As is the case with film, video games, and landscape mapping, the past few decades has seen the automotive industry incorporate more technological advancements in 3D modelling to bring its projects to life. Nowadays, before a car can be sent to the production line, it must first be born in a 3D world. This mission is entrusted to designers, whose set of digital tools is constantly growing. One such tool involves 3D sketching – revolutionary technology that allows designers to draw with neither pencil nor drawing board. Welcome to the future!
PAR JEAN-BAPTISTE PIETRA
Technocentre (Guyancourt), 1st December 2021. A man, decked with a VR headset and a controller in each hand, stands in the middle of a room gesticulating wildly. He appears to be drawing invisible lines in the air around him. A curious scene that is clearly reminiscent of the world of virtual reality gaming. And yet, Udo – that's the man’s name – is not a gamer... he is a designer! And he is hard at work. His latest gadget? A program for 3D sketching; a drawing method currently being rolled out at Renault Group's Design division.
With 3D sketching, you are immersed in a space where there are neither constraints and limits.n
What does 3D sketching involve?
3D sketching is a form of intuitive technology that enables you to ‘draw in thin air’ all around you. Draw in thin air? Pablo Picasso was already carrying out such experiments in 1949. The famous Spanish artist replaced pencil with cigarette lighter to perform his ‘dancing light’ pieces. These ephemeral drawings were immortalised by photographer Gjon Mili, and the technique was known as light painting (or light drawing). It was an art form that, even back then, saw ideas come to life out of thin air.
Pablo Picasso painting with light, 1949
Today, 3D sketching is much the same idea, though minus the lighter and camera. The technique requires the use of a VR headset (virtual reality headset). Invented 50 years ago, it became more widespread about ten years ago, with consumer models for video game use hitting the market.With the headset firmly on and plugged in, the designer is immersed in an entirely virtual 360° drawing studio. Using two controllers (one in each hand), they can then choose colours from a palette, draw lines, create shapes, fill surfaces, and much more. A computer program models and records each and every movement.
All one needs to do 3D sketching is a VR headset, two controllers, and an internet connection
Digital creative freedom that is almost limitless
Near the end of the 1990s, the work of designers had already been through a first transformation with the popularisation of drawing on digital tablets. Today, 3D sketching takes it a step further where designers no longer need a tablet, pencil, mouse, or even a desktop to work. Design is entering a new era: one where digital tools sit at the heart of automotive design Renault Group has been harnessing digital tools for some time. Today marks the beginning of a new era for designers.
As the technology continues to improve, digitalisation gives designers a considerable amount of freedom tenfold and makes their projects even more accessible. It has never been easier to quickly whip up a 3D sketch, create perspective, model shapes – even on a 1:1 scale – or fill volumes. "It saves time," says Udo. "It takes at least four weeks to run a scan or data file through a machine, while everything here is in real time. That's a huge advantage."
In short, 3D sketching makes it far easier to experiment with new ideas as they are so readily brought to life. Only drawbacks: eye strain, headaches, and other back and joint pain experienced by some designers after prolonged use. , "Drawing in 360° means you have to be in good shape and take breaks every hour," says Udo. Engineers are already thinking about ways to make the experience more enjoyable and less restrictive. This includes making the headset lighter. For example, mixed reality headsets are being developed, so designers can draw in VR while still being able to see what is happening around them and interact with colleagues.
