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Cinematic Cars in UE5

Rebuild the iconic Eleanor Mustang and bring it to life inside Unreal Engine 5. Learn the professional workflow for automotive ... Show more
Instructor
Cristian Spagnuolo
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31 Lessons planned

Scoped against the real automotive workflow, from reference board to final frame.

8 Modules

Each one a self-contained stage: preparation, texturing, lookdev, lighting, animation, render.

6 Tools covered

The full real-time toolset the course is built on, start to finish.

UE5 Real-time pipeline

Lookdev through to final frame inside Unreal, no offline renderer in the loop.

Intermediate to Advanced

In production, recording now

Private Discord channel

Cinematic Cars in UE5

Rebuild the iconic Eleanor Mustang and bring it to life inside Unreal Engine 5.
Learn the professional workflow for automotive modeling, texturing, lighting and rendering, and how to build cinematic car shots that hold up as commercial work.

The toolset

Software we will be using.

The curriculum

Module by module.

Every module is a self-contained step of the pipeline, with the project files to follow along.

01

Introduction & Project Setup

4 lessons
  • Course overview, goals, what we’ll create.
  • Why Unreal Engine 5, benefits, and key concepts.
  • Creating a PureRef board, analyzing composition, materials, and lighting of automotive photography.
  • Required tools: Unreal Engine 5, Substance Painter, PureRef, Dash, Maya, Photoshop.
Enroll to unlock
02

Model Preparation & Enhancement

4 lessons
  • Cleaning the downloaded mesh, checking topology.
  • Adding missing components, refining surfaces, fixing imperfections.
  • UV best practices for car paint, decals, and interior.
  • Naming conventions, material ID setup, and baking considerations.
Enroll to unlock
03

Texturing & Material Setup

4 lessons
  • Key materials in cars: paint, chrome, glass, rubber, leather.
  • Using SP for realism, wear, and subtle imperfections.
  • PBR workflow, texture resolution, naming conventions.
  • Reducing draw calls, combining textures, performance awareness.
Enroll to unlock
04

Unreal Engine 5 Import & Material Setup

4 lessons
  • FBX import settings, scale and orientation check.
  • Using UE5’s car material library, tweaking parameters for realism.
  • Paint shader tweaks, decal layering, reflections.
  • Overview of Dash features, how it speeds up lookdev and scene setup.
Enroll to unlock
05

Environment & Lighting

4 lessons
  • Using Megascans and library assets to create a base environment.
  • Choosing the right HDRI, adjusting exposure and rotation.
  • Spotlights and rim lights for visual interest.
  • Achieving a polished, photographic feel.
Enroll to unlock
06

Rigging & Animation

4 lessons
  • Using the FAB library rig, adjusting pivots and hierarchy.
  • Tire rotation, subtle suspension, camera-friendly movement.
  • Using camera rigs, focus pull, and speed ramping.
  • Timing to music, pacing, visual rhythm.
Enroll to unlock
07

Final Rendering & Output

4 lessons
  • Sequencer basics, render queue, and output settings.
  • Using Unreal post-processing, LUTs, and exposure tweaks.
  • Export settings for social media (1080×1920 vertical reel).
  • Final review, showcasing your work, sharing online.
Enroll to unlock
08

BONUS: Tips for Portfolio & Presentation

3 lessons
  • Framing, composition, and storytelling in renders.
  • Instagram, ArtStation, and LinkedIn strategies for visibility.
  • Joining the private Discord community.
Enroll to unlock

In production

This course is still being made.

The full module list below is locked. Recording is in progress, and everyone in the Discord hears the release date first.

Coming soon
See the curriculum

Project files included · Private Discord · All future updates included, free, forever

