Ship Simulator
English forum => Vessel Design Group general => Development corner => Modelers Resource Center => Topic started by: dexter7 on July 20, 2011, 02:44:28
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Every time I "build" a ship in SketchUp it just doesn't look right. :-\
Can I have some advice? ???
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Just.. make it look right. :P
Seriously, there is no one magic tip for that, you just have to recreate the reality, to make it look real.
So that means either working with proper blueprints or lineplans, etc.. or you can do it by eye but still true-to-life, from photographs or other schematics.
But you have to recreate the often elaborate lines that make up the hulls and such. And that can be tricky. But if you succeed, it'll look right. :thumbs:
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Why does it not "look right"...?
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can you show us some of your work?
maybe we can give you some feedback.
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1. the hull
2. the bridge
3. the decks
heres a picture
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it looks like u need to make the hull taller...
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Looks a pretty good start to me
What are you designing exactly?
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but what about your channel queen (sorry for off topic but it is a wonderful ship) you did that in Sketch Up, how do you make the hull?
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I pull it down to the desired height then use the scale tool on the bottom to give the desired slants
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but what about your channel queen (sorry for off topic but it is a wonderful ship) you did that in Sketch Up, how do you make the hull?
Dexter, TFM is a bit more experienced in 3D modelling. And seen on your modelling (I don't say it's not good) you are quiet a beginner are you?
Well, people who want to grow their experience and skill do that by modelling and experimenting with different kind of tools so you can get used to the program and then you are able to make things easier, like making a smooth hull (and not a hull which looks likes it's been made out of lego). Also, PLAN what you are going to make. Do a little research if it's about a real boat.
Unfortunatly it doesn't work like when you snap your fingers that you see a completely detailed cruiseship or anything else. ::) :P
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actually VS, I have small bit of expertise in hulls, but not the best. I know how to use smooth/soften edges.
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I just watched This video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Nv1rPmH1sQ) on youtube.
What are the tools used at 3:43?
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The Sandbox tools. :thumbs:
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Thanks Fred! That helped alot! Here's a picture of it:
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you're welcome!!
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Alright I started a new model and I'm getting pretty far on it!
um, ferryman is it okay I use your bow rudder?
And I will hide something like
Bow Rudder made by TFM
in there
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A Good start :thumbs:
And its fine by me :)
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Alright!
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Looking good :)
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So I was wondering is it possible if you could Supply me your Bow Rudder? If so please post the skp. file in this topic: http://80.95.161.114/shipsim/forum/index.php/topic,26435.new.html#new (http://80.95.161.114/shipsim/forum/index.php/topic,26435.new.html#new) Because i'm moving the topic
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Hello all topic unlocked ;D how do i export GSU into Kerkythea?
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have you got the SketchUp plugin for Kerkythea?
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no... thanks for a quick reply!
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No problem
http://www.kerkythea.net/joomla/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=42&func=select&id=4
Click Sketchup download and follow instructions ;)
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I don't see the point how do i get the water i mean first of all how do i get the colors on the vessel? (in kerkythea)
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What do you mean?
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I'll post a photo with fraps
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this is what i mean
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Well thats normal ;)
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how do i get textures on the ship?
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If you have a look on the top there is a green render button ;)
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Alright I'm all set with making a hull but now I'm gonna make a X-bow. Can I have some advice?
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New help, How do I make a propeller?
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Is it urgent?
If not, I'll attempt writing a tutiorial for you tomorrow on how to create a propeller with blades that have some volume.
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Not urgent, Take your time! :) I only make ships on my little free time that I get.
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Alrighty, here it goes.
Sketchup Tutorial: Creating a traditional screw with volume
In this tutorial, you'll be shown how to make a traditional like propeller with blades that actualy have volume!
Basic sketchup knowledge is required, nothing advance.
Step1: The blades:
First we start off by drawing a rectangle next to the scene's axis:
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/mrr_03/1-17.jpg)
when that's done, we can start drawing the shape of the screw of how it will become. (notice, there are many diffrent types of screws where this Tutorial works for, I just used a traditional type as it's very "simple" from design)
Use the arc tool to create the top,
then the sides. Make sure the arcs from the sides get highlighted in cyan color indicating it follows the other arch's curve.
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/mrr_03/2-17.jpg)
The screw doesn't have to be 100% symmetrical.
When the lines are drawn, you can delete the remaining edges around it.
