Recreation of Chongqing East Station in Blender

Recreation of Chongqing East Station in Blender: complete guide

The Chongqing East station represents one of the most ambitious railway infrastructure projects of the 21st century, and its recreation in Blender constitutes a fascinating technical challenge for any 3D artist. This Chinese megastructure, with its impressive scale and avant-garde design, offers unique opportunities to explore advanced architectural modeling and photorealistic rendering techniques 🏗️

Initial setup and project preparation

Before starting the modeling, it is crucial to establish a solid configuration that allows working efficiently with the colossal dimensions of this structure. Organization through hierarchical collections and the proper import of reference plans are fundamental to maintaining an orderly workflow throughout the creative process.

• Set metric units and 1:1 scale to maintain realistic proportions
• Establish global coordinate system with 10-meter grid for visual reference
• Organize separate collections for main structure, roof, platforms, and architectural details

Meticulous project preparation is as important as advanced modeling techniques - an error in this phase can cost hours of subsequent work

Advanced structural modeling techniques

The main structure modeling requires a systematic approach that combines basic primitives with specialized modifiers. The station's distinctive curved roof represents the greatest technical challenge, where Bezier curves and subdivision modifiers are essential to achieve the characteristic organic shapes of the design.

• Use Array and Mirror modifiers for symmetrical repetitive elements
• Apply Solidify to give volume to glass surfaces and metal panels
• Employ path curves to create curved platforms with millimeter precision

Materials system and final rendering

Creating realistic materials for the extensive glass and metal surfaces requires a node-based procedural approach that avoids visible repetitions. Lighting must combine ambient HDRI with strategically positioned artificial lights to capture the unique atmosphere of this monumental space 🌆

• Configure Cycles with adaptive sampling to balance quality and render time
• Use separate passes for advanced compositing in post-production
• Implement particle systems to add realistic crowds without overloading the scene

Conclusion and project learnings

Recreating the Chongqing East station in Blender not only demonstrates technical mastery of the software but also develops essential skills in complex project management and heavy scene optimization. The final result fully justifies the effort invested, producing a striking visual piece that captures the essence of this modern engineering marvel ✨