Modeling a complex spherical object

lolcrit

L1: Registered
Nov 7, 2009
6
0
Hello, I'm a fresh mapmaker and I have trouble modeling a specific object. I'd like to model an observatory, something looking like this: http://astroprofspage.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/p200orion.jpg

It is supposed to be a central point of the map (I though I'd start off with a KOTH map being the smallest and simplest map type). The observatory itself should be half of a sphere dimensions 1024*1024*512 (length*width*height) which is hollow with walls of 64 thickness sitting atop a cylinder dimensions 1024*1024*256 which is also hollow with walls of 64 thickness. The half-sphere part of the object should have one side missing (let's say 2/16th of a 16 face sphere) to represent the opening for the telescope.

How would I go about creating such an object?

I've tried both making it hollow and carving with another smaller sphere but both ways screw up vertices badly making it nigh impossible to cut out the opening for the telescope. Is there a way to manually draw vertices? Any advice is very much appreciated!
 
Feb 18, 2009
640
629
Models would be the way to go. You don't have to do it all as a model though, you could probably get away with using brushes for the walls. btw, if thinking of using Blender, you may want to read this first.

PS: notice I said "Models" I would be suggest that you make say 3 or 4 models that fit together to make the dome shutter and details around the outside and maybe inside.

EDIT: L4 senior members attack!!!! :p
 
Last edited:

Tapp

L10: Glamorous Member
Jan 26, 2009
776
215
I know it's not what you're looking for but if you do decide to model it, there's already an observatory and you can decompile/edit/study how they did it.
 

lolcrit

L1: Registered
Nov 7, 2009
6
0
I know it's not what you're looking for but if you do decide to model it, there's already an observatory and you can decompile/edit/study how they did it.

Are you talking about cp_observatory_b4? I've looked at that map and the observatory part was crudely made and wasn't as important to the gameplay as the one I had in mind.
 
Sep 12, 2008
1,272
1,141
There IS an observatory prop, it's in hydro. Take a look at it, and by the way I think that was the one Tapp was talking about.
 

gamemaster1996

L13: Stunning Member
Sep 30, 2009
1,064
134
Has anything like this been done before in observatory or lighthouse?
If so you could learn from that and the maps creators.
 

Sel

Banned
Feb 18, 2009
1,239
2,570
Id recommend using custom models, but it could be done with displacements

Displacements, not a chance, this has to be a model.

I know it's not what you're looking for but if you do decide to model it, there's already an observatory and you can decompile/edit/study how they did it.

I've looked at that model, and it's nothing more than a sphere jammed on top of a pretty basic mesh.

Almost the same as this guys picture, but without the opening, or the more complex parts on the sides.



Anyway, to answer your question, go pick up a student (if applicable) or trial copy of 3ds max, because you're going to need that for this to be of any help.

I assume this is the piece that would give you some trouble, after all the rest are just primitives.

piece1.jpg


It's a lot easier than it looks really.

First start out with a mesh that looks like this, probably without the extra edge loops.

piece2.jpg


Next apply a bend modifier to bend it to the top of the observatory like in your original picture.

piece3.jpg


Boom, finished.

Ignore the turbosmooth mod, you won't be needing it unless you're doing this in sub-d like I did, it'll work out just the same (though a lot less smooth) in a low poly mesh.