Bike Challenge

**Grafixman** · 27 February 2006, 12:25 PM

Haha, easier said than done...

Preliminary test render with some quick texturing in PI. Now I remember why I hate texturing... wrestling with UV unwrapping (although Blender's UV tools rocks) and battling with the painting of textures afterwards. Just used Photoimpact's chalk brushes to dirty up the thing, mainly. Deliberately kept the model lowpoly for the purpose of using this as an excercise in texturing. That's a good idea, I realize now...

**gidgit** · 27 February 2006, 04:46 PM

Yea, that's a good approach for testing stuff for sure... I know I have mapped an object, then had to redo everything upon subding... it's a wonky science on it's own, this texturing stuff

ah, if anyone can figure it out it's you gman

keep us posted eh...

and come the rest, Mike and gman are walking away with this here challenge... we need more entries.... hmmm, maybe staiger and his crew of Carraraites will join in the the fun... no better way to sell apps than showing us what they can do

**Tirade** · 28 February 2006, 03:29 AM

Some great looking competition here.

Instead of just using my Fat Boy, I thought it would fair for me to do another one. So heres what I got so far.

To keep it intresting, I went for an older Harley. This is a 1956 KR Racer

This one is realy killing my computer. It's getting real choppy in there. I had a few more tweaks and details to add but I can't even move around anymore it's so slow...I may just have to go with what I got.

Guess it's time to upgrade my computer again...the wife will be so thrilled.

You would think a duel processer and a GF FX 5600 would handle more than this but I think all the spokes and chain links are too much for it. Anyone got any tips or tricks for getting a little more 'umph' outa my computer without upgrading?

~Liam~

**Grafixman** · 28 February 2006, 06:42 AM

Good, THAT just blew my scooter into the sidewalk...

. Some people just have this obsessive need for details... So you never sleep, do you, Liam?

Whats the polycount on that thing?
I got an even crappier pc, so I wouldn't dream of doing something that big. (Nice excuse, too, for lack of patience and talent..

, maybe that's my subconcious reason for sticking with a subperforming pc)...aargh..
You could try hiding finished parts so that the software wouldn't be redrawing everything all the time. And maybe look if there is a setting for lower quality display on the working window.
Oops, forgot to post the update on my scooter. That was the primary reason for logging in, but Liam's bike overloaded my brain circuit...

. More texturing on the wheels. Went overboard and even used alpha maps for the spaces in the hub.. Subsur smoothing. Adding edgeloops on UV mapped objects didn't seem to do any damage...

**gidgit** · 28 February 2006, 04:40 PM

k, Tirade... that is just sick man

Wow... speed modeling bikes

Looks good so far... keep it going dude, we are behind you all the way on this one...

Gman, I like your scoot

You are also getting way too fast in modeling... Keep up the good work man

( on a side note, I almost fell over reading the start of your latest post... "some people just have.... " ... your funny gman

Mike, I am with you on this project... I should have a frame going soon... and then yea, one chunk at a time

Keep it going guys... you rock

**Tirade** · 01 March 2006, 12:24 AM

LoL. Thank you for the compliments. (Not sure some were compliments or just anger...but I'll take em

)

Obsessive? Oh maybe a little...but no point in doing something if your not going to do it right. (Theres the moto of the truly obsessive if I ever heard one.

)

Managed to squeak out a few more details and clean up the spokes a bit. I think Hex has done it's job, now it's time for Carrara to take over.

** Scooter texture is looking good. Keep it coming G.

~Liam~

**Grafixman** · 01 March 2006, 12:54 AM

HaHa, no anger here, Liam. Perhaps some self-buttkicking on my part for being a lazy modeller this time around. But as I said, gotta force myself to improve my texturing ability.
Is the exhaust pipe really that thin? I'm a complete moron when it comes to big bikes. But yup, this beauty does look like it's ready for rendering. Go, man, go.
Did a little Googling, and yes, it seems that exhaust pipes were really pipes back then..

For those interested, here's a site full of bike pics.
http://www.vintagebike.co.uk/index.htm
Click on the Pictures link...

**gidgit** · 01 March 2006, 04:43 AM

great reference site the gm, thanx for this...

texturing the tires Liam? Go go indeed

well, I have found a set of pics from that site, and have settled on this baby... 1914 harley

basically had a good set of pics, and it was open enough in concept for me to follow along...

anyways... here's the start of the frame...

**gidgit** · 01 March 2006, 09:58 AM

a small update... still tweaking to do... and the rest of the bike... lol

seriously though, I kinda think that I really have to rework the spokes pattern... also the back top of the frame where it connects... ah, I was just winging it eh

but yea, maybe I will redo some

**Grafixman** · 01 March 2006, 12:21 PM

Glad you found the site useful, James. So many types to choose from I'm tempted to do another one, but not yet.. gotta learn to finish things started. Too many unfinished projects in my WIP folder, already...

Hehe, you're in for some complicated modelling ahead...

. Boy I'm glad I picked an easy one. At least I'm already 80% done...
Update on my scooter. Added the lights, stand and some accessories. Not too eager to texture them yet. I think I'll give this a rest for a day or two. Just to get back some perspective on things...

. I have this feeling that the back portion is a bit too big, no idea on how to shrink it without messing everything up, though.