I'm always interested in seeing other peoples work Frenchtoast, but it's not something you need to do if it's going to be a lot of work for you... Moe : I do intend to post once I get something done - doing tutorials in max & lightwave (already eliminated most others) to see which works best for me...then a longer project which will involve panelling (probably a mech) Since I'm only looking at hobbyist approach - not job or study - I'm going to try and be as 'detailed' & all modelled as I can (might resort to the 'only what you see (closer to cam)' modelling theory depending on how well my compie holds up with trying to do high detail... :)

Thanks for the replys all.. (Very nice models Moe) I suspect when I will take the model the buttons approach on my projects, and worry about texturing them when I get that far, modelling being where I'm currently at texturing, next on my learning list when I have something to texture. Never did like flat panel controls - I keep imagining a star trek episode where an alien crewmember has to take over and hits the wrong button due to fingerprint smudges (or coffee stains ;) )

Just had a quick look and had the same download issue. i.e. page just repeating - XP, Nortons internet security - is possible that caused a problem - but Getright worked fine to download them. (tested dragging into the drop target) so I don't think it'd be a download manager issue.

LOL - For some Style is all that matters :)

Nice demon :) I think organics will be a little ways off for me personally - well - at least anything humanoid... I might get away with a suit of body armour modelled around a person - "no no - that's not an error that's a......um...special pocket/reinforced plating Seems the majority of those responding are all in this for the fun, the challenge and the enjoyment of modelling. I think our friendly forum mods are puttering about the idea of a modelling forum challenge. Heh..Since Moebius' cityscape is being demolished in the lightwave forum - maybe here we should have a 'clean up crew' (or machine, critter, thing, device) type challenge..

Shoshanna: Sounds like you and VituallyHistorical should get together and compare notes and/or reference material :) I don't know if Cinema 4d has the functions - but I think I recall a tutorial somewhere that uses those particle emitter type things to spray particles in a whirpool/funnel type pattern then replacing each 'spot' with an actual object - that might work to make a mail twister... Hopefully one of the Cinema 4d users about here will be able to shed a little more light on that option..

Poppi: That's one of the things I can see about being great about 3d modelling - that you can take a fledgleing idea (especially a rather undecipherrable doodle on scrap paper 1 step from a stick figure) and chip away at it over time. Correcting as you go till you have something that resembles your mental image if not ones actual drawing/baseline :P Of course it would always give you something new to learn I'd imagine...as creatures evolve - skins and textures, wings, claws appendages of different types, plain or irridescent each with own challeneges.... What have you found the most challenging to model so far.? Virtuallyhistorical: I agree one has to fel comfortable with what they're using or else no matter what you try to create it's going to become a 'hated chore' which wouldn't help. I will admit I do like the cinema 4d manual/PDF file nicely explains lots of things and I actually understood 3 point lighting afterwards (which is more than could be said after a different modelling book I read went through it)

I agree - it's looking great. have you decided on scale at this early stage of construction or how many wings will be powering the device.?

I know what you mean nomuse - I'm trying to decide where it is I'll be heading with a 3D hobby...I seriously doubt I'll end up doing anything professionally. So have kind of moved into the mindset of just having something I can enjoy doing, make some scenes, take my mind off of a hard day at work and maybe - use the scenes I make in a story I have fluttering abut in the back of my head, and see where I head from there. Animation is currently not on my learning agenda right now - it can wait until after I know how to model... 3D packages might be expensive but then I've spent more than what lightwave would cost on hobbies that have faded away - not to mention computer games (my other hobby :P )