My first scratch-built models
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@simon b said:
Among the best car models I have ever seen in SketchUp - well done! Love to see more.
Could you please post a couple of views with hidden geometry revealed?
It would be very informative for other members
Thanks, not sure I deserve such high praise.
Here are some hidden geometry shots. I've been reluctant to post them, my modelling techniques are still pretty sloppy compared to some I've seen in the Warehouse. Hopefully I'll refine them as time goes by. I use mirroring whenever possible and a lot of component copying to keep my file size down. I keep each model below the Warehouse minimum, even if I don't upload them I figure it's just good discipline.
Right now I'm working on finishing the interior in the '61 Chevy. I love detailing the interiors, it's something you don't see much of for some reason. Just for kicks I include an Owners Manual in the glovebox of each car. Now if only I could figure out a way to get that "new car smell" in them
Included a shot of a '60 Chevy I'm working on. It's in it's very early stages and very rough so don't look too closely.
My kingdom for a time machine. I really want to go back to the sixties.
Any suggestions on how I might improve my techniques are welcome and would be much appreciated. I'm a thick-skinned old fart so don't worry about offending me
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hellnbak-
Well you obviously know how to model... The hidden line drawings show it. It's nice to see those drawings as it gives so much information of the construction. As far as asking about the time- I was just curious. I often work the same way and have no idea how many hours I have in on some projects (which isn't good if you need to bill for them...)
As for the sculpting tools- A few of them might help you with some of the complex geometry. But then again you seem to be doing quite well with out them.
Please forgive me if I'm pointing out the obvious with some of these links.
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?p=250026 <--- This sis the dizzying list of all the current plug-ins.
Fredo6 has many plug-ins I don't know what I would do without...
- http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?t=11212 <--- Amazing tool set
- http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?t=20485 <--- Huge time saver
- http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?t=6708 <--- Magic haha...
thomthom again has many plug-ins I can't live without.
I think the biggest sculpting tool to date is Artisan by Whaat. http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?t=34868 I don't have it yet but it seems like it's worth the money. I'm so thankful for all of the developers of the tools I use. I can't imagine what I would do if they were taken away. Here's an example of what can be done with Artisan in the hands of one of them most skilled modelers I know- solo http://www.solos-art.com/for-fun/
Oh- and for the renderings, I bet there are quite a few people who's mouths are already watering wanting to get their hands on those models so they can render them. Maybe I, or someone can post a link to a download in the Kerkythea and Thea forums and we can form an thread just of your car renderings?
Hope this helps some.
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really great to see the hidden geometry thanks for this..... and it looks to me even more beautiful now - they do not betray you at all, it looks like you have coped with the difficult surfaces pretty well.
nice work!
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@gistman said:
hellnbak- As for the sculpting tools- A few of them might help you with some of the complex geometry. But then again you seem to be doing quite well with out them.
Please forgive me if I'm pointing out the obvious with some of these links.I do use some of Fredo6's tools, Joint Push and Pull, Round Corner, I also use Tools On Surface when I can but it seems to be very twitchy a lot of the time. I also have Artisan, but haven't found the time to get really familiar with it yet, I need to do that.
Actually the plugin I use the most (by far) is a simple little plugin called Nudge. I'd be lost without it.
Like you, I'd be lost without the fantastic plugins made available for SU users. Most of them I don't use a lot, but when I do need them I can't imagine having to do without them.
You're right about Solo, he is an incredibly talented modeler. When I look at the work of artists like him and then I look at my work, I'm almost tempted to throw in the towel. Seriously. If I live to be 200 I know I'll never come close their unbelievable work, and I get very discouraged sometimes. And they somehow combine quality with quantity. Seems like they must knock out a model an hour. How do they do it???? Seriously, how do they manage to produce so many fantastic models? And here I am plodding along trying to get the front end of my '58 Chevy to look sort of like the real thing.
@gistman said:
Oh- and for the renderings, I bet there are quite a few people who's mouths are already watering wanting to get their hands on those models so they can render them. Maybe I, or someone can post a link to a download in the Kerkythea and Thea forums and we can form an thread just of your car renderings?
I certainly would have no objections to anybody rendering my models, or doing whatever they want to them. But they are not ready for that, they need a lot of work yet. With warm weather finally coming to Michigan I have a lot of outdoor chores to take care of, and it's taking away a lot of my SU time.
Well, as always I really appreciate your comments and suggestions. Gotta go rebuild the carb on my lawn tractor, the fun never ends.
