Experiments and New milestones

Since my last post the animation and rigging is completely finished, the lighting set up is also ready i can now swap different HDRi images for different environments. Now i am moving on to getting the detail modelling and texturing done.

Also today is the day that my research document is going to be finished. So for the purpose of reference this blog post will be showing how my animation tests have developed over the last 8 weeks. Below are several videos taken from the wheel motion developed over the weeks:

Version 1.1 main wheels test with Depth of Field and Velocity data used

V 2.1 Basic Wheels with Camera movement DOF and Velocity data

Final Version 3.4 Complete rig with no post production effects

Modelling, Animation and HDRi

Since my last post i have researched the engine i am working on in extreme detail. From the Walschaerts Motion of the wheels to the physics of how fast the train should move depending on the Driving Wheels RPM. Using the original Blueprints of the Locomotive I have made a good start on the overall model. Also using the 1000+ Reference Images taken at the National Railway Museum i will be able to pick out the details, textures moving parts and make them in great detail.

Also I have been experimenting with HDRi lighting both for this module and Research Practice. Using a Gazing ball and a DSLR camera i have been able to create some experimental HDRi Maps and Reflection Maps which can be put on a 3D Sphere. This in turn allows for photorealistic Lighting and Reflections of the environment.

While researching i discovered a plug in called Rail Clone. This works in the same way as instancing but works using a combination of a Spline path and a Mesh. This could be used to make the track that the 3D Locomotive will be on.

The animation of the train is almost done now apart from 1 piece of the side rods that drive the piston motion. My main focus now is to get the rest of the model made and start texturing.

Major Developments

Since the last blog post i have found a much easier method of animating the Train i have wanted to make using the technique in this video:

With this new technique combine with my current rig it has made my model much easier to animate, using not only this method of animation but also other constraints I have come up with a very fluid and machanically accurate animation to fit with locomotive i am making. Here is a clip of a test animaton I have made:

The animation still needs tweaking in certain areas for more realistic motion but i am happy how this test has come out. Also each piece has been instanced so it can be modelled and uvw mapped while still retaining its animation. Next step is to now begin modelling the base mesh of the locomotive and the rails it will be set upon.

For the rails i have come across a plug in for 3ds max called Railclone that will make creating the rails much easier. I have attempted to manually make the rails through spline modelling. While it does look good and maintains its shape i have found making the shape along a path has deformed the mesh so the plug in i have found should be more effective than the spline method.



To help me with the modelling i will be going to the National Railway Musuem in York on Wednesday 19th October to look at the Locomotive in much more detail and also look at the schematics and history of the train again. This will hopefully give me a better idea of how to model the vehicle to a near hyper realistic level.

New post will be published after my visit to york on Wednesday.

Deciding on a Project

For the last 3 months i have been contemplating my final Project for my Masters Course in Digital Video & Special Effects.

During that time i thought back on what i love. Then i remembered my passion for steam trains and the railway in general. While i want to use this subject along with  skills as a compositor i realised i will need to build not only a 3d model of a train but the carriages, rails, etc.

While this does seem daunting i feel it could be a challenge that could truly expand my skills and give me a better understanding of my workflow and how to effectively make a scene look as high quality as possible.

Because i will be working with a Train i am hoping to incorporate its construction and animation into my 3D Computer Techonolgies Modual while also using any research from Research Practice to work out the engineering and look of any of the models.

So far i have decided on the Engine that I want to use, which is an LNER Gresley V2 2-6-2 Prairie Class "Green Arrow" 60800. Here it is pictured below:

This model will be very complex but it will be one of the most ambitious models i have ever created. I have also been able to get hold of the original blueprints and a lot of reference material about the history of the green arrow and its workings. Also the train itself is still around at the National Railway Museam in York. So if i required i can go take a closer look at the actual train and get an idea of size, look, texture and even what angle it would look best at.

The train itself has also been made into a 1:76 scale model by the minatures company Bachmann, who make several model railway trains, track, etc. Using a model of the Green Arrow i will also be able to look at details from every angle. This is the model i have to help with construction and animation of the train:

Since i also want to use the CGI engine for my final project this model train will also be used for Minature set Sequences which will allow me judge the lighting and color of the engine much easier.

The final aim i have for this model is to have it made to a cinematic level and also have it rigged so it can be animated for the final project i intend to use it for.

So far the main problems i have run into have been getting the original blueprints of the locomotive but i was able to see the microfilm of  its design at the NRM. Also using a book I found recently "Green Arrow a Profile" I was able to find every technical detail i needed on the 60800. Also the following link goes through the history of the green arrow and its technical specifications: http://www.lner.info/locos/V/v2.shtml

A new problem that i have been facing is animation of the locomotives wheel motion. While researching i discovered that the wheels move via the "Walshaerts" motion. This is still being researched in depth but i was able to find a few examples of this gear in motion:

The A1 "Tornado" Train (The green arrow was used as a base design for this engine): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0w06rSXTYg&feature=related

A model of the Walschaerts Gear in motion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk9nbmrKXbI

A 3ds max Simulation of a Walschaerts Gear: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7B-gb0hQ8A&feature=related

The last problem I will be facing for this model is making any steam elements for the train. This is gonna be researched for the next 2 weeks and will also be part of my Research Practice modual. Hopefully once i understand the train i'm working with it will become much more easier. Next update will be in a Week on the 10th October.