Someone recently asked me how they would go about creating a clear windshield for their buggy. Back when I was getting started, the windshield gave me headaches. Nothing seemed to work no matter how hard I tried. I could make it a uniform opacity, but I couldn’t shade it or make text work. I mentioned this to a top designer and he was kind enough to pass on his hard earned knowledge. Onus sent me his windshield files and they instantly cleared things up for me, (pun intended) and I hope this little column will help other new designers. 

 

First, there are two files for the windshield. The file that has the color and/or texture, and the transparency file. The transparency file HAS TO BE GRAY SCALE. If you’re using Photoshop you have to go to Image > mode >  grayscale. Make sure grayscale it checked. I have no idea how to do this in other programs, but even if you’re sure you’re only using black and white for that file, it has to be set to “gray scale” or you’ll get errors submitting. 

 

The other thing is that the windshield template looks deceptively simple. If you want the top shaded, you just use a gradient from top to bottom, right? As usual, there’s nothing that simple with the buggy model. The problem is that it only uses about half of the template. It doesn’t even see the top portion. That means you need to move any text or shading down around the middle of the template and work from there.

   

On the transparency file the parts that are white will be opaque. The parts that are black will be transparent. Shades of gray determine the opacity. I’ve included my standard transparency file. It’s actually the same one Onus sent me about three years ago.  

If you want text, place it about midway from the top of the file. I’m including examples a windshield with text, one that’s just shaded, and one that has text and a graphic. I loaded the textures into the previewer and took screen shots so you could see what they look like. BTW, if you want text or graphic to be totally opaque you’ll need to duplicate it on both windshield files in exactly the same place. On the transparency file it will be totally white. That isn’t something that I normally do, but on the police buggies I did it for the lights.        

I hope that helps, and now let’s take a look and see what I found in the auctions this week. For one thing, I found an example of texture theft. Not knowing how to create a buggy, (or any other item in There) doesn’t justify stealing textures from people who can. The penalties for texture theft are severe, and can result in your being banned from the designer program or even from There completely. I review buggies every week. When I find texture theft, I report it. So do most designers. Friends, collectors, racers, etc. frequently report theft to the affected designers who then report it to There. The People who steal textures from the dds files will get caught. Stealing from the dds files is a violation of the Designer Agreement and There takes it very seriously. 

On to a more pleasant subject. Recently in forum discussion I stated that I could color a buggy using crayons scan it into the template and it would be superior to someone using MS Paint. I’m still waiting to see the buggy designed in Paint, (come on Marine Dude! LOL) but my old friend Tankdog has created a buggy that at least looks like it was done with crayons. It’s the Cranola Buggy, and sells in auction for 13,500t. If you’re looking for a funny, fun buggy for a low price, check this one out. 

Next up we have the QS-Prestige. Quick_Silva has done it again. Smooth, sleek and shiny, with his trademark grill. This buggy brings style and quality to track or trail. Priced at 17,850 it’s a great mid range buggy.

 

For those looking for something sportier, we have the GTX Dragonblade SE by Kortt. This buggy has dramatic styling cues including realistic looking deep vents in the side panels. It’s a racer with style and dare I say it... awesomeness! Priced at only 12,350 this buggy is an incredible bargain. 

I try to bring you some examples of interesting buggies every week, as well as some tips for those who are working on their own. If you have questions regarding buggy design please feel free to email them to me. If I can, I’ll answer them here. Remember, if you have a question, you probably aren’t alone. :)