@will03 said:

killer work!

whats your file size at now? and what do you think it will be by the end?

At the moment the file size for the frame is about 8.5 Mb
The front wheel is about 1.3 Mb (which the majority of can be reused for the rear wheel)

So at the moment in total the file size is about 9.8 Mb

Taking into account all the parts that are still to model, by the time I finish I wouldn't be surprised if by the end it is over 50 Mb

At the moment it is probably smaller than I would have expected.

Been on holiday, and haven't had much time since to spend working on this, but have had a little time this weekend to do some. As you can see from the second image the main elements of the frame are now done:






(Click to enlarge)

Usually I would use components, but most of the welded joints are between two non-uniform shapes joined at odd angles which means that non of the individual welds are the same. If I was using a cyclinder and flat surafce for example (as in my brief tuturial) I would use components as the joint is uniform all the way around, but unfortunatly there are very few instances on this model where that occurs.

@unknownuser said:

Looking great. You have certainly got those welds perfected now

I'm going to have to do the first few again though, as they don't look as good as the most recent ones, and even though I've got the technique down to a fine art, its still quite time consuming.

Continuing to make slow but steady progress with this...



(Click to enlarge!)

I'm trying not to think about what the poly count and file size of this might be once its complete!

Another update:



(Click to enlarge)

@unknownuser said:

It would be nice to place this weld tutorial you created over in the SU Tutorials Forum - it's a very good tut you created.

Thanks! Tutorial created in the tutorials forum.

Thanks for the comments...

@monsterzero said:

I'd love to know your technique for creating those welds. I have some ideas on how to do it, but you seem to have perfected them. I'd love to put some welds on some of my cars models (for close up renders).

Heres a quick (simplified) run through of what I did.
Note: you need SoapSkinBubble installed for this.
(click on the images for a larger view)

I've just used a simple cylinder and a flat plane to show you but the principle should be the same for any shape.

1. create the outer edges of the weld
   
   
   

2. Draw arcs between the outer edges of the weld (you probably only need 6 segments at most for this)
   
   
   
   
   

3. Select the edges of one 'weld' and click the creat skin button (the vcb will control the number of divisions for the skin - i chose 5 or 6)
   
   
   

4. Once the skin has been created, enter the group and soften all the edges.
   
   
   

5. Exit the group and click the Generate soap bubble button - the vcb control the 'pressure' - try out a few different values to see which works best - I chose about 300.
   
   
   

6. Repeat 3-5 until you've gone all the way around the joint. (in this instance the weld could have simply been rotated and copied around the cylinder to complete the weld, but for more complicated shapes this obviously won't work, as each part of the weld could be a different shape)
   
   
   

another quick update to this...
Trying to create the welded joint between the two sections of the frame, not quite sure if i'm happy with it just yet though...

Not really had much time to work on this recently, but here's part of the frame at the moment:

Cross Section:



Close up of logo:



Close up of logo:



Quick render:

Similar method to this here, although a little bit more complicated, due to the curved tyre profile. If I have time I might explain it in more detail later.

More detail added to wheel now

Almost complete front wheel (click for larger image):



Side view:



Section through tyre:



quick render in KT:

All that is missing from this front wheel is the valve. After that, next to model will be the front forks.

DT spokes on one side of hub now attached to DT E540, double wall rim:-

Close up of rim (tyre is a placeholder for now)

@will03 said:

you're going to need one monster of a machine, when that model is all put together! good luck my friend!

I'm planning on using simple placeholder components to reduce the size of the working model

As well as everything else that I'm modelling, I have also started modelling this bike:-
Marin Wolf Ridge

I've started with the front hub (Hope XC, 32 Hole Disc)
-Official Image
-Official Image (Exploded View)

My exploded sketchup model (Click for larger images)



Rendered in Kerkythea (Click for larger images)

Next to model will be spokes, rim, and tyre
A long way to go before its finished...

C&C welcome!

Excellent stuff!!
How long does it take to do something like that? - it looks like it would take ages to do!

I work here:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=dl10&ie=UTF8&t=k&om=1&ll=54.402916,-1.738594&spn=0.000898,0.002041&z=19&iwloc=addr

Our office takes up the first and second floors of the building to the left hand side of this photograph.

Another vote here for Avast! I've used this for a while now and haven't got any viruses (at least as far as I know!)

A while ago Comodo was recommended to me, although I'm yet to try it myself, but may be worth a look.

and reliable too (for a 12 year old car anyway)

here's my 1.0 nissan micraRichard

Thanks for the replies so far...

@unknownuser said:

Going out on my own scares me, but that is just me. I like the security of a firm.

I think this scares me as well, I like the idea of working for myself, but if/when it comes to making a decision on changing jobs, I think I'd prefer the security of working for someone else.

Hi,
I have seen a some people on here and elsewhere offering their services as a 3d visualiser / modeller etc, and it got me thinking about how many people actually make a living from this type of work? and how good you need to be?

The reason I ask is this:
I am currently thinking about developing my 3d skills as a basis for a career, and I am therefore interested in hearing from people already in this field (particularly those in the UK doing architectural based modelling/rendering).

Through university I was interested in 3d modelling, but I had never really had enough time or a reason to pursue it. However recently I have started using SU for a few projects at work and I have found myself enjoying this much more than the rest of my job, and could see myself doing it full time. This has given me the drive to develop these skills in my spare time (which isn't much), I have also being trying to get to grips with rendering (with KT) in my spare time to compliment my su skills.

Currently my portfolio of this type of work is minimal, but this is something which I intend to change, but for now i'm just investigating my options... so any advice / comments you have would be appreciated - how easy/hard is it to get work like this etc etc..

Richard