Progress, Questions, and Comments for Loader Arms and Interior Chair on the DOG 434E Backhoe Loader posted here:
I would be honoured to be a pupil to the Master of Loose Ends.
Because of COVID, I'm actually in a position where I'm able to take time off work until December, so I'm free until then.
I consider myself lucky, but I always try and have a thought for those who are not so lucky, especially under current circumstances. My wife knows, knew, two people who have died form this virus, and it was her suggestion for me to take some time off. I should mention she is working from home now so I'm doing most of the chores around the house so I suppose I'm not that free, but still lucky.
Like you blanchsb I'm committed to this project and will help out as much as I can, there is a lot of talent in the pound, but like @theluthier mentioned, real life is the priority for all, for most of us hobbies come second.
I'm glad we're on the same page: @adrian2301 was next on my list for this role! I just didn't want to overload you since you're already doing more parts than anyone. Sorry to hear about the losses of the people your wife knew. Sounds like taking time off was a wise choice. If you have the bandwidth to be Master of Lose Ends, I'm all for it!
To be clear, the last thing I want to see you put significant hours into this. If the sum total of the role is taking more than an hour on top of the usual time you put into the project, let me know and we'll spread out the tasks.
Not to worry at all blanchsb, I appreciate the candid honesty! Everything is entirely understandable. Please please unplug and enjoy your vacation as you should. I did that earlier in the summer and it was great; necessary.
I really want to at least get a first draft recording of the things I have learned with Arrays and curves...
I fully support you prioritizing this. If this is something you want to get done sooner than later, I say go for it. If you wanted to discuss doing it officially for CGC, the gig would be paid but definitely slower (brainstorming/outlining, test recordings, feedback, possible re-recordings so on). No hard feelings at all if you're not into that and prefer to do it your way now while it's fresh!
Maybe the following month would be better timed for rigging???
I'd suggest hold off on rigging until the whole Backhoe is finished. There's way too much potential for things to change and messup your rig if you started now. At least that's what I would say if this was a professional job...
I also don't want to tell you what to do. If you're energized for of the rigging challenge then I won't steer otherwise. Give it a go! Pursing the specific things that get us excited is a huge positive for learning. I know you have what it takes to be successful with it. Clearly you've shown your potential with the loader arm test rig and that cool sticker pack!
If you wanted to discuss doing it officially for CGC
Just tell me how to sign up for this @theluthier because I would be honored to contribute officially for da Cookie. Tell me where to go from here!
In regards to rigging: I agree. Let’s hold off til the end and perhaps we can revisit the topic, possibly as a team, who knows?I’m still super interested though.
In regards to Master of Loose Ends: don’t get me wrong, I can help now after having discussed the rest but I want to expect that I won’t be around much the last week. @adrian2301 and @theluthier how would you feel about Adrian and I
1. tag teaming this?
OR
2.if you @adrian2301 want to take over and I can give you assistance where I am able.
My opinion (can easily be changed though) Adrian is already working a ton of parts so it makes a little sense for me to take lead on figuring out loose ends and then tag teaming what needs finishing since my current assembly is winding down. If I start the recording project I can juggle those two things consistently I think. If I find I am having more time I will pitch in some modeling but I don’t want to over commit on that if that is cool until I test the waters.
Adrian and I have some experience collaborating together a lot already so I feel we could be a good match either way.
As promised @theluthier here is the link to the reference photos and video.
Cat Reference Photos and Video 430F
Let me know if you have any problems. I shared the folder that the files are within so hopefully it lets you download both zip files. My darn iPhone rotated the view post recording on the videos but I know if you load it into Kdenlive it can be rotated at will.
@ritag hopefully this will help answer the question about the chair's back. I'll be on the lookout for that machine again but it may have left the highway by now.
I found this on the cat website though.
It covers replacing the seat assemblies for most of their models. There are some small gold nuggets in this like below:
I'm gonna say it is a plastic back on the seat. Look at top middle picture.
I'm with you blanchsb , we have been collaborating a lot, and it's been a great motivation for me.
My parts are 99.9% complete, I would be happy for you to lead on figuring out loose ends and pass over to me. I'm trying not to spend to much time online while my wife is working, using the internet, but blendering is OK.
