Winners Announced - One Car Challenge 2025

The results are in! After hundreds of inspiring entries, the winners of the One Car Challenge 2025 have been revealed by 3Dmodels.org.

Taking first place was Nadeem Asharaf with “The Silent Bond” – a beautifully cinematic and emotional render that deeply impressed the judges.

Also recognised were Chandrashekhar Jayaram Thakare with “The God That Did Not Mean to Arrive” (2nd) and Daniele Gasparini with “Ctrl + Drive” (3rd).

These artworks showcase not only exceptional technical skill, but powerful storytelling and creative vision – a perfect match for the spirit of the challenge.

See the full winner gallery and jury commentary at 3Dmodels.org

A huge thank you to the team at 3Dmodels.org for organising such a thoughtful and inspiring competition, it was a pleasure to sponsor, and Mark was honoured to take part as a judge alongside such a talented panel.

Original article continues below…

We’re proud to support the One Car Challenge 2025, organised by 3DModels.org. This unique 3D art competition gives everyone the same starting point, a classic Hino Contessa model, and challenges artists to take it in their own creative direction. Whether you're into photorealism, stylisation, storytelling, or technical precision, this is your chance to show what you can do with a simple brief and total creative freedom.

 "This is an opportunity to show what you can do when the brief is open and the only limit is your imagination." - Mark Segasby, Co-Founder and CEO of Lightmap

What’s Involved?

Everyone starts with the same 3D model, the Hino Contessa, and builds from there. You can modify the car, create a surrounding environment, develop a theme, and tell a visual story in your own style, using the tools you're most comfortable with.

This is a competition for 3D artists of all levels, from students and hobbyists to working professionals.

What You Could Win

• $1,750 in total cash prizes (top prize: $1,000).
• 50+ sponsor prizes, including licenses for HDR Light Studio.
• Featured across 3DModels.org, Lightmap's social channels, and more.

Judging by Industry Experts - Including Lightmap's Mark Segasby

We're also excited to share that Mark Segasby, CEO and Co-Founder of Lightmap, will be joining the judging panel for the One Car Challenge 2025. With a strong background in product visualization and lighting design, Mark will review submissions alongside other industry experts, focusing on creativity, technical execution, and visual impact. As part of his involvement, Mark has also created a short tutorial using HDR Light Studio, offering insight into how he approaches automotive lighting using the Hino contessa model. The images shown above are taken from this demo - Watch the video below and see how Mark approaches automotive lighting.

How to Enter

• Download the base model (provided after sign-up).
• Share a WIP (Work In Progress) post on your platform of choice.
• Submit your WIP link using the application form.
• See the Terms and Conditions.

No AI - just your own creative skill and technique.

For full details and to enter, visit the official page: 3dmodels.org/one-car-challenge

Deadline to enter: September 30, 2025.

Why We're Supporting This

At Lightmap, we’ve always believed in the impact of great lighting on great art, it can transform a good image into something truly striking. Artists are at the heart of that process, which is why supporting this competition feels like a natural fit. It’s not just about offering HDR Light Studio licenses as prizes; it’s about reaching out to a vibrant community we admire, and showing how our tools can help push their artwork to new photorealistic heights. We’re excited to be part of something that encourages experimentation, growth, and creative excellence.

To all who enter: we can’t wait to see what you create.

Learn more about HDR Light Studio