HMC #18 - Old school console roundup

[WyattHarris]

Atari VCS 2600
This console consists of four parts. The top and bottom of the outer shell, the control plate detaches and then the circuit board on the inside.

So here's my old dog. I think it still works regardless of the abuse we gave it.

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.small.jpg

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.face.small.jpg

[reedomatic01]

cool idea, that brings back memories. Those should be really fun to model.

[WyattHarris]

Thanks Reed, I hope so.

Finished the top shell. About 4 hours. I had some weird boolean problems toward the end but got it all squared away. Moving right along.

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.top.1.jpg

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.top.2.jpg

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.top.3.jpg

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.top.4.jpg

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.top.5.jpg

[Clanger]

Looking Good, amazing how old that Atari looks now.

[WyattHarris]

Wait till you see the circuit board.

[barrab]

Don't break it when you look inside! :D

[Firerbert]

Yeah man, don't take a chainsaw to this thing! I remember how amazing this thing was in its hayday! no load times, just pure fun. i gotta find my old Empire Strikes back game. Trying to blow up AT-AT's with the 8 pixel snowspeeder! good times.

[WyattHarris]

Don't break it when you look inside! :D

Hehe I'll try not to. It's actually 4 phillips screws, nothing fancy. The NES is the same way. Now after that Nintendo switched to the tri-wing screws which I don't have a tool for.

[Polydrawer]

nice subject to work on ^^ i modeled one of my consoles ones and it sure took me long enough
btw here is a cheap method to remove those tri-wing, i used it once to open up my gamecube tnx to the maxconsole forum


To do the pen method, start with a CLEAR BIC PEN. I’ve, tried the blue and white pens, and their plastic isn’t hard enough. So take the pen by the plastic barrel, using it as your handle and heat the narrow end up with a heat gun, torch, or gas flame until it becomes very soft. It may catch fire, and if so let it burn a bit before blowing it out. Make sure you keep the pen pointed directly up as you do not want the melted plastic to sway to the left of right; this would make the pen not fit into the screw hole. Next, push the soft warm plastic onto the security screw, pushing hard enough so the plastic forms around the shape of the screw head. Hold for a few seconds. Now, remove the plastic pen barrel, and cool it down using very cold water, ice chunks and/or if available snow. Now you have a “homemade” BIC GameCube screwdriver! All that is left now is to use it to remove the 4 screws. I had to remake the screwdriver three times, as it will wear out very quickly. I talked to others and they had to do the same thing.

[eyeayen]

I don't know what it's called in America but in the UK we have an electrical shop called MAPLINS - they sell ranges of small screwdrivers to take computers apart with, if you search you'll be able to find one, or Snap-on do a small set with about 20 bits in it for all manner of different shaped screws and bolts.

[Boone]

OMG this is a trip down memory lane! Definitely keeping an eye on this one.:thumbsup:

[barrab]

I don't know what it's called in America but in the UK we have an electrical shop called MAPLINS - they sell ranges of small screwdrivers to take computers apart with, if you search you'll be able to find one, or Snap-on do a small set with about 20 bits in it for all manner of different shaped screws and bolts.

I live in the UK too and I belive the American version is the same people but called radio shack.

[Senseicapi]

That is looking pretty cool WyattHarris, I am looking forward to see that model completed.

Lol, I remember one of my first 3D models I ever made was a Nintendo, I bet getting your collection in 3D is going to be great :applause:

[WyattHarris]

nice subject to work on ^^ i modeled one of my consoles ones and it sure took me long enough
btw here is a cheap method to remove those tri-wing, i used it once to open up my gamecube tnx to the maxconsole forum

Cool technique raven, I'll have to give it a try.

eyeayen, barrab: Radio Shack may have it but we also have a local joint that's been an official Nintendo service center for decades.

Boone, Senseicapi: Thanks guys, been fun so far.

[WyattHarris]

I wanted to finish the next piece before I posted it but I've have about 4 days of overtime work and then I forgot the actual piece at work so just a WIP of the control center.

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.control.1.jpg

[WyattHarris]

And since I forgot the other part I'm going to go ahead and start on the bottom of the shell.

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.bottom.out.jpg

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.bottom.in.jpg

[Boone]

Yup, looking forward to the next update.

[WyattHarris]

Finished the control center. I still remember actually needing the color/b&w switch.

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.control.2.jpg

And comped with the top. Good fit so far.

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.comp.1.jpg

[WyattHarris]

Start of the bottom shell.

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.bottom.1.jpg

[Senseicapi]

Nice :cool:. But you make me miss my Atari :sad:.

[WyattHarris]

Thanks Sensei! Good old days.

