I was asked if I would like to model some band instruments for TWO, so I thought i would give it a go. I don't really have that much practice at mechanical modeling, but since they're instruments they are more organic in shape. I was also told that I wouldn't have to put too much detail into it.

Here is the first one; the trumpet.

OMG! That's already way better than I was thinking. It looks fabulous.

BTW, can you make a stripped down proxy too?

Sure. Here's a pic. The Proxy is 200 patches. The original is at 836. Hope that's good for you.

What should I do with the finished models? Should I post them here? Should I put them somewhere on SVN? Or should I e-mail them to someone?

Great model!

Perfect!



Make a subfolder for each instrument in the Props folder of the SVN and put the regular and proxy model in that.

Is there a reflection map on that model? I'm thinking that's probably the way to go to keep render times reasonable.

There doesn't seem to be a consistent rule for where to put materials for props. Some have their own subfolder, while others call files from the general Images and Materials folders. Perhaps it depends on whether a texture is specific to a model or not.

Thanks, Jeff!

Nice model Jeff!

Thanks guys!

I just have Reflection set at 25% with Filter and Blend at 25%.

I'll make a Sub Folder called "Band Instruments", then I'll make Sub Folders for all the instruments and their proxies.

On to the next one!

Added the Folder to the Props folder on SVN for the Band Instruments.

Nice work Jeff - you're making the Hot Five burn with jealosy

I didn't know you had made those Dhar! Can we use the trombone and clarinet?

Jeff... dont' do a trombone or clarinet yet. Let's think of some weird OZ band instruments.

Sure you can, if Jeff doesn't mind that is - sorry Jeff, I didn't mean to upstage you, I wish I had your trumpet, it's far more refined that mine.

I made these in v12. I don't think they'd be a problem in v14.

Let me know what you'd like me to do.

Robcat likes Bruckner, he would appreciate a good brass instrument.

I was going to make the comment Robcat made. I can't imagine a band anywhere without trumpets - and that's such a good one, dang ya! - but this is Oz, shouldn't there be a few fantasy instruments in amongst the real-world ones?

Suggestion: you can let your imagination run wild with a steam calliope. Yeah, I know, "So model it, phatso." Sorry. Gotta so do work that pays the bills.

I was planning on making the normal band instruments, then I was going to start into the fantastical .

Thanks for the comments. I have no problem modeling less, haha. Saves me work. I'm glad I've been a little busy the last few days, otherwise those would have already been modeled. And since it's starting to thunder here, I'm getting off the pc for now.

I think the most ill-suited instrument choice ever was in a Woody Allen movie where he was trying to play the cello in a marching band.

I know Jeff doesn't have infinite time to devote to this so that's why i aimed him at the essentials. But if someone made a great steam calliope (it would have to be pretty soon) it would get used.

I remember seeing a calliope in a parade when i was little and being disappointed afterwards that the pipe organs in church didn't have clouds of steam shooting out of them.

By all means anyone who wishes to hijack this thread you are welcome . The more intruments we get for the band the better. Including Steam Calliopes .

Gawd that Woody Allen thing was funny.

I think pipe organs in churches should spout fire and brimstone.

Trombone and clarinet added to Jeff's "Band Instruments" folder.

Took a stab at a fantastical instrument that I'm calling a trihorn for now. It's probably going to need some adjusting with a winkie, but it's close to what it would look like with a person -- I think .

I don't have a proxy for this one as of yet.

That is looking sweet!

More....more

Ooooo FUN! love it (I agree: more, more)

oh yeah! I was going to suggest a trumpet with three bells but this is even better.

Jeff, can you add some hint of a mechanism to it, like some valves?

Thanks, guys -- and girl .

Do you mean like the trumpet valves? If that's what you mean, that should be as easy as copy/paste .

EDIT: I got to say, if you mean like this pic -- I kind of like it better without them, but let me know.

I think he meant more like a saxaphone. Clutter it up a bit with valves and rods.

We'll see what I can do about that .

Here's the Bass Drum. Didn't make the drumstick though. I don't really know how I should set that up.

EDIT: I looked at some pics of Saxaphones and have to say that I just don't have enough skill at mechanical modeling. In either making or proper placement of the extra nurnies. I think I'll just have to leave it as is. If someone else thinks they can do it, I will be posting these models to the SVN.

yeah the saxophone mechanism is too complex to bother with.

ok leave the valves off the tri horn.

Here's the Sousaphone. This one will almost definately need adjusting to fit a Winkie. I have already added it to the Band Instruments Folder on SVN.

Good looking Sousaphone! Would it be hard to fatten the "bore" somewhat?

Depends which part would need to fattened. It should be easy for anyone to do. Just grab a ring and resize it, or do it in Distortion Mode. If you could point out the area I'll see what I can do.

Hi Jeff. When I import the trumpet, it askes for trump01.jpg. Is it on svn? If not, can you upload. Thanks.

Ken, that was the roto I was using. It's unnessassary. If you can, can you resave it without the roto and reupload it? I must have forgot to delete it before uploading

I worked it out and did it. Thanks.

Don't anyone make one of these, but since we were talking about weird instruments I thought I'd show this find.

This is from one of the experimental "Vitaphone" shorts that Warners did in the late 20's, a vaudeville act featuring a jazz violinist. He's actually got a bell on the thing!

Click to view attachment

Click to view attachment

Here's the cool part: That young man is George Stoll, who went on to a successful career as a Hollywood music director (8 Oscar noms, 1 win), including some work on... The Wizard of Oz!

He was even the voice of a Munchkin.

I've actually heard one of those. A guy goes around giving recitals on rare historical instruments. Its' louder, as intended, but it kind of ruins the tone.