This should give a smooth curve of the propeller:
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/mrr_03/3-16.jpg)
Now, lower the segments of the arches. I did this for the tutorial's convenience. You can add as many segments as you want but it will take more time to proceed the step after this one.
To lower the segments, do a right click on the arc, select propeties, and change the segments from 12 to 5
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/mrr_03/4-14.jpg)
For the top one I used 6:
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/mrr_03/5-13.jpg)
Now, draw lines between each segment:
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/mrr_03/6-8.jpg)
After you've done that, select the most bottom line, and rotate it on the green axis just slightly:
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/mrr_03/7-6.jpg)
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/mrr_03/8-6.jpg)
Repeat this step with the rest of the segments to create a smooth bend surface:
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/mrr_03/9-5.jpg)
make sure you only rotate it slightly per each segment, else you would get a weird twisted blade.
If you still have a too large or too small bend in the blade, you can always scale the blade in it's height a bit.
Now, the planet I come from, we don't make ocean liner screws out of sheet metal. It's time to give it some volume!
Next: draw an arch at the very bottom of the screw:
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/mrr_03/11-1.jpg)
Repeat this on each other segment with going smaller in height at each segment:
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/mrr_03/12-3.jpg)
If your arches are already pretty flat before you reach the last segment, Don't worry, just make the last few arches all the same height.
after you've added all of the arches, remove the surfaces from them:
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/mrr_03/13-3.jpg)
Then, change their segments back to 5:
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/mrr_03/14-2.jpg)
With all segments reduced to 5, it's time to fill the back side!
do this by drawing triangle polygons between each segment:
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/mrr_03/15-2.jpg)
For a smoother look, it's recommended to make the direction of the triangles point inward like these images.
Also, if triangles are in conflict with those on the other side of the blade, you can change the direction of the triangle which interferes.
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/mrr_03/16-1.jpg)
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/mrr_03/17-2.jpg)
when done you should have a completed propeller blade!
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/mrr_03/18-2.jpg)
But still it looks awfull... we made a smooth shape, but it sure doesn't look like it!
To fix this, select the entire blade except the bottom edge:
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/mrr_03/19-1.jpg)
Then go to Window>Soften edges, and drag the slide to around 90 degrees depending on what shape your blade is. all must be smooth except the blade's profile and bottom.
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/mrr_03/20.jpg)
Whow, look at the result:
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/mrr_03/21.jpg)
That's smooth!
Ofcourse with more segments it looks even smoother.
now, select the entire blade, and press "G", now you will make a group, give it a name, press OK and move the blade out of the center of the scene, but In center of the axis it's alligned to:
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/mrr_03/22.jpg)
Step2: The cone
This step goes quicker.
Create a vertical rectangle on once side of the scene's center, alligning the blue axis:
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/mrr_03/23.jpg)
Create an arch for the top, again make sure it's highlighted cyan.
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/mrr_03/24.jpg)
Now create a circle at the bottom of the cone, and delete it's surface.
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/mrr_03/25.jpg)
(for the cone it's not that importand to the ammount of work on how much segments these parts have, do only decrease this for optimizing reasons)
Then, go to Tools>Follow me, click on the cone, and drag it along the circle 360 degrees.
Now you should have something like this:
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/mrr_03/26.jpg)
Select the top edges and smooth these aswell:
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/mrr_03/27.jpg)
In my opinion, the cone is fat, I used the scale tool to scale the cone down in overall size and then scaled it up a bit in height, result:
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/mrr_03/28.jpg)
Hint: press ctrl when scaling, this way you'll scale towards the object's center instead of the opposite corner.
Step3: combining it all
here it finally comes together!
click on your blade and drag it into the cone:
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/mrr_03/29.jpg)
when selected, use the rotating tool, and rotate the blade along the blue axis.
While doing this, make sure you press ctrl once, when you do, you'll notice a small plus next to the cursor.
you will now rotate a duplicate from your original blade.
do this 3 times 90 degrees and this will be your result:
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/mrr_03/30.jpg)
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/mrr_03/31.jpg)
Voila! you got yourself a nice screw! optimized and ready to go!
Please let me know if anything is still missing from the tutorial.
Ofcourse I hope this was helpfull to you but also the rest of sketchup users!
I have attached the .SKP file for reference.
Feel free to use it on your model, but I would recommend making your own ofcourse ;)