Challenge #9 - BEMEUP - Spherical Underwater Dive System

[BEMEUP]

What the heck... Spent the last 3 days trying to figure out a non-space oriented project. So I figured I'd go underwater again with the SUDS Model 1.

Basically it's an underwater thing that has claws, with a pilot who maneuvers it around and stuff.

By the way, this is my first 2D drawing ever for SFM! ................... :help:

Probably my last....

[Glazy]

Looks like an underwater version of the 2001 Pods !! :) Cool stuff !!

[BEMEUP]

Yeah, you caught me Glazy... I like the Pod idea, just didn't want to remake a classic design. Besides, in space there are no rivets!

[BEMEUP]

Here's the basic idea of where this will be going...

[Ozylot]

Wow, a retro design, wasn't expecting that. :D

good start!

[Tinukedaya]

Oh well, who would expect this to be retro, eh? I like it, especially the shark... :D

[Brickhead]

I like the start of this bro, going model the shark...lol

[BEMEUP]

Wow, a retro design, wasn't expecting that. :D
good start!

No one expects the Spanish Inquisition! But, you can always expect me to do something retro... It's too much fun!


Oh well, who would expect this to be retro, eh? I like it, especially the shark... :D

Thanks! I figure this is Steam Retro, without the steam...


I like the start of this bro, going model the shark...lol

Yeah right! If I attempt to model that shark, I guarantee it would look like something caught in a propeller... :p

Thanks guys!!

[Dallidas]

ooo cool! I was hoping you would go steampunk/retro with this!

Will there be a sunken ship too! :D

[iHack]

very cool!, if your going for a retro steampunk feel, I think it would be awsome to use like the old dive port windows the like bubled ones with the golden bars over them not sure if you get what I mean... ill find a picture :)


Found one :), sorry if you already had this idea >.<
http://www.antiquesofthesea.com/aos_images/helmets/1010_old_helmet_01.jpg

[BEMEUP]

Dallidas: Glad you still like the steam theme. As for the ship, you don't ask for much do ya :lol:

iHack: Actually you gave me an idea on my side ports. Forgot to look at the old dive hats, thanks!

Drive system updated. First time making propellers, wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Next... main viewing port.

[Dallidas]

Can i at least get a treasure chest? :D

How did you do the propellers? They look great

[Ozylot]

Very cool!

[BEMEUP]

Dallidas: OK maybe a treasure chest. As for the props, I made a cylinder, chamfered the edges then squished it fairly flat. Using Max's taper tool I abused it until it looked almost like a semi colon. Then using the twist tool I uh, twisted it. Then I moved it around until it looked acceptable. After that, I went to the kitchen to get a drink of water...

Ozy: Yes it is very cool outside!

Ok enough annoyment, time for the update....

There is now a viewing port and an interior with a green light inside!

Um, that's it for now. Next... claws! :eek:

[Ozylot]

Hehe, nice...but isn't the water supposed to go on the outside?

[BEMEUP]

Actually I'm pressure testing the view port. Yeah, that's it....
Now to figure out how to drain it.

[Road Warrior]

Will this rely on a self contained air supply or hoses to the surface?

Oh yeah steampunk rocks!!!

[Tinukedaya]

Actually I'm pressure testing the view port. Yeah, that's it....
Now to figure out how to drain it.

oh easy... just put an valve down there. might be useful for more stuff that just drain the water after presure tests.. it can be used to get some ballast water in there for faster diving ;)

[<:K.I.S:>]

Hey i like the idea to me i think it would be good if you had wires going to the surface keep it up

[CrimsonLine]

I have to say, this is by far my favorite design of the Challenge so far. Well done!

[BEMEUP]

Road Warrior: Thanks! I'm planning to make it self contained but, have it able to be deployed by a ship or sub. Which requires a breakaway tether or something more fanciful....

Tinukedaya: I'll have to have a ballast plan if this thing picks up a decent amount of treasure... I'll have to make a system to deploy a lead ingots.

