Challenge #6 – Sarles1129 - UCAV Pilot's seat

[tobian]

Yeah gotta agree with Ozylot there, the compression doesn't help!

looks pretty good: have you thought about where and how the user controls the chair? Perhaps you need t work through some sketches of the controll interface too, if you'd find it hard to 'sketch' in autocad, in that sense?

[JeffrySG]

many times if I have to 'sketch' in a cad application, I'll usually just create a bunch of cubes and then push and pull them around until I get the general shape I want... then I can go back and use whatever tools may get the job done the best, but at least I have something to work off of....

the chair is looking nice! keep up the good work!

[Benji7869]

I'm finding there are sever limitations to modeling in AutoCAD, The top of which is texturing all I can really hope for is to assign materials to an object and hope that it comes out in the render looking good.

The case in-point for lack of texturing ability is that the glass on the "Canopy" is a computer monitor that will give the pilot the "Pilots Eye View" of the UCAV that he/she is commanding. Also I would have loved for the seat to come out with a lot more texture to make it look more comfortable.

I can't wait to get some real modeling software!

Anyway I'm still brain storming on the controls for this chair but I wanted to post an update on the space that this chair and the rest of the squadron's control chairs will occupy.



I really have enjoyed doing this exercise. I think that we should try to do one a month.... that would be awesome! If not a contest then just a suggested topic to work on, there is another board that I lurk on that does a drawing study once a month and it really helps not to get in to an artist's block.

[tobian]

Well it's starting to come together, but you're running against the wall of the limitations of your software for doing this sort of task! Perhaps include some 2D elements as well, using the abilities of the software, to make the control panels or sear details in 2D... go to it's strengths?

[Benji7869]

Here is the first shot of the Pilots Space. I know this is compressed pretty bad but it gives you an idea of how the space might eventually look. I've added a few things to the chair one thing that is hard to see is the Control's and key board for the UCAV and the other is some panels on the pedestal. You can see these more clearly in the second jpeg.

I'm still trying to play with some 2d stuff to get the look I want but I don't think they will be figured out by dead line time.

As always Comments and Critiques asked for!

[tobian]

I'm liking it, though the renders, are they in a axonometric format, rather than perspective view? I'd try and render your pictures out as a 24 bit format, then create the 'upoaded' version from it, using 3rd party software, such as GIMP, which is freeware, if you don't have photoshop etc. I NEVER save outputs of JPEG, I always output lossless filetypes, then compress for the website upload, it's just the best way to do it! It also seems like your renders are being output in a limited colour pallette (maybe 256 or less?) this is always going to go horribly with the JPEG compression format, as JPEG doesn't like heavilly grained images. If you can't save full colour ouput renders, then save them in a lossless 8 bit format, such as GIF or PNG (8 bit).

Still the design is nice, but I would try and fill in that bissing bit under the chair's 'knee' area, as it does stand out in some renders.

Keep up the good work!

[Benji7869]

Trying a new way of compressing the image. Let me know if this is better.

Also added where controls on the arm rests. I also redesigned the pedistal to be more functional with the main "Control" computer behind the back rest of command chair. I was thinking of adding seat belts and a hydraulic platform underneath the seat for it to simulate the motion of the UCAV.

[tobian]

Looks MUCH better!

The base is also looking much improved. Perhaps make the screen on the console twice as high, because right now, the operator can't see much, even though he has a joystick type controlls? This'll also make the keyboard a more sensible height for him to type on, I think.

[Benji7869]

Originally Posted by tobian

Looks MUCH better!

The base is also looking much improved. Perhaps make the screen on the console twice as high, because right now, the operator can't see much, even though he has a joystick type controlls? This'll also make the keyboard a more sensible height for him to type on, I think.

This is the revised height of the monitor and keyboard. Let me know if this is what you meant. I agree that this allows for better use of the keyboard. I haven't been able to find an "Ergo Man" for CAD so I had to guess on some proportions.

[Benji7869]

Here is the Chair on it's motion platform. For my final submission I will be getting this platform and chair into the new pilots space.