Virtual tuning, colloquially known as 'chopping', is the 2D graphical modification of automobiles, with the use of raster graphics editing software. Modifications such as aerodynamic body-kits, wheels, front mount inter-coolers and carbon fibre body panels, are super-imposed on a stock image in order to increase its aesthetic appeal. Whilst some designs are realistic in nature, one of the reasons why virtual tuners chop, is to try modifications that may not be possible to produce in real life.[1] Virtually tuned cars are the ultimate imaginative makeovers of ordinary cars.[2]
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Artists who undertake virtual tuning, usually refer to themselves as 'choppers'. For the most part they do it for their own pleasure - as a hobby - however there are a small percentage of artists who earn an income from their talent.
A large number of choppers come from highly developed economies such as the United States of America, the UK and Australia. However, a majority of choppers stem from European nations such as the Lithuania, Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Hungary, Romania, Turkey, Bulgaria, Croatia, Bosnia, Macedonia and Serbia as shown by the existence of a number of virtual tuning forums dedicated only speakers of these languages. In addition to this, large numbers of choppers originate from South America, particularly from Brazil and Argentina.[3]
The gender distribution is heavily weighted toward males.
Adobe Photoshop is the tool of choice amongst most choppers.[2] Other raster graphics editing software such as GIMP and Corel Paint Shop are also used by choppers as an alternative to the highly priced Photoshop.
Virtual tuning, or "chopping" as it more commonly known, is a relatively new art, although it has been a popular amongst car enthusiasts for over 10 years. Throughout this time, a large amount of artwork has been produced in this style, with many of the featured artists moving on to worldwide fame, producing technical renders for respected car tuning companies. When a manufacturer releases speculative artwork of their next model, there is a high probability that the person who produced this artwork was once a member of the ever growing chopping community. Currently active choppers are known to have completed promotional imagery for Lexus, Audi, Chevrolet, and Ford to name a few.[4]
The first mainstream and popular website to feature this type of art as a hobby, was Digimods, which closed down in early 2009. This was the first established Virtual tuning forum.
Chopping, or virtual modifying consists of taking a stock image of a vehicle and transforming it into whatever you want using programs listed in the tools of the trade. The more skilled artists will take their own sketch of a concept, and go all out to produce their own render with unrivaled talent, and a lot of these renders will be plastered all over the internet being mistaken for real cars. Virtual modifying is all around us, and has been for a very long time. Every time you see a car in a magazine, or a car wallpaper for your desktop - chances are it has been tampered with by an artist.
The concept of the World Team Battle (often referred to as WTB) has virtual tuners competing in teams for their country [5]. The idea originated on the website PhotoshopedUp in 2008, where the competition was moved to PhotochopWorld in 2009 but only the first round was completed. Since 2009 and the subsequent closing of PhotoChopWorld, the World Team Battle has been hosted on autemo. Results for 2008/2009 are unavailable due to the loss of data in the closing of PhotoshopedUp, but the results of WTB 2010 are as follows[6]:
| Country | Placing |
|---|---|
| Belgium | 1st |
| Slovakia | 2nd |
| Poland | 3rd |
| Germany | 4th |
Many Virtual tuning websites will host their own competitions on a regular basis. These typically consist of a base image chosen by either staff on the website or the previous competition's winner. The competitors are then given a period of time to complete a "chop" of this base image and submit it for judging. The contest entries are usually judged by members themselves in a very democratic system, or sometimes by judges given authority due to their expertise in the art.
An example of a competition which follows this basic principle are the Autemo Championship Competitions.[7]
Choppers do a lot of their artwork simply because they enjoy virtual tuning. However, with the skills built from virtually tuning cars there are a number of ways artists can make money with their skills. Most advanced choppers have at least once done freelance work for car owners or a design project on Autemo. Some also work for tuning companies, and car magazines.[8]