Guidance needed please

[Chadman]

I am looking to do a long term project and create a 3d model of the following :

However, Im not sure about the best approach to doing such a model.

I was starting by using curves, for the major lines of the ship, but then thought, hmm, how do I create them into solid planes.

I will admit to being a bit foxed, and any guidance as to the best way to make this model would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance

Chad

edit : image enclosed

[DjVoyager]

Your image isn't showing up.

[Chadman]

edited, with img tag

Oh crap, its bloody HUGE!

[DjVoyager]

I still dont see it. All I see is a banner that doesn't support links from that website. Attach the image to your post, don't link it.

[Chadman]

Done, thanks for the pointers there DjV :)

[DjVoyager]

Ah, looks simple enough. I'd suggest starting off with a poly cube. Extrude it to form the base of the ship. Afterwards, you can use more poly cubes to make the cannons and other rooms, and place them on the deck. Keep the model as simple as possible with the basic frame, and don't combine the cannons and rooms. Start adding details to each object as you go along.
Hope that helps.

[Chadman]

Ill give it a go and keep u updated on the progress...just keep the giggles to a minimum please :)

[danlefeb]

Sweet, the Bismark! I'll definitely be interested in the progress you make on that.... I've always been a WWII-history lover. :)

[Chadman]

My plan is to also model the hood and then do the battle between the Bismarck and the Hood, that ended in the sinking of the Hood.

[DjVoyager]

Polys, fluids and dynamics. Yup, your animation or still has generated anticipation :)

[Chadman]

It will be a fully animated battle....

[oldhippie_tom]

Chadman, have you seen the movie "Sink the Bismark? I am sure you must have. I had seen it as a boy when it first came out. I have liked movies as that for along time. I also would enjoy seeing your progress.

[danlefeb]

Cool idea Chadman, I've had ideas like that in the past -- different battles though. :) I've never found the time to do it though....Good luck, keep us informed!

[Chadman]

If anyone has played the game Silent Hunter 3, the final battle of Bismarck is in the missions you can play. And the visuals on that game are quite stunning, rolling seas, stormy atmos....I might have to fraps it for an example.

Yes, I remember "Sink the Bismarck". I for one would love to be able to make a film with modern technology. But it would show the battle from both sides, showing that the german sailors that suffered as much as the English.

It wouldnt be pretty, probably quite shocking, but that would be the intended effect

[devilman13]

Here is a really good 3D one

:jump
http://www2.cc22.ne.jp/~harada/index_j.html
it's at the bottom of the page

for ref.

later

[oldhippie_tom]

You are so right about the suffering on both sides. Soldiers and Sailors are just pawns in a bigger game. Not that the dedication is not a very worthy quality. But being an Old Hippie, that protested the war in Viet Nam.

[laxman]

If I recall correctly the prince of whales was also there, but escaped after the hood took a direct hit (gotta love the BBC documentaries). Anyways for the modeling, I would draw the curves then use the birail tool to 'loft' the curves together using a profile shape. Make sure you output to polygons, cause making the engines with NURBs will get pretty complex. After that the rest is pretty much just box modeling as was already suggested.

Remember to make good use of displacement and bump maps, they will give you very good results if you keep in mind where you want detail.

[oldhippie_tom]

Laxman, I believe you are right about the Prince. I am anxious to see the progress you make on this. Do keep us posted. Thanks!

[Chadman]

Well Im still very new and unsure on Maya, so progress might be at the same rate as evolution :)

[DjVoyager]

Evolution?! Well, at least our great, great, great grand children will get to see the animation. :D

[Chadman]

Guys,

I was mentioning Silent Hunter III, the game with great effects and 3D models

Well I uploaded the trailer for it to YouTube..check out the link..it features the Bismarck.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEzmmrtp3ns

[DjVoyager]

Looks awesome!
So if you're going for something like that, most of your effects can be done in a compositing application like After Effects. In fact, do most work in AE, like camera shake when the missiles hit. Post-production can save you tons of rendering time in Maya.

[Chadman]

Well I have AE and am pretty good at it, so I should be able to manage that :)

[McGergs]

Chadman,

Could you supply a slightly bigger image of the orthos. I wanted to do a couple screenshots of some modeling tips for you.

[Chadman]

McGergs

This is where I got mine from : http://www.kbismarck.com/perfili.html

[Chadman]

Where is the best forum to post a WIP? Or should I keep it on this thread? :confused:

[danlefeb]

You can post your WIP images in here:

http://www.digitaltutors.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=513

[Chadman]

I have posted it in the WIP images. Comments are welcome, guffaws and hysterical laughter is not :D

[McGergs]

link us dude

[Chadman]

http://www.digitaltutors.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=2949&cat=513&limit=recent