[Becco_UK]

The UFO in the cloudy sky isn't intended as the first image of this theme. In the original TV series we never got to see the alien world close up so that can be made up - In Vue I rendered a 6000*3000 image. That was converted into a Maxwell .mxi image for use as a background, reflection, refraction and lighting resource.

[Becco_UK]

From an in-progress render this is roughly how that background will look, minus some effects to be added. A depth map will be created to control distance blur and a light mist layer. Maxwell would have rendered depth of field blur exactly correct for the camera being used but for this image I wish to have more control with the final image.

So, typically, three ufo's are seen leaving their homeworld.

[Becco_UK]

A ufo has now reached earth - this is the first go, using some XFrog trees. A 6000*3000 Vue image is being used again, converted to an mxi. This provides the background, reflections and refraction. Maxwells' sky is being used for the lighting.

[Becco_UK]

A rough render with some directional blur applied to the trees. This followed some constructive comments at another forum. Getting closer!

[Becco_UK]

A lttle more work has been done to the Shadow Mobile - some model kit parts made for my Eagle Transporter also feature on this Mobile so I have replaced the earlier, less accurate ones.

[Becco_UK]

A slightly modified UFO - the acrylic domes are thinner to match those of the real models more closely.

[Becco_UK]

With the SHADOW mobile I've decided that areas are lacking in accuracy ie: wheels/tracks. cab shape...
It's usually quicker the second time around so that's what I'm going to do with the Mobile - make another one.

A much more accurate set of free plans by JWGoode will be used for the revised 3d model. Download link for plans detailed at: http://www.eagletransporter.com/forum/s ... hp?t=10159

[Becco_UK]

New beginnings! Started the revision with a new chassis box, new wheels and new tracks (partly completed).

[Becco_UK]

I'm making the revised mobile roughly how a real one would be made. However, sections such as the chassis box will have no thickness. If this was being made with also making a real one in mind then each part of the chassis box would be made seperate and with thickness to match the intended real materials being used.

[Becco_UK]

The body of my revised Mobile is being made different too. The first one used some hypernurbed modified cubes to form the basic shape. Worked fine up to a point but hard to get accurate curves in some areas, particularly the lower body curve that tapers and also changes dirrection along its length.

The revised Mobile body is now being formed with a collection of planes, extruded splines and lofted splines. The 'plan' is that when I have all the shapes in place they can be connected into one object and 'welded' together.

[Becco_UK]

I've revised some of the 3d model plastic kit parts that were fitted to the Mobile. When I made first made them I used fairly low quality photos' and size shape was left to intepretation. Since, then a 1/24 scale Gemini kit came along that includes necessary parts.

I've opted for overall shape accuracy rather than 100% fine detail accuracy. In modest size renders the detail gets lost anyway.

First part to make in 3d was this 'block' thingy.

[Becco_UK]

The halves that make up these these 'cylinders' also feature on the Eagle Transporter. The half with the side block detail will also come in useful for my in progress 3d Eagle lab' pod.




Another part destined for dual Mobile/Eagle lab' pod use.

[Becco_UK]

The new bits added to the beginnings of the new cab. The cab itself is being constructed similar to the revised body - simple planes and lofted custom shape splines. I will keep these parts seperate until the window have been cut out - might get the rounding of the cab corners more accurate that way.

The body has had some 'welding' of panels done. The front section and other parts of the body will be finished once I'm happy with the cab. Everything seems to revolve around the cab with this model

[Becco_UK]

This screen grab is really of use to anyone using Cinema4D - other software may use different methods for 'cutting' multiple objects at once.

This is the boole set-up for cutting out the windows - this way allows for changes to the parts being cut without having to first make things editable and connected.

[Becco_UK]

This is how the cab with windows looks when rendered - much nicer curves than the earlier 'square' cornered effort! The boole is still active and will be made editable and parts connected once some details are finalised.