36 replies to this topic

[killakanz]

Just thought you'd like to see what I've been upto while my home computer is still offline.
For some reason because my home computer isn't on the internet, none of the mod teams have been giving me any jobs, thus giving me time to do some projects I've been wanting to do for a long time.
This one is still far from finished, but as you'll agree it looks impressive already. I'll try and keep you updated as it progresses.

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[killakanz]

Update.
I bet you guys never guessed this baby started life as the tiger I made for The Finest Hour? Heh, just dug that up so I had the basic shape, then adjusting bits and piling on tonnes of detail.
Been working on it today. I'm starting at the front end and working my way back. I rebuilt the side skirts, added flaps over the drive sprocket, added the hatches for the driver and hull machinegunner/radio op, and other little details.
I just finished rebuilding the gun mantlet and then decided to call it a day, my radio ran out of CD tracks and my hands were cold...
Still got lots to do on this

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[killakanz]

Progress on the tiger has been slow recently, but here's a little update.

I finally built the Idler wheels at the back (the area cunningly cut off in the previous screenshots, now you know why ). Also rebuilt the treads to make it look more segmented, so here's to placing each tread segment one at a time! It's takes a while.

The main bulk of the turret is a new mesh, much more rounded at the back. Sometime I'll be making the 88mm gun more rounded, but at the moment I'm working on getting the detail onto the turret, so expect to see the smoke launchers in the next update.

Why is it that just a few shadows make so much difference?!

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[killakanz]

WAHOO!!
The turret is finally finished!!

The finish line is in sight, I just need to do the engine hatches and the details at the back end, then just add misc tools like tow cables, spades, picks etc. If I keep going at this rate it should be done by... next weekend... maybe...

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[killakanz]

Beuty shot of the turret, showing more details

EDIT= So you know what I've done, I rebuilt the main turret shell today, 3 times over actually - I just couldn't seem to get it round enough, but I think it looks good now. I also built a new commanders hatch, gunners hatch, smoke launchers as promised yesterday, a new storage box on the back of the turret and a few other little details. The gun was also rebuilt from scratch to make it more rounded. This was a whole day's work!

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Edited by killakanz, 04 January 2005 - 08:11 PM.

[spider-man_2099]

while modelling is pretty good, ugly noise is ruining it, just render in a plain colour, use a skylight .

[killakanz]

nah, skylight is crap, and it takes years to render with this much detail.
I'm not worrying too much about materials and lighting while building it, as you've noticed. I'll sort all that out once it's done and get some nice rendered scenes. I've already started a little urban ruins scene to feature it in.

[spider-man_2099]

I know you're not, I'm just saying for now, render it with a plain material, might get a few more replies .
Also if you don't want to yous a skylight, use a white background and a shadow plain, some nice lights. do the model some justice .
Another thing is you might want to chamfer the edges, and add a mesh smooth modifier .
How many polies is it btw?

Edited by spider-man_2099, 05 January 2005 - 01:00 PM.

[killakanz]

hmm.. I'm not really after replies on this one. It's more of a record of development.
Expect more once this is done

At the moment, it stands at just over 91500 polys. For some reason meshsmooth is comming up with some odd results, makes some parts look a bit plasticy. Just look what it did to the muzzle break.

[spider-man_2099]

did you try properly smoothing it? looks like it's all one smoothing group right now.
You also have the same problem with the turret body actually, you need to adjust your smoothing .

[killakanz]

As tempting as it is to chamfer ever edge in sight, the Tiger actually has a few pronounced edges, especially so on top of the turret.

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[spider-man_2099]

There's no such thing as a sharp edge, it's not industrially possible, not in ww2 anyway, maybe now with lasers and stuff. it has to be smooth, even if a really small part.

[killakanz]

Ok, the Tiger is on hold again I'm afraid.

Here's the story:
I'm applying around for a job in 3D Modelling for games, and I must admit the Tiger has been one of the best in my example pack so far. The thing is most of the other bests are also tanks, then some aircraft, ships etc...

But it's missing something - Cars.
It's striking me that most game developers who are hiring modellers at the moment are after car modellers (hint- expect lots of driving games to spring up, you heard it here first! ).
Basically, it's time for me to make a car. I have an old model of an E-Type Jag which I never finished, so I dug that up to see what condition it's in. I say again it's very old and I wasn't much good at doing smooth curves. It was a valient attempt, and I was wondering if it's smooth enough to get away with...

Who am I kidding? It looks like someone walked past thumping on it. The denting is far too noticable.
So I'm gonna start on a new car. But which...?

That bit is continued in another thread.

[spider-man_2099]

I got the same probelm, damn cars <_<. Not that I actually applied for a job, I'm not old enough for that , but I plan to eventually.
btw, do you use msnm?

[killakanz]

Yes I do, check your PM

[killakanz]

Ok, finally found a moment to do the engine hatches, with the big screws.

While doing them, the Tiger broke thru the 100000 (yes, one hundred thousand) polygon mark

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[killakanz]

Added the rear exhaust filters


From the front it now looks fairly complete, if the tow cable was finished. The cross just adds a nice touch

[killakanz]

There we go, it's now complete

...but not finished. None of the tools Tiger's usually carried around with them, but all the normal Tiger components are complete.

I've also given it a number, S12.

Tiger Tank S12 was one of 9 Tiger Tanks delivered to Panzer Battalion GrossDeutschland, from 3 Company Panzer Regiment 203 along with 10 Panzer IIIs in February 1943.
In Panzer Battalion GD, Tiger S12 was the 3rd vehicle of 1st Platoon, 13th Company, and took part in the fighting at Kharkov and Kursk.
In June '43, Pz Bt GD was expanded to a Regiment. In August, 13 Company was redesignated to 9th company. The history on Tiger Tank S12 get's a bit hazy here as more and more heavy tanks get assigned to the regiment, but it seems that around the same time, Tiger Tank S12 was re-numbered to A13 in 1st Platoon, 9 Company.
After that I hit a total blank. I have suspicions that this tank was one of the 10 Tigers lost due to mechanical failure on the battalion's 110km march from Nisch Ssirowatka to Jassenowole in mid August '43. I think this because of an end of August '43 report which stated that 9th Company had no operational Tigers, yet the end of the following month it had a Tiger number A13 again, but I do not think this is the same vehicle.

Anyone who knows the fate of Tiger tank S12, please get in touch!

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