[WIP] Z's Models

[Adm_Z]

Ok, so moving on from photogrammetry, I spent a couple classes playing with a modeling process called parametric design. Certain characteristics of Maya and other modeling software have parametric functions, like how primitives retain their object histories to a certain point, but parametric design goes further than that, to have a motel entirely constructed through mathematical functions and parameters. I used a whole half of a graduate class to explore this process by creating a single object by mapping the values of the Fibonacci Sequence to certain characteristics of a model, like Z values, object dimensions, rotation, etc. These first couple pictures are all early "iterations" of the same model, bit with very small changes to specific parameters I set up as sliders.


This next one I actually kept because it looks super cool. I think I plugged a value in somewhere it shouldn't have been, and ended up extruding the final object back along the z curve... whatever, it looked really cool.


The final form I decided on looks about like this.

And here are the various stages of the parametric design, down to the final complete map. I used a software called Grasshopper, which is a sort of plugin for the NURBS modeling software, Rhinoceros 3D.




I later went on to 3D print, mold, and cast this object, but I'll hold off on posting all of those again, unless anyone is interested.

 

[Jetfreak]

Very impressive Zax, glad to see ya' back around here man.

I've seen a great surge back to physical models with the advent of 3d printing. I attended an open house here in AKL and they had impressive replica tanks and robots. The rest of the details were manually painted on though as its hard to get to that level of detail yet.

 

[Adm_Z]

Good to see you jet! What do you mean they were manually printed on? Like, they were assembled pieces and parts?

 

[Jetfreak]

For the tanks, they had to print the main sections individually. Main hull, tracks and the barrel. Pretty much the same for the bots, where the arms/legs, etc. were glued together. The 3d prints themselves were plain white to begin with, and a few clever artists sanded them down to get rid of the "low poly" look. The paint jobs were done old school with acryllc and brush.

PS
I think EA used photogrammetry in the new Battlefronts. The level of detail created in this method is just insane!

 

[Adm_Z]

Ah, makes sense. Honestly, that is about the quality I can print right now, though even my 3D printer has a dual extruder, so I could choose to print with either two colors, or a dissolvable support material, meaning all of those added parts could be printed as one piece, and then after a chemical (or just water) bath all parts like tank treads would move freely, and barrels would be solid instead of being stuck on pieces.

Other companies can do that, in addition to printing a texture map onto the outside of a model, so you could, for example, print any star ship with the actual texture map used in game, instead of hand painting an approximation. There is a website called Shapeways where you can upload a model and order a color 3D print from, but its not cheap. Something like $100USD for only 3 cubic inches of material.

And yesss DICE used photogrammetry for their environments and textures and it is fantastic. I really wish those games were better because their visuals are absolutely spectacular.

 

[Adm_Z]

Ok, so after parametric design and photogrammetry, I dove more heavily into fabrication, meaning most of my models since have been entirely aimed at 3D printing or otherwise creating in real life. Frankly, I should start a whole different thread for the wood working and other stuff I have made.... but anyway, here are some actual 3D models I made recently.

For fans of Harry Potter, here is a neat little chest I made for a friend as a christmas present. It held a bluray copy of all 8 harry potter movies.


This is a model of the Red Hood's helmet, from the animated movie Batman: Under the Red Hood. I actually 3D printed this and wore it to New York Comic Con a couple weeks ago. (Sorry for the blurry selfie... someone took better pics and I"ll post when I get my hands on them)

https://skfb.ly/6ACrq


And here is a model I used as a concept for a set of coasters I was commissioned to make.

https://skfb.ly/6BEnt

 

[Majestic]

Pretty cool stuff. Love the 3d printing side of things.

 

[Adm_Z]

Ok so this is going to be a double post, but here are some pics of me and some buddies at comiccon. The red helmet I'm wearing (featured a couple posts up) is one that I modeled in Mudbox and then 3D printed.


I also 3D modeled/printed all the buckles and armor bits for my costume.

