Sculpting the Future: Inside the Artistic Mastery of Porsche's Clay Modeling
Delving into the heart of Porsche's design prowess, we uncover the intricate world of clay modeling – a blend of traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology shaping the future of sports cars.
In the hallowed halls of Style Porsche's exterior studio, a suitcase holds more than just tools; it contains the essence of automotive artistry. Housing over a hundred instruments, including metal blades, delicate wire loops, wooden sculpting tools, and brushes, this case is the cornerstone of a Porsche modeler's craft. These artisans, numbering around 50 at Porsche, each curate their personal toolkit, sometimes crafting unique tools to suit their individual needs in sculpting the sports cars of tomorrow.
Working Materials, Style Porsche, 2023, Porsche AG:
The journey from concept to reality begins under the guidance of Michael Mauer, Head of Style Porsche, and Peter Varga, Director of Exterior Design. From a plethora of designers' sketches, a select few are transformed into up to ten 1:3 scale models, fueling an internal competition of creativity and design. These models, a collaborative effort between designers and modelers, transition from sketches to tangible three-dimensional forms.
While Porsche embraces the precision of CAD data and the immersion of virtual reality software, the tactile essence of clay modeling remains irreplaceable in the development of sports cars. These clay models are pivotal in capturing the dynamic interplay of shapes, providing a tangible, sensory impression crucial for the iterative design process.
Pinnacle of Clay Art Using Photogrammetry:
Contrary to popular belief, what's referred to as a clay model is crafted from industrial plasticine. Stored at a precise 60 degrees Celsius to maintain a butter-like consistency, the plasticine hardens at room temperature for manipulation. Modelers apply up to 1,200 kilograms of plasticine to a wood and rigid foam frame, meticulously shaping it into full-scale models. These models are then refined using various tools and techniques, including tapes and films to outline critical design elements like headlights and windows.
The culmination of this process results in two full-size designs, each intricately covered with special films and painted. Some models even showcase different design variations on each side. The journey towards series production involves capturing the dimensions of these models using photogrammetry, providing the foundational 3D data for digital development.
The creation of a 1:1 scale model, a process spanning around six months, is the epitome of clay artistry. These models are so exquisitely realistic that distinguishing them from actual vehicles during presentations becomes a feat in itself. This is where the art of Porsche's clay modeling meets the zenith of automotive design, blending traditional sculpting techniques with modern technology to pave the way for the sports cars of the future.
