There are two types of material I used, they are both come from material source greenpaint and sliver_body. On the other hand, I added some aiNoise for aiCurvature for the object edges. Then I blended all materials with linking to two aiMixShader. First result is a greenpaint as the main compound with silver edges, and second one is the opposite one.

The result is quite satisfying. Of course, I supposed to do more detail adjustments on each parts of all gears to have a even better result. And I haven’t add any texture and bumpmap yet, probably I will do it later with lighting adjustment as well, while the object is put in scene. I think the reflection is too smooth and flawless at this stage.

Actually, not much keyframing in this project, as it is inefficient to animatic every parts of the engine each by each. Most of the motion can be controlled by rigging and node graph for linking up all tiny parts.

For example, using node graph to link rotation of two gears.
The main and side gear one are designed to rotate clockwise, while the other one is anti-clockwise.

Other gears are using the same principle as well. Or just simply make it parent to another objects.

Here is another example for showing how I use rigging and node graph, instead of keyframing to do the motion.

With graph editor, motion of this arm should be more “industrial” with stronger force and heavy mechanic feeling. Comparing the two motions as below, I prefer the 2nd version with more dramatic feeling.

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Final Motion Design

This week, I have learnt how to do a simple rigging with locators and constraints. Only using one keyframe, all the motions seem convincing with rigging.

Also, I have learnt to animatic the texture on the object instead of the object itself, to create a belt conveyor. It is convincing to trick the eyes of audience that the belt conveyor is moving.

Then, same principles applied to my own engine. The U-shape objects has to always pointed to the hexagon gear, no matter it goes ups and downs. Therefore, a locator is set at the gear centre, which then U-shape is constrained to the movement of the gear.

Benson’s Vertical Engine

First of all, I would like to make it clear. I know nothing about engineering. Zero knowledge. None of it. However, when I research on steam engine. I saw this Benson’s Vertical Engine looks so cool with its vintage design. I just hooked by its appearance.

According to pollymodelengineering.co.uk,

“This type of engine was called by the Victorians a vertical engine. An engine with the cylinder above the crankshaft was called an inverted vertical. This engine was built in the middle of the nineteenth century and is typical of the type.“

The good thing is I can always search for tons of reference for this engine as it is a object physically existed :

Work In Progress

Afterthat, I built models to follow all details parts with my reference photos. Again, I still don’t understand how it function, but I decided not to dig into it. I just adjusted my models by my own visual adjustment.

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