not at all arran, all ideas are helpful

I was still pushing towards the epic scene idea more than the others - the flying vehicle idea would definately help fill in some of that space and could lean it to a more futuristic layout.
I also want an excuse to do a little playing with matte painting after seeing some portfolios on the cgsociety site!

Here's a quick look at the bridge supports while on the way home today. I quite like the idea of a dual road layer on the bridge, like a part of the motorway near where I live.

Below that is a wider painted backdrop using some of a decent sunset I found. Also I might play about with sweeping architecture for the supports as seen in the second scene.

https://www.flash-fx.net/3D/images/su...g/supports.jpg

https://www.flash-fx.net/3D/images/su...g/setting1.jpg

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I picture a cool futuristic train or something running along the tracks. maybe a maglev system or something. Very cool!

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-Mike
The Maya Toolbelt

now thats a good idea mike

I just created a very quick (cartoony) sketch for an idea of a tube like transport system running through the supports. The tube could be a similar shape to the middle hole and there could either be a single rail connecting them or it could just push the transport between the rails (bit like a forcefield or something...)

https://www.flash-fx.net/3D/images/su.../supports2.jpg

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excellent! I like this second version of the supports and the train idea a lot. good work mate!

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arran3D

arran3D blog

curves are great, extruding a loop along a path is cool

I'm still concepting the scene layout before going into hardcore modelling and here is another version based on the sweeping supports idea and a single transport rail like mike suggested

https://www.flash-fx.net/3D/images/su...ing/scene1.jpg

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Looks cool man, like the idea and the concept!

Looking great Mr.T1ckl35. Hope to see a vast landscape along with this train support system.

thanks guys
I'm still deciding the layout for the scene, then its onto concepting the transport, cityscape and any floating/flying vehicles that will be about.

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Here's another playaround with the layout. I've had to block paint in (not detailed yet) the lower area of the sea as this angle shows less sky. I also like the wider format to the scene as it gives a more 'sweeping' grandeur feel.

Just as a general question, can you unlink the lighting to an object/image plane? I've got an ambient light at the minute but if I change the colour of the light then it is also displayed on the background plane - something which I dont want to happen.
Any pointers would be helpful but if not I'll be RTFM more at the weekend

https://www.flash-fx.net/3D/images/su...ra_angle1a.jpg

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Yes you can unlink any lightsource. Just go to your outliner to do so.

are these place-holder supports? They seem kinda thin.

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-Mike
The Maya Toolbelt

I like the support columns in is this concept pic better. I can relate to them easier.

This of course is just my own opinion.

Attached Images

personally i like the sweeping curvy supports but i feel they should be thinner as they take up a lot of room and are very low and wide. i think taller, but narrower would flow better. Good luck all the same.

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________________________
AIM: SublimeDragon33
Catch me if i'm on. Always up for a chat.
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yep, they are just placeholders at the minute mike.
I'm getting the general layout and then will be modelling all the parts.
I'm torn between whether to make the supports really lightweight for example in the future building materials can be any diimension and still strong enough - or go more traditional and make the supports thicken out at the base as they enter the water...
plenty more things to think about and finalise!

thanks for the tip THX1138 - I'll have a look. The supports will be futuristic as I'm trying to get away from the traditional look. It's not definate yet though

twisteddragon33 - good point, looks like I'll be doing a few different designs and seeing what people prefer. Maybe something between the current ones and the traditional ones might give the 'support' that it needs

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i can't help but like the idea of a futuristic bridge support, but what if it was futuristic and yet old and crumbly/rusty at the same time?

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