Integrating 3D models with photography
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# 1 14-05-2006 , 06:02 AM
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Mechanical Spider

Just the rough base and legs for a mechanical spider I am working on as part of an animation. This is the first proper model and animation I have worked on, so any suggestions are welcome. The whole thing is modelled entirely from extruded cubes and cylinders.

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# 2 14-05-2006 , 12:15 PM
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looks like a cool idea. would like to see some more renders of different angles and perhaps a concept to see where you are going.

# 3 14-05-2006 , 07:25 PM
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its looks like that contraption type thing in star wars (episode 1). the thing the bad guy rides on when he is talking with the queen.


A pint of example is worth a gallon of advice!!
# 4 16-05-2006 , 01:19 AM
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Originally posted by Anm8or
looks like a cool idea. would like to see some more renders of different angles and perhaps a concept to see where you are going.

Agreed, and a wireframe too if you please! God...how i love my wireframes...mmmm....

Looks nice so far! user added image

# 5 21-05-2006 , 04:08 AM
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and now for the cannon

here's the cannon that will be mounted on the spider. The fuel feed still needs doing, and a bit more detail to allow me to animate recoil, but the actuator at the back works (I did it using skeletons and an aim constraint. simple but effective.

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# 6 21-05-2006 , 04:10 AM
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actuator short

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# 7 21-05-2006 , 04:14 AM
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actuator extended

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# 8 22-05-2006 , 02:11 PM
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Is the piston locked in position? ie if you move the actuator it moves on its own...or do you have to move it every time? I would like to learn how to make an actual piston that works when you move the model.

# 9 23-05-2006 , 07:17 AM
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when you turn the central sphere, both parts of the piston move accordingly. It's quite simple to do with a skeleton and a couple of aim constraints. I will do a little tutorial tonight if I can.

# 10 23-05-2006 , 06:48 PM
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Its a cool start to your model, but a suggestion - try to avoid sharp edges on the legs etc give them a bevel this way it will look far more realistic in the final renders to come, as the spec hilites will bounce off nicely.

Cheers
Jay

# 11 26-05-2006 , 11:55 AM
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Thanks for the suggestion. My problem is that sometimes it ends up beveling edges that I don't want beveling.

Here is the next step. After days of mucking around I have managed to rig the feeder line from the fuel tank at the back onto the cannon body in such a way that when I rotate it, the feder line bends accordingly. The feeder line is not a perfect curve, and it's not meant to be really. besides I couldn't get the IK splines doing what I want. It was tough enough the way I did it.

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# 12 26-05-2006 , 11:56 AM
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and here is the cannon down, to show the effect a bit more.

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# 13 26-05-2006 , 12:22 PM
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My problem is that sometimes it ends up beveling edges that I don't want beveling.

Then dont select those edges or faces, or use extrude instead, never say die...

Jay

# 14 26-05-2006 , 04:35 PM
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Following Jay's advice, I took the opportunity to remodel the leg a little bit, adding some bevelling and extra details. As with the cannon, the pistons on the legs are functional.

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# 15 26-05-2006 , 06:12 PM
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This is coming along really nicely, love the style. How large is the cannon in comparison to the mechanical spider?

Also i'm curious as to what the plan is for your animation.

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