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"Nudge" hmmmm... I'm curious how this ruby slipped by me. Thanks for the tip.
Yes- I know exactly what you're talking about. You see someone like Solo and you just want to quit- but actually I think it makes you try harder. PLUS, one thing about this forum, is that if you ask for help you'll usually get more help than you need. We all make each other better by sharing...
I think you might be too hard on yourself. I took another look a one of your images. I think you'd be surprised just how nicely those models would render. I would suggest downloading Kerkythea and a few of the car specific materials from the forum- as it's free and has a great forum like the one here at SketchUcation.
Ah- summer in Michigan... You have to enjoy it while you can.
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@gistman said:
Yes- I know exactly what you're talking about. You see someone like Solo and you just want to quit- but actually I think it makes you try harder. PLUS, one thing about this forum, is that if you ask for help you'll usually get more help than you need. We all make each other better by sharing...
I've been thinking about this, and even tho I haven't using SU for all that long, things that would have puzzled me and taken forever to get done just a couple of months ago are much easier and faster for me to do now. Seeing as how Solo and the other really great modellers have been at it much longer than I have, it's only natural that they should produce much better stuff than I do, and more of it. I'm certainly not saying that I will ever be as good as them, but with time I will improve. And I'm not saying that quantity is even important to me, I was just a little discouraged that it's still taking so long for me to get some things done. Besides, it would be just dumb for me to give up on something that's so much fun.
@gistman said:
I think you might be too hard on yourself. I took another look a one of your images. I think you'd be surprised just how nicely those models would render. I would suggest downloading Kerkythea and a few of the car specific materials from the forum- as it's free and has a great forum like the one here at SketchUcation.
You might be right. I've always been a bit of a perfectionist, and I probably won't ever be totally happy with my cars. As far as using a render program, I do have IDX Renditioner Pro. I didn't get it to render my cars, just to do some of the chrome trim and emblems that I can't find decent photos of. Actually I've only used it for that twice so far, not all that happy with the results. I've pretty much given up on Renditioner tho, mainly because it just doesn't have the support that other render programs has. The forum isn't that great, and they don't seem to be very supportive of "noobies". I do have Kerkythea installed but have only played with it a couple of times. Maybe I'll take another look at it, probably should.
And you're definitely right about this forum, it is fantastic. So many people jumped right in to help me during my days of dumb questions. If it hadn't been for them I'm sure I would have given up not long after discovering SU.
Here's a shot of a '58 I'm working on. Still kinda clunky, parts and pieces missing, very few textures applied yet, just threw in some seats from another model. I'm making it showroom new of course, I just put some of my "hotrod" wheels on it for the heck of it.
Jeez, I'm in the middle of a huge thunderstorm here, I hope my computer doesn't get fried. I should probably sign off and unplug everything.
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Against my better judgement, I have uploaded my '56 Ford to the Warehouse. Still needs some work, but thought I'd throw it out there to see reactions/opinions.
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really nice model
A real quick and dirty render. Colours may not be to your liking though?
Will play with this more tomorrow.
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@unknownuser said:
really nice model A real quick and dirty render. Colours may not be to your liking though?
Will play with this more tomorrow.Thanks Rich. Looks good, but the front tire looks out of place, too far out from the body, and where did the tire treads go? I know I'm poor, but bald tires?
I think I know what happened, you rendered the tires and the treads weren't modeled, just textures applied. As far as the colors, that's the fun thing about putting it out there, anybody can do anything they want to it. Looking forward to seeing what you can do with the beast. Right now I'm working on a Crown Vic version, will post it when it's ready. BTW, what renderer do you use? -
I've modified the model a bit for rendering purposes - black gaps around the hood, trunk, doors and fenderskirts so they don't disappear when rendered. Also modeled the tire treads - this is kinda fun, although I'll bet it was a lot more difficult before the days of Joint Push/Pull. The biggest problem is modeling the side chrome, getting the various edges and shapes to stand out and be distinct. Also working to reduce the file size. If you want the new model, let me know.
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hellnbak
As I noted before I don't follow the car models much here, but soon after I first looked at this post, perhaps the very next day, I saw the car in these photos at a body shop. The guy was just finishing his polishing. Seeing your models turned me onto seeing more around me. I stopped and took these shots, just taken awhile to get them off the camera. So regardless of who downloads your models, please keep posting, it's much admired and appreciated.
How does that Joni Mitchell song go? "he bought a '57 Biscayne, put it in a ditch. He drank up all the rest that sonofab***h..."
I hope you enjoy the pictures such as they are.
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