The Main element of the Model (Rounded Segment)
I managed to get a new picture that Teresa collected from a member of the museum, which was perfect for modeling. I started off by using the line tool and following round the edge of the rounded piece.
After converting to editable poly, I then used the extrude tool, for some reason once it had been applied one side was missing. As I am not really familiar with this tool was unsure if that was normal behavior but I had to use the symmetry tool to make sure that both sides were sealed. This did the trick and is not noticeable once the widget to get the right proportions.
I needed to figure out a way of adding the arms to the sides of it, I wanted it to look flush with the model not making separate objects and then attaching them. (The problem with this is that you can see the connect marks and it looks really poor when rendered.)
I had to delete segments from the model and then add more points by selecting the edges and holding down the shift key, then using the weld tool to connect the newly formed edges.
This took a long time to say the least but was worth it when the a turbo smooth was applied as it all flowed well.
As you can see from the image above, the elements flow well when turbo smoothed. The image above also shows some further details that will be explained later in the blog. But the details on the main element that you can also see were simply blocks coming from within the model itself.
Adding Further Details
I have added details to the model, as I wanted to make it look as realistic as possible. Unfortunately it took the longest but really makes the model look better when you spent time on the little details. (Even as frustrating as it is, also that most people wont even see parts.)
It was a collection of spheres and squares, that were bent, poked and moved around to fit with the shape and contours of the model. There was a ridge that ran across the top of this piece I spent allot of time making it look smooth with the gap in the middle. (Simply just using a square and extruding it in different places and using the chamfer modifier to make the edges nice and smooth.
The image above shows the finished the element finished with the pole that travels thought the entire model. This was key to get this in the correct place as it aligns all the parts of the model.
More Detailed Parts
There was allot of details that had to be added to the middle section, there were allot of elements including circular objects, allot of embedded markings and items that were generally not straight.
I used cylinders to make the rotary spheres on the model, simply using smaller sizes that bevel from the outside. The main block was made from a box that was modified to give it more side and height segments, these extra segments were then extruded and inset to give it the metal work look. I then added small cylinders for the small notches on the casing.
The side parts (green scribble) were very simple you can guess that it was created using a box scaled and then duplicated, to both sides of the model. I wanted to give the more detail but from looking over the pictures of the steam pump from the museum, that is exactly how they look. I might be adding a chamfer to them to just make them not so 3Dmax generated.
Rendered Model So Far
Below are some images of the model that have been rendered with some lighting, just to really get a feel for the model and show how it is starting to shape together.
The Base of the Model
I then started to make the base for the model, as it would help with the scale. Also as it was not assigned to anyone and was also relatively simply, it was also a key part when starting to join the other group members work together with mine.
I simply used a standard box, then used the pro Boolean and an oil tank object to cut out the hole where the model parts could be placed. Then by using the images as references, added the sides of the base so that the pipe that runs through could be attached.
I know that the base needs more work but as its one of the easier parts of modeling, could be done later in time. Wanting to spend more time on the actual model as it was the main selling and visual part of the work.
I rendered some VRay versions of the model in its current state, you can really start to see it taking shape. I have high hopes for the finished product, the challenging part will be putting all the work that we have all created together as scale, sizing etc could be off. But I am sure that we will work it out.
Break Down in Communcation
Unfortuanlty becasue we had not spoken about who was going to build the base, 3 members of the group including myself ended up constructing the base. This obviosly meant that we wasted time on moddeling, but luckily most of did not start moddeling it on great detial.
Tom had pretty much bulit the entire base so we decided to use his version, but also used the side parts from teresa's model as they were more accurat to the working steam pump. So luckily the extra models were not wasted and were used to improve the base of the main model.
Next time moddeling in a group I must make sure that everyone knows exacley what and who is doing what peices, as problems can easliy occur. Lukcily in this work it was only on a small scale and ended up working to our advantage, but could have turned out allot worse wasting valuable time of the members.
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