Latest 3D challenge: Best car render competition by 3DModels

Calling all CGI artists to participate in the 3D challenge!

The 10^th annual Car Render Challenge is now open for submissions. This prestigious competition is a great opportunity to showcase your skills and creativity, and win some amazing prizes. Check out all the essential details.

What is this 3D challenge by 3DModels?

The challenge consists of three steps.

Create a 3D car model as per your imagination
Do proper compositing with a 3D environment with appropriate lighting and texturing
Render a stunning output that conveys a story

There are no limits to your imagination. You can create a realistic model of a production car, or design a futuristic concept vehicle. The choice is completely yours. The car can be still or in moving action, as per your creativity. Also, you can add more than one car in the final render output.

The judges will be looking for renders that demonstrate a high level of technical skill, creativity, and overall artistic vision of a 3D artist. So take your time, polish your work, and submit your best render for a chance to win. It must not be just a random composition. The final CG render must tell a story in a single picture. So, make sure that all the background elements, other props, lighting are synced with your 3D model of car.

Timeline of the Car Render Challenge 2023

Start date: 20^th September, 2023

End date: 6^th December, 2023 by 15.00 GMT (Please convert it in your timezone accordingly)

Technical parameters and some major rules

Please adhere to it all. There are so many do’s and dont’s. Failing to which can lead your submission artwork to disallow.

One of the main thing to remember is that the environment must be 3D with proper lighting and texturing.
Use of matte painting as a background is not allowed.
You can use third party 3D assets to populate your scene, but the 3D car must be made by you. Use of stock care models are prohibited.
There is no any kind of restriction on 3D software. You can use any CGI package as per your preference.
You can take render passes and do the final compositing in Photoshop / After Effects / Nuke / Blender or in other post production software.
Accepted file format of the car render is only JPG.
The render size must not be more than 5 MB.

As mentioned, these are some of the major ones. Check the complete list of rules before staring your work.

Tips for creating a winning 3D car render

Start with a well-designed 3D model. Make sure your model is accurate and has a high level of detail.
Choose a scene that complements your model and highlights its unique features.
Use lighting and materials to create a realistic and atmospheric render.
Pay attention to the overall composition and presentation of your render.
The final output must tell a story. It must not be a random placement of props and car.

Here are some ideas for creative car renders. You can use them or modify them as per your choice.

A car in a world where gravity doesn’t exist
A car racing against another car on the same track, but the track rainbow
A car driving through a painting or a photograph
A car made out of food, such as chocolate, candy, or fruit
A car that is part of a larger machine or structure
A car that is used for something other than transportation
A car that is covered in mirrors, creating a kaleidoscope effect
A futuristic concept car flying through a neon city
A classic muscle car racing down a winding highway
A rugged off-road vehicle exploring a remote landscape
A self-driving car navigating a busy urban environment

The possibilities are endless for all the 3D artists! So let your imagination run wild and create a car render that will blow the judges away.

Where to submit your car render for this 3D challenge?

So, you have followed all the guideline and ready with the final render. To submit your car render challenge 2023 artwork, please go the official contest page of 3DModels.

There is a red button titled ‘Add work’. Clicking it will open a pop-up window. Along with the car render, fill up all the details.

Be sure to be descriptive and add all possible technical / software details. It will help to understand your concept art in a better manner.

Prizes of car render challenge 2023 by 3D companies

There are gold, silver and bronze prizes for winners. Some of the prizes for the first winner are:

One-year subscription to 3ds Max
1-year OctaneRender Studio + Subscription
1-year license for V-Ray or Corona Premium (of choice)
Adobe Substance 3D Collection yearly license
3DCoat license
One-year KeyShot Pro Subscription + KeyShotWeb Subscription
One-year D5 Render Pro license
12-month Marmoset Toolbag license
License of TopoGun
E-on Software annual nodelocked Enterprise license (Enterprise licenses are a bundle of all of e-on Software products – VUE, PlantFactory and PlantCatalog)
12 months subscription to The Gnomon Workshop training library
License of Ornatrix. You can choose between Ornatrix for Maya, for 3ds Max, for Cinema 4D or for Unreal Engine
600 RenderPoints for RebusFarm
Ultra Studio Bundle from Videocopilot
Single license of Pulldownit Pro
US$500 render credits from Fox Renderfarm
Full C4Dzone Plugins Suite for Cinema4D and Octane Render Scene packs
World Creator Professional license
1-year “Portfolio Subscription” on CGI.Backgrounds
iRender 1000 RenderPoints
Annual membership to CG Cookie

Please check the main page of 3DModels’s car render challenge 2023 to check the complete list of prizes. Apart from these 3 major prizes, there are many other additional prizes as well.

Good luck to all 3D artists.

My name is Amit Mozar. I am the founder and owner of this internationally acclaimed Animation and VFX blog – The Virtual Assist.

I am honored to be a part of the International jury team of this Car Render Challenge 2023. My professional journey with 3DModels (earlier ‘Hum3D’) has started from 2016.

It had been a great time spent together, to nurture and motivate our own CGI industry. Looking forward to see some more extraordinary 3D outputs from all all around the globe.