Introducing the SS Project

[Cale]

"SS" standing for "Super Stock". The idea is this: redoing all of the (non-wrestling) stock MTM2 trucks with more accurate bodies and graphics, 3d shocks, and, hopefully, simplified interiors, all while keeping the vert count well under 1000. As I'm a married man now, time is not something I have tons of, but my hope is to get this to the point where, once the modeling is done for most of the stock bodies, I can just swap out paintjobs, which is easier (and more fun).

I had started this out with that half-finished custom Grave Digger I've posted a few times before, but I've switched course and decided to go period accurate to the game's release era. Bigfoot is then a good starting point, since I can knock out 3 or 4 trucks in one fell swoop with the model. It's early days yet, and I'm going to upgrade the graphics to the correct version, but here's the starting point on a new F-150 model. The chassis will be texture mapped, like the original stock trucks, but the wheel wells are cut and the frame is set back to be more realistic without killing the game engine with a kajillion verts for a full tube chassis. Thoughts/suggestions?

[Mat-Allum]

Very impressed - your version looks twice as clear and even has better mapping (note the misalignment in the center on the stock model). Sort of like an HD remake. If you can actually keep this thing under 1K that'll be even more awesome.

[Cale]

[Fila]

That looks pretty good!!!

[monsterextremo1199]

This looks cool! ;) I will help you if you need it ;)

[Cale]

The idea is this is supposed to have an interior in it - it's setup for it - but I'm not even sure it needs it at this point. Is there a real gain to it?

[Fila]

Not sure. Obviously the interior adds a bit of an extra oomph to it but I really like the simple-ness of this. It's simple and very slick.

[Cale]

Shocks!




The 3D shock assemblies have no geometry in the backside where they are not visible, and thus they're only 30 verts a piece. Small price to pay for only a little detail. Current vert count is 454, with a few accessories yet to come. Initially, I was going to map the underside of the body to something other than black, but I think I will keep it how it is, it looks appropriate and stock MTM2 trucks with similar cutout fenders (Grave Digger, Boogey Van, Bulldozer) use black undersides as well. The to do list as it stands is thus:

• Map the bed cover
• Map the windshield and rear window for a test (interior is still on the table at this point)
• Build/map/install cab spoiler and lights, also potentially a visor at the front of the cab
• Build/map/install simple header models (next to ARP logo)
• Fix the mapping on left front fender
• Build/map updated axles
• Build/map new wheels

I'm actually really looking forward to remapping this as Firestone Wilderness as well, but I want to finish all the modeling as Bigfoot first before moving on to the rest of the Ford roster.

[Mat-Allum]

Where was this amazing vertex usage when the original stocks were designed?

Definitely can't wait to see FW as the mtm2 trial version pretty firmly burned it into my head as my favorite stock truck.

[monsterextremo1199]

I suggest if you can put most recent wheels(in my opinion), but great work, you are doing so awesome

[Cale]

511 verts...



The list on the body itself is down to that front fender (simple fix), and headers. Maybe rollbars back from the cab? Just simple 6 vert models if I do.

There's still the issue of the axles and tires. I threw Betrayal's Bigfoot 10 tires on as test, and while they're not perfect, it's a good first step to what I want the look to be. Once I finish up the body, it'll be onto these.

[Cale]

Mat-Allum



Hoping to get this paintwork done by the end of the week so I can take some shots with Bigfoot and Firestone together. Also some extra new bits on there...

[Cale]

[Fila]

They look pretty sexy. If you end up doing all of them I'll probably use them to replace default stock trucks.

[Betrayal88]

Cale, those look fantastic! That Firestone Wilderness is just down right beautiful. Just need to get rid of those ugly wheels/tires though...whoever made those definitely can't texture worth a dern.

[Cale]

Well, I'm using the same guy's work as a basis for Wildfoot, so maybe he's not as bad as you think

[Cale]

New wheels/tires. Not totally sold on how I did them. Thoughts?

[Fila]

Hmmm... not sure either.

But I do prefer the grey over the white. It fits better.

[Cale]

More like it! For whatever reason, MTM2 models need more treads than what real monster trucks have to look "right".




Anyone out there want to model a Chevy or Dodge?

[Cale]