Accomplishing a BIG project TOGETHERStarting 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.Collaboration DetailsThe 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):Signing up for pieces of the model. I will be maintaining a Google Sheet to organize piece selection and grading. Following this URL will give you the ability to comment. The sheet is sectioned vertically and color-coordinated with a backhoe image. To sign up for a piece, right click on an empty cell below your desired piece section and click Comment (CTRL + ALT + M). Comment your name or username and I will fill it in officially as confirmation.Remember that it is OK for multiple people to model the same piece. But lets try to have at least one person assigned to each piece before doubling up.2. Project file structure. We're going to use Google Drive as a means to sync a single working directory among all contributors. See this thread about details and how to get set up.3. Submitting your piece for review. Exactly one week before the next stream is scheduled to be broadcast, your piece is due. In the Attempt cell of the spreadsheet, paste a download link to your .blend file via Dropbox, Google Drive, or equivalent hosting service. This will earn you at least 10 XP each week.4. Review. On stream I will review each submitted piece and decide which will be assimilated into the master model (in the case of multiple submissions of the same piece). The purpose of the review is to generate feedback for you work and advice for improvement.5. Assimilation. If your piece makes the cut and is assimilated into the master model, your name / username will be added to the object in Blender. You will go down in history as a definitive contributor to this epic backhoe model!Once the model is completely done, I plan to render a short demo reel showing off the model and crediting all contributors. It should be a rewarding conclusion to all the work we will do!Assignment PromptsI 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.Assignment #1Assignment #2Assignment #3Assignment #4Assignment #5 / #6Closing PostThe Dog Pound gets a job offer!Online ResourcesOfficial Brochure (2007)Official Brochure (2008)Official Brochure (2010)Individual Part DiagramsDigger ArmSwing FrameFloorplate (Cab)Engine EnclosureLoader ArmLoader BucketWheel FendersAxleBattery BoxFrame / StabilizerReference ImagesModeling SheetPhoto CollageLivestreamsModeling Heavy Equipment: Backhoe (Part 1)Modeling Heavy Equipment: Backhoe (Part 2)Modeling Heavy Equipment: Backhoe (Part 3)Modeling Heavy Equipment: Backhoe (Part 4)Modeling Heavy Equipment: Backhoe (Part 5)Modeling Heavy Equipment: Backhoe (Part 6)Modeling Heavy Equipment: Backhoe (Part 7)Modeling Heavy Equipment: Backhoe (Part 8)This is THE threadWe will centralize our collaborative communication between the streams and this thread. Ask any and all questions pertaining to the Backhoe project here.

📣Assignment #1: Blockout Level 2March 19 - April 7thFor the assignment period between stream 1 and stream 2 - the goal is to upgrade my initial blockout (level 1) into a level 2 blockout. My result from the stream is extremely simple with a lot of secondary pieces unaccounted for. I want you to continue the blockout approach with very simple geometry to accommodate for the secondary pieces. Here's what I mean as applied to the digger arm:Please resist the temptation to fully model any pieces for this first assignment. Remain within blockout range: Keep geometry simple while accounting for all the pieces that I left out at level 1.Everyone start from the same .blend fileDownload the MASTER_caterpillar-434e_model_blockout_01.blend file from the stream 1 page:Note: The file is packed with the modeling sheet and ref sheet.Please ask questions if anything about these instructions isn't clear! Otherwise let's get to work ✊

Collab 2020: Modeling Heavy Equipment (Backhoe)

Collaborations

Kent Trammell

March 18, 2020 10:08pm

Accomplishing a BIG project TOGETHER

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.

Collaboration Details

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):

Signing up for pieces of the model. I will be maintaining a Google Sheet to organize piece selection and grading. Following this URL will give you the ability to comment. The sheet is sectioned vertically and color-coordinated with a backhoe image. To sign up for a piece, right click on an empty cell below your desired piece section and click "Comment" (CTRL + ALT + M). Comment your name or username and I will fill it in officially as confirmation.

Remember that it is OK for multiple people to model the same piece. But lets try to have at least one person assigned to each piece before doubling up.

2. Project file structure. We're going to use Google Drive as a means to sync a single working directory among all contributors. See this thread about details and how to get set up.

3. Submitting your piece for review. Exactly one week before the next stream is scheduled to be broadcast, your piece is due. In the "Attempt" cell of the spreadsheet, paste a download link to your .blend file via Dropbox, Google Drive, or equivalent hosting service. This will earn you at least 10 XP each week.

4. Review. On stream I will review each submitted piece and decide which will be assimilated into the master model (in the case of multiple submissions of the same piece). The purpose of the review is to generate feedback for you work and advice for improvement.

5. Assimilation. If your piece makes the cut and is assimilated into the master model, your name / username will be added to the object in Blender. You will go down in history as a definitive contributor to this epic backhoe model!

Once the model is completely done, I plan to render a short demo reel showing off the model and crediting all contributors. It should be a rewarding conclusion to all the work we will do!

Assignment Prompts

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.

