Mushy's Random BATs

[MushyMushy 3,617]

From what I've tested so far, it seems to have worked. Thanks for saving my hair - it was about to be pulled out.

Frankly, it's my intent to move over to 3DSmax eventually (I've had it on my computer for several months now), but I wanted to get used to BATing with simpler tool first since 3DS was fairly overwhelming on many levels.

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The trucks look great, Mushy...will you finally start to BAT skyscrapers?

Forgot to reply to this earlier - I'll probably do those eventually. I wanted to cut my teeth on smaller stuff and work my way up from there. I'll probably mess with taller buildings with lots glass once I start using and get the hang of 3DS. Gmax isn't very good with reflections

[SimCoug 5,972]

Glad to hear you sorted out the LOD issue

[MushyMushy 3,617]

So I've exported about 2/3s of the trucks so far - only have the 53ft combos left, which there are a lot of (like a hundred due to angles). Shouldn't be too much longer. It's worth noting that due to the relatively high number of props in this set and the fact that they are exported in HD, it'll probably be about a 12-15 MB download (similar in size to neko's prop packs, which are also in HD). I suppose that's fine since my goal with my BATing is generally to cater towards realism and variety, not necessarily small files.

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I've worked a little bit on the warehouse. I've done some preliminary texture work to the front area. Due to the relatively small footprint of the building itself (fits in a 1x4 space if I'm not mistaken), I'm probably going model a decent interior... at least around the windows so the night scene is at least slightly interesting. Keep in mind that I m not very far at all with this building and that everything shown is quite subject to change. The renders show a bush in the bed out front which I was not happy with at all. It has already been split up into several smaller bushes with a better texture and better noise effects. I'm just lazy and didn't feel like exporting it again. These test exports are in HD. How do you guys feel about this building being HD? In theory I could always make a SD and HD version and put both up for separate download if that's better. I just liked the idea since it would make for some nice closeups.

Remember that the bush looks different now. I know it's ugly in this picture - I FIXED IT I PROMISE.

I played around with some nightlighting for the front windows to see how it would look in HD. I'm probably going to hold off on doing more with the night stuff until I'm done with the model... I just wanted to play with it. Currently the only interior stuff is a dirty floormat, a table, and those cheap vertical commercial/industrial office shades. Roof junk will be added at the end as well.

Also, a question for those who actually know stuff about BATing (read: I have no idea what I'm doing the whole time I'm modeling ), does gmax support underground stuff? I know 3DS does, and I know I need to switch to that soon, but is it possible to do that in gmax? While this is by no means a replica, I kind of liked how the back of the building had a slightly sunken loading bay door, but I wasn't sure if that was supported. If it is I could always go back and change the back panel of the building. I guess if it's possible, a short explanation or a link as to how to do it would be great.

The buildings will get more interesting than this one, I promise. I just need some simple, ugly, boxy building to sort of train myself in the way of making BAT buildings.

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Since I'll usually be tackling requests in order, the first one I'll do is one from Belfastsocrates: a Mercedes Vito and Sprinter van. Which variation of them is TBD, but I'll likely make a small set out of them with maybe 5 or 6 liveries for each. After that I'll probably look into the EU trucks. That set will probably be a hair smaller than the set I'm working on now to save my sanity, but it will still have some decent variety in trailers/trucks. I'll probably look into double trailers for both the US and EU sets later on as a sort of addon.

/end wall of text

[NKF5 15]

This is my favourite BAT thread. Dirty trucks and Dirtier industrial

[MushyMushy 3,617]

I haven't really been able to do too much 3D work since I've been working on an image for the upcoming challenge and have some work to do before the summer ends (read: I procrastinate like a pro). Other than changing the bushes on the warehouse I haven't really done anything to it so I didn't think it would be worth the wait to make a render for some stupid bushes, so there's no update on that.

Instead, I've been working on the vans. Looking back, I released I never really posted any WIP-type updates on my trucks, so I decided to break that cycle and show off the portion of the Sprinter I've done. Since it's still missing a lot I just skipped the render and took a screenshot of the perspective view. I still need to do the front section and the roof...

