[19 July 2002] In February of 2002, CG Talk held their second challenge after a successful 'Pirate' competition in January. It was just what I needed after completing my first demo reel a fews months earlier -- a new project to start the new year!
The challenge was to create a Post Apocalyptic Vehicle following a set of specific guidelines, such as incorporating different materials like cloth or wood, 6 wheels and an alternative fuel source visible from the outside. The first thought that came to mind was the MadMax films. I thought It matched the theme perfectly. I started doing some research, looking online for photographs of the vehicles used in the films. The movie 'Beyond Thunderdome' had some of the best vehicles in the series. There was this one buggy that caught my attention so I decided to use it as the main reference.
Modeling I started using Maya about 3 years ago while attending a Computer Animation Course in Toronto. To me, it has the most user-friendly interface. I began this model off with 4 poly cylinders for the wheels and a cube for the body. I worked from the side view using the reference photo as an image plane. The model started to take shape once I had the initial frame built. With the frame over top the poly cube I then began to extrude some sections giving the body an engine, a front seat and some other details. I had no plans for the back until catching a glimpse of a US Army dune buggy on some web site. I decided to incorporate some of those ideas into the model, studying even more Military vehicles. The weapon on the right side just happened over time. I set it up so it can rotate about 50 degrees to take out anything electrical. Its just your average EMP Assault Cannon (Electro-Magnetic Pulse ). The Front only seats one and the back can fit a gunner and maybe one more. I seriously had fun building
this machine and animating it should be a blast. Think it needs a small trailer hitched to the back? Maybe with a Seadoo or a couple dirt bikes for the Post Apocalyptic Cottage!
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