I was planning to complete my parts 100% in the next few days, in the mean time if you have the time to figure out loose ends, who needs support, who's still in the pound, etc. etc. and from there I can certainly finish of some other parts, most are in the last stages anyway.
jakeblended swing frame is probably where I would start as it's another part that brings several pieces together. I hope he wants to continue with the dog, but no submission this month and the issues he mentioned last month, he may well need some support.
I also have some other CG projects I wanted to work on during my 6 months of free time, don't worry I'm not going to teach curves, making tutorials is not me, but you should definitely pursue this.
I hope to turn a hobby into a small second income, and build it from there. I have some ideas I wanted to get onto Blender Market and beyond, but it's still in the early stage, and I have some time, once the exterior of the dog is complete I can focus more on this.
I need to develop my Python skills a bit more before I hit one idea, but I'm already working on that. This project will be a long term commitment so I can put that on hold for a couple of months.
I think we have all been enriched from this collaboration project, Thank you again @theluthier , it's given me the confidence in my own ability to take a step into then CG wilderness.
It’s a deal!
Should I wait for your official post Kent or do you want me to start finding out who, among the pound already, has ability to proceed?
I know we have some newcomers but I forget all the names. I can start gathering all of that up at lunch today.
Thank you blanchsb! Definitely some gems in your collection. I couldn't find a single photo online of the cab ceiling. We're lucky the interior is the same as our DOG 🙌
blanchsb @adrian2301 You both have already been working together so well, tag teaming the loose ends is perfect!
Should I wait for your official post Kent or do you want me to start finding out who, among the pound already, has ability to proceed?
Wait for my post today. I'm going to gather and ask the stragglers for an update on their parts / resolve to finish 👌
Thinking of you spending your lunch break doing this kind of thing makes me cringe lol
Just been looking through the CGCookie Live Stream back catalogue found this you might be interested in
https://cgcookie.com/live_streams/anatomy-of-cg-cookie-course-production
It's 2 years old but I'm sure it will still be of use.
Yeah they call it a break for a reason, but everything is relative to who you are and what you experience daily. This is way more fun than "actual work" so I consider it a good break. Maybe for others it would be different.
Just spent 12+ hours working and 5+ of that was a problem that didn't get fixed in a hot testing room where our turbines get tested. I ended up programming around the problem temporarily so I could leave for the day haha. I get to go back and figure another issue this morning.
Yeah this is definitely a break in comparison.
Well no modeling progress today but I got my hands dirty on Jeep repairs. Replacing my entire cooling system from the radiator and pump and thermostat housing all the way down to the hoses and everything in between
Figured I can post that as an accomplishment today lol.
i only broke 1 seized bolt and was able to retrieve it successfully (whew, bullet dodged!)
i’ll have it done tomorrow and hopefully back into modeling.
I hope that is going to be a Sahara Model. I had one of those in high school. It was awesome. That is looking sick my friend!
Mine is currently an ‘01 Cherokee Classic (the last year they made them before taking a break). It’s always got something going on that needs work, but it is also really easy to work on under the hood most days because of the straight 6 there is a lot of room in there.
Reference I'm using is a 2018 Wrangler Rubicon. I've always wanted a Jeep, Driving with the wind in my hair, getting soaked in the UK weather.... Hmmmm maybe I should emigrate first.
Just finished up with water system replacement on the Jeep over the weekend and got the garage all cleaned up today. 
Looks and works beautifully. And I saved a bunch doing it myself (I keep telling myself that anyway 🤣)
I actually got some modeling time in again, huzzah! I cleaned up some loose ends on my file and deleted most of my helper objects. I am leaving a couple of helper empties til the end of this section and will apply mirror mods when no mo changes be needed.
I also added some materials for a render update and posted the render on my Forum Header section. I used the color scheme of 
spikeyxxx to stay consistent. It’s not final but just for the render.
It really has come a long way. Everyone’s assembly has!
Seeing your neighborhood in the background took me right back to Texas! I don't think I've responded about our connection there yet.
The wife and I lived in Dallas for 3 years (early 2011 through late 2013). 2 years I working at Reel FX in Deep Ellum, which is what brought us there, and the 3rd year was my first working remotely for CGC. Those were golden years for us. We loved the city, made lasting friendships, and developed some Texas pride. Ultimately we moved back to Virginia to start our family where we grew up and our extended families still reside. We hope to visit Dallas again in the near future. blanchsb Perhaps you'd be close enough to grab coffee in that event.
