V1 Variants (Rapid-Prototype work)

[Sphynx]

Project nature:
Range of rapid-prototype V1 variants.
First post:
05.03.08
Last update / link to page with last update:
09.03.08 / Page 1
Applications in use:
Blender

[Sphynx]

Its extremely rare that I get to post any of my graphic work on MM, mainly because most of the stuff that I do now is commercial SF or real-world industrial / architecture. In fact, I don't think that I've started a thread since the crash, so it's nice to actually come across an RP project that is relevant here.

First (the base) of a series of 4 rapid-prototype meshes to be built at 1:100 scale, so the basic V1 will be approximately 73mm in length once produced. Naturally for an RP I can't reproduce it absolutely perfectly and some details will have to be interpretted and stylised, but I can go a long way to getting some accuracy because of the relatively large size (for an RP miniature that is).

The members of the series are (at this time) intended to be the Fi-103A-1 (essentially the 'classic' V1 shape) from about 1944; the Fi-103Re.3 double cockpit trainer (1943) and Fi-103Re.4 with a single pilot position (essentially, the piloted bomb from the end of the war that was never actually used); and the Priboy double-engined version produced by the Soviets in the early 1950s.

Still early days - main body, pulse jet and some of the tail structure.

[pete.cook]

An interesting looking project Craig, and it is nice to actually see you post something! :)

[Sphynx]

Yeah, unfortunately life is so busy at present that I really just lurk around thr forums. I do log in and do whatever mod duties are required at the moment (like authorising download files etc.), but otherwise I'm so restricted that it needs something like this to justify the time.

Luckily, I think that there are one or two more coming my way in the near future, so I may well be able to stick around as a poster for a while. I'm totally innundated in RP work at present, but most of it is SF.

[Skyraider3D]

I've got a good bunch of Fi 103 references (dimensioned drawings and such). Drop me an e-mail if interested.

Looking forward to seeing how you get on with this. It should be really cool to turn your 3D models into something physical.

[Sphynx]

I may well do so for the future (I plan at some time, when I get time to do a full cutaway of the Fi103). At this time however, it's not really necessary - but thanks anyway - the nature of RP means that the detail that would be available from proper drawings simply won't make an impact of the mesh.

At present for this one, I'm working to a minimum detail size of 0.5mm due to the client's use of a particular process. That effectively means on a 73mm physical model that anything below 5cm on the real thing needs to be highly stylised. Nuts and bolts for example, are out of the window. We may be able to halve the limit to 0.25mm if he used a more expensive process, but that still means a minimum 2.5cm limit on the real thing.

[Sphynx]

Had to get another project out of the way, but I'm back on this for a few hours. For an RP project, this is a really simple mesh so other than the leading edge of the wing-tips (which I messed up a little and will be seen even in RP) it's pretty much done.

The only additional development that I need to do on this before cutting it up for the other variants is the pulse-jet fuel injection array which can be seen through the air-intake. Still wrestling with that one as the detail limts don't really allow it to be done properly - looks like it will all have to be representative.

[Chukk]

Sorry for the dumb question Sphynx, but when you mention rapid prototype work on the model. Will this be a physically real model or a mesh? I sometimes work in CNC machining and sometimes have to do "rapid prototyping" there as well.
If it is a mesh, and if you don't mind my asking, will this be for a game or animated short/film? Or, if it is a physical model, where will it be intended to be used?

[Sphynx]

Yeah - it will be a physical model. I tend to just use RP as a global term as various clients use different methods. Most of my clients use 3D printing techniques such as polyjet, laser/resin, or laser/cut plastic sheet, so the resolution variues between 0.00016" and 0.5mm (manufacturer quotes).

In this case, we are looking at 0.5mm (though the client may be changing it to 2.5mm) so all of those grooves will just show up as fine indentations rather than the deep cuts that they currently appear to be on the mesh.

I'll probably give them all a quick texture as well, purely for my own use for background meshes if I get around to doing any WWII or cold-war stuff again.