Some panel building questions

[Jacks]

I am interested in cockpit modelling and have started a small project to gain experience. but:

 

When building a panel, is it built as a complete object with each gauge built into it or do people generally built each gauge individual and then import into the panel model and place it into the panel?

 

How many vertexes should I use for cylindrical gauges? Currently I am using 32 segments per cylinder which means it does not look as smooth as I would like but it keeps the number of polys down.

 

Also when I add a material and texture to each object, will the textures automatically be updated in the UV wrap So can applied a base colour with the material to each object then UV wrap and edit the bitmap in PS to add detail and then re-wrap?

 

I hope this all makes sense as I am a novice.

 

Thanks in advance.

[_Acoustic_]

Can't remember the poly numbers of cockpits in DCS but it is pretty insane so you shouldn't have to worry about that yet. 32 is a good number, just make sure you put smooth shading on and add an edge spilt modifier or in the object data tab (upside down triangle) under the "normals," click auto smooth and put in 45 degrees.

 

As far as your work flow, see what works for you, either way would be fine.

 

Your material/texture question I don't quite get what you are after but I'll guess. If you want the materials/textures to show up in a UVmap to export and work in CS, then you have to bake them into the object.

 

You can start here if you are in blender render:

 

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or here if you use cylces:

 

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This is if you are using Blender which I thought you were.

[joey45]

Each gauge is separate.

 

I take it you are using blender?

[Jacks]

I have been using Blender as it seems easier to use and works on my 32-bit work laptop. I am now learning 3DS Max but it is slow going. I have attached a few images of the sort of things I like to model but please don't judge the panel image as it was a 10 minute to midnight job!!

 

Jacks

[Discus177]

Looks good bud. Nice. Don't forget you can ask for help if no tutorials provide answers on 3dsmax bud :).

[Jacks]

Cheers mate, I am part way through my first proper project and will be building the panel soon - so will probably be asking for help!

Edited December 29, 2015 by Jacks

[Discus177]

No worries bud. As I've said before i look forward to seeing it.

[Jacks]

What the best way to add mult-object models such as gauges to a centralised model such as an instrument panel. Is there a way to paste them into the same scene keeping the material properties?

 

Also is there a way to paste just a single part from a complex model such as copying and pasting the instrument panel out of the aircraft model to work on it separately?

[_Acoustic_]

In Blender:

 

Just add the new objects in object mode, not edit mode, then each object you add is editable without having everything else editable. You can append/link if you want certain objects opened in another file but I'd just say HIDE everything else you are not working on.

 

As for keeping the materials, if you link/append you'll have to link/append all the materials/textures along with the object.

 

Are you cannibalizing something to make something else? If it is someone else's work make sure you have their permission or they don't care.

[Jacks]

I am using someone else's model. So far I haven't changed anything. I am building my own custom panel for it and my friend is going to write a DCS flight model. Once it looks like the mid coild work, I will contact the original author (I.e no changes would have been made to the model at this point). If the original author is content we will continue and hopefully release on the forums, if not then it will go no further. The aim of this mod is not to produce anything but rather to learn the process and develop our coding and modelling skills.