Model this: 3D Connexion Space explorer

kwistenbiebel

Thanks Solo for starting this thread. It turns out to be the most interesting modeling thread in a long time here on SCF.
Especially because the subject is a bit out of the boundaries of Sketchup's strenghts.

I like the latest efforts of Pete, Ely and Adam.
The most difficult trick would be to get a clean mesh, which is difficult for a polygon modeler to achieve.
Especially when using a render engine to visualize stuff like that, a clean geometry is crucial.

It would be interesting to see a MOI3D user post a version using Nurbs so we can compare and learn.
Lately I am interested to see if a Sketchup + MOI workflow would be a good approach to cover the whole modeling spectrum.

I vote for NURBS FOR SKETCHUP!

avariant

I'm having a hard time creating a beveled edge that doesn't completely destroy the model...
I don't have progression screen shots, but I started with a rectangle and used intersect to shape it. I used intersect to create an outline for the buttons too, so they follow the body contour (but made it a lot more work!)

I know the scale and body shape is off... I just eyeballed it.

Solidseal

@ely862me said:

It s not that good.. trust me..
Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual Core 2.80 Ghz
1 Gb ram
nVidia 8600Gt 1 Gb video card

Why are u asking!?

Elisei

wel because when I create a sphere with 2 circles with 100s my pc has serious problems also when I take your model and I copy/move the upper layer of the connexion explorer it needs like 20 seconds to think cuz of the high polys I guess.
but I think your models are high polys also but it goes way smoother .. or are they low poly ? ( dont know all about polygons though)

Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual Core 2.80 Ghz
2 Gb ram
Ati Radeon HD4870 1 Gb video card

ely862me

Thx guys!
Adam -very nice
Alpro-i don t know exactly how much time--let say about 2 hours.
Solidseal -watch this thread http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=72&t=2467

Happy sketching!

Elisei

EarthMover

Finally feeling like I have something respectable. Pretty much the same method as my first attempt, but used more FFD, Fredo Taper & Bend and Dieder's Projections to get the job done. Still need some work on the buttons and I could probably do it again with less segments in my initial bezier splines to make it manageable, plus the "nose" on mine is a bit flat. Unfortunately, I have a corruption in the file and when I try to save it, it crashes sketchup. Decided to do a couple Twilight renders since I may not be able to save the file and I know it's too heavy to use for a render challenge. I'll update the post with new renders when they finish.

Space Navigator Render3 copy.jpg

Space Navigator Render1.jpg

EarthMover

Mike, I spent about 4 hours on mine. (twice) If I built it again, I could probably do it in less than an hour, now that I'm over the head scratching.

I think the most difficult thing about this challenge is that we are dealing with a model that is a combination of hard surface and organic shape. I like Pete's approach to model the main skin. Here's some ideas on how to incorporate some hard surface to Pete's SDS skin to make the base.

Trace out the base with Bezier classic tool and push pull it through the grouped skin

Run intersect with model and delete extra geometry

Select the bottom most edges and use the Extrude Lines along Vector tool that comes in the newest projection tools, or use the stand alone Extrude edges plugin. The projection tool one is better because it will leave selected the new set of lower edges. Extrude down on the Z axis.

Use the scale tool to scale the new edges inward from center. This will create the slight bevel for the transition from the top and base. You can use ThomThom's select quad face loop to select all the inner lines of the new extrusion and soften them, without softening the separating line, as this is needed for texturing.

![To make the rest of the base, draw a rectangle under the model and use the Line Projection tool to project the bottom set of edges downward onto the rectangle. Choose "yes" for make new faces.](/uploads/imported_attachments/nICO_Clipboard10SDS.jpg "To make the rest of the base, draw a rectangle under the model and use the Line Projection tool to project the bottom set of edges downward onto the rectangle. Choose "yes" for make new faces.")

Delete the rest of the rectangle and select the bottom face and edges and scale them inward from center and the base is complete.

solo

Adam, I have a new skin, this time I used my actual real world 3D Explorer to get the proportions better, I'd say the shape is pretty close to the real thing now.
The size is not as I model oversised.

top skin.jpg

Model

sepo

great tread

EarthMover

Expanding on my previous method for the base, I felt it didn't have enough curve to it as does the real thing. I used Pete's newest skin and used some extrusions and projections to get the curves needed to run TIG's sweep along rails plugin. I think this is the most effective way I've tried so far and it went really fast. Hope it's helpful to some. Model attached.

Here I extruded outer edges down on Z and scaled inward by .99. Then used the Drape tool to drape those edges down onto a plane. I used Selection memory plugin to save the initial edges, then selected the draped and extruded edges and moved out a copy.

I measured across and found the mid point of the lines and then used a plane as a guide to delete half of the edges.

I used a small extruded plane to draw out a profile for the base

After making sure my segments matched for both rails, I ran TIG's sweep along rails plugin to create the mesh for the base, then duplicated it and flipped half to match them up as a whole. I then moved the based and lined it up with the previous mesh.

I also made a small profile (component) and used follow me to round the edge between the top and base.

explorer skin-1.skp

dermotcoll

@sepo said:

great tread

Why are we talking about tyres Sepo

Guys these are just brilliant - have been keeping an eye on the output - it would take me a week just to get the shape of the main body done. Well done to all

EarthMover

Here's a pretty clean (although heavy) model if anyone wants to play around with it. If someone wants to remake the buttons with TOS that would be great.

Explorer Model SFC.jpg Explorer Model SFC.45.jpg
Explorer Model SFC.46.jpg Explorer Model SFC.44.jpg Explorer Model SFC.skp

remon_v

looks really great! I prefer to make my version in Modo as I can't really model organic in SU

solo

Found some time to continue.

Rich O Brien

That's incredible. This has been an excellent challenge and every approach by members has been eye opening.

I've struggled on this one and can make no excuses other than my user level. I'm gonna keep trying but don't think I'll make the grade.

Thanks to those who've invested their time to show others how truly skillful organic modeling is.

dermotcoll

I second that Richard - it is incredibly difficult for a newbie like me to even start thinking about how to go about this type of model - but when you see the techniques used by the gurus it inspires you to try difficult shapes and forms - my work is generally boxes and straight lines but I can see that the entourage items can totally change a scene and look forward to developing some pieces to use in future plans.

boofredlay

I can't get over how much the base of this thing looks like a shoe

I had some time so here is my progress.
Tools used the most so far have been the move and scale tools.
The only Ruby was Subdivide and Smooth at the end.

Cyberdactyl

Hey, just to break in for a sec.

Do any of you guys use one of these? And if so, what do you think about them over a mouse?

solo

I got one, I use it all the time, it is not to replace the mouse but rather to compliment it.
I use a mouse with my right hand and explorer with my left hand, together.

Solidseal

@solo said:

I got one, I use it all the time, it is not to replace the mouse but rather to compliment it.
I use a mouse with my right hand and explorer with my left hand, together.

o0

liam887

@solo said:

I got one, I use it all the time, it is not to replace the mouse but rather to compliment it.
I use a mouse with my right hand and explorer with my left hand, together.

hardcore!

wow ive been following this form the beginning and you have all done really well. the models are exceptional! Ive been using SU for years but always been put off by organics, preferring to do them in max but since joining this site and using the plugins I know its possible. Ive been too busy in uni to have a crack at this but am looking forward to the next 'Model this' as I will have got my webdeisgn out the way by the then!

Well done everybody keep up the good work!
A question to solo: The render that follows your last update what are you using for it, and are the materials applied in SU itself or in a separate program?