Engine Animation Project

A large scale 3D graphic and animation project that required the complete simulation of a working 4 cylinder engine. However, this project differed from many other animation projects, as not only were animations required, but also large high resolution still images for posters. This required the whole modeling process to be more detailed than it would otherwise be, as large printed images are subject to a high degree of scrutiny.

The company that required this work is a manufacturer of engine ignition components, they wanted to show the interaction of their systems with a working engine for demonstration of function purposes. This was achieved using complex animations for display on their web site and at seminars, with large still images rendered for posters displayed at trade show events all over the world.

To add complexity the engine needed to be constructed in such a way that it could be realistically deconstructed into its component parts. This provided the ability to look inside the engine as it was working, giving the viewer an insight into how the ignition system controls the firing sequence of each cylinder.

The engine was created after extensive researching of real engine components and the study of how each fits together to form a working unit. This information then formed the basis on which the three dimensional components were created. The following pictures show stages throughout this development process. This proved one of the most comprehensive projects I have undertaken and required a large amount of research and development to complete to this high standard. The project was later expanded to include a six cylinder engine for demonstration of the companies new six cylinder ignition controller.

The gallery here shows examples of the development process. Click on an image for more information.