Hello everyone! I thought I'd introduce myself to this forum since it has been so helpful to me, and I thought you might enjoy a little project that I'm working on.
I've been a Snow-Trac fan ever since I was a youngster back in the 60's and saw the Matchbox model. It was my favorite one - and I still have it! I don't collect Matchbox any more...but these days one of my hobbies is making 3D models of objects that interest me, especially examples of cool technology from the past. When I was deciding on my next project, it occurred to me that a Snow-Trac model would be really cool and fun to make.
I use a 3D modeling program called SketchUp that is available for free from Google. Once I have the model completed, I'm going to try and do some photo-realistic renders of it in a nice winter setting. I'm still a bit of a newbie with SketchUp, and especially with rendering, so this project will be a nice challenge.
I'm using photos and manuals that I have found on this forum and other places on the Web for my references. I was really thrilled to find out that so much information is available and that there is still a fan-base for these vehicles. I've learned a lot about the Snow-Trac in my research and that is part of the fun in doing this.
I thought I would post some images to this forum of my work in process so you can see what I'm doing. Any comments or criticism is welcome! I want the model to be as authentic as possible, although I'm still not sure if I'm going to render a "stock" ST4 or modify it like some many of you have. They look really cool with extra lights, roof racks, and what-not.
Anyhow...here is what I have so far, I think I'm done with the crawlers. My plan is to pretty much complete the model before I start applying textures to the faces.
If anyone notices something missing or wrong, please let me know! I'll post updates as I have them.
I've been a Snow-Trac fan ever since I was a youngster back in the 60's and saw the Matchbox model. It was my favorite one - and I still have it! I don't collect Matchbox any more...but these days one of my hobbies is making 3D models of objects that interest me, especially examples of cool technology from the past. When I was deciding on my next project, it occurred to me that a Snow-Trac model would be really cool and fun to make.
I use a 3D modeling program called SketchUp that is available for free from Google. Once I have the model completed, I'm going to try and do some photo-realistic renders of it in a nice winter setting. I'm still a bit of a newbie with SketchUp, and especially with rendering, so this project will be a nice challenge.
I'm using photos and manuals that I have found on this forum and other places on the Web for my references. I was really thrilled to find out that so much information is available and that there is still a fan-base for these vehicles. I've learned a lot about the Snow-Trac in my research and that is part of the fun in doing this.
I thought I would post some images to this forum of my work in process so you can see what I'm doing. Any comments or criticism is welcome! I want the model to be as authentic as possible, although I'm still not sure if I'm going to render a "stock" ST4 or modify it like some many of you have. They look really cool with extra lights, roof racks, and what-not.
Anyhow...here is what I have so far, I think I'm done with the crawlers. My plan is to pretty much complete the model before I start applying textures to the faces.
If anyone notices something missing or wrong, please let me know! I'll post updates as I have them.