More work on the odd parts of the bottom shell. I think I have the method worked out but ran out of time today. Wrong texture on the inside, I'll work it out tomorrow.

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.bottom.2.jpg

Bottom view.

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.bottom.3.jpg

Wireframe gives a better idea of whats all there.

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.bottom.4.jpg

[Boone]

Hmmm...your pictures are not showing.:surprised

[WyattHarris]

I see them. Are they still not showing? CGTalk was having problems yesterday with portfolio's. I wonder if it was related.

[moonangel]

I see them now, but yesterday i didn't see them too. Maybe your image-server is a little busy sometimes.

[Airflow]

Wow, thats pretty good progress.

[Boone]

Yup, they are visible now. Good progress, mate.:thumbsup:

[moonangel]

is it one poly object there, everything booleaned or combined, or separate?
Looks as if it was one object, though i don't understand, why you then did so?

[WyattHarris]

Thanks Boone, Airflow!

is it one poly object there, everything booleaned or combined, or separate?
Looks as if it was one object, though i don't understand, why you then did so?

Yes, it's all one object, mostly boolean cuts and a lot of extend, smooth shift and bevel. What would be wrong with that? I've modeled that way for more than a decade. :D But seriously, why would that be the problem?

I think Christmas is catching up with me but mostly finished the bottom. There are still a few details to add but I'm going to move to the circuit board now before too much time passes.

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.bottom.5.jpg

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.bottom.6.jpg

And the comp so far. I measured something way off on the bottom but made a few changes and the fit is good again.

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.comp.2.jpg

I liked the look of this hidden line view. Looks like a blue-print.

Atari Blue Print (http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.comp.3.jpg)

[WyattHarris]

Well I was going to start on the circuit board today but I finished the bottom shell instead. Mostly a bunch of little detail parts, wire runs and supports etc. My measurements were way off on the sides some how so corrected that and got everything fitting right.

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.bottom.7.jpg

[Boone]

Man, I am so jealous! I'm might have to pull out of this one due to the Steampunk animation I'm working on.

But your efforts on this classic machine are inspiring. Keep'em coming!:thumbsup:

[robo3687]

aww now you're making me want to model my 64...ref is scarce though and i don't want to pull mine apart....i've only just reinstalled it into my gaming setup....

awesome work wyatt

[WyattHarris]

Thanks Paul, Robo.

The 64, one of my all-time favorite systems. In my forward thinking I was considering how to model the 64. That's an odd looking piece of hardware.

Circuit board. Well I thought I had one big component left and I guess I still do but there was one last little surprise. I've taken this guy apart before but never noticed the little tabs around the metal area in the middle.

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.jpg

Well a quick bend and sure enough the whole think comes apart. So I guess its still one major component but it just got a lot more complicated. At least I know where the actual processors are now. :D

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.breakout.jpg

[WyattHarris]

Not much to show yet. Playing with surfaces more than modeling at the moment. The odd lighting is a spec and reflection test. Still needs some tuning.

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.1.jpg

[robo3687]

Thanks Paul, Robo.

The 64, one of my all-time favorite systems. In my forward thinking I was considering how to model the 64. That's an odd looking piece of hardware.

lol, you're not wrong. The only thing I haven't found ref for is the inside of the main unit casing looks like, i have pretty much everything else but no shots of just the plastic casing by itself.

[Boone]

OMG! The N64 is next?!? I can't wait for this!:bounce:

[WyattHarris]

Whoa now, easy tiger. :D

"IF" I finish this guy, then the NES is next. SNES follows and N64 after that. You know what I mean though. After the initial idea your mind immediately goes down the road. Even though I'll likely never get that much done hehe.

Robo, I'll see what it takes to get the thing apart. No promises as I'd rather not take it apart if not necessary.

[robo3687]

Robo, I'll see what it takes to get the thing apart. No promises as I'd rather not take it apart if not necessary.

yeh thats totally understandable. i think if i do it (which won't be till after new years) i'll start with the controller and may still be able to get away with doing the console itself without seeing the inner details of the shell...

good luck with the rest of the challenge

[Pdude2K7]

Looking good so far, I never use booleans in my workflow but it seems to work really well in yours.

BTW in regards to the console, I came a little late on that scene as my first console was
the Sega Genesis that I got back in 94 and it came bundled with Sonic 2 (awesome platformer even today), but I was always curious about those older consoles.

Either way, Keep up the good work!

