It’s a software system called Bunkspeed, and it allows designers to create vehicles digitally and import them into a variety of environments, simulating natural sunlight.

“The old way was to make sketches and then turn the sketches into physical models by sculpting clay,” said Peter Horbury, executive director, North American Design. “Now, we can go from the sketch straight into a computer model, exploring different options like various wheel sizes and vehicle colors. Once we’re satisfied, then we export the data and use our milling machines and clay modelers to create full-size three-dimensional models.”

Computer technology has been a useful tool in designers’ toolboxes for years. But, according to Horbury, Bunkspeed software is unique because it allows designers to see the vehicles in motion – and in a variety of environments and simulated natural light – with a few clicks of the mouse.

“We can change the environment, change the lighting conditions and see the vehicle in action,” he said. “It makes a big difference when you see how the reflections shift across the surfaces.”

Horbury says the speed and authenticity delivered via the Bunkspeed system, which is used in studios that deliver Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Jaguar and Volvo products, translate into significant savings for the company.

“In a few hours, we can be looking at a number of alternatives for a program, and if we can get from six options down to three before we even make any models, that’s a savings of many, many weeks and a lot of hours of labor,” he said.

According to Leon Carpenter, Bunkspeed’s business development manager, one of the software system’s greatest advantages is its user-friendliness.

“Just about anybody can learn how to use it very, very quickly,” he said. “Instead of having a small group of experts that the designers work with, the designers themselves can now start creating great imagery for their designs.”

Designers can also share information quicker.

“The data we create on the computer can be transmitted to all other departments simultaneously,” said Horbury. “So the engineers aren’t waiting for us to measure our clay models and translate that into a surface. It just becomes automatic.”

But what about the future of clay modelers? Designs are still rendered and perfected in clay, and according to Horbury, nothing will ever replace the human touch.

“A computer never designed anything,” he said. “Computers are really just a tool. It’s the people operating the computers who make the magic happen.”

Horbury says clay modelers are now being trained to express their artistry on computers as well.

“Our team is making really good progress,” he said. “They’re becoming the cream of the computer modelers – just as they were the cream of the clay modelers.”