United3dArtists Archive

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 10 Oct 2009, 15:55

Taking a break from the alley to look at it with fresh eyes. I am trying to step out of my comfort zone and do some real modeling. Not that this one is overly complex but it has been a challenge for me.

I am going to try and animate this one as well to make the gate come down and the counterbalance go up.

I am actually learning a lot about crossing gates during this research. I never knew there were so many people who were crazy about RR crossings

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 16 Oct 2009, 10:49

Trying to integrate my modeling into Vue which has caused me quite the delay as I figure Vue out. Here are a couple of updated screenies on my progress. Surprisingly I have not gotten bored or frustrated with this scene yet despite the set backs. Maybe I am finally growing up

I know I have some modelling tweaks to do but thus far I am happy with the results. Ultimately I want it to be a small town railroad crossing, maybe animated with the arms going down and the typical railroad sounds, probably out in the country somewhere which is why I wanted to port it to Vue for the ability to add the Ecosystem.

The pole in the middle looks black but that is just the shadow that is being cast on it.

Steinie · Post by **Steinie** » 16 Oct 2009, 11:59

This is surprising subject matter which caused me to think
"why didn't I think of this..."
Looks good so far and I can't wait to see what you do next.

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 16 Oct 2009, 12:50

It never crossed my mind until I sat waiting for a train to pass one day and I was just staring at the crossing gate. The detail and the overall symmetry of the pieces got my attention and then my mind wandered and then they honked at me cuz the train was done

I find myself actually trying to catch a glimpse each time I pass one and what is even worse is that I can almost identify the model and manufacturer now

Karthogen · Post by **Karthogen** » 16 Oct 2009, 15:32

Very nicely done. the details are nice.

nigec · Post by **nigec** » 16 Oct 2009, 15:47

tahnoak wrote:
I find myself actually trying to catch a glimpse each time I pass one and what is even worse is that I can almost identify the model and manufacturer now

As long as you don't stop to look at one on the WRONG side

Nicely done

Breech Block · Post by **Breech Block** » 16 Oct 2009, 17:45

Well done tahnoak. I have been waiting a long time for you to develop an image outside of your "comfort zone" and must admit to being very impressed with what you have done so far. The detail is pretty terrific and I can't wait to see what you do with the rest of the scene. Keep up the good work.

froo · Post by **froo** » 16 Oct 2009, 17:59

yes I really like this as well tahnoak.
Is this going to be a full-scale, life size train setup?
Or is it going to be like a model train set?
I like train sets.

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 16 Oct 2009, 18:11

Thanks for all the comments, it helps as I try new things.

No stopping on the wrong side for me!!

I must admit that I was going for full scale but now that you mention it froo I am VERY INTRIGUED at the possibility of making this like a model train set scene. I don't have any but I am an admirer of those very elaborate train sets that people spend their lifetimes building in their basement

I need to ensure I don't try to go too fast and settle for "good enough". That is my biggest problem, lack of patience to learn something the right way when it comes to modeling.

froo · Post by **froo** » 16 Oct 2009, 18:17

totally understandable.
The detail put into that model just 'looks' like a miniature to me; very well done!

marcel · Post by **marcel** » 16 Oct 2009, 19:13

Maybe you can work with Spyfrog and his wagoon...

compPanda · Post by **compPanda** » 16 Oct 2009, 19:49

Hi. Interesting subject.

Do you plan to make the surrounding environment also? Like the rail and landscape?
Cars? People?

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 16 Oct 2009, 20:06

Hey spyfrog, as much as I would love to do all that, I just do not have the skills yet to make cars and/or people but I think I can certainly tackle on old abandoned shack or possibly some old buildings from a time gone by along with plenty of vegetation (thanks to Vue)

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 17 Oct 2009, 00:01

Have I got a link for you!
Check out the layouts there.

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 17 Oct 2009, 00:07

spacekdet, great to see you again and THANK YOU! for the link. Talk about the endless possibilities there.

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 24 Oct 2009, 10:57

Quick update. I am working both in tS and in Vue but here is the update in tS. Comments always welcome. Keep in mind that this is still in work and by no means a finished model. I'm thinking the white lines are too close to the track on the top, or maybe just the angle makes it look like it is.

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 24 Oct 2009, 14:27

Here is the initial work with VUE. I have not added an atmosphere or played with the lighting yet. Some other things:

1) add some tire tread marks to the asphalt road markings to show everyday wear
2) build a small electrical shed which houses the support electronics and stuff
3) maybe add a corner of an old abandoned gas station or hotel to the periphery of the scene.
4) Looks like I need to widen the lane on the opposite side of the crossing. It looks pretty narrow.
5) other stuff as I find it

LeonRegis · Post by **LeonRegis** » 24 Oct 2009, 15:21

Ow

This is very realistic, great work there!

If you include those ''other things'', it will be perfect.

Keep the good work!

Steinie · Post by **Steinie** » 24 Oct 2009, 15:39

This really looks great!
What parts are done with trueSpace and which with Vue? Did you apply textures
in trueSpace first then use the Models in Vue? I suppose the rendering is in Vue?

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 24 Oct 2009, 16:59

Thanks leonregis and Steinie.

All modeling was/is done with trueSpace and then imported as .obj into Vue. The terrain is all done in Vue and texturing is done in Vue. I am able to save the same textures that I use in trueSpace into Vue but I can do a lot more with the texturing in Vue. It was really worth the $$ (although I sort of feel like a cheater by not modelling the landscape but I get over that pretty quick)

Yes, all rendering done in Vue. I had not even thought about porting it the other way. Hmmmmmm....

