On most communities, it is the tradition to post work-in-progress of the entries for the challenges. Although it's not compulsory, here, due to a different approach to the challenges, and since I have decided that from now on, I would only create one entry per challenge, but a dedicated one, created especially for the challenge, I have decided to open systematically a WIP thread about my entries.
For this watercraft challenge, I have decided to go the steampunk route, by creating a "floating keep", in other words an armored steam powered war dreadnought, as described by Albert Robida in his book "the XXth century"; written at the ned of the XIXe century.
Robida's illustrations have always been a very inspiring to me, as long as his both amusing and sometimes pessimistic way of describing the future. For a lot of things (especially awful ones), he had foreseen quite a lot (chemical weapons, 25 years before they actually occurred, for instance).
Well, to the topic. I have started to work on a "floating keep". Modeling is only at the beginning of the process, not to speak about the texturing part. The model will be made entirely in Lightwave 11. Texturing will be, as usual, a mixture of Lightwave, 3D-Coat and Substance Designer.
Here are two renders of the floating keep in various states of modeling.
I'm looking forward to reading your comments and suggestions.
It's looking good so far, captainmarlowe
I think a fish tail rudder and bat-wing sails might add the Salvador Dali (or Hieronymus Bosch) surrealism that makes Albert Robida's Steampunk art engaging.
Something that I don't think he did, but might suggest the same weird combination of organic and man-made composition is a Mammoth tusk prow. Dali's and Bosch's work might inspire you better than I might try.
I look forward to seeing the piece textured. :-)
Thanks for your suggestion. I don't know if I want to go that far as combination of organic and man-made for this model.
As for textures, it will be the real challenge - much more than the modeling by itself. I have yet to decide how I will texture it : overlapping UV's (nice for close-ups and memory footprint, not so cool for general views), 2 8K (then it's 3D-coat only) ? 8 4K (then I have more control with substance designer and 3D-Coat, but it will be more complicated) ?
Most certainly the 8 4K road, but not sure yet.
Oh, I can see the progress you've made. Windows, cannons, rivets and structural details on the middle section.
Yeah, hmmm, I learned about the forum's media upload limitations the hard way. Google Drive or other online storage service and a link works.
It actually works out well with all images lined up at the top. The eye has to move back and forth between the old and new image, so the closer they are the better.
I've added two more renders, with the textures in their current state. Texturing is quite complex on a model like this. It was basically done roughly directly inside Lightwave with substance-designer generated panels, and a lot of gathering was added with substance painter. UV-mapping was corrected with 3D-Coat, also.
Not finished yet, but at least, I have a correct base, now.
I really like the texturing and fine details you've added. It's working out well. It does look like a challenge to texture.
Something that I do not assume he did, however may endorse the identical weird aggregate of natural and guy-made composition is a Mammoth tusk prow. Dali's and Bosch's paintings would possibly encourage you better than I may strive. Like you can see here https://localgaragedoor.repair/
You've added a lot of fine details and accurate texturing. It's working out well. The texture seems challenging to achieve.
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