Starting in March 2020, I began a large stream project to model a comprehensive, highly-detailed Caterpillar 434E backhoe. Please watch the first stream (first 3 minutes of abridged version at least) for an overview.
It's a straight-forward project of building a complex model over an extended period of time. The spin on the project is that I want your help to accomplish it! If I build some parts and you build some parts, we will finish this thing much quicker. Plus the contribution format will include reviews, the potential of having your piece(s) assimilated into the final model. Not to mention large quantities of XP are at stake 🤑
NOTE: This is an involved project reserved for Citizen members.
The general idea is that I kickoff stages of the project via live stream, which is typically once per month. For the time in between streams, you choose a piece of the backhoe and apply what you learned from the stream to that piece. For example, the first stream covered initial block out. So between stream 1 and stream 2, your job is to pick a piece and block it out.
This is the repeating protocol for each Assignment Period (between-streams):
I will reply to this thread after each stream with a [big] assignment post denoted by a 📣 emoji in the title. There I will clarify instructions about each Assignment Period.
We will centralize our collaborative communication between the streams and this thread. Ask any and all questions pertaining to the Backhoe project here.
The chassis is actually closer to the right size, I have taken from reference the chassis is the same width at the front as the engine compartment. and now with the alignment with the rear axle. The Battery Boxes are actually to close together (x-axis) or to deep individually.
These images will help me with the shape of the connecting part to the stabilizers, much clearer images than I had before.
Actually second look tells me there not from 434e. first image is completely different at the rear where the swing frame is, as in your first image, our swing frame attaches to the stabilizer rails. not directly to the chassis. As in image 4.
Second image on the upright part where the loader arms attach has 3 holes on or dog.
@adrian2301 It's a Cat 434, but from 2006. That could explain the differences
Ok here is what I have so far, Trying this out was pretty frustrating at first but it looks better than I've done so far.
Your cab is tremendously improved ketre! Excellent work.
I see what you mean about the rounded corners. Here's a simple approximation of the shape
If your structure looks like this, with the magenta corner edge flanked by a cyan holding edge on each side, you simple need to slide the holding edges to the magenta edge and merge vertices by distance. Essentially removing the holding edges so the corner rounds over with subsurf:
For anyone interested in seeing some 'bad topology clean-up', I really enjoyed this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcEnCTooYfg
Wow, its from today and it will be continued! Thank you spikeyxxx for the tip 👍.
No worries Artifact. I had to take a break this week too. I had a work project that demanding my creative juices and so I just took the "How to Create a Wall of Mailboxes" course from Kent to loosen up after a hard day's labor.
I just saw what I believe is our DOG on the side of the highway on the way to take my kid to the gym. I'm heading there now to get some detailed pictures. Not sure if anyone is online but if I am able to get close I can grab some good shots of the main body. I may get some close-ups of the cab as well if I am able and I don't cause someone to stop and chase me off haha.
Your kid goes to the gym? Please don't tell me he's like 10 years old or I'll have to think about my life choices.
And consider that if you show the CAT Police our 3D model, maybe they'll not only let you take pictures, but maybe even drive the real thing.
Skunk'd again! I'm getting closer to the mark this time though.
I saw the red safety bar and the enclosed cab and thought "This is it!" Well.......almost.
It was a CAT 430F (similar model but has some differences). Still I took my boy and we got some pictures and video. (some photos were taken by my son, and the long detailed video decided to rotate only a few seconds in.....thanks iPhone :P )
There's plenty of reference stuff
There is still some decent reference stuff but it was raining hard so I didn't get down on the ground or get too many close-ups of the chassis @adrian2301 The frame that holds the connection points to the loader arms is actually farther out than the engine enclosure. It looks like the enclousre tucks behind the chassis
ppfbourassa the bucket is completely different buddy. Sorry man. It doesn't have any log-grabbing jaw like our dog.
dostovel even the battery box seems a little different.
ketre and and Cab Crew. The cab does seem to have more similarity as far as I can tell. The floor in the cab is flat (no steps).
@theluthier hopefully the backhoe pics are similar to your backhoe. The loader bucket is definitely different. I did get reference stuff and there is plenty there for hydraulic routing/etc.
Files are currently uploaded to a shared GoogleDrive Folder and should be available now. I separated the photos from the videos.
P.S. The team just upgraded to Level 6 Forum Masters!
Excellent..... Definetly different, but certainly useful to know how things fit together, going to be similarities. 👍
Dude what in the world? Do you have like a freaking iPhone 21? The videos and photos look crisp and sharp as hell. Or maybe it's because I have an iPhone 6... Now that I've seen what is possible, I don't think I can look at my phone the same.
The tractor looks very similar, it may not be the same model but it's great for the details that are probably 90% the same as the model that we are doing, plus I think we have really good reference for shading and texturing.
And your kid is probably like 5 and goes to the gym, that's just great.
dostovel My other kid goes to the gym haha. She technically goes to gymnastics but she has already surpassed my athletic ability and finesse and she is only 8. She competes on a team and we were driving her to gym for practice when I saw the Cat in the rain.
As far as the iPhone: it is the XSMax - the iPhone 10S with a McDonalds "SuperSize"
I love the picture quality of this bad boy but the rotating video drives me crazy. I still have yet to figure it out. Sorry if the video makes anyone sick haha. I've been dying to get some good pics with it for the project though because most of the stuff we see is pretty low res. But getting up close to one was still very educational. The fact that it was raining let my boy and I work undisturbed. I almost put him inside since the window was wide open.
The gas cap has a lock that you can put on it Omar. I'll be willing to bet you can add that to your model if you'd like as that will be a common feature.