well i desided to actully use lw for more then just rendering stuff, so i fired up modeler and got to work. here is the main body roufhed out with a bit of detail on the roof.

That's really starting to look interesting, my friend. :o)

May I suggest that you work on the capacity and the functionality before you get settled on the size and mass. Sometimes grounding a model in a realistic credible scale... or at least something understandable, helps make the model more believable.

Looking forward to developments... :o)

Cheers! MMessage edited on: 02/09/2006 11:35

here is the latest wip, it answer your question moe, capacity and the functionality 1000 tons per car of, thingamajiggers, doohickies and even whatchamacallits :P. as for scalling , i checked it next to dystopia's block 41 and posers wooded dude primitive scales up to 6feet tall, and every thing looks good. comments and suggestions are always welcome

cleaned up a few problem areas and changed the track guides

added doors

The track guides still look "hmmm"... perhaps you could try a different configuration entirely. Some bits would really benefit from a bit of micro beveling here and there. If this is destined for Poser, I suggest you turn up your default smoothing angle to 100 so you can see where you need to split your vertices. I like the ribs on the side of the train. The cockpit windshield is nicely done, but it looks oversized for the width of that train. Keep going... M

The greenhouse is a bit big. Break it up if you want to keep it large with some crossbars etc. On a C-130 the greenhouse is quite large but there is a big gap where the controls are and the glass starts again at your feet. Windows for the passengers are the next thing. (ie unless it is freight)

suggestions noted moe, here it is with 100% texture smoothing

dann- o this is the train engine, so no need for passanger windows, but i will be doing a freight and passenger versions

Nice work dj!!! The body itself looks great, but maybe the front plate could use some more detail, like some sort of headlights or something... Keep waving, Mikewave

Looks much nicer now... I do wish you'd sit the cab lower down into those track guides. I think that it would make the two parts look more integrated and built together rather than just sat on top. Just suggesting... :o) M

took moes suggestion and lowered the cab onto the track guides, added pivot points to the guides. i also added a freight car with split sliding cargo doors, adnd tweeked the rib design again( last time i swear)

Message edited on: 02/15/2006 02:11

looking really good, its great to see your progress with this going thru the stages :) excellent work... keep going :o)

I know my suggestions are getting to be a royal pain in the back, but one would imagine that the closed cars/cabs would be connected by a flexible corridor of some description. I think that you will also need to space them further apart to allow for greater articulation in a turn. Have you given much thought to how the tracks will bend?

Just suggesting... again. :o) M

i have given thought to how the track will bend, given the suggested top speed of 560kmh (347mph roughly), but as i'm typeing this i notice i failed to consider the low speed runs through the city doh! ok suggestion noted moe i'll space them further apart.as for the flexible corridor, there not usually on freight trains but i will add em when i build the passanger version. thx again for the suggestions moe

lookin sweet.....nice to see your progression