Client: Philip Gunkel | Agency: NA | Photographer: Philip Gunkel | Production: Primate Postproduction
Dolomites
work: Automotive rendering, CAD preparation, HDRI creation, custom Octane carpaint shader, lookdev, pipeline automation, post-production
position: Freelancer
role: CG Supervisor / Main 3D Artist
Classic automotive rendering project. CAD data of the car was prepared and shaded. HDRIs and backplates were processed and retouched from exposure brackets supplied by the photographer; additional HDRIs were created from scratch. Camera matching was done collaboratively with the photographer through grey renderings and feedback loops. The car was shaded with a custom multi-layer car paint shader in Octane, developed in a dedicated lookdev scene with a turntable animation for shader sign-off, then referenced into the main scene. All shots were set up in render layers. Custom Python scripts and pipeline automated the rendering into the correct folder structure. Additional render layers beyond standard passes were created for maximum post-production flexibility. A custom Photoshop script and panel automated the setup of all shots and layers in minutes. Backplates and HDRs were processed with vector motion blur in VirtualRig for the speed effect. Post-production and retouching by me, with final post by Primate Postproduction. Tools: Cinema 4D, Octane Renderer, VirtualRig, Photoshop, Python.
Case Study
Goal:
High-end automotive visuals for photographer Philip Gunkel, requiring full pipeline from raw exposure brackets to final retouched output.
Approach:
CAD data was prepared and the car was developed in a dedicated Octane lookdev scene with a custom multi-layer car paint shader. HDRIs were created from photographer's exposure brackets and supplemented with custom captures. Camera matching used grey renderings in a feedback loop with the photographer. Custom Python scripts automated render output into organized folder structures. A custom Photoshop script/panel auto-generated all shots and layers. Render layer passes were extended beyond defaults for maximum post flexibility. Post-production and retouching by me; final polish by Primate Postproduction. Tools: Cinema 4D, Octane Renderer, Photoshop, Python.
Result:
Final automotive visuals delivered to the photographer and published.
My Contribution:
Complete automotive 3D pipeline: CAD prep, custom Octane carpaint shader, HDRI creation, camera matching, lookdev, shading, lighting, rendering, custom Python pipeline scripts, custom Photoshop automation panel, post-production and retouching. Final post by Primate Postproduction.
