Chinese Combination Lock
 

I am working on my first "official" model in Lightwave and have gotten this far.
The model is not perfect but it is intended to help me work through the processes of the Modeler and Lightwave.
I'll post more later to show the separate peices.
Let me know what you think!

here is a scan of the real thing.

Hey Russel, that looks really nice, good texturing too.
You might want to make the gap between the different 'rollers' larger cause it looks kinda like it one big roller now.

good work so far!

//Matt

Thanks Matt, I'll work on your suggestions.
... until then, here it is apart:

It looks good. But in the picture you posted the transition between the discs on the sides is smooth but in your model they are a little sharp.
On the picture the little stubbs on the top sides seem to cone a little before they round out.
Nice textures.
I think it would be nicer if it was more lit up.

You say it is your first LW model, did you use another 3d program before?

Hmmm, I'll check on those polys...
As for a previous app:
I started (way back when) using Infini-D, then took the leap to 3DSMax. It took a long time to get used to just the basic app let alone purchasing and learning all the additional plugins just to get something modeled and rendered decently.
Anyways, I made the switch to Lightwave late last year - and have not regretted it!! I mean, for the price, out of the box Lightwave3D has more practical features than basic 3DSMax (i.e. hypervoxels) and has been very easy to learn (IMO).

I am also impressed with the LW community.
:)

OK,
can anyone tell me why I'm getting blue on these edges when there should be a brownish bitmap instead?

Hmm that looks weird russel, is the whole roller one surface or is each of the segments a surface of its own?

//Matt

"is the whole roller one surface or is each of the segments a surface of its own?"

Aaah!
While trying to answer your question if each segment is a surface of its own, I found what I had forgotten - that each surface/"roller edge" needed its own texture.
Thank you for jarring my memory!

:D

...Another newbie-type question which is baffling me:
If I use a procedural texture, it maps fine but when I move my model, it 'slips' accross the surface.

I realize I need a UV map but am unable to make it work with any positive results.
I've looked in the manual (chpt 31-procedurals) but it gave no answer.

How do I get the procedural surface to stick?

Russel,

If you have 'World Coordinates' checked in the Texture editor, uncheck it. This should solve the problem.

Check out this link:
http://forum.simplylightwave.com/sho...=&threadid=229

It might help your problem.

Sweeeeeet.

Thank you Mark and Kvaalen! That did the trick.

I'm pretty much finished with the lock (I want to move on to other things!) and will post in the Finished Work Forum...

Thanks to all for your input!

Kvaalen,
one last note in followup to your earlier post:
The disk side edges are "sharp" as I have in the model - the previous photo gives the illusion that makes 'em look rounded. Here is a better view... :)

Ah, ok.
Very good modeling anyway.