Hi,

Something I've been working on for about five evenings now, 6 or 8 hours each. Not exactly Il-2 related I know, but Star Wars is okay. This is a 3D version of Darth Vader's helmet. What do you think? It has in fact four pieces. The helmet, the mask, collar and a neck piece (part of the collar piece). I made them so that you can actually open the mask and look inside. And I know what you are asking next, no you will not find Anakin's rotting head inside. But the internal parts [mask] have been modeled. It's not finished yet. Some details are still missing, some tweaking with reflections and specular lights needs to be done, and maybe some texturing.

Here are two shots of the model. A wireframe pic and final render pic.





This version of the mask resembles the later version which was first seen in the ESB and onwards. It has the larger lower triangular air intake and the front end of the vertical slat of the helmet is the one that has the flat end instead of the original pointed version.

And a couple of related you tube videos to cheer you up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsymZCFzuJY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5blbv4WFriM&feature=related

Cheers

Wow!

Fantastic work mate! I've only started getting into 3D model work (I'm using Blender...not quite ready to invest in 3Ds Max). I love it!

Cheers,

KC

Thanks. And it's good to hear there are others here interested in 3d arts too. Blender has in fact improved enormously and no longer should be scorned as it used to be. It wasn't always so, and earlier versions were nightmares as far as I hear. But not so anymore. The latest version 2.65 (?) is well worth downloading and trying. In fact once my Autodesk student licences have expired I will probably move on to Blender myself. One thing that amazes me with Blender is that it's particle system is in fact superior to 3Ds Max. Quite a feat from free software (!) imo. Fire, smoke, water efx look stunning, and they should be relatively easy to create compared to 3Ds Max which is somewhat cumbersome and tedious. Also, as mentioned Blender is free, you can make commercial stuff with it and no licence issues. And Blender does not bite large chunks of disk space either.

Cheers,
Emel

Fantastic job Emel, I can't wait to see more of your 3D work.

I really don't know anything about such 3D work but it's looking very well to me.

ATB
Armin

Thanks guys. I have today begun modeling the rest of the character. Legs, arms, torso done. Boots and their front armor plating done. First animation tests done. Looking promising, but a lot can still go wrong. I think one of the biggest problem will be the cape animation.

Cheers,
Emel

That's some impressive work mate; I love all the little details you've incorporated, and so precisely.

It just so happens that I was raised in a small town named Vader, Washington. After Star Wars became popular, I've always thought someone should replace George Washington's silouette on the highway sign, with that of Darth Vader.. I'm sure folks travelling along Interstate 5 would have a laugh. Btw, the name beneath Vader on the sign, Ryderwood, was once a thriving logging camp and provided some of the lumber for both Howard Hughes' Hercules, and the Mossie. After the war, the Long-Bell timber company sold it to a real estate venture and it became a retirement community.



Thanks for the laughs with those vids you posted. I'm looking forward to seeing your completed project; if the rest is anything like the beginning, it's going to be awesome.

All the best! ~ Rudi

It just so happens that I was raised in a small town named Vader, Washington.

Rudi_Jaeger

What a coincidence to have lived in the town whose name today everybody is familiar with thanks to Star Wars movies. I have something from darth vader project. The character modeling has advanced surprisingly well and after about five evenings it's almost finished. Here's a little compilation shot of where Vader lies at the present.



The colors are only place holders and will be improved. Hands are cutting through the cape yes, but this is still only a standard pose and I haven't started rigging this version yet. Am expecting trouble with animating the robe and cape. But so far things have gone pretty well.

Cheers,
Emel

That looks fantastic Emel, I think PIXAR could use you.

A very imposing figure it is... ...why am I typing like Yoda talks.. hmmmm

To make the flowing effect of the cape, will you be using something like Nvidia's Physx engine?