[WyattHarris]

Looking good so far, I never use booleans in my workflow but it seems to work really well in yours.
Yeah man, that is some hardcore modeling you're doing on that piston, very nice. I use them selectively, if I know something is going to ZBrush then absolutely no on boolean cuts. That would never work. :D

BTW in regards to the console, I came a little late on that scene as my first console was the Sega Genesis that I got back in 94 and it came bundled with Sonic 2 (awesome platformer even today), but I was always curious about those older consoles.
Either way, Keep up the good work!
Thanks, we actually had one system before this one and I think this was it. All I remember was 4 controllers and a big game switch. 10 different versions of PONG: Tennis, squash, bad mitten, woo such variety lol.

http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/dedicated/superpongpro10.jpg (http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/dedicated/superpongproam10.html)

[Senseicapi]

lol, pong, I never saw it, the game that started all.

Wyatt, the start of the circuit board its awesome those textures looks great. Also, can you post some wire frame screen shots?

[WyattHarris]

Slow going during Christmas. This bit seemed to take forever to finish. The trace lines are boolean cuts and beveled about 10micrometers for volume. That is some old tech there.

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.2.jpg

And as requested here is a wireframe Jose. This circuitry only runs on the top, a different schematic is used for the bottom so there is nothing to see on the bottom at this time.

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.3.jpg

[Boone]

Well, from my recent experience, thats actually good progress. I find that mapping these machines out is the real challenge...

Anyway, keep up the good work, Wyatt.:beer:

[WyattHarris]

Thanks Boone.

Controller ports and first switches done.

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.4.jpg

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.5.jpg

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.6.jpg

[WyattHarris]

Finally getting back in the swing after the holidays. Thanks Roberto, the extension is a Godsend for getting this done.

There are quite a few odd doodads left but I'm concentrating on getting the base electronics done. Finished most of the standard capacitors tonight. I'll start on the resistors tomorrow.
http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.7.jpg

Managed to finish the power connection over the holidays. It uses a tension spring to keep contact with the AC adapter. Very low-tech looking. :D
http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.8.jpg

Finished one of the big capacitors. 2.2 millifarads, this thing would pack a wallop if it was plugged in. Now that there is something to actually render against the circuit traces I am really liking the surface.
http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.9.jpg

Updated wireframe of the new components.
http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.10.jpg

[menthol]

Hehe, this is the first time that I see boolean worked accordingly, thanks :D
Great work, pal.

[Boone]

Crikey, looking at this, I'd best get cracking myself!:D

[WyattHarris]

Thanks Menthol, not having to worry about how this will integrate with another app means I can use LightWave to it's fullest and LW is a heck of a good modeler.

Thanks Boone. I've got to place about a hundred resistors tonight. :banghead: Don't underestimate how much time you'll need to make the circuit board. I'm finding more and more complexity every time I look at this thing.

Looking at it I wonder if a newer piece of tech might be a bit easier on the circuitry. Sure it's more complicated but its mostly tiny cubes. This thing has got parts I don't even recognize and I used to be an electronics technician. :D

Now that I look at these renders the next day I realize I need to go back and redo the legs on all of these. I thought it would be okay but having the leg just stop at the board looks cheesy. So I'll model the solder joints tonight as well. I would've gotten more done but after 2 hours of modeling Modeler crashed on me and I had to start over. I should know better, 2 hours and no saves, stupid stupid. :banghead: I know, too much whining, but talking it out keeps me motivated.

[moonangel]

oh yeah, a crash just sucks. And its the problem, when you got the best flow in a time, you model and model and don't save. If you get nothing really done, and just sit there and look at your parts, you save and save and save, but there is no change to save. :hmm:

the easiest on newer boards would be, that much circuits lay inside the board, and you cant model that ;D but complexity, simply the number of parts has extremely increased. I think theres not much difference in effort.

[Boone]

You used to be an electronics tech? And YOU are having PROBLEMS? Sheeeeet!:eek:

[WyattHarris]

Hehe, no layers on this old board Moonangel. If you see a solder joint on top you will find it's match on the bottom.
@Boone - I haven't modeled the part yet but it looks like either an inductor coil or maybe a weird old-school heat sink. You'll see when I get it done, look for the pink part. :D

Change of plan. Looking at all of those resistors made me cringe so I finished the solder joints and modeled the 3 ICs instead.
http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.11.jpg

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.12.jpg

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.13.jpg

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.14.jpg

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.15.jpg

[Boone]

LOL, good progress all the same Wyatt.:cool:

[Senseicapi]

It looks really good Wyatt, I really like the textures, very accurate.

[PKT]

Looking good man. Looking forward to the end result.

