Kamikaze

David, I really like the ways it's turning out, man I love live action..someday I want to get a 3ccd camcorder, and that expensive match moving software, I don't ask for much.... Very cool. Michael

OK a quick update, taking a breather on the modeling and attempting some animations of sorts....here's a prop slow spin-up ,it is a combination of 3 action files and a prop rotation expression? Had my HD crash on the computer that I usually do my internetting on so until I get it fixed I'm on a purter that I cant stand, so updates my be long in comming. MIchael Another start up rotation without the actions, Next I will be adding (hopefully) smoke via sprites and sound, Michael Slow_Start_Up_Rotation_Test_S3.mov Start_Up_Rotation_Test_S3.mov

John, Thanks for the file, I cant get the movie file to play for me, Im on a different computer than usual (my internet computer HD went out) so its more than likely this makeshift computers problem... Michael

Jobe,the Nice idea for a knife, looks sorta bat-ish... Michael

Gre, Looking good, could you post a larger pic?....Are you going to add inside detail?......either way nice model... Michael

Thats slick there David, I'm guessing its a job your working on. I hope you keep an update here as you progress, very impressive. MIchael

Great modeling, man I do enjoy seeing these AM mechanical model, and I look forward to seeing more..if it were an aircraft carrier I'd try to land my C-130 model on it....that give me an Idea... Michael

It's taken "me" some time (a month or two or....?) to get where I'm at but I only work on it 2 to 3 times a week for a couple hours on those days and I haven't planned it out so I end up redoing and redoing...so if you have the time you can definatly go faster than I, and I'm in no rush sense I'm doing it as a hobbiest. Michael

Looks good to me so far, not just encouraging mechanical modeling in AM Michael

I'd like to see a larger image ,looks very cool.. Michael

Thanks again Rodger, your suggestion got me thinking so I made the trouble area in the round windows into frames that are not attached, just in case I want the windows to be part of a special effect like getting blown out, or whatever, it helped with the creases also. Below is an attached mov file (low res) of the props chaging pitch (0-90 deg.) I have to rework the blade positions and part of the cone to look more realistic..... I made 1 pose slider that will work all 4 props (16 blades) at the same time and I also made individual sliders for effects durring animation. Next I want to post a pic of the cockpit/crew cabin area, Take care. Michael Prop_Pitch_Check2.mov

Looks great to me, now to see it in a concert hall.............cant say much for improvements Michael

Thanks for the model, one never knows when it might come in handy... Michael Thanks for the model, one never knows when it might come in handy... Michael

I like it, the head reminds me of rudolf the red nose rein deer..... Michael

Rodger, Oh !!!Thanks a bunch!!!, that does look better, much better.....I'll do just that, and then when I add my panel lines and hopefully rivets, it should look pretty good. or close, Michael

Heath, Sure you can fly it, all I need to see is your pilots license, All I have is a Run license. Technodandy, Thanks, for the post, Of course for starters you can download the above attached file of my C-130 fuselage and take a look at it, Im not the best at modeling mech or otherwise but I'm trying to get better.....I can say that it might be best to plan out your model, lets say on a plastic version of it first, that is buy a plastic model kit and start drawing splineage with a non permentent marker, dryerase or grease pencil etc....Also look at other models that are similar in type (mechanical,etc) and see how their modeled. One good thing Ive been told is to TRY to keep your patches as close as possiable in size to avoid un-smoothness, as you can tell with my fuselage model if you DL it and take a look, I did not do a good job there. and it looks terriable around the round side windows where I used 5 pt patches to model in those windows...it looked much better when I used Transparency maps to make the window holes, could also have use boolean, it's basicaly where one shape group is boned and in the properties of the bone you turn on boolean cutter, (I think) and then use its shape to cut out a hole in another enclosed group (ie: like a box ) ..you only see the results after rendering, same with transparency maps. Now as far as rendering time ,if you have a highly detailed model, high patch count, decals, materials, all which can help bring realism to your model, and also render settings, shadows (and type of shadows) ,reflections, depth of field, high multi pass settings,If your having a had time waiting for a render that doesnt have to be perfect, like rendering to check a models basic look, I turn multipass ON with 1 pass, no shadows ,refections DOF etc......theres probably even fast ways to do quick renders, that others can tell you..... Dont forget ,you can also post pictures of you model to this forum, WIP section, with different views, shaded wireframe....and ask if other (including me) can take a look, Im by far not the best or near it withanypart of AM, modeling, texturing etc..but I sure enjoy doing what I do. And Also check out the new users forum...... And do a search of the forum for "mechanical" etc You can also PM me or send an email my way "mscossey@sbcglobal.net" Did I mention AM is great for all types of modeling ,incl. mechanical Well best get to work , Michael

Oh !! that is nice, would like to see different views of it also, Michael

Here is the desert camo look, I tried to work on the fuselage to get the creases, bumps etc. out but still not satisfied, it's especially bad around the round, modeled in windows (5 pt patches) I think I know how to get it smoother ,but it would increase the patch count ,and I dont want to do that just yet. maybe after I put in the panel lines and fuselage makings the unsmoothness won't show as bad..... Ill also attach a model file of the fuselage, if anyone wants to take a look, or just to have for whatever reason.... take care, Michael here is the fuselage only model. Test_Fuselage_C130.zip

Excellent, I notice more and more mechanical modeling being done and shown, absolutly love it, in a non sexual way of course....keep it up. Michael

Nice work there Dan, should look extra cool with that paint job too.. Michael

Nice model, now add a nice paint job or decals, add a rider...and lets go break a leg. Cool, Michael

Thanks Bryan , sounds like you have a cool job ! Now I finally started work on the camo material I have 2 going so far a green camo that Im still tweeking, attached is a render of it ,and a desert camo ,no render of it yet, Ive got a to find a better way to put the material on, right now I have the material on too may groups and it takes so long to change from one material to another, I know there is an easier way, just cant think of it so far. Michael

Thats going along nicely, I wish I could get my latest mechanical model to look as smooth....mine looks like its doing the wave, I can see where planning out a model before starting it could help in ending with a smoother model, usually I have no idea how Ill model until I start and then I chage up and wala, waves... Michael

Hey thats really cool !!!, really like seeing mech models done in AM, look forward to an animation, Michael

Last one, Main landing gears and doors operation, Main_Landing_Gear.mov