K.I.S.: I have something better than wires my friend... :devil:

CrimsonLine: Thanks very much! I'll keep doing my best! :thumb: But don't you be slackin' on your brick....:D

Update: The claws' shoulder joints are in place. I'll post a pick with I get the rest of the arms done...

[Tinukedaya]

...
Tinukedaya: I'll have to have a ballast plan if this thing picks up a decent amount of treasure... I'll have to make a system to deploy a lead ingots.
...

Sand might be better idea... easier to replenish at open sea and more enviroment friendly :flippy:

[BEMEUP]

Sand? What is this friendly envronment you speak of? This is the Victorian Age of industrial progress and experimentation!!

I shall use Mercury... and many pounds of it!

[Tinukedaya]

Use Mercury if ya wish, jus' dunna come tae m' once ya ran oot o' it. <grins wickedly>

[BEMEUP]

Update time!

So far building the arm was the hardest part of this project. After a few tries I finally came up with the crab arm concept. Since I cannot rig, I won't be jazzing with the positions very much.

I guess the next step will be the ballast tanks (full of Mercury :devil:) Who ya gonna blame now for the Mercury in your Tuna sandwich?

Later some interior work with a few doo hickies here and there.

[Ozylot]

Crab claws deserve Crab legs. :D

Maybe some sort of system so that it can land on the bottom? Great work so far! :thumb:

[Tinukedaya]

Yauch! Don't bite me! Don't bite me!

[CrimsonLine]

Not doo hickeys! Aaaaaaugh!

[Dallidas]

it reminds me of some cartoon character that was an eye with legs, I cant place it though!

Anyway, I'd expect a few more exposed gears in the joints maybe?

[BEMEUP]

Ozy: Thanks! I agree it definitely needs a bottom stabilizing system.

Dallidas: I originally had a few gears, but you couldn't see them. I'll have installed somewhere....

Quick update... not much really, just moved a second pair of arms up as an visual experiment. Should I keep them?

[Dallidas]

the only problem would be that it would be hard to control 4 arms at once, unless you had two operators, which would really complicate things

[Lizzy777]

Who says you need to control all four arms at once? And extra set of grippers, be they robotic or not can be very handy.

[BEMEUP]

Ha that's what I was about to say! Good one Lizzy!

Actually, while pondering some crab leg (not to eat), I started thinking this would also make an interesting land vehicle of doom or something.

[Road Warrior]

I have a sugestion concerning the second set of arms. How would it look if you scaled them down,uped the articulation slightly, and moved them to a position below the viewport? (Think TIE fighter gun position or t-rex arms) This second set of arms could be used for more delicate tasks.

Oh yeah you got to add some fancy wood detailing on the inside at some point.:D.....given any thoughts on victorian "headlights" yet?

[Ozylot]

I see no problem with controlling the arms. Ive always found it easy to control my forearms. :D

Lookin' good! Don't forget some sort of work lights for those murky depths.

[CrimsonLine]

Actually, while pondering some crab leg (not to eat), I started thinking this would also make an interesting land vehicle of doom or something.

Can I just say that I think adding "...of doom" to any object description automagically makes it 10x cooler?

[BEMEUP]

Ok so the extra arms are a go!

Road Warrior: Though your idea to put smaller arms below the window was a good one, I'm needing that area for a collection port. Kinda like a crab shoveling stuff in its mouth. As for the interior, you are so right about using fine wood. :thumb:

Ozy: The lights be on the way... just gotta draw them out first.

CrimsonLine: I so agree! I use to have DOOOM on a license plate a couple years back. Kids loved it!

I think I'll continue with the fore arms.

[Brickhead]

The one suggestion I was going to give has been added. Work lights!

[CrimsonLine]

How about some dings and dents?

[BEMEUP]

Brickhead: Ok I'll get cracking on those work lights right away! :thumb:

CrimsonLine: I still have a boat load of seams and rivets to inflict on the hull. I'll see what additional damage I can do. Could use some tentacle abuse...

Update time!

Figured I'd get the collection bay installed as well as some interior things. Oh yeah, had to put in a port protection ring. Almost hit that mast...

