These are my most recent renders of my oil platform. It's about 85% done as far as the modelling goes. I still need to model the derrick at the top of the platform, bring a few parts together for a better fit, and tweak it after that. I'm going to try Rednecks tutorial on how to model a derrick and also try it my way. You know, the slow way of stick by stick. Then there is the texturing of it. This is where I wanted some input from everybody. I want to make it look like this beast has been sitting around for a long time without being used and give it the rusted textures caused by the sea air. I was also thinking of making it look like it is still in use. If I were to do that, I would have to incorporate some poser figures into it in order to make the "Roughnecks". Odds are, I will do both at some point. Feedback always welcome. BOOM

Here is another render from the opposite side.

Thats Awsome BOOMER!

God I love this model, I sure hope you've "familied" it already, it might be HELL to texture otherwise! Very complex, on par with Bambam's ridiculous ship models and the like. Curious, but are you using a real rig to model from? It sure looks realistic and SUPER-detailed!

Ho Man!! BOOMER thats an Amazing piece of work. Occupational symptom(Patience) ;)

Boomer, look to my IM for comments. Very cool, tho...

Boomer, it's a totally awesome and massive undertaking. It looks fantastic even without the skin. You've got my curiosity ticking, I'm wondering, have you decided yet as to whether you will set it in calm waters or rough seas?

Awesome, but don't forget the oilslick next to it... ;c)

My God, where does one get the patience to create something so intricate? I don't think I could offer up any suggestions that you wouldn't have already thought of. Other than something sorta dumb...close your eyes and imagine being on it. Use your sense of smell and hearing, etc. to get a feel for what you might not have thought of when imagining the final piece from a visual standpoint. Awesome work. The final product will be superb!

Thanks for the feedback, guys. Shadowdragonlord, The model is grouped into four main sections. The main deck with the small building in the front (there is another on the backside) is grouped as 1. The right side structure with the stairs on it, from the helicopter deck down to the main deck, is another group. The left side building with the cranes on it is grouped also and the last group is the building in the middle between the other two. Each one of those groups is subgrouped a few more times. And yes, I familied things together, also. I'm working off of a model from the Dosch Engineered Structures collection. I also searched high and low and it seems that this is a real rig. The name of the rig is "Ellen" and is located off of the California coast and is owned by Shell. I found pictures of it from a scuba diving group that went there to dive it. I'm also using those pictures to reference and check the building of it. ICM, at work, I HAVE TO keep my patience, but this allows me to focus and forget. Quest, I think I am going to have a plethora of images off of this model. I will have calm seas in some and stormy seas in other images. I've been picturing it as I've been going along so that when I am ready to create a scene, I won't have to think about it. Size wise, it's around 340, 000 polys and a buttload of objects. Always open to suggestions on anything. Thanks again. BOOM

Just an incredible piece of work BOOMER! I think Shadow was right, this model rivals Bambam's as far as complexity and modeling! I can hardly wait to see it fully textured.

Almost forgot. Thanks for the compliment about the comparison between my model and those of Bambam's. That's truly and honor being compared to someone with that degree of talent. (bows humbly and disappears into the shadows of the Bryce world to hide his shit eating grin)

Wowee this is soooo complicated. When you do some renders are you going to have one with a Greenpeace ship fyll of protesters moaning about damage to the environement?

I've always wondered what the Greenpeace ship runs on. If it is petroleum products, then Greenpeace is kind of like an anti-fur protestor wearing leather shoes and belt. :^)

I suggest some terrain-based water, zenith lightning, and somewhat drab texturing. From my experience with oil rigs the colors tend to be musted with age.

Aye, sometimes models just flow, other times they are tedious and that means that we are not doing it the right way. Balance in all things.... I am everything, I am nothing. GOod work, Boomer, I thought this one looked a bit TOO realistic to be made from nothing, unless of course you'd worked on such rigs! I'm saying that this is the most potent oil rig in the industry, and you should treat it as such professinoally and artistcally! (portfolio work, for certain!)

I just love the POV on render #2. It makes this thing look HUGE er...humungous...er...rather large.......quite big actually......'acking enormouse! Great work here. and a fine example of what comes from having the patience of Jobe!

Thanks for the positive feedback, guys. I thought it looked pretty good, but I guess I'm harsher on myself than I thought. You guys have done wonders for my ego as an artist, but I will still keep it in check.

Don't forget the degasifoer vent. When you see these rigs off of Santa Barbera (and elsewhere) at night, you see a towering flame coming from the vent!

de-gas-ifier...

That all depends of whether I make it a desolate deserted rig or an active one. I have a feeling that there willbe both, though, but i'm not sure.