by Didik Wijaya

Now, it's time to create shield for our Gundam RX-78-2 model. You will create this shield with easy steps. Consider to read our previous tutorial: Gundam RX-78-2 Modeling: Head tutorial,.Gundam RX-78-2 Modeling: Body tutorial, Gundam RX-78-2 Modeling: Arm tutorial, Gundam RX-78-2 Modeling: Leg tutorial, and Gundam RX-78-2 Modeling: Rifle tutorial

1. To follow this tutorial, you need to download 3dsmax file (3dsmax ver 8, zipped). This file contains plane mapped with blueprint image. Start by creating a plane in Left viewport. Use values below. Apply transparent material to this plane.

After that, convert plane into Editable Poly. Activate Polyon selection. Select and delete half of polyons. Next, go to Vertex selection. Modify vertices position to match blueprint behind.

2. (1) Select vertices like image below. (2) In Front viewport, move selected vertices to the left. Then, select only 2 middle vertices and move farther. (3) Change to Edge selection. Select 3 horizontal edges like image below. In Edit Edges rollout, click Settings button right next to Connect. In opened dialog box, enter Segments=2 and click OK.

3. Repeat creating connecting edges on other side. Also create top and bottom horizontal connecting edges (Segments=5).

4. Change to Vertex selection. Modify vertices position based on blueprint behind. Before you do, change Constraints in Edit Geometry rollout to Edge. This way, you won't change shield shape while modifying vertices position. When finished, change Constraints back to None and turn-off all sub object selection.

5. Apply Symmetry modifier

6. Convert object into Editable Poly again. Select 4 polygons like image below. To select more than one polygons, hold Ctrl while clicking. Then, apply a little bit of Inset and delete selected polygons.

7. Turn off all sub-object selection. Apply Shell modifier with Outer Amount=3. Your shield model has thickness now.

8. Convert shield object into Editable Poly. Select polygons like image below. Apply slight Extrude to selected polygons. Next, you need to modify several polygons position. Select one side of previous extruded polygons (look at most right image below). In Left viewport, move selected polygons a little bit to the left. Repeat the same procedure to other side of polygons (but, move to the right).

9. Let's add some details in front and back of the shield. Select several polygons like image below. Apply Extrude.

10. Then, add details to the upper part of shield. Select 2 polygons at upper side of shield. In Edit Polygons rollout, click settings right next to Hinge From Edge. In opened dialog box, click Pick Hinge button Click one edge in viewport (shown in white arrow). You may need to zoom in to avoid picking the wrong edge. Use Angle=26. Look at result image below. Repeat the same procedure to other side of shield.

11. Change selection to Edge. Select two edges in previously hinged polygons. Move them backwards a little bit (along X axis). Next, change to Polygon selection. Select several polygons like image below and apply slight Extrude.

12. (1) Select edges like image below. Use Connect to create one segment connecting edges. (2) In Perspective viewport, rotate view until you can see back of the shield. Select polygons. (3) Apply Extrude. Then, in Edit Geometry rollout click Z right next to Make Planar. Move selected polygons forward or backward if necessarry. Most right image below shows the result.

13. In Left viewport, I create two cylinders in back of the shield. Look at image below for values and cylinder position.

14. I also create a box in Left viewport. Use values like image below. Then convert into Editable Poly. In Left viewport, select most right vertices and drag them closer to each other along Y axis. Next, turn off all sub-object selection. You need to attach some object into one. Object inside red line is supposed to be one object. Objects outside red line is also needed to be attached as one object..

15. Final task. Do a test render and you will see soft edges. This is not what we want. Apply Smooth modifier, with Auto smooth=off. You will get sharp edges. Great, you have finished Gundam RX-78-2 shield modeling tutorial.

Download finished 3D model

Go to Mecha Modeling: Gundam RX-78-2 Main Menu. This is where you can browse all tutorials about Gundam RX-78-2

Any question or comments regarding this tutorial should be sent to:
Didik Wijaya, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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