Online Resources

Reference Images

Livestreams

This is THE thread

We will centralize our collaborative communication between the streams and this thread. Ask any and all questions pertaining to the Backhoe project here.

adrian replied October 6, 2020 8:16pm

ketre Sorry to hear the news about your mom, more prayers coming your way.
adrian replied October 6, 2020 8:24pm

Haven't worked on the BIG DOG for a while, thought I would do a bit today.
Done the hand rails and mirrors, and started the interior.
blanchsb you have set the standard for chairs, there is two in this dog. Not sure they will be as good as yours.
Kent Trammell replied October 6, 2020 8:28pm

The warning makes me think it's better not to. It would probably be fine but it's surely not a good practice. Given the complexity I don't want to risk a weird bug or hiccup in the scene/linking/data going back and forth.
Don't worry though! Our DOG is officially a 2.9 project 👌👍
Jake Korosi(jakeblended) replied October 6, 2020 8:44pm

Thinking about you and your mom, ketre, hang in there.
Shawn Blanch(blanchsb) replied October 7, 2020 1:09am

You could always "borrow" them. haha. I'm not going to say it has been the easiest project I have undergone. But it has definitely been fun to watch it begin to take shape.

That BIG DOG is looking quite nice Adrian @adrian2301 . I see a perfect place for the bell on that steering wheel there.........
Shawn Blanch(blanchsb) replied October 7, 2020 1:20am

@theluthier We only have the ability to add comments on the cells of the workbook. I don't see how I am able to attach images or change colors. Perhaps I will just make a comment on the next cell down for the Loose end I have found?
Shawn Blanch(blanchsb) replied October 7, 2020 1:28am

P.S. @adrian2301 You may have saved a file outside the Master Folder and in the Main folder where the "Gran Puba" file lives.
Should be an easy fix. Just move it back into it's home.
adrian replied October 10, 2020 10:26pm

I think that may have been @theluthier , trying to fix the errors.
Omar Domenech(dostovel) replied October 12, 2020 1:55pm

50 reply, that's too much reading so I'm going to assume it's all about donuts and Doritos.
I'm having trouble here and there...
Firstly I hope that gap at the door is enough, it's hard to get reference that shows that part.
Then comes this part...
You can see in the 3d model that lever is occluded by the tower thing and is not in real life, but I think the tower thing goes more to the left. If you see at the base in real life the space seems wider.
And then...
I can't get that part to go all the way to the wall like in real life. If I make the model wider for it to reach the back then the part looks nothing like the real life one, the shape gets way too big and wide and looses all resemblance. And I can't push the whole thing further back since it is already all the way it can go as seen in the image below.
Kent Trammell replied October 12, 2020 2:05pm

Ahh whoops I forgot about the edit limitation. Since deep down I don't trust ANY OF YOU to resist the temptation of botching the spreadsheet 😏
I just added blanchsb and @adrian2301 as editors. Lemme know if you have access now.
Kent Trammell replied October 12, 2020 2:15pm

@adrian2301 is correct. I just removed that file 👌
Kent Trammell replied October 12, 2020 2:49pm

I think there's enough room for the door entry on the starboard side. Thanks for rearranging that part of the model. I'm sure it wasn't the easiest thing to do. 🤝

You make a good point about the rear control columns. I will move them inward a bit to avoid intersection with your console

3. The space between the console and the interior wall is a funky one..I think there's two potential improvements that could be made. First is the right wing of your console rotating backward toward the window and stretching a little. Second I think the controls could be scaled up to compensate for the stretch space and match the reference a bit better.
Shawn Blanch(blanchsb) replied October 12, 2020 3:52pm

Alright, who wants free XP?!!! Just go ahead and donate to my Patreon page and I'll put a little somethin somethin in the excel sheet for stream 8 next to your name........

J/K haha. With great access comes great respect @theluthier we'll do our best to keep the trust fund full.
adrian replied October 12, 2020 8:15pm

@theluthier I think you should add this to the spreadsheet for loose ends, so dostovel can earn some extra doritos.
Kent Trammell replied October 12, 2020 8:19pm

blanchsb haha you would! Better rescind that spreadsheet access quiiiick 😆
adrian replied October 13, 2020 8:02am

aartifact , I'm getting a little concerned.
Any chance you can post a WIP to the WIP folder on Google Drive. So spikeyxxx and @theluthier can see the direction your heading in regards to the shape connection to the window frame.
If you haven't set up Google Drive for the Dog Pound have a look at this
https://cgcookie.com/questions/12591-backhoe-collaboration-file-sharing-library-linking
a
artifact replied October 13, 2020 11:00am

@adrian2301 Poring over my references, I'm unsure how the enclosure curves down towards the window. From the below perspective, it seems a pretty sharp fall off. I've highlighted the area in green below.
a
artifact replied October 13, 2020 11:01am

Check below image without the highlights.
a
artifact replied October 13, 2020 11:06am

And an important side question: @theluthier @adrian2301 blanchsb spikeyxxx
How important is it that we all work with this project in blender 2.9? As it currently stands, my laptop keeps crushing when I try to open up the Dog Pound blend files in 2.9. As a result, I am forced to use 2.8 to finish up the enclosure. Would this break things?
adrian replied October 13, 2020 12:04pm

aartifact you are right, from that image there is a fairly sharp edge. There is a shadow from there to the window to be mindful of. My approach here I think would be to take the edge you highlighted in green and extrude and scale down and adjust the shape of this extruded edge to match as best you can the shape of the window frame. If you find the window frame is too low @theluthier will be able to adjust to match your engine enclosure.
If you can save a file in the WIP folder on Google Drive, I will give you an example of what I mean.
As for files made in 2.8, they will be fine in 2.9. The issue comes when files made in 2.9 then opened in 2.8. So continue in 2.8 and you will be fine.
Strange though because I have less trouble opening the Dog file in 2.9.