Backhoe Contribution - Blanchsb - Exterior Loader Arms and Interior Chair

Excellent work, blanchsb, this is really a CG jewel and a feast for the eyes 💎🥇! I often come back to see your work and just enjoy what I'm seeing 😊. Congrats for entering the TOP 10 on theXP leaderbord 👍! I'm currently not far away on 27 😉.

PS: Maybe  joining circular details together on curved surfaces could be a candidate for a demonstration in the next livestream or a tutorial video?

Thanks so much for the kind words everyone!

duerer I have a couple of youtube videos I reference a lot for this kind of work. One of the most crazy is the set of topology case studies by masterxeon where he joins two curved objects together and then does cleanup. I don't have the link handy but I can take a look around tomorrow and see if I can dig it up.


Okay as far as the updates go. I got more of the compressor done and I think I am ready to move on the lines going to everything else. Will attempt that tomorrow hopefully.

Here's a playlist with many topology studies by Masterxeon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz4w6QXpuDo&list=PL0RqAjByAphH9emGFNAcha1prKi1P_I3n&index=2

Also a great resource on (CG) topology is Josh Gambrell. He even has a topology 'handbook' (series of videos) that you can get for free: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDKMpni8HsI

And of course. congrats Shawn! Well deserved! You've come a long way these past months!

@spikexxx for the win as always. Yes. Josh and Masterxeon really nail these topics well. I have downloaded Josh's content but haven't gone through all of it . Though I just purchased their Mech course where they cover using Hard Ops/BoxCutter/DecalMachine/etc. in a workflow and it is super interesting to watch already. I own all of these add-ons and have been itching to learn a better flow with them. I have used a little bit of boxcutter on some pieces to start out on our DOG. It's just such a fun add-on to use. I want to use it better though.


Thanks for the kind words spikeyxxx and for sharing the links I spoke of.

This must be a week of accomplishments for me. I just reached Level 10 today! Man, such a cool feeling.

spikeyxxx I love that box cutter in that first video link you gave. I cannot believe it can bevel edges & corners. I am now looking at the extended tutorial of a box cutter by Masterxeon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXVCnd4-NCg  

Manuel for Boxcutter 713 https://boxcutter-manual.readthedocs.io/en/latest/getstarted/ 

It's a dangerously fun tool to use @ritag but understanding topology makes it even more powerful in my opinion.

Indeed blanchsb ! 

@ritag whenever you are working with Booleans in hard-surface modelling, (whether you are using BoxCutter, HardOps,or other tools or not, you will probably have to do some manual topology cleanup at some point ( to avoid shading issues) and that is mainly a matter of practicing and getting better at it each time (it's actually a lot of fun, I think, especially if you like 'puzzles').

Ok, Shawn Blanch (blanchsb)  and spikeyxxx , I take your words. 

I had to go back and do some repair work on the scissor lift and other parts because the assembly was too squatty. Took longer than I expected but I have one residual problem with the center lift. I am not sure how the frame piece interfaces with that lift and when I "actuate" the scissor lift dynamically that green center support tilts with the scissor............ Not sure how all of that goes and there isn't a whole lot of reference so I am left to my imagination. If I can't figure it out I am afraid I'll need to move on because I have plenty of other pieces to build still. I'm still working on the pneumatic lines but I at least have them going where I want them to go. Just need to make there length and shape make sense (curves are sooooo handy for this)


I was able to successfully make a nice shiny new accordion boot.

                                        "I think it's a bit of a Masterpiece...."

Working on the top rotation base that connects to the sliding mount (which is where the rump cushion mounts to........getting closer to working my way to the finish line.

It was a rough week but I am back at it now.

Got the ball bearings and race made and spent most of the morning figuring out how the upper assembly works. I now have a really good understanding how these sliding and rotating chairs work.

Still got to work the top rotation base then will work on the sliding mount.

blanchsb This is definitively more than "just" a technical piece, this is an artwork 👍👍👍!!! Always a pleasure to see what you've created 👀😀!!!

I can't tear my eyes away from this artwork 👀👀👀!!!

This deserves an exploded view all it's own, excellent blanchsb 

Love the kind motivational words. It adds fuel to the fire. Thanks all.

More to come on the purple monstrosity. Rotation Latch/Lever (pink) and Fwd-Rev Slider Latch/Lever (teal and orange pieces) are complete now. The handles will push against these to allow the seat to rotate or slide forward.
Getting close to creating and attaching the hand levers in the front of the seat. They go with the sliding assembly.

And always when I think that this can't be topped, blanchsb, you prove the opposite 👍👍👍!!!

I hope I can make to the finish line it in time for the stream. So many people with high hopes! I feel like I'm on an episode of Sci Fi Blitz lol.

I just got some bad news and some good news from the Costco Concierge service:

Lonestar Lenovo was returned unrepaired. The repair parts got misplaced in shipping and management decided to give me a full refund. So, I went computer shopping today and decided to go for an upgrade and double down my Kaballa Dolla (Killer Bunnies reference) haha.

Decided to buy one with an NVIDIA RTX 2070 Super Max-Q to hopefully make use of some of the new blender features. (I want a laptop so I can travel and still model on work or vacay). This was the pick of the litter on Costco.com with NVIDIA graphics.

Here's what I paid top dollar for. It was a little pricey but I think it will be worth it. And of course I got the extended warrantee. I only paid half that price since Lonestar Lenovo was refunded in full. Now I gotta pay myself back until January (my own personal budget goals haha). Better to take a loan from myself than from a bank.


I'll have more modeling updates tomorrow hopefully, and luck willing my Micro LoneStar Intl. will be here to carry me to the finish line!

Rest In Peace Lonestar Lenovo. You brought me this far.......