Built entirely in Unity and available in iOS and Android, the Camaro SIX customizer app allows users to choose their base model and select different exterior and interior elements based on thousands of real life combination options. Once customizations are complete, the user’s unique Camaro can be saved to their phone or shared across social networks.
The customizer function of the app also includes a VR function for Google Cardboard that takes users right into the interior of the Camaro. An accompanying interactive catalogue allows users to explore the new changes to the model in greater detail.
In order to share each user's customized Camaro outside of the application, we developed a WebGL site that rebuilds a 360 view of the user’s vehicle. This environment is an exact copy of what was designed in the app. While there are no customization options, the interior and exterior of the vehicle are viewable from almost any angle. This experience is nearly identical on desktop and mobile browsers.
We used Chevrolet’s Camaro CAD data to model an accurate, mobile-optimized, low-poly version of the car from scratch - wheels to windows. Since we allowed users to get up close and personal with the interior of the car, we paid extra attention to the shape of every button and knob. We crafted separate dashboards for different models of vehicle, and baked out normal maps so that the Camaro’s leather seats retain their fine leather stitching and texture.
An important feature of the app’s concept was true-to-product customization. Users have the ability to customize a Camaro, then take the app to a dealership and have that car be a valid purchase. We used the Unity game engine to develop the entire experience and pushed the bounds on what’s possible with Unity’s UI development. We used mobile-friendly shaders to keep the framerate at a near steady 60fps on newer mobile platforms, while having smart fallbacks for older phones. We also built an extensive backend to handle the car’s thousands of customizable combinations.
Partnering with Nathan Love
The app needed a powerful introduction, something visually stunning that set the look and tone for the experience. We conceptualized several variations on the animation, created mood films and style references. Once we landed on something we all liked, we partnered with Aardman Nathan Love to create a fully CG intro video, highlighting the different aspects of Camaro’s new design. Throughout production, we worked closely to make sure every piece matched up with the app experience, including a beautifully crafted environment for the customizer.
The roar of a sports car’s engine is every bit as important as the look of the body. For the application, we wanted to recreate the sound as close to the real car as possible. To do that, we partnered with Plan8 to create a suite of engine sounds, from ignition to full throttle. Chevrolet provided several multi-mic recordings of the engine and exhaust from various angles. This allowed Plan 8 to create realistic 3D audio and sound assets for our dynamic engine rev simulator.
- Mobile Of The Day