 

[Adm_Z]

And here are pictures of another costume I made for a friend. He went as Reaper from Overwatch. Specifically his throwback origins skin called "Soldier 24". This one I 3D modeled or vector modeled pretty much everything, before either laser cutting out the foam, or 3D printing the parts. The only things I didn't model myself are the guns, but I did print and finish those.

For reference, here is the character and models from the game.


And here are some of the models and vector drawings I made for my versions of the various costume parts



And lastly are some attached pictures of the finished costume, besides what were in my previous post.

 

[Majestic]

Awesome work mate. I went to the Sydney comic con this year myself.

 

[Adm_Z]

Nice! Did you cosplay at all?

 

[Majestic]

Nice! Did you cosplay at all?

Yeah I went as Crichton from Farscape in the Peacekeeper vest.

 

[Archonon]

Great job with the 3D printing Z. I can imagine it got a bit hot under that helmet while at the con.

Great choice in costume Maj; I have a replica of Crichton's leather trench though I use it as just regular clothes when going out at certain temperatures (Autumn and cold/windy days). Man I miss Moya's crew zipping around the galaxy.

 

[Adm_Z]

The helmet wasn't actually too hot, but the leather jacket was haha. I made the helmet a bit too tight around my forehead so I ended up with bruises... oof

 

[Archonon]

Dang man, it ain't good if it's not comfy. But hey, the sacrifices we make to look good am I right? Lol.

 

[Adm_Z]

Well, the issue was, I was trying to recreate the triangular eyes from the cartoon, but I ran out of time to come up with an elegant solution, so I just had this little plastic mask thing I shoved in between my face and the helmet, which made what was otherwise very carefully measured and comfortable, too tight, and painful haha.

 

[Adm_Z]

Bought a new 3D printer here in November. Substantially larger and more reliable than my old one. Of course I got right to scifi printing.

 

[kjc733]

Mars 3?
How well did the bits fit together? Last time I did that nothing fit as there was expansion.

 

[Adm_Z]

Mars 3?
How well did the bits fit together? Last time I did that nothing fit as there was expansion.

This one is from FAB365 and the parts went together almost perfectly. One of the turrets needed a dab of glue on the mounting hinge, and one of the landing gears should be glued in if I wanted it permanent. But otherwise, for a somewhat sloppy print, it came out really well.

 

[Chiletrek]

Hello:
Those models do look detailed indeed!

 

[Starfox1701]

Good print quality

 

[Terra_Inc]

That does look really good, yeah.

 

[Adm_Z]

Thanks all! I also printed a stormtrooper helmet on commission for my brother in law.

 

[Chiletrek]

Hello:
It would be awesome of you could wear it

 

[Admiral*Alex]

That's 501st quality right there. I didn't know such a large print could look so good.

 

[Adm_Z]

Hello:
It would be awesome of you could wear it

You can indeed!

Though you look like a dork without the lenses haha.

That's 501st quality right there. I didn't know such a large print could look so good.

Thanks! It actually looked a lot more smooth and clean in person too. Something about the camera and the layer lines has the effect like the weatherman wearing a checkered shirt. Looks very harsh.

 

[Chiletrek]

Hello:

You can indeed! View attachment 21681

Though you look like a dork without the lenses haha.

Ohh, that is great!

Maybe like every live-action Batman .

 

[Adm_Z]

Alright, thanks to kjc finding that model for me, I've finally gotten around to this project. I'm working on making a large wall hanging backdrop in the form of the bottom side of a Star Destroyer. The final model will be 2 ft wide and about 3 1/2 ft long. Though I might be able to print it in fewer pieces, I chose to print it in five parts on my larger 3D printer, and so far, I'm completely blown away by the quality. These results were achieved with a .12mm layer height and no supports to speak of. Each of the five pieces is taking around 3 days to print. I'll try to keep updating this thread with pictures of the assembly, finish, and painting process!

 

[Adm_Z]

All the major parts finished being printed! Now the real work begins...

 

[Jetfreak]

Details are solid! Though I must admit the black coloration adds to the extra evil factor