I've just got my hands on Vern's old workshop model. I'm going to do the necessary remodelling of it (if necessary...), I'm also going to fill it up with the props I've made so far and the models Stephen (pequod) donated. I've also got a folder with props made by other contributors earlier that I need to find a place for. First of I'll need to recollect the latest ref images made of the workshop.

Here is the old model made by Vern and is the model that is going to be my basis:

[attachmentid=20862] [attachmentid=20863] [attachmentid=20864]

Is these the last and valid refs of the workshop?:

[attachmentid=20866] [attachmentid=20867] [attachmentid=20868]

Vern mentioned to me that this is the "small version" he made. He made a more cavernous version but hasn't been able to find it with the PC trouble he's been having.

How hard to extend this one back to make it more cavernous?

Wow- that's a great interior !

will look fantastic with all those prop models filling it up

Cavernous? (my dictionary did not give me a good explanation on that word ) Would that mean like giving the walls thickness etc? Or is this foundry carved out like a cave?

Large, very large and spacious.

The extra space probably wouldn't even need many props....just use the ones in the foreground and abit of fog. No one would know....cept us. Hehe.

Sorry! Large. Huge interior. Like a Zepplin hanger.




Yes, I like the idea of something that stretches so far back, we're not sure how far back it stretches. That would be very mysterious and cinematic.

I've started to rebuild the choreography and the models to make it look bigger. Is this better?
Somehow the cookie cut decals would not render correctly?

[attachmentid=20888] [attachmentid=20889]

Eh ! it look great Stian !
I would see a big project in progress on the back...kind of zepelin balloon or a funny plane or car?

I'm asking, maybe the roof near the entrance should be lower ?
...kind of hall at the entry before going to the full workshop ?
...so it fit better with the outside workshop set?


BTW:
Can you post the light rig or light parameter you use(.cho?) somewhere so we can use it too ?


my 2 cents
Thanks
Al

Great, Stian!

Alain has a good idea about having some kind of plane or something in the back.

I'm not against having it be so large but this needs to look like one man's workshop. The space in the shop will need to look cluttered and it'll be harder to pull off if the set is larger. Keep that in mind as you work on the set.

The characters are going to enter through the large doors on the main floor, cross in front of that big furace and then climb the stairs to the upper level where all the smaller tools will be. That's also where most of the scene will take place. It looks like there's enough room on the balcony but I can't quite tell.

This is looking awesome, Stian. I'm looking forward to seeing more of the props in place.

Have you added Stephen Millingen's Old Mill props to SVN?

Rhett

Perhaps we should ask if Russel Nash if he is willing to donate the ship from The Journey Begins to have in the open space of the workshop? The ship is so cool! The current lightsetting is Yves skylightrig (8 light), and I guess it will probably be replaced with some normal lightning soon. I'll take a look at the changes that needs to be done with the roof.


Stephens models are not yet uploaded, I'll need to get them organised a bit first. I'll fill up the workshop with some props asap. One thing though, I just purchased me a new workstation today, so I'll probably be fiddling around with that today, setting up a new home network and hopefully a new small renderfarm (I'm really looking forward to work in A:M with the new computer!!!).

I would be nice to see my airship in the TWO movie, but I would like to refine it a bit, before I donate it. Could do this right after finishing the Yoop-Well set.

Russel

I finally have my new system set up and it is up and running with a small renderfarm (uhm... micro renderfarm ). Thank you David Dustin for all the help with the setup! You are great!

Anyway, I'll continue on Kuklips Workshop, and will hopefully be able to do allot this weekend

Stian

I've resized the workshop some, and rearranged some of the layout. the materials are just a test for now. all need to make a large workbench for some of the props. I might discard the cookie cuts on the pillars and remake them with splines. stay tuned

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Looking good Stian.

Stian,

This is not a high priority, but, as you may know, the switches in the model are closed in all directions. One side of each switch must be open. There also should be small gaps in the track for the flanges on the inside of the wheels. There should be gaps at the crossings that are not switched as well as the switches.
[attachmentid=21010]
Excellent modeling,
Curtis

good catch. thanks

I've started to place out some of the props. Let me know if I need to rearrange the placement. I also need to remodel the office building, since the walls don't have thickness

[attachmentid=21033]

An update:

Still not sure whats going on with the cookie cuts

btw, does anybody have any reference images for some steel pillars with crossections or something similar?