Finis · Post by **Finis** » 24 Oct 2009, 17:19

Good work. It has a different style or mood that most of your pictures. Although you do an excellent job in your usual style it is good to see you do a different one.

Breech Block · Post by **Breech Block** » 24 Oct 2009, 20:17

Very nice indeed, tahnoak.
There is one thing though, if the sun is over to the left, I would expect the road's crash barrier not to be so brightly lit as it would be in its own shadow. But as it is, the barrier doesn't appear to have one?
Still a great piece of work though. Good stuff.

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 24 Oct 2009, 21:01

Thanks Finis...

Breech, thanks but guess what....the sun is actually shining from right to left. I thought the same thing when it was rendering but the shadow you see on the road is the one that is off the screen. The shadow of the barrier is hard to see but it is there and is narrow from right to left

I am working on utility poles now...not a whole lot of resources that I can find about the gizmos that are on top of utility poles and I don't know squat about them except they are tall and have wires running between them.

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 26 Oct 2009, 22:08

Okay folks, here is an update to the scene. You will see that I have the utility poles up and I was able to figure out the wires issue (thanks to an old tip from the WWOTW). Though I still think the wires may be a bit big for the scale. We'll see.

Also, I was really bothered by the overall graininess of the renders and the similarities in color throughout the image (top image). I messed around a little with the atmosphere editor in Vue (bottom image) and voila, TOO MUCH AMBIENT LIGHT! DOH!!!!!

Now there is a much better contrast of colors. Still some tweaks to do but I am liking this so far. Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. I appreciate everyone's input and for just taking the time to look.

compPanda · Post by **compPanda** » 27 Oct 2009, 21:22

tahnoak wrote:Okay folks, here is an update to the scene. You will see that I have the utility poles up and I was able to figure out the wires issue (thanks to an old tip from the WWOTW). Though I still think the wires may be a bit big for the scale. We'll see.

Also, I was really bothered by the overall graininess of the renders and the similarities in color throughout the image (top image). I messed around a little with the atmosphere editor in Vue (bottom image) and voila, TOO MUCH AMBIENT LIGHT! DOH!!!!!

Now there is a much better contrast of colors. Still some tweaks to do but I am liking this so far. Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. I appreciate everyone's input and for just taking the time to look.

This looks good. A question - is this a typical american railroad crossing?

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 27 Oct 2009, 22:31

It is based on a typical American Railroad crossing but I took some liberties with the road markings. I am not done by any means and know that I also need to add some more detail to the crossing gate such as reflectors and there are some signs that need to come up. You won't find this crossing anywhere but in my imagination.

Having said that, any suggestions, recommendations or corrections are always welcome.

LeonRegis · Post by **LeonRegis** » 27 Oct 2009, 23:16

tahnoak wrote:You won't find this crossing anywhere but in my imagination.

No more Tahnoak! Now we can find it here! That's the cool thing about 3D

It's is coming nicely

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 28 Oct 2009, 00:28

leonregis wrote:
tahnoak wrote:You won't find this crossing anywhere but in my imagination.
No more Tahnoak! Now we can find it here! That's the cool thing about 3D
It's is coming nicely

Very true! It is out there for the world to see.

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 30 Oct 2009, 12:56

Night shot.

Cleaned up some details and added lights to the shack, gate arm and the crossing signal.

Obviously I still need to do some clean up with the lights. Lights are not as easy to use in Vue as they are in trueSpace but I'll get there.

Karthogen · Post by **Karthogen** » 30 Oct 2009, 13:06

Very nice, I like the night shot. Great lighting.

Steve · Post by **Steve** » 30 Oct 2009, 13:10

Lookin' good mate, keep going

froo · Post by **froo** » 30 Oct 2009, 13:44

yeah lookin good tahnoak!
At first glance I thought those were photographs; then I looked at them more.

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 30 Oct 2009, 23:00

Thanks everyone. I appreciate it. Honestly I am surprised I have not gotten bored with it yet as I have a bunch of other ideas swiring around in my head but I am trying to stay focused...

tahnoak · Post by **tahnoak** » 31 Oct 2009, 16:50

Okay another update after 2.5 hours of rendering time....

Back to a day shot (just to prove I did not take the easy way out and make everything night time).

Added the abandoned billboard in the background as well as added a different shack. I also put the arm down on the other crossing gate and you can see a portion of that coming in from the right hand side of the image.

Things to work on:
1) Need wires leading to the utility pole on the left. Nothing coming from the left side of the screen to the pole.
2) Need to try and add some scrub brush or other little bushes throughout the eco-system
3) Texture the shack
4) Anything else you all tell me is wrong or needs work

Steinie · Post by **Steinie** » 31 Oct 2009, 18:23

I would think about a secondary light to lighten up the dark shadows.
The shack looks appropriate but the placement of the billboard divided equally
by the upright railroad crossing signal bothers me. An old billboard ad could tell
us the approximate date of the scene. I enjoy checking out the progress of this
work.

Dragneye · Post by **Dragneye** » 31 Oct 2009, 19:53

Great job Tahnoak.

Steinie's point about the darks being too harsh I agree. The only suggestion I have is that maybe the pole size needs to be slightly bigger overall. Overall it's looking great though (really like the tire rubber on ground; helps realism)

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