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.
This is from the Brand Guidelines 
spikeyxxx
The latest CAT Color from their new CAT Hex logo announcement on their website is given below: based on a color picker the color code comes up as:
RGB: 233/175/16
HSV: 29/209/117
HEX: E9AF10 (based on internet converter and cross-checked with color picker on Greenshot program).
I tried entering the RGB into blender as 233/256, 175/256, 16/256 but that resultant color is more washed -out. I don't really understand why that would be. The HEX value comes out different too. The calculated HEX value is spot on though.
This is really close to the FFC500 though. All google searches I do come up with something similar to your results spikeyxxx so
I'm not sure if my eye-dropper method is "fail proof" I say let's use the FFC500. It is close enough.
I made a tutorial video how to set up your Google Drive and cover a few more things. I'm posting a link to the Official Forum for File Sharing since it is a little wordy. You can access it here:
How to Drive via "The Google"
July 20, 2020 - August 16, 2020
With everyone within the final 25% range of completing their exterior part, this month I'm confident we can all achieve 100% completion! Just keep progressing as you are, polishing off fine details, smoothing wobbles and finessing topology till it's done.
The Masters of Loose Ends
As the complexity of this model continues to increase and contributors schedules / commitment being uncertain, I'm anticipating a potential tangle of nearly-finished pieces and collisions between various parts. I've with blanchsb and @adrian2301 about spearheading this tangle, officially declaring them the "Masters of Loose Ends". In this role we can expect them to communicate with contributors about collisions, possibly finish up nearly-finished parts from other contributors, and generally ensure that the final assembled backhoe model is done DONE.
However at the moment it would be a LOT of work to tie up all the loose ends; too much work. So at the onset of this month we need all committed contributors to finish up their respective parts. I know this project is a passion project for us and it should take a backseat to real-life. A few contributors have gone quiet and/or didn't submit any progress this past month. If you're mentioned in this list, I'm simply about the likelihood you will being able to finish your part this month:
If you could please reply to this thread with an update about finishing your part, it's appreciated! Again, as a passion project, any and all reasons you may be unavailable to finish your part are completely OK!
For those already finished with their exterior part
I know several of you have finished your exterior part. If that's you, please go ahead start on the interior!
Assignment Submission
I've added 2 new tabs to the Google Sheet labeled #5: Finalize 100% exterior and #6: 50% interior
The names of contributors are carried over from the fourth assignment. To submit for assignment #5 or #6, contributors just need to make a comment containing a link to their .blend file in the Attempt cell beside their name
The DUE DATE for assignment submissions is AUGUST 16, 2020**
A big update to our collaborative project organization is the utilization of File Sharing via Google Drive and .blend library linking. Please get setup ASAP! I've written an guide here, Shawn made a great video walk-through here, and Omar created a super helpful info graphic to make the process clear.
Everyone working this way will be important for streamline the process. Plus it's a taste of how professional pipelines function.
Confusion is inevitable - Just ask!
I fully expect head-scratching moments with the new file sharing + linking approach. If you're confused please don't hesitate to ask! And that goes for anything about the project.
Going into our fifth month, it's been a long project; a long time to stay committed. I want to encourage us all to keep going on a little longer! It would be a real shame if we fizzled out now.
Trust me when I say that the end product is going to be worth it. Just look at this WIP assembly!
Nothing like this has happened before at CGC. The collaborative effort has been stunning. Finish it, we must!
Thanks Omar!
Here's the video how to Drive "The Google" on MacOS. I would still recommend watching the Windows video as I cover a few extra tidbits but this is enough to get you going!
How to Drive via "The Google" in MacOS Style
Man that is looking soooo good.
@theluthier Are all of the interior (or extra) parts in the server now? If not, can you perhaps cover a little on adding any additional files to "The Google" collaboration? Are you going to add them or do you trust us? There is obviously a need a specific naming convention when adding ours.
I figured something to the effect of "ContributorsName_dog-434e_PartName_MASTER" would probably be appropriate.
This is the specific issue that I've wrestled over on how to best approach. I couldn't come up with an intuitive way to do it! I thought I could create placeholder files but they're dependent on the contributor's name and contributors haven't volunteered for all the interior parts yet. That's why I added these instructions:
- Choose an interior part from the assignment 6 spreadsheet by commenting your username under the part of choice. I will confirm your choice by pasting your username into the cell.
- Create a new forum thread called "Backhoe Contrib - Username - Interior Part Name"
- I will reply to your thread with info about beginning your interior part model. The reason being that I blocked out most interior parts and want to explain how to best start the process. If I don't reply to your thread within 24 hrs of commenting on the spreadsheet, please mention me in your thread!
In other words I'll have to explain on a case by case basis 😕 When a part is volunteered I'll explain how to extract the basemesh I created for the interior parts (all except one) and how to save it for linking.
Oh okay. Yeah I read that but I was unsure what it meant in regards to adding new files to "The Google" but I just read it wrong. Sounds like you got it covered well enough though!
Received and understood.
https://cgcookie.com/questions/12621-backhoe-contribution-adrian2301-media-console#answer-43048
dostovel I feel the battery box was better placed before you moved it in the y-axis. I asked you previously only to move in x-axis, which you did and all was good. There was an issue which blanchsb pointed out with the driver tripping every time they got in or out.
I think moving in y-axis was the wrong solution.
Nicely tucked up against the fenders, snug as a bug in a rug.👆🐞
I could just move the fuel lines as you suggested, however as you can see the box no longer lines up with the fender.No I can't move the fender as it fits with the cab.
Also on the other side, we have an accident waiting to happen.
It will be OK if we stick to a nice flat road, but I intend to take this Dog off road.
I would suggest moving back to the previous position and we find a different solution for the floor of the cab. maybe the pieces should be shortened by an inch or two, or maybe the floor is too low, or a bit of both.
What do you all think??
Yep, there's problems there. I will get on it, let me see what solutions I can find.
This is my file. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JHu_OdsaO1uRWEKEYrGmY9NPKCgM18h7/view?usp=sharing
I will continually work on models and update the file in my Google Drive.
I will volunteer when I return home. Can hardly wait to get back to my pc lol
