I discovered modding some days after I bought Grand Theft Auto IV. I was surfing on the net when I fell on a Ferrari 430 mod, and was perplexed to see a car like that in-game. It's been 2 years now since I discovered modding and since then I'm still working on my modding technique every single day!

CG Cars Artist Profile
Horacio Cachinho
Slyde Designs | Slyde @ CGCars | Facebook

Hi Horacio. Thanks again for the Porsche 918 Concept - fantastic car. So have you always been into modeling? Tell us about yourself.

Hey! You're welcome!

Well, not really. I discovered modding some days after I bought GTAIV. I was surfing on the net when I fell on a Ferrari 430 mod, and was perplexed to see a car like that in-game. So I posted on that forum, asking where in the game the car was hidden. That's when people told me the car was a mod. The first question I asked myself was “How do he do that? I want to do the same!”, so I began searching some tutorials to see how it was done. It's been 2 years now I discovered modding and since then I'm still working on my modding technique every single day!

Modeling came a bit later. Since I worked every day with 3D models – from games mostly – I began to learn some modeling techniques in Zmodeler. I modeled some fast things as Zmodeler modeling tools are not that advanced. About 1 year ago I started working with 3ds Max. Now I can't “get rid” of it since I use it to model no matter what. Today I'm working with those two softwares, Zmodeler to mod, Max to model.

Competition in the modding community is fierce, even hostile at times. What qualities separate your mods from everyone else?

Well I don't like to say my mods are better than everyone else's. What I develop as working philosophy was “Take your time, do something properly”. I know people that the only thing that interest them is to release in mass. The only thing that interest them is to be known because they have I don't know how many mods released. I'm not like that. Since I began modding, I've released 3-4 cars I think. I prefer to take my time, add details, model the nonexistent parts, and so on. And most of all, I'm someone that like to innovate. So I’m constantly searching for new things to add to the game, new ways to use the existing scripts, etc.






Help our members understand what it takes to prepare vehicles for a game like GTAIV. How does the process differ from everyday car modeling – workflow, software, etc.?

First of all you will need the correct softwares: Zmodeler, SparkIV or OpenIV, Gtexture, EditIV and Photoshop or GIMP. These are the softwares I'm using. There are many others! You will need Zmodeler to make the game model, SparkIV or OpenIV to put the model in the corresponding game file, Gtexture to make the game file which contains the model textures, EditIV to edit the handling of the car for example and Photoshop to, well I think everyone knows why!

It's fairly easy, the only thing you must do is follow a very specific hierarchy and shaders and it's done. Now, the most difficult part is to make the car correct in-game, I mean with this a proper dirt map, bullet shell, player seating position, etc.

Your latest WIP is a converted Mercedes-Benz SLS from Test Drive Unlimited 2 (TDU2). There is some controversy in the modding community about how much detail a model needs to be considered “high quality”. Tell us about this project, and your opinion on proper detailing. How much is too much?

I just love the Mercedes SLS. I started to model one some time ago. I wanted to put it in GTA IV but unfortunately I lost the model file. Then, as the Forza3 SLS became available as well as TDU2 one, I picked up the TDU2 model and started working on it. Since the model mesh doesn't have a boot, engine, or chassis, I decided to model them myself. I'm planning to make different versions as Stock, Hamann, Black Night and maybe Brabus. This model will be far and away the most detailed I have ever made and, if we take aside my friend's – Kot - Nissan R35, I think it will be the most detailed model in IV as well. It will have some new features that were never available in IV, features you will discover later.

In my opinion, I don't think that there is a limit on the details added to a model. The more details a model has, the better the model is! Then again, most of the model around don't have proper door sills – a base and something essential – as well as engine bays!

Custom scripts have been written like EPM (Extra Parts Movement) and ELS (Emergency Lighting System) that have revolutionized GTA4 by creating an entirely new breed of advanced vehicle mods. Would you say that the modding community is helping to drive innovation for game developers?

For sure! I think it's not a coincidence that some months after my friend Threep released his script EPM, EA games released Hot Pursuit with movable spoilers. Plus, today, the majority of GTAIV mods are using or are able to use EPM!

What would be your design “dream job”?

Since I was young I love cars! I always dreamed to be a race car driver. But, as I lived in a small town, that dream never became true. Today, my dream job is to become a good 3D modeler.

I would like to work in companies such Lamborghini or Porsche developing concept cars and such.

What changes would you like to see in the GTA4 modding community?

The first change I would like to see is people to stop stealing other people's mods. That's something I just hate. That's one of the reasons too why I decided to create SC Security System that I use in all of my models, even if today, with the new softwares, you are able to open practically any file whether it's locked or not...

Then is the fact that most people just don't help the newbies. I passed by that situation when I started to mod. It's very frustrating to ask for help from experienced people and they just tell you “get lost”...

But, today, I'm somewhat thankful for those that did that to me, since it allowed me to discover that one of the best ways to learn is to do it yourself. You can be sure that you will never forget what you learned.

Any last words of inspiration for our members?

Just keep trying. Even if you don't know, try, again and again. It's the best way to learn and never forget what you learned!

It was a pleasure speaking with you, Horacio. We wish you the best!

Thank you guys for this opportunity! Best Regards.


• Grand Theft Auto / Rockstar Games
• GTA4-Mods.com
• Emergency Lighting System (ELS)
• Extra Parts Movement (EPM)
• ASI Loader / Alexander Blade
• .NET Script Hook / Hazard
• ProVehicleMod / Probles
• SparkIV / GTAIV Modding Tools