I've had this idea for a while that I haven't had time to model, and the near future looks even less likely. So I'll throw out this bone, and hopefully it will be a freebie (but somehow I doubt it, just send me a gratis copy if it ends up in the marketplace). Concept: a universal road prop (w/construction kit), morphed to bend right or left, curve up or down, and twist (for banking), essentially allowing itself to be joined end to end in a non-uniform, snaking curves stretch that would make all sportcar owners' hearts palpitate. Then again, the same prop could be used to create a nice straight scenic stretch favored little old lady Sunday drivers. Add to it, Y's (merge), T's, intersections, brigde abuttments, dividers, and overpasses, etc. Create a stackable, multi lane segment to build freeways, everything set to integer lengths for easy smart prop set up with the dials before setting the morphs. Maps: iron ore, oyster shell, white rock, asphalt, concrete, textured concrete. A combination of traffic stripe options for the latter. All maps would be at least medium-res (hi enough to detail, small enough not to send rendering time through the roof). I know it can be done, I've visualized the process. I just can't afford the time to tackle it right now, as it is a major project with all the extras, probably something for a team. So if anyone wants to follow this concept as a project, have at it. I'm sure that it would be quite popular, a road kit to end all road kits.

Oh, there is such a thing. It's Jtrout's road kit! I'm not sure where I got it, I think maybe it was a freebie? But it's a nice set of different roads and side-rails that lots of things can be done with. Edited to add: It is in the free section here at renderosity. It's just different roads and side rails though, no cloverleafs or overpasses.

Message edited on: 06/16/2005 21:26

I have JTRoadKit, as well as the mountain road props. I've long admired JTrout's work, and he had a great idea and assembled it well. I've used it and enjoy having it. However, I have a more ambitious idea. Instead of having a few predefined shape morphs, I'm visualizing a series of linerally set morphs (think spine or tail vertibrae) that would allow for totally organic posing options. One would be able to assemble a road, texture it, and save the group prop. Easy Pose is a definite option, so that the road assembly could be conformed properly to a landscape prop with a minimum of work. Think of JTRoadKit and kick it up a few magnitudes. I'm visualizing a kit that would go from gravel farm road to country highway to residential street to urban freeway to NASCAR track.