[attachmentid=21064]

Looks good. I was under the impression that the "character action" took place in the lower region. I might be wrong tho.

We need ti get that confirmed. I thought I mostly was going on up on the mezzanin.

Anyway, heres a new update. I feel a bit lost with the texturing at this point, so if anyone has any input or suggestions I would be glad. I also managed to fix the cookie cuts (It was a group conflict), but I do have problems making the cuts adapt to the materials I assign to them (no materials on this render), I tried to give them chrome just to test, but they did not give any reflectivity and I also got a halo around the edge.

I still got Stephens props to fill the place with and I also looking forward to test Russels airship in the workshop

Stian

*edit* Oh, and one more thing, what kind of lightning should there be? somekind of ceiling lamps?


[attachmentid=21092] [attachmentid=21093]

Hm,
to my mind the texture of the rail and the bucket are to grainy.
Also I would think that it might look better if you make the office made from wood. It would give a nice contrast to the metal which is all around.
May be it is also better to make the walls of the hall from stones and not metal. If you look at Alains concept (left view) you can see stones around the coal chute. This would give the workshop a more cave-like feeling. In my opinion the metal walls make the workshop look to modern.
This brings me to the last point. Your props are awesome but I don’t think that the drilling machine and the working desk fit in the same movie. The drilling machine looks again to modern. According to Alains "Ku-Klip top view" sketch the tools are powered by a strap system, which is located under the balcony.

Again, these are only my 2ct. I really admire your modelling skills.

Russel

Thanks Russel. I'll give your suggestions a try

I just noticed that myself. Should the walls be build by rock or bricks do you think? Modelled bricks would add alot more patches to it all

I could add a gear on the back of the drill (like on the puch and shear). I think one of the reasons the drill look so modern is because its so clean. I'll adress that later

I think brick would be perfect. There are BimapPlus ones with normal maps on the svn. The stairs/platform/railings could remain tin. I also thought it would be good for the workshop to look unfinished and blend into a cave/cutout of the hill. Keep it up.

To be honest, I think the overall design of the drilling machine doesn't fit.
I did a quick google search and I found this website:

Antique Watchmaking Machinery

You may know it, as I think one of your reference pics for the working desk is from that site.

I personally like this one the most:



It could be powered by straps coming from the ceiling as seen in the concept sketches.

According to the Ku-Klip exterior set, the hall is located under a hill, so may be you can use both, bricks for some areas and rock for some other. I would use displacement or normal maps in the first run, but may be you have to model some bricks or stones where the camera will come very close.

Russel

Nice

I like the welding jug kit!

Al

Thanks for the reference image and the ideas Russel. I've been playing with the brick and rock idea. This is still in a early test stage, but I really like the idea so far. Unfortunately these renders don't reveal much rock yet, I'll probably add alot more.
Let me know

Stian

[attachmentid=21134] [attachmentid=21135]

Cool! You might consider some brick tunnels that lead to other rooms. It could be a whole complex of rooms....which we never see of course.

This workshop really makes me think that Ku-Klip is a master tinsmith, and that he could make Tin Woodman.

The brick looks great!

excellent !
I presume you already thought to dirt all those walls ,floor , panel etc.

great work !

Al

Thanks!


hopefully I'll be able to do something about that, but not until the rest is set

I've been tweaking the rock a bit more (is it more cave feeling over it now? any suggestions?). I'm also going to remodel the mezzanine, make holes for the grids etc. Anyone got any ideas for textures to use on the office roof?

Stian

Here is the latest test renders:

[attachmentid=21174] [attachmentid=21175] [attachmentid=21176]

Looking good Stian.

It's funny you picked that texture for the office walls, I used the same on the outside buildings.