MODULE 01 - Introduction & Project Setup
MODULE 02 - Model Preparation & Enhancement
MODULE 03 - Texturing & Material Setup
MODULE 04 - Unreal Engine 5 Import & Material Setup
MODULE 05 - Environment & Lighting
MODULE 06 - Rigging & Animation
MODULE 07 - Final Rendering & Output
BONUS MODULE - Tips for Portfolio & Presentation
What is this course about?
The Eleanor Project is a complete step-by-step course that teaches you how to create a cinematic automotive scene in Unreal Engine 5.nYou’ll start with a 3D model of the legendary Shelby Mustang GT500 “Eleanor”, rebuild and enhance it, texture it in Substance Painter, light it with HDRIs, and render a full Instagram-ready reel directly from Unreal.
What will I learn exactly?
You’ll learn how to:nnPrepare and clean 3D car models for productionnnCreate UVs and texture details in Substance PainternnImport and set up materials in Unreal Engine 5nnUse Dash plugin to accelerate your lookdev workflownnBuild realistic lighting setups using HDRIs and custom lightsnnAnimate simple camera moves for cinematic shotsnnRender a final real-time sequence for your portfolio or social mediannBy the end, you’ll have your own cinematic car showcase rendered in Unreal Engine.
What level of experience do I need?
This course is perfect for intermediate-level 3D artists who already understand the basics of modeling, UVs, and PBR texturing.nIf you’ve ever worked with Unreal Engine or Substance Painter before, you’ll feel right at home — but even beginners will be able to follow along thanks to clear, production-style explanations.
What software do I need?
You’ll need:nnUnreal Engine 5nnSubstance PainternnPureRef (for reference board creation)nnDash Plugin for Unreal Engine (sponsor of the course)nnMaya (for model prep and UVs)nnPhotoshop (optional for post work)
Can I use a different car model?
Yes, absolutely.nThe course uses the Shelby GT500 Eleanor as a base, but all the techniques — modeling cleanup, materials, lighting, and animation — can be applied to any vehicle you want to showcase.
Is this a live class or pre-recorded?
This is a pre-recorded, self-paced course that you can start anytime.nHowever, as a PXLmentor student, you also gain access to the community Discord where you can share progress, get feedback, and connect with other artists.n👉 Join here: https://discord.com/invite/Jka3SGdmRq
Will I get project files?
Yes.nYou’ll get all project files, assets, and scene setups used in the course, including the PureRef board, Unreal project files, and sample textures.
Will this course help me build my portfolio?
Yes.nYou’ll learn to animate the car rig and create cinematic camera movements synced to music, mimicking the style of high-end car commercials and Instagram reels.
How long does it take to finish?
The full course runs for around 8–10 hours, but most students spend 15–20 hours total to complete their own final project, including personal tweaks, textures, and renders.
Will I receive a certificate of completion?
Yes.nWhen you finish all lessons, you’ll get an official PXLmentor Certificate of Completion, proving your understanding of real-time automotive workflows in Unreal Engine 5.
Will the course be updated?
Yes!nAll PXLmentor courses are living projects — they evolve with software updates, new tools, and community feedback.nFuture lessons or bonus content may include new lighting techniques, plugins, or camera workflows.
Can I contact the instructor?
Of course!nYou can reach out directly to Cristian Spagnuolo for questions, feedback, or mentorship opportunities via:nnWebsite: https://www.pxlmentor.comnnDiscord: https://discord.com/invite/Jka3SGdmRqnnBook a call: https://calendly.com/pxlmentor/15-min-chat
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Certificate included
Course details
Lectures 31
Level Intermediate to Advanced
Basic info

  • Software used: Unreal Engine 5, Substance Painter, PureRef, Dash, Maya, Photoshop

  • Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced

  • Course type: Pre-recorded, self-paced video lessons

  • Estimated duration: ~8–10 hours of guided content

  • Instructor: Cristian Spagnuolo — VFX & CG Supervisor, Mentor, and Beta-Tester

  • Community access: Join the Discord → https://discord.com/invite/Jka3SGdmRq
Course requirements

  • Basic understanding of 3D modeling and UVs

  • Familiarity with PBR materials and texturing

  • Basic knowledge of Unreal Engine navigation and material system

  • A computer capable of running Unreal Engine 5

  • Installed software: Unreal Engine 5, Substance Painter, PureRef, and Maya

(Optional but recommended: Dash plugin for Unreal, HDRI assets, and the Shelby Mustang GT500 model used in the course.)

Intended audience

This course is designed for:

  • 3D artists and automotive enthusiasts who want to learn real-time rendering workflows

  • VFX and visualization professionals looking to integrate Unreal Engine 5 into their pipeline

  • Students and freelancers who want to create cinematic automotive content for their portfolio

  • Mentorship participants aiming to level up their technical and artistic skills in CG

Whether you’re a hobbyist exploring automotive art or a professional preparing your next showpiece, this course will guide you step by step to achieve production-quality results.

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