A Return To 3D Modeling - Star Wars SnowSpeeder

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When I first arrived here I started posting about my adventures in 3D modeling. Since then I have become a writer, curator, moderator and community leader. Nonetheless I miss sitting at my PC for hours pushing and pulling vertices around in The Foundry's Modo.

Last year I nearly completed a model of the T-47 Snowspeeder - seen in The Empire Strikes Back - when my hard drive died, taking my files with it. I was naturally gutted after the hours of work I put into it. So, I decided today to start modeling it again. This time I hope it's better as I have learned more since then.

As usual, I launched my browser and sought out reference photos. Strange the things you can find on Google.

Eventually I found what I was looking for.

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In Photoshop I brightened the image a little and cropped out the different views, saving each one in its own file. I then opened up Modo and dragged the reference pictures into their respective views.

When you first drag the reference pictures into Modo, they are all placed in the center of the scene. I move them out of the way so as I am rotating around the model they do not get hinder my view.

I added a little transparency to each reference picture and then started lining them up and resizing where necessary. A trick I use is to create a box to use as scale reference. Using the side view I stretched it to fit the canopy and then adjusted each reference photo to match the same dimensions, making it easier to model in all the views.

I tackled the biggest part first, the wings / body of the craft, starting from the top view. Once that looked right and lines up with that reference, I then moved to the side view to adjust the angles. The profile from the rear lines up quite well too.

Next I tackled the canopy, creating the shape first and then cutting / removing geometry for the windows. Through the windows you can see the beginning of the inside cockpit.

Next I fired up Keyshot, added a plastic material to the model, selected a HDR map for the lights and did a quick render.

The forms look good even in this early stage. I shall continue with this tonight and over the next few days and share the progress. It's good to be modeling again.

Thanks for stopping by.

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