U-Boats

[SCLALINE]

Well, someone suggested if i wanted SCL Uboats that i should make them, well i am going to make a stab at them, but to be honest im kinda intimidated,
question, if i make the model and get it into the sim, does anyone want to assist getting it as a locomotive into the sim, ie physics, sounds and blueprints

several have attempted Uboats but most have had other commitments so ill give it a go

gimme some time to read up on making wheels, etc, etc, im an ok modeler i guess

[krellnut]

If this U-boat is a GE, I have lots of great sounds for it. I'll do the sounds.

[Kali]

Oovee's U25 is still WIP so best not do that actual one. Might be able to lend a hand making it work, will see nearer the time.

[SCLALINE]

not going to do a u-25 SCL didnt have them, U-18, U-28,U-30,U-33, and U-36 including 1776 which would be cool to have that locomotive with all the spotlights it had around it
first i have to learn how to make the stuff, i want it to be a good model

[imnew]

This is great news Jason

[SCLALINE]

guys im going to try, im really intimidated by this but i will do my best

[Kali]

Good luck! I keep eyeing Alco/MLW Century plans, but then I remember I just spent all night making a single headlight...

[SCLALINE]

if anyone hasnt seen this video, my good friend Dave shot this, this is rands Yard in sanford, near where this video was shot i used to sit and watch these locomotives go by as well as the original auto train

http://youtu.be/PUUQFp9EQMw

[Chacal]

question, if i make the model and get it into the sim, does anyone want to assist getting it as a locomotive into the sim, ie physics, sounds and blueprints

I'm starting on the same road, perhaps we can help each other as we go.
Using Blender, I have modeled a "simple engine" and it is successfully running in the sim.
It has advanced controls (using the keyboard) and SD40-2 physics.

For sound, you can start with aliased sounds and substitute your own later if you can get recordings.

[SCLALINE]

will see,
whats a good polygon budget for it

[Kali]

IIRC the exporter runs into problems above 50-60k. There are other issues like draw calls to think about too though, pure polycount isn't quite so important anymore.

[SCLALINE]

hmmmm, this is going to take a long time

[g_nash]

hmmmm, this is going to take a long time

It'll take a long time if you don't start with a plan .

Get everyhing you need before you start the model , get your drawings , get your references ( both sides ) , spend as long as needed comparing the pics with the drawings , decide what goes into Geo and what you can put into texture . Print the pics and drawings , get 2 highlite markers 1 for geo 1 for texture , highlight the areas you've decided to put where so you know exactly what you're doing , keep your first model as simple as possible , don't let yourself get caught up in a lot of needless detail , it's better the easy road than the ditch . Don't deviate from the plan once you open Max and start the model ,, if you alter the plan you've added time to the task , and usually added to the level of diffulty as well .

Tip .. Start with the wheels , get your wheelbase and truck centres firmly in place , add a couple of boxes to represent the truck frame and then look at where you're going to start .

ETA .. Xtra Tip .. "Save Incremental" is your best friend , make a button and use often .

[Kali]

If I started now I'm estimating 4 months minimum, although I am pretty slow. That's assuming someone else did all the sounds, too.

[g_nash]

If I started now I'm estimating 4 months minimum, although I am pretty slow. That's assuming someone else did all the sounds, too.

Maybe ,, but don't forget to make the software work for you . Wheels as above .. a loco may have 4/6/8 wheels per truck but you only make 1 wheel and 1 axle .. 1 cylinder + edit poly modifier .. extrude here and there , scale a few verts ,, add symmetry modifier , click + shift + drag .. bingo 6 wheel sets . Save the uncollapsed stack as wheel.max and ya never have to do it again , first time is always the hardest.

.