That looks realy cool.
Just a minor thing. I would remove the steel beams I have marked in the attached file. They don't have a function anymore.
[attachmentid=21198]

For the roof of the office I think corrugated metal would look OK. But I would make the roof a little inclined.
I have done a quick model to show what I mean
[attachmentid=21199]

I used a displacement map for the corrugated metal. If you like to go this way you can find it here: corrugated_metal_displacement.jpg

Can't wait to see more updates.

Russel

Stian, looks great and it's getting greater!

@Russel: Yup, agree with your points. Very good suggestions!

Cheers,
David

I know about that thing, I've just postponed that until the rock tweaking was done.


Thanks, that suggestion was great, and I'll probably use it. Thanks for the map

Thanks again for your suggestions Russel, they've been really helpful!

Stian

Here is the new roof:)

btw yeah I know the color on the windowframes are ugly

[attachmentid=21234]

Looks really great.

Good work! Don't forget, you can duplicate props in the background (such as inside the office). All that's needed is "clutter".

I'll just let you know that I am in the progress of clutter up the workshop. It has taken some time to import and organize Stephens props, but I'm now placing them around. I'll try to have a render ready later tonight. I would also like to do some placing of lights (rather than the skylight that is now) What kind of lightning fixture and ceiling lamps can I use? Can they be "electrical" driven, or do I need to be some kind of torches?

I think some sort of generator driving electric lights would be cool. He's a tinkerer so maybe he invented it. The lights could flicker with the generator cycle.

Kooky Thomas Edison looking bare lightbulbs and bare wire with messy connections.

When you look at the exterior set from Ku-Klip’s workshop you can see that part of it has a roof. How about making your ceiling not flat but with a gable.
Personally I would like the workshop to be lit partially by sunlight coming through some windows in the roof (with some volumetric effect on the light). This sunlight could lighten the front part of the workshop, while the back part is only lit very slightly by the glow of the molten tin and may be some small bulbs.

I tried to make a quick model to show what I am talking about but somehow I can’t get it the way I would like it to be. The “sun light” is not casting any shadows. Maybe someone can take a look at it and tell me what I am doing wrong. Here’s the project-file: light_test.rar

Again, these are only my 2ct. This is your set and you have to decide how it should look like.

Russel

Hey Stian,

I think this workshop looks great! The only thing that caught my eye, and this may or may not be a problem, is the spinning wheel thingy on the table, since it is on the right side of the table, the position of the table has it right against the wall of the room -- so it looks like Ku-Klip wouldn't have enough room for right his arm to use it, or rethread it (assuming he uses it like that).

If no one is animating Ku-Klip sitting at this table then it possibly won't even be noticed, but if he is to be sitting there and animated with it in close-up, it might an issue, so I just wanted to comment on it.

I love keeping up with this thread and seeing how the room changes, nice job!

-Jim

Thanks. The wheels on the right side is actually no tools, only drive gears for the tools on the left side. I'll await until the animating to see if they will make problems

I've added some more props the this place.... Man this huge workshop will need a lot of props (even if we copy them we have several times)

On this render I also got the first draft on lightning. I want to create a more atmospherical workshop. At this point I only got the ceiling lamps (will add more strategically around the place), and they are basically 6 lamps (bulbs, 100% shadows, 2rays). Let me know if I'm totally off

btw, nice idea about the roof Russel. I'm not sure who take a decision like that? I could incorporate the roof idea if I i can. regarding the shadows, have you tried to change the light to a sun and increased the numbers of rays?

[attachmentid=21316] [attachmentid=21317]

Stian, it's getting bigger and bigger!

But maybe it's to bright in it's workshop? But you already said that you wanna create a more atmospheric mood, so I just shut up and wait ...

Cheers,
David

Wow! Good work...each update looks significantly better than the rest.

The only thought I have is that the workbench/table on the balcony (with the various tools on it) looks out of place. It looks like an old dresser my grandma would have in her room. I think the workbenches should be much more rugged...as if they are made out of 2x4 planks and plywood.

Maybe something like this:


I didn't know if these are the actual props you planned on using or not...if you are going to change them out then just ignore me!

Keep up the good work!

Where's your steam-powered bicycle, Stian?

Oh pleeease, I'd like to see lots of lots of steam-powered thinggis!
And lots of straps to get these things running ... *duck* *too much wishes*