Mercedes / AMG SLK 55

[Michael]

Hello fellow members,

while my underwater-project is on halt (got some other issues) I`d like to present my other project.
Until now I haven`t posted any projects yet because the amount of talent and experience here
is pretty daunting. I could just go through any thread and would find hardly one which is not
impressive. So instead of going through all threads and putting in the same sentence (which would
be pretty strange now, wouldn`t it?) I remained speechless in admiration.

In the case of this project now I think it is kinda worthy to be made public.
It is still WIP but I am going straight to the end of the project.
There are still some things to be tackled like
- material for the body
- material for the headlights
- back-lights
- all the sings of the back-side
- wipe-blades
- spoiler
- exhaust tubes
I haven't planed to create the interior.

It would be glad to listen to your opinion to raise my skills.

[Einstein]

Hi Michael,

sry for the delay, but i was pretty busy the last days.
First of all a realy good start. I think the lightning and carpaint a still WIP.
The first think wich hit my eyes, was this little square on the a-pillar, on the top.
Should be this SLK from 2006 right?
http://www.seriouswheels.com/2006/2006-Mercedes-Benz-SLK-55-AMG-Right-Front-1024x768.htm
I cant see this detail...maybe u have a different referenz.

In general u need some more details on the whole shape; frontbumper your already mentioned, sidebumper, on the ending of the engine hood to the headlights etc.
I am usualy working with catia data, i am looking at these details everyday, but i know thats much work to model them, and if its not your goal to reach this level of detail its ok.

I think the main focus you should have on these things, in addition to yours:

- important to have the right gaps between all the carparts, i think not that hard to adjust, but very important for realism, f.e. on the lower a-pillar, side mirror triangle
- the brakedisc and brackets (wth? are too big
http://www.autowallpaperhd.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Mercedes-Benz-SLK55-AMG-2012-4.jpg
- add the wheel cases
- carpaint and lightning

Looking forward to see the progress.

Ciao
Andreas

[Michael]

sry for the delay, but i was pretty busy the last days.

No problem at all. I am thankful for your answer.
I had been busy too. The monthly gnomon-contest-theme was dragon-head and I
wanted to participate this time because I simply love dragons (ok, who does not?)
At least I have learned that I should begin earlier, that my time-management is a mess
and reference, reference, reference.

Anyway, yes I encountered problems finding decent references (guess its because I have no clue
about cars but I just wanted to try it). Some had insets others not, different hood, blinkers where
others dont etc, I found a blueprint so I had a top-view but the print didnt match by length and
width. But at least it looks somewhat like an Slk 55. Same what you mentioned with the sqare at
the pillar. This reference has those.

but i know thats much work to model them, and if its not your goal to reach this level of detail its ok.

Yes, I left some details as I was not sure how much polys I should spent on that model. I am always
trying to keep the model as light as possible, and the insertion of small details usually result in
distortion of the geometry. I think I will look after it when the car is almost finished to have
a manageable polycount.

So I havent spend much time due to the contest and tried to do the lights. Again reference is
a problem. Not sure if I still dont have the eye for it but there is so much reflection going on inside
it is hard to see how it is really build up. I found some higher resolution images on ebay after
I found out the name of the company producing the lights but they were shot at odd angles.

At least the backlights looks somewhat ok (lower chamber has still to be done) but I am not
happy with the frontlights.

Regarding lighting I am not sure in which place I want to put it and the car paint...well
at the moment its the same material I use for the rim just because it looks ok until I
will tackle that.

Again, thank you very much for your input. I cant believe I have just scaled the brakedisc up
without paying attention. And the gaps, and ....