The one thing I can trust UV mapping to do is detect if I am lying about my mesh.  Because while doing a paint test, I found some stretch marks.  And it's impossible to fix the UV map until I first fix my mesh, which I cut corners on because I just assumed I'd be using procedural materials like I always do. 

Something made me want to paint this thing by hand though.  Probably from watching some Clint Eastwood movie where he has the folks painting their whole town red.

Anyway, this is just a paint test.  I will mask tape it next time, and not use too wide of a brush.  I have better wood textures somewhere.  This one was from Hexagon 2 Gold Edition.  But I have to remodel the frame better so that UV mapping will fall into place better.  Then I can use Carrara to grunge up the edges for me to give it an aged look (and cover up where I painted outside the lines).

Painting by hand - its the way forward me thinks.

Keep us posted

Roof looks good Shawn

Yeah, roof is looking good and I like the new wood texture.

Here's what consumed me for the last 11 days. modeling actually only took 3 days, the materials and shaders, however, aren't so easy going. I guess the reson being I am including New, Old, and Really Old versions of a variety of colors. But, this is what I have come up with, and have now passed this over to BB (YAY!) to check my stuff for mistakes.

Is this a bald sheep shape? I'm thinking maybe I'll put another mesh (wool) on top to get some displacement.

A Bofors 40mm AA Gun

AirFlames. I think the ribs are going in the wrong direction?

Here's a shot of the rear of my latest model. A Bristol 403.

As you may of heard, Bristol has now gone into receivership. I had work for Bristol for 25 years.    Basically since I left school.

There is a front shot of the 403 on my gallery.

Good luck with your latest projects.

Z

Here's what I've been working on for a few days now. Most the textures are preliminary and just thrown on for looks. But here's the jist of it, it's maybe about 100ft stretch, enclosed environment so you can have the shot from just about any angle.

I am still adding more details, like pipes, etc, but wanted to get a general opinion if this would be an item of interest to the public here.

Sewers are way cool.  I did one as a modelling exercise ages back - there is so much scope for adding details and stuff.  I expect it would sell

Nice Sewers BionicRooster. Very L4D

I've got a lot of time on my hands at the moment. So I thought I would have a go at useing the side profile/silhouette of the 403 and see what transpires.

Z

A colour shot from the front

I forgot all about posting a pic of my sewer in this thread, otherwise I woulda posted an updated image :o)

I caught the end of an old Gadget Show episode yesterday and they were using Nurbs.

I remembered attempting nurbs years ago with no success, so I thought I would give it a go again.

My first nurb Shape!

Very good! What nurb software you are using?

Hi GKD

I'm using Amapi Pro 7.5

Hi GKD

I'm using Amapi Pro 7.5

Cool, I think I have a copy here somewhere too...

I had to convert to poly and have a quick render.

Some very impressive work ZIKEO! Love the rear-end view of the Bristol. Reminds me of a sexy girl I used to know. ;) The concept car you based off the 403 is a svelte, sexy little rig too. That car would give the Mini-Cooper a run for its money. Retro-futuristic. Good work on the nurbs modeling. I tried out Rhino at College, but I don't have it on my computer. Too bad Amapi Pro 7.5 isn't available anymore, or I might try nurbs modeling again.

Can we see the wires for the gun Zikeo?

Doesn't Hexagon do nurbs?

I would check, but I haven't re-installed since the Virus System Crash.

Here are the wires after conversion to poly.

Now there's a UV mapping job if I ever saw one!

Quote - Now there's a UV mapping job if I ever saw one!

I let 3DCoat do the auto UV mapping for my Amapi Pro NURBS.  Nightmare to do otherwise.

Quote - Thanks GUys.

Doesn't Hexagon do nurbs?

I would check, but I haven't re-installed since the Virus System Crash.

Here are the wires after conversion to poly.

No NURBS in Hexagon.  Moi does better poly conversion than Amapi Pro.  I have not gotten used to Moi's GUI though.

The conversion of the cycle turned it into a nightmare.

So I've spent today remodelling in poly using the converted nurbs version a guide.

The headlamp area gives away which is which and maybe the chicken drum stick brake levers.

Z

Great-looking building Shawn!

Quote - I've been wanting to make something larger than a single prop, and kinda architectural in nature, but wanted to do something that I haven't really seen around yet. So I decided against actual buildings or anything of the sort, and went underground!

Here's what I've been working on for a few days now. Most the textures are preliminary and just thrown on for looks. But here's the jist of it, it's maybe about 100ft stretch, enclosed environment so you can have the shot from just about any angle.

I am still adding more details, like pipes, etc, but wanted to get a general opinion if this would be an item of interest to the public here.

Nice Rooster I think it would sell.

Great job! Suddenly I have an intense craving for soft pretzels and mustard! I have to get into the big city.

Attached Link: Maybe this link will help.

That's because you're not taking into account that you should be seeing an impression of the rib cage through skin, fat and muscle. You're approaching it as if the ribs are directly under the skin, which they aren't. I would suggest looking at anatomy and photo references of goats, deers and sheep to get an idea of what the physical structure is like and then try again. Keep at it!

That took a while to work out - thanks Teyon

I like your ram on steroids!

Its not gonna need that level of detail - its a free for terragen community so it will be a case of many poses and many textures, but thanks.

So would you UV before displacement and then texture?

Well these days, you don't really have to do it in that order but yes, that's what I normally do. I do find myself adjusting UV's after displacement has been done these days but that's more because I have been adding to a model or improving sections of it than anything else. I use ZBrush for my sculpting and it doesn't require the model have a map before hand anymore.

Thanks Teyon

I see what your getting at. If you started from say, a cube in ZB then there would be no point in UVs but with a decent base mesh then the displacement would be a sort of 3d sub divide.

I'm using metasequoia which although straight forward does bones, animation and now has sculpting tools (or will have for general release very soon). I've tried swapping to blender but its just not working for me.

Don't feel bad. I never liked Blender solely because of its interface. It's a powerful program and people do great things with it but it's just not for me. That's why it's always good to try different apps to find the right fit because what one person loves, you may hate. Anyway, keep up the great work everyone, you folks are an inspiration!

Attached Link: Gallery image uploaded at 4:20 on 4/20

So yeah, being the day that it is was all the inspiration and motivation I needed to be "productive", even tho I did take the easy road whan I found the lighter in the freebies here....

Modeled in Wings 3D and rendered in Octane

I've had another play with the Nurbs thing.

This time modelling a Future Robot Space Hopper Transport thingy.

There is a scene with Mea Riding this Guy on my Gallery. (Hubba Hubba)

Z