[WyattHarris]

Added the resistors, video jack and channel selector. The resistors ended up being easier than I thought. The whole board is laid out on a grid and while most of the components don't adhere to it, the resistors do. I made the original resistor about 3 weeks ago so I didn't realize its around 1000 polys. Multiply that by the number of them and I think I should have reduced that a bit. Oh well, it looks good. :D

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.16.jpg

The video jack. I'm pretty sure its nothing more than an oddly shaped RCA jack. The cable connects to this and runs out the back of the box so there's no external jacks, just a cable. If you remember it went to the RF Modulator which had the TV/GAME switch on it. Oh what fun we used to have hooking that thing up to old rabbit ear VHF connections.
http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.17.jpg

The channel selector switch. You were able to switch between channel 2-3 which is written on the outside of the case. This thing is nothing more than a slide switch sitting on top of a bread board with 3 metal leads making the connection for the channels.
http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.18.jpg

[WyattHarris]

Update: 2 new components

Left: I believe this is a voltage regulating transistor. It's some kind of high-power transistor, also added the foil backing that it rests on the motherboard with.

Right: Standard little transistor. Sits next to one of the ICs you can see right next to it.

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.19.jpg

[menthol]

lookin' as precise as it can be, I don't know how it looks but I get the feeling that it's the real thing, great work pal! :D

[moonangel]

Absolutely true. With all those details like little aslant standing thingies, it really has an realistich touch to it. :thumbsup:

[WyattHarris]

Lol, thanks guys. That transistor looks like someone smashed it down with their thumb. So the leads have that smushed look to them.

[eyeayen]

This is looking amazing Wyatt, I can't wait to see it all together though, at the moment we're only seeing the individual parts, this is going to be one of those illustrations with such a complete wealth of detail that every time you look at it you see something else.

Keep up the good work :D

[Boone]

You are still going strong, Wyatt.:thumbsup:

[WyattHarris]

Update:
Another unique capacitor. This one was wrapped in a rubber or plastic sheath.
http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.20.jpg

[moonangel]

nice!. So you're already going for textures and shaders, as they look good already. Maybe too clean, for an old console, but... i love reflections :D

[WyattHarris]

Hehe yeah, I haven't decided if I'm going to dirty it up or leave it as a factory model. I don't think the real Atari ever looked this clean.

[WyattHarris]

Added 2 new caps. Luckily they were identical models just bent at different angles and facing different directions. For some reason when I added these to the overall composite it screwed up the openGL preview to most items being the metal texture. It still renders okay and the surfaces are still there it just previews wrong. Anybody got an idea what may be causing this?

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.21.jpg

I'm quickly starting to run out of standard parts. Time to start on the odd-ball stuff I guess.

[WyattHarris]

Finished this part, which I believe is a potentiometer. It has the same look. It took forever to figure out exactly what this thing looked like as its very close to the board. It was slightly translucent so I could see through it to model the underside. The other piece is the bottom portion of the pot. I could barely make it out so I modeled as much as I could see.

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.22.jpg

Looking at it now I see all kinds of problems and more detail needed. I couldn't work out the surface yet either. It's slightly translucent plastic and you can see the underside through the top. If anyone has any ideas how to do it properly I'd appreciate it.
http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.23.jpg

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.24.jpg

[simjoy]

looking good Wyatt ...

[WyattHarris]

Thanks Simjoy!

Ugh, way too long since I updated. My wife got me reading her book and derailed me. :D

Couple of big rail extrudes on this part. The piping is the left curve and the wiring is the right curve.
http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.25.jpg

So this is the pink part I was talking about. I still can't tell what it is for sure. Clear pink plastic separates a copper looking coil on the outside and a metal core on the inside. Maybe its some sort of inductor coil or a really bizarre capacitor. It also pokes through the metal casing that covers all of the main parts so maybe it vents heat. :shrug:
http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.26.jpg

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.27.jpg

All that's left is the 4 big toggle switches, the cartridge socket, power supply, metal case and video cable. Should be easy now that this weird piece is done. :D

[Airflow]

Woah, getting more complex now mate. Good going.

[WyattHarris]

Thanks Airflow.

The internal case that covers all the ICs and other parts. I'm guessing it's there to protect the delicate bits from the inserting of a cartridge. The hole is where the cartridge socket goes. Some how my measurements got way off even though they still measure correctly, IDK yet.
http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.comp.4.jpg

Edit:
I found the problem, the picture is updated correctly. Move along, nothing to see here. :D

[moonangel]

Hehe, that pink thing looks really weird. Maybe it was just too long to fit into the case, because... ehm,... they first produced them and then thought, of how to assemble everything. It somehow looks so :D
But anyway, it really looks nice.

[WyattHarris]

Lol, I wouldn't doubt it the way some of these pieces fit together moonangel, thanks.

