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    Model this: 3D Connexion Space explorer

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    • EarthMoverE Offline
      EarthMover
      last edited by

      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.

      3D Artist at Clearstory 3D Imaging
      Guide Tool at Winning With Sketchup
      Content Creator at Skapeup

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      • soloS Offline
        solo
        last edited by

        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

        http://www.solos-art.com

        If you see a toilet in your dreams do not use it.

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        • S Offline
          sepo
          last edited by

          great tread πŸ‘ πŸ‘

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          • EarthMoverE Offline
            EarthMover
            last edited by

            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.


            Clipboard03Base.jpg


            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

            3D Artist at Clearstory 3D Imaging
            Guide Tool at Winning With Sketchup
            Content Creator at Skapeup

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            • dermotcollD Offline
              dermotcoll
              last edited by

              @sepo said:

              great tread πŸ‘ πŸ‘

              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

              When you burn your arse - you gotta sit on the blisters!!

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              • EarthMoverE Offline
                EarthMover
                last edited by

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


                napit1.jpg


                napit2.jpg


                spaceexplorer_014t.jpg

                3D Artist at Clearstory 3D Imaging
                Guide Tool at Winning With Sketchup
                Content Creator at Skapeup

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                • R Offline
                  remon_v
                  last edited by

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

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                  • soloS Offline
                    solo
                    last edited by

                    Found some time to continue.

                    http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/7936/3dconnexion2.jpg

                    http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/3777/3dconnexion1.jpg


                    http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/937/explorerr.jpg

                    http://www.solos-art.com

                    If you see a toilet in your dreams do not use it.

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                    • Rich O BrienR Offline
                      Rich O Brien Moderator
                      last edited by

                      πŸ‘

                      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.

                      Download the free D'oh Book for SketchUp πŸ“–

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                      • dermotcollD Offline
                        dermotcoll
                        last edited by

                        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.

                        When you burn your arse - you gotta sit on the blisters!!

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                        • boofredlayB Offline
                          boofredlay
                          last edited by

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

                          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.


                          01.jpg


                          02.jpg


                          03.jpg


                          04.jpg


                          05.jpg


                          06.jpg


                          07.jpg


                          08.jpg

                          http://www.coroflot.com/boofredlay

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                          • C Offline
                            Cyberdactyl
                            last edited by

                            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?

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                            • soloS Offline
                              solo
                              last edited by

                              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.

                              http://www.solos-art.com

                              If you see a toilet in your dreams do not use it.

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                              • S Offline
                                Solidseal
                                last edited by

                                @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

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                                • L Offline
                                  liam887
                                  last edited by

                                  @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?

                                  VISIT MY ONLINE GALLERY
                                  http://www.robotsvdinosaurs.com/

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                                  • soloS Offline
                                    solo
                                    last edited by

                                    Liam

                                    I used Vue for that and yes the materials are applied in SU and then in Vue I add reflection, gloss, bump, etc for the effect.

                                    Okay, for the next model this challenge I was wondering if y'all want a serious organic challenge? or want something less challenging, maybe someone has something in mind.

                                    http://www.solos-art.com

                                    If you see a toilet in your dreams do not use it.

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                                    • EarthMoverE Offline
                                      EarthMover
                                      last edited by

                                      After this challenge, the next one should be a tennis shoe. We'll just reuse the Space Explorer as the sole. πŸ˜„

                                      Pete, I think you should continue to choose complex and hard to build things. I think the more challenging, the more OTB thinking and the more we can push the envelope as a community. Plus new users will learn new thinking and new ways to use new plugins.

                                      3D Artist at Clearstory 3D Imaging
                                      Guide Tool at Winning With Sketchup
                                      Content Creator at Skapeup

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                                      • S Offline
                                        Solidseal
                                        last edited by

                                        @solo said:

                                        Liam

                                        I used Vue for that and yes the materials are applied in SU and then in Vue I add reflection, gloss, bump, etc for the effect.

                                        Okay, for the next model this challenge I was wondering if y'all want a serious organic challenge? or want something less challenging, maybe someone has something in mind.

                                        Maybe 2 models

                                        one for pro's and one for newbies πŸ˜„
                                        but then again .. I love to see the pro's at work .. and gives me alot of info.
                                        Maybe I am going to buy subdivide and smooth cuz I think it is a must have.

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                                        • EarthMoverE Offline
                                          EarthMover
                                          last edited by

                                          Or maybe one thing to model, broken into two parts. For example the Space Explorer could have been broken up so that newer users could have modeled the navigation wheel and buttons and more experienced users could have worked on the molded form. Take the best of each and put them together, then everyone can have fun rendering it. Just an idea.

                                          3D Artist at Clearstory 3D Imaging
                                          Guide Tool at Winning With Sketchup
                                          Content Creator at Skapeup

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                                          • S Offline
                                            Solidseal
                                            last edited by

                                            @earthmover said:

                                            Or maybe one thing to model, broken into two parts. For example the Space Explorer could have been broken up so that newer users could have modeled the navigation wheel and buttons and more experienced users could have worked on the molded form. Take the best of each and put them together, then everyone can have fun rendering it. Just an idea.

                                            nice one πŸ˜„

                                            to much organic parts is somewhat hard for lots of ppl I think.
                                            but an organic shape like for example a bottle is doable for most.

                                            make a poll πŸ˜„

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