The ship is now rigged

It's been awhile since my last post, but in that time I've finished the model. Also, built a complete animation tig, which was an interesting voyage as I've discovered a crud load of stuff about setting up animation stuff in Max. Also, a show of how the rig works on the toughest part to rig, the Engine Louvers. In addition, found an interesting way to rig the complex unfolding for the landing gear.

More Updates

Got some more stuff done. Also, for Adam's sake, I've added some new mechanics for the main door. Just about finished the modeling then it's time to do the UV's and the TEXTURES!

Ship's Pilot

Every ship has to have a pilot, well this one is no different. I still fight with organic modelling, but I am somewhat pleased so far. Gotta still put in some hands and then send it to Z-brush for sculpting. Then just gotta make some clothes and other stuff. And yes, those are boots on her feet.

Finally! An Update!!!!!

Since the last posting, I've taken the main part of the upper hull and redesigned it somewhat. I wasn't happy with how it mixed in with the general feel of what else I've built. Then I looked at the original "version" and expanded from there.

In the first series of pic's you can see a direct comparison of the the old and new.



Here is just some more added in detail of the landing gear. Now all I have to do with this is duplicate it three times for the back and other side.

Some video previews

After going through a "sweat-box" session with some of my instructors, one requested to see some video of the boarding ramp to get a better idea of how the mechanics of it work, so I put this quick no-bells video together.



After that, it was time to get on with the landing gear. Originally I was going to base them off of the gear of a 747, but them the all important "sweat-box" had me rethinking the whole thing. (It so nice to work with instructors with the kind of experience they have). So I built this concept. Once again, thanks to "Paco the Taco" I have a much improved result. They only thing I'm not overly happy with is the gear door, but I might try something else; I was thinking actually of the cargo doors on a Greyhound bus of all things. It might look a little more in line with the "feel" of the gear mechanism.

Cargo pod is finished.

I am hereby calling the cargo pod/hold finished.

Now to move on to the landing gear I think.

And then some more is done.

After
many hours of thought and several experiments, I figured out how I was going to rig up the door mechanics. However after showing it to my instructor and his reaction of "ahhhhhh, doesn't really work" I tossed the idea away. However, while we where discussing some different ideas, it came to me. So Here it is, and now I can move on.