Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
The Undercarriage
Now, you can tackle the base on which the boiler sits. Look at Figure 4.53, which shows
a schematic view of the boiler sitting on the undercarriage of the train. Luckily, you have
the luxury of referring to the final model here, to visualize what you're modeling.
Figure 4.53
The schematic view
of the boiler and
undercarriage
Follow these steps to continue with the engine:
1. Create a poly cube, and scale it to
X
= 2.7,
Y
= 2.95, and
Z
= 17.55. This forms the
main length of the undercarriage you saw in the sketch in Figure 4.44, earlier in the
chapter. You'll use extrusions to create the ends. To make viewing easier while you
create the undercarriage, you can select all the boiler elements and place them on a
display layer to hide them as you work on this section. Alternatively, you can move the
cube away from the boiler for the time being and move it back when you're finished.
2. Switch back to the Polygons menu, and right-click the cube you just created. Choose
Face from the marking menu, and select the left end of the face. Choose Edit Mesh
➔
Extrude. Using the Transform manipulator on the special Extrude manipulator, pull
out the face slightly. Use the Scale
Y
manipulator (the green box) to scale the new
face smaller in the
Y
-axis, and move it up as shown in the left image in Figure 4.54.
3. With the new face still selected, choose the Extrude tool again. Pull a new face out
about 2.5 units to create a lip, as shown in the right image in Figure 4.54.
4. At the other end, you need to make a thinner lip. Select the poly object, and choose
Edit Mesh
➔
Insert Edge Loop Tool. Place a horizontal edge about one-fifth of the
way down from the top edge. Choose the Extrude tool (from the Edit Mesh menu or
from the Polygons tab of the Shelf, using the
icon), and pull out the newly divided
face 3.5 units (see Figure 4.55). This completes the main undercarriage piece.
5. Create three polygon cubes, and scale and position them at the right end of the under-
carriage, as shown in Figure 4.56. For now, fit them in without worrying about over-
lapping or interpenetrating geometry.
