a lot of shots. My "Abandoned abbey" has been inspired by such abbeys in Ireland. My Edfor 1937 has been inspired by the original model seen during a visit to the Caramulo museum in Portugal ( with my friend Joao whom I have met thanks to RR ).
You also mention you like to read. Me, too! What are some of your favorite books?
I read a lot: I am actually reading Latin authors - my wife was a Greek and Latin teacher -, but I like mystery novels, comics, art books, and above all, books about History. We have around 5000/6000 books at home and we always buy new books!
Any advice for beginning vendors on modeling for their store?
As there are many very good 3D modelers on the web, always look at the best models and try to make better models or, at least, as "good" models. If possible, make models which are not available on the web or, if they are, make better and cheaper.
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