sandrum

Faq

1) WHAT SOFTWARE DO YOU USE?
Lightwave 3D 8.3, modo, Hexagon, Photoshop, MX Studio


2) WILL YOU RELEASE YOUR FINISHED MODELS TO THE PUBLIC? (or "Can I have 'n' Mobile suit that you've made?")
This one is asked probably the 2nd most. Unfortunately (and bluntly), I currently have no plans to release any models into public domain. My mind may change in the future when the animations are complete or I'm bored to tears of making them, but for now, this answer remains solid.  If you are in dire need, there are various models that other people have made of gundams - or things that look like them - on sites like turbosquid www.turbosquid.com that are download-able.

3) You should make a Transformers/Armored Core/Eureeka 7/Evangelion/Super Robot Wars/Metal Gear...etc/ Mech!
Interesting that people suggest this even though none of these are part of the "Gundam Development Project". This basically means that I "should not" make them.

4) HOW DO YOU DO MAKE THEM?
(This question is derived from a myriad of other queries)

Out of every question or email sent to me about building these things, this seems to be the overlying question. Often enough others like, "how do you make 'such-and-such' body part", and ,"I'm stuck on XX thing". These all end up relating to the same question, so I'll just stick to this. I don't often have much time to hang out in front of my desk and dump this information out and now is no different so I'll just try to give a brief explanation.

First off, the one thing that I have to say would be the best in helping to model a mobile suit (or probably anything in 3D) is to have a plastic/smaller/whatever version in front of you so you can see it. Obviously this isn't necessary for many people, but it is for me. Trying to decipher proper dimensions from some image that I saw on the internet at a strange angle isn't exactly my forte. Some people are quite good at it (maybe you too), but I'm not. To that end, virtually every 3D model I've made has had a plastic counterpart that I've at least seen, taken pictures of, or was profiled in a magazine. I'm not saying that "you" have to go get a plastic model to do any of this, however ascertaining whether or not this is the best strategy for you based on your current situation is a good start. If you need a model/toy/physical reference but don't want to pay goo-gobs for a brand new one, options like online auction houses for cheapies are a nice alternative to expensive references that you may never use or build on your own. Do this at your own risk.

Second, you may want/need to find some diagrams of whatever it is you want to model. Gundam "blueprints" normally come from Master Grade 1/100 and Perfect Grade 1/60 plastic model kits. They're usually a treasure trove of information on the relative scale of each (major) part of the mobile suit, although some kits have better prints than others. Alternatively, some (Japanese) hobby magazines may also publish info and possibly cg prints of the mobile suit in question. For example, the February 2006 edition of Dengeki Hobby Magazine has a an insert pamphlet with details on various versions of the Hazel Gundam... this includes orthographic views of the High Grade kit which may be very helpful. Other sites tend to include secondary information on products so that customers can see what's in the box. Places like dalong.net and 1999 have scans of some of the blueprints from the instruction manuals that I mentioned earlier. This definitely helps if you don't want to purchase the plastic models/toys or don't have a scanner (wish I had one myself).


5) ARE YOU MAKING THESE FOR A GAME (like Quake,Doom, etc)
No: Too many polygons


6) I'D LIKE TO HELP/ JOIN YOUR TEAM...etc
For right now, this is a one person obsession team. This is unlikely to change.

7)Are you Japanese?
No.  You'd think my name would be a pretty good indicator on that one.

8) Can you make a mech that I've created?
Sorry, but at this point time is against me.

9) Do you do commissions?
Sorry, not available for commissions at the moment.


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