[CrimsonLine]

It's like a submersible steampunk TIE fighter...

[BEMEUP]

Yeah that thought occurred to me a couple of times after I installed the view port. Well I have lights to put on next...

[Dallidas]

still needs a treasure chest....:D

[Lizzy777]

still needs a treasure chest....:D

..that opens up as it bubbles.

[Road Warrior]

Looking incredible there BEMEUP! Totaly rockin'.

[Sphynx]

Information regarding Challenge #10 (http://www.scifi-meshes.com/forums/challenge-wips/54880-sensei-challenge-10-primitives-motion.html) has now been released.

[BEMEUP]

Thanks Road Warrior!
Dallidas and Lizzy777 - we'll see about the chest... and the bubbles.

Update time!
Sorry for the lag between. Had to prototype a few designs, rework textures and make the lights look like lights.

As an added bonus, I did a bit of PS'ing and came up with this...

[Ozylot]

If I was underwater and saw that thing coming after me, I'd probably wet myself...uh...

looks good! :thumb:

[Road Warrior]

Awesomeness! The photoshopped one is excellent. Love the new lights too.

[Tinukedaya]

LOVE that PS'ed version! Totally awesome! I only would have one suggestion... try to matt the window to only suggest the interior.. 'cause it seems weird underwater in this pose without an operator. :D

[Road Warrior]

BEMEUP, man, you got to do some more of this steampunk stuff when the time allows.

[BEMEUP]

Thanks guys!

Ozy: Thanks! Given the true diabolical nature of this contrivance, you should be afraid, moohhahahaha! Yikes! I just scared myself...:o

Tinukedaya: Thanks! I think I'll stick with the PS'd pictures, they do look much cooler. As for the interior, I do plan on making a pilot. I figure I have enough time.

Road Warrior: Thanks! I think I will continue steampunking a bit longer. I've enjoyed modeling this more than moonbases and rockets. I've also come up with a couple of other interesting designs to work on later.

Hopefully I'll have an update by Wednesday. I've installed to air tanks and still need some pipes and "legs".

[Road Warrior]

Cant wait to see these "other things" you hinted at.

[BEMEUP]

Well not much of an update. I'm still jacking around some ideas for air tank placement.

I figured I'd play with some rending ideas though...

[Ozylot]

Volumetric light is a must! :thumb:

Looking good!

[Tinukedaya]

love it!

[BEMEUP]

Thanky fella's!

Well I'm almost done! Now I just have to hook up the tanks and put on some steamy details like hatches, rivets, seams and miscellaneous thingamaflobs and doomyflatchets...

Then I will attempt to model a pilot...

[Ozylot]

Looking great! From this angle though it looks like the upper arms can come awfully close to the propellers.

[BEMEUP]

The arms are designed to perform only towards the front half. I'll set limits to the movement of both arms to avoid the props. I figure I have at least 2 feet of clear space.

Can't wait to figure out how to rig these things... something I've had issues with in previous versions of Max.

[BEMEUP]

Quick update....

Air tanks are done!

[Ozylot]

Bet your breathing easy now that that's done. :D

Looking good!

[Road Warrior]

Awesome man. Awesome.

[RewiredMonkey]

That thing just looks mean, in a good way. Your design brings to mind "Metropolis" and Bioshock. Nice progress

[BEMEUP]

Thanks very much, you guys keep me going!

I'm at least seeing the light at the bottom of the sea... Is that a good thing?

I just started with the pilot, so far he's coming along just fine. I wouldn't make him a Pixar character, but he'll do.

I'll do a final rough render on Thursday...

[Forcemaster2000]

Fantastic looking work, Bemeup! I especially love the pilot's chair, makes me think of the Nautilus for some reason. :D

[Dallidas]

that looks fantastic mate! One question though. How do you get in?

[BEMEUP]

Thanks guys!
Dallidas - The top hatch. And if you can't reach it, I added ladder rungs on the outside..

Well, I'm done! I'll do more stuff for Challenge #10.