Nuka-Cola

I’m a huge fan of Fallout, so I decided to create a 3D Model of the iconic Nuka-Cola bottle. The Fallout universe is set in a retro-futuristic world destroyed by nuclear war. Stylistically, it combines the cheerful optimism of 1950s American culture with faded pastel colors, crumbling ruins, and mutated creatures. I find this world creatively inspiring because of its striking contrasts, where dark humor, hopeful nostalgia, and brutal survival coexist in a uniquely captivating way.

Design & Concept: The goal was to capture the retro-futuristic charm of the Nuka-Cola bottle as a believable product shot. I wanted it to look like an actual advertisement from the Fallout world, inviting, colorful, and slightly worn. The 167 bottle caps in the scene add storytelling and reinforce the post-apocalyptic setting where caps serve as currency.

Workflow: The bottle was modeled in Maya and textured in Substance 3D Painter to achieve the signature Nuka-Cola look with subtle wear and scratches. Condensation droplets on the bottle were created using nParticles. Lighting and rendering were done in RenderMan, with final compositing in Photoshop.

Challenges: Getting the condensation to look natural was one of the trickiest parts. The droplets needed to follow the curvature of the bottle while catching the light in a believable way. Another challenge was modeling the subtle indentation on the bottle where the label sits, getting that curved transition smooth and accurate required careful attention to topology. Balancing the retro-futuristic color palette was also key, keeping it vibrant enough to feel like a product ad, but weathered enough to fit the Fallout aesthetic.

Software Used
Maya – Substance 3D Painter – RenderMan – Photoshop