Don't mind the mess in the background... I reused some stuff (tires and rims and textures) from the Mack so it's going to sit to the side on this file until I don't need it anymore. The van's tires are obviously smaller than the trucks' and its frame in general is also slightly narrower. Other than the lights, license plate, and wheels it's untextured. These vans will likely move somewhat slow since they're pretty nice cars and have a lot of rounded portions... which slow down modeling a lot. Enough rambling though... I'll just leave it at this:

 

  Edited August 1, 2015 by MushyMushy  

[MushyMushy 3,617]

Still shot it in perspective as one can get a better look at it from here. An in-game-style render would just show the empty top/inside portion. Maybe at some point later on I could make a passenger variant, who knows.

It's 3AM so I'll skip the endless rambling (and the memes) tonight. Image:

[JP Schriefer 5,590]

Looks good
Which car is this btw? Looks like a Ducato, but I'm not so sure

  Edited August 4, 2015 by JP Schriefer  

[MushyMushy 3,617]

It's a Mercedes Sprinter panel van actually. It's one of the larger variants (but not the largest), and is mostly based off of the most recent model year design.

This model is similar to what mine will look like in the end, although there are some differences.

edit: Upon further inspection (Google searches ), I realized the Ducato was Nissan's modern-style van. They are pretty similar!

  Edited August 4, 2015 by MushyMushy  

[Belfastsocrates 1,753]

Looks excellent so far! 

[NKF5 15]

You should do an old bus and BAT a little Keanu Reaves in it so when I u-drive-it and blow it up I will have created SPEED's alternate ending...

Keep the progress rolling! Looks great

[MushyMushy 3,617]

Still have a few things left to do before I can make the different liveries. I have a basic white-ish texture applied now, but everything else still needs textures. I also need to add some contours along the side and on the back doors since it looks way too "flat" .... and I'm also not 100% happy with the windows yet either (I think I'll try a different texture). I also need to add the Mercedes logo (and the plastic-looking stuff around it) to the rear. The grille-area isn't quite done either Here are some test renders to get an idea of what it looks like. Keep in mind that it's not done.

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You should do an old bus and BAT a little Keanu Reaves in it so when I u-drive-it and blow it up I will have created SPEED's alternate ending...

Keep the progress rolling! Looks great

Funny story, I actually really like the older buses like the one featured in Speed and always have. At some point I might make some of them for the heck of it. I didn't call it Mushy's Random BATs for nothing!

  Edited August 5, 2015 by MushyMushy  

[JP Schriefer 5,590]

Looks great, Mushy!

[MushyMushy 3,617]

So after several days of not really being able to do any work on this, here's what I've done...

I made a longer alternative for the blank version and have so far made the version requested by Belfastsocrates and a FedEx one. I intend to make a UPS and a DHL version and maybe one more random thing before making the Vito.

Texture Error: If you look closely at the sides of the the two logo vans, there's this irritating texture error. Anybody familiar with that? It oddly seems to only affect shapes that are mirrored copies of other shapes. UVW map properties are identical and textures are the same (albeit mirrored so the text faces the right direction). Because of this it only affects the right side of the van. The left side is perfectly fine. Is this a big issue or are these props so small nobody really cares?

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I'm looking to finish exporting and modding the American trucks in a few days if my schedule allows it. Looking forward to releasing those.

  Edited August 12, 2015 by MushyMushy  

[Jasoncw 11,840]

The mirror tool in gmax is broken.

Try using the mirror modifier instead.

[JP Schriefer 5,590]

The models are wonderful, 9.99/10, if you fix the logo error 10/10

[MushyMushy 3,617]

I need to hurry up and get some more time off so I can sit down for a long time and study up on 3DS... the reasons to do so are mounting.

I'll fix it later tonight.

[airman15 4,111]

Shouldn't be anything that's not fixable. These would even look great as automata!

[MushyMushy 3,617]

Shouldn't be anything that's not fixable. These would even look great as automata!

I could hand the original gmax files of my various stuff over to an automata-maker if they were interested, but I think it would be a lot of work. Since my vehicles and trailers are designed to look nice and detailed while rendered in HD, the poly count is quite a bit too high for automata (the Sprinters for example have 21,534 polys). One could use them as a basis for making a new model that has fewer polys, but I doubt the originals themselves could be used. Despite this, if somebody is interested in doing this, feel free to ask.

