You Can Partially Thank 3-D Scanning for the Stunning Looks of the Cadillac Elmiraj

While it looks like we won't be seeing the Elmiraj turning into a production car, Cadillac continues to tell us about its well-received luxury concept. This time, is has revealed details on how it used an advanced measuring technology called structured-light 3-D scanning for its development.

Often used for fine art restoration and reproduction, 3-D scanning uses projected light patterns and an advanced camera to capture three-dimensional shapes. The shapes are then converted into math data that can be manipulated in digital modeling programs. The Cadillac Elmiraj coupe concept benefitted extensively from this digital mapping technology.

Thanks to 3-D scanners, designers can quickly reverse engineer and update the master math model, and then apply them to the physical model by milling the clay.

GM has used 3-D scanning since 2001, but the Elmiraj is the first drivable concept car for which this technology has been used to validate nearly every pattern, mold and part during each phase of the vehicle build.

“With the Elmiraj, we were able to use 3-D scanning as the bridge between traditional hand-sculpting teams who work in clay and digital modeling design teams who work in math,” said Frank Saucedo, director of General Motors’ North Hollywood Advanced Design Studio.

Not only that, but 3-D scanning allows designers to revert to a previous design phase. “A scan can even reveal the need to take a step back to a previous iteration, and 3-D scanning makes it relatively easy to do,” said David Bolognino, director of GM Design Fabrication Operations.

Probably the best part of 3-D scanning is that it makes possible the transition from a scale model to a full-size model in less than one week, speeding up the design process.

Scroll down to watch how 3-D scanning works from the video posted below.

By Dan Mihalascu

VIDEO

2010 LA Design Challenge ends with a Tie: Cadillac and Smart Declared Winners

This year's Los Angeles Design Challenge ended with a tie, as judges, after much deliberation, declared two winners: the Cadillac Aera and smart 454 WWT. The challenge was to envision a four passenger car tipping the scales under 1,000 lbs (454 kg).

"Deciding this year's Design Challenge winner was a tremendously difficult decision as the quality of entries has increased throughout the years", agreed the Design Los Angeles judges. "This year's winners - the Cadillac Aera and the smart 454 WWT - offer two very different visions of the 1,000 lb. Car, yet are equally as amazing. They are both very expressive of their brand; GM is art and science and smart is playful and fun".

LA Show 2010: Cadillac's Urban Luxury Concept is an Aston Martin Cygnet Killer

If you want more proof that Cadillac is once and for all abandoning its "bigger is better" mentality adapting to the times, here it is: the Urban Luxury Concept, a design study for a supermini-sized city car (think Aston Martin Cygnet) that will have its world premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show tomorrow.

"While small in size, this concept is an exploration of what Cadillac could be in the future, as the brand continues to focus on redefining industry standards for advanced vehicle design and integrated technology," said Don Butler, vice president for Cadillac marketing.

Conceived and designed in the Los Angeles area, the car's styling is typical of Cadillac's current design language with plenty of hard edges and vertical head lamps and tail lamps. To make it look more conceptual, the designers threw in a pair of scissor-type doors that extend outward and rotate forward when opened.

Cadillac to Show All-New Concept Model at LA Auto Show: What will it be?

We're still tuned into the SEMA Show, but the news from the fast approaching Los Angeles Auto Show keep dropping in. Now we've learned that General Motors will stage the global reveal of a never-seen-before Cadillac concept study. not surprisingly, details remain slim. It could be a concept for Cadillac's recently confirmed small sedan (often called ATS), which will go up against the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4, or something different altogether. We just don't know. But feel free to speculate in the comments section below.

LA Auto Show Design Contest Part 1: Cadillac, Honda, Maybach and Mazda Concepts

For the past seven years, the most important automotive design studios in Southern California compete in a Design Challenge organized by the Los Angeles Auto Show. For this year's edition of the show, which runs November 19-29, the event planners decided to add an international flavor to the contest by inviting studios from Germany and Japan to join the competition for the very first time.

The theme for the 2010 Design Challenge is the creation of a super-efficient and lightweight four-passenger car: "The objective is to envision an efficient, light-weight, four passenger vehicle (not to exceed 1,000 lbs.), that is both comfortable and safe, while delivering satisfactory driving performance without sacrificing the styling consumers demand. "

Follow the break for the first group of concept models by Cadillac, Honda, Maybach and Mazda, and stay tuned for the second part.

Cadillac CTS Coupe Loses its Top for SEMA Show

Drop Top Customs, the Florida-based company that brought us the Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challenger convertible models at last year's SEMA Show, is now getting ready to chop the roof off the freshly revealed Cadillac CTS Coupe. The soft top Caddy will be revealed in the flesh for the first time at this year's edition of the SEMA gathering, which runs from November 2 to 5 at the Las Vegas convention center.

For now, you'll have to make do with a set of renderings that you can check out along with some other drop top custom conversions from the tuning shop in the gallery after the jump.

Cadillac Planning True Flagship Model And Entry-Level Player

America needs a true luxury car company and Cadillac is it. What about Lincoln, you ask? It seems like Ford's upscale brand is still trying to find its feet. To take full advantage of this, Cadillac intends to regain its position as a full-out luxury competitor over the next 5 years with a more traditional lineup, shooting volleys across the bows of more than just the 5-Series and E-Class.

That's right, we can expect entry-level, mid-size, and full-size luxury, along with one model that will still appeal to the "traditional" Cadillac buyers of the 90's (if they're still around).