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So the Sprinters have been easy to fix... I'll probably be done with the variations in not too long. I'll model the Vito soon enough as well. Can't say when I'll get around to rendering them all (after the current semi truck pack, no doubt (I really need to finish that...)).

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So in a moment of boredom I made this:

It's a highly modified recycle-job of my 40ft American trailer. I went with one of those wide yellow license plates (frankly I have no idea what country they're from) because I liked the contrast they added. I'm not entirely done with the rear bumper textures yet, but overall I'm pretty happy with it. If somebody who sees these in real life more often than me has some advice, feel free to give it.

References:

  Edited August 14, 2015 by MushyMushy  

[JP Schriefer 5,590]

Looks beautiful

[Belfastsocrates 1,753]

I think the yellow rear plates are a British thing. Places like Singapore and Hong Kong use them also given their history as British colonies. I think they're great and very different.

Looks excellent though!

[MushyMushy 3,617]

Due to the fact that the exporting and modding of the 53-footers is dragging on and that uploading everything at once would probably cause the download to be about 10-15MB, I've decided to split the the pack down. I just uploaded the cabs to the STEX and am about to do the same for the 40 foot trailers. The 53 foot ones will follow in a few days, I hope.

These two files will mark my first two uploads to the STEX! I feel like it was all worth it now.

I also intend to do a total overhaul of my BAT thread's OP so it is more professional and actually has useful information in it, as well as links to completed project downloads.

EDIT: STEX links...

Cabs

40ft Trailers

  Edited August 17, 2015 by MushyMushy  

[SimCoug 5,972]

Congrats on your first STEX uploads 

[Harry's Place 918]

nice job! 

[NKF5 15]

Log onto simtropolis a couple days ago, and there they are. Truck Cabs that are EXACTLY what I have been looking for. Excellent 21st present, thankyou for your workmanship.

[Seraf 1,238]

Congratulations Good work

[JP Schriefer 5,590]

Looks very nice! Congratulations!
I'll download it soon to do a review

  Edited August 20, 2015 by JP Schriefer  

[MushyMushy 3,617]

So I haven't posted in a while. To put the 'Random' in M.R.B., I present a bunch of random stuff I've been working on while sick with a cold:

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A new semi cab (sort of):

This one will be featured in construction sets and heavy haul situations. It's basically a beefed up T800 with a significantly larger engine. If I make large enough trailers, I may consider adding a 5th axle (in the form of one of those extra axles that can be raised or lowered), as that is offered as a configuration. If I did that, it would likely take the title of "Largest Semi Cab" from that modified 359 I made.

Here's a comparison of the T800W and the standard T800:

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Dump trucks!

This one is just the beginning. I'm looking to make 2 more models, one based on the CH613 and one based on the T800W (which is a very large dump truck (it has 6 axles)). On this particular model, if you look super closely you can see that I made the extra axle only be lowered on the loaded variants. It's raised up from the ground on the empty one.

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This was a quickie:

I just recycled most of my tri-axle flatbed trailer and made a double drop trailer. Expect to see construction equipment on this one:

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I also decided to make the first of some more specialized (and huge) trailers:

(click to enlarge)

I think that the extended model is close to two tiles long without a cab. It can carry some big stuff.

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Still exporting...

Just look at this high-quality model!

  Edited August 24, 2015 by MushyMushy  

[airman15 4,111]

Still exporting...

Just look at this high-quality model!

Dat last one!

Story of my life..

 

 

  Edited August 24, 2015 by T Wrecks  
[Post edited by deleting all quoted text and pictures except the one you're referring to - full-quoting long posts with lots of pictures makes threads look very cluttered and hard to follow - just a friendly reminder. :) ~ T Wrecks]

[T Wrecks 10,209]

Whoa, so much to drool over! I've hardly been to Simtrop the last days due to those pesky attack warnings and other problems, but it sure feels good to be welcomed with previews of such great content in the making. I don't have any critique or suggestions, either - just keep it up!

[SimCoug 5,972]

Dump trucks!!