Building progression of the cartridge socket. The last 2 pieces are the slot cover and the actual socket on the inside.
http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.28.jpg

And the render. Guess I'll have to cut the socket casing as well. Without the above screenshot you'd have no idea the socket was in there.
http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.29.jpg

3 parts to go, then the cutting. :thumbsup:

[menthol]

3 parts to go, then the cutting. :thumbsup:

Cheers mate :D I'm REALLY curious!

[WyattHarris]

Finished the switches. I counted these as 1 part although it wasn't a copy/paste like I thought at first. On the left is the larger Game Select/Game Reset spring loaded switches that snap back when pressed. On the right are the smaller Power/TV Type toggle switches, much simpler.

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.30.jpg

I may end up cutting these as well. There are quite a few parts on the inside that obviously don't show in these renders.

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.31.jpg

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.32.jpg

[Boone]

And hes still going for hyper-detail!:applause:

[WyattHarris]

Thanks Boone. I did forget one part, 1 of the switches on my Atari snapped off probably 25 years ago so we had to make do with jamming a pencil or pen in there to switch it. So if you see a missing prong from a switch it is intentional. :D

[Brainsample]

Wow, I bet if you plugged that model in it would actually work! That's a lot of detail. Do you plan on doing a little animation of an exploded view to show the insides?

[WyattHarris]

Do you plan on doing a little animation of an exploded view to show the insides?
Yes indeed. But planning to do it and actually having time to do it are 2 different things. :D Rendering is about 2-10 min a frame so it's not impossible at this point.

[eyeayen]

The details and textures make this a really good entry Wyatt ! Brillaint work !

[avgas]

Impressive detail Wyatt, both in the modelling and the textures.
For über-realism you might consider bending one or two of these little ceramic capacitors out of dead vertical.
OT thought. These capacitors bottom left of that last shot look as if they are about to pull their feet up and run off, but maybe I need sleep.

[kromano]

Wyatt you crazy cajun, that looks fantastic. The patience you have for putting in all those tiny details astounds me. You should just port that directly over to Hammer as a TF2/Tron mod. I do agree, if you have the time, to bend up some of the capacitors. I don't remember seeing many PCBs printed with dead vertical components like those.

[WyattHarris]

Eyeayen - Thanks mate.

Avgas, Kromano - In most cases I've done what I can to model what I see. You will notice that many of the components have been modeled in whatever twisted state they are in. (See transistor below) Having said that many of the tiny parts like resistors and little caps are copy/pastes with some exceptions. Most of the little guys are so close to vertical its a negligible measurement or more likely I don't have a tool that will measure that small. I'll revisit everything if i have time and make improvments, thanks guys.

Not an update, reposted for response.
http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.19.jpg

[eyeayen]

These capacitors bottom left of that last shot look as if they are about to pull their feet up and run off, but maybe I need sleep.

Agreed ! On both counts lol :D

[WyattHarris]

Silly me, I pulled the model back up and they were already bent in the right places. Like I said though, they aren't off vertical by much.

As for the walking caps... I'll have to work on that. :D

[WyattHarris]

Added a few more small components, snapped the stick off of the 3rd switch (see 2nd pic) and finally finished this guy.

I did a little research and the odd pot, the pink thing and this box are all audio/video components. The core in the pink thing is actually a hex-bolt that can be adjusted along with the pot and this box to perfect the audio/video signal and have it broadcast on channel 2 or 3. So, mystery solved. This isn't a power supply and the pink thing is a voice coil of some kind.

In this hole in the side is the hex-bolt for this component. The box was all soldered in place so I was unable to get it apart and see what was in the inside. This is as far as it goes. :D

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.33.jpg

Smoothing was causing rendering errors so I fixed it for this render.
http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.34.jpg

[menthol]

It looks even more great now that it is grainy. Great job, pal! :D

[eyeayen]

Wyatt this is stunning, but stop teasing us with these little shots, we want to see it all together and cutaway :D

[kromano]

Wyatt this is stunning, but stop teasing us with these little shots, we want to see it all together and cutaway :DYeah! And after you're done do a detail model of an A-Series engine so I can figure out where the tapping noise is coming from my car, would you?

I think I said it before, I'll say it again, your attention to detail is staggering... And your willingness to cannibalize an Atari for this project is frighteningly enviable. I'm almost compelled to dismember my sega genesis or something.

[VanillaChicken]

Hey, Wyatt, it's looking great so far. One thing I would suggest, though, is adding some small imperfections to the solder. More of an incline around the wires and more unsymmetrical. Right now they look like perfectly circular disks. Although, I haven't seen the bottom side, which is where most of the stuff I'm talking about usually is. Overall, though, I like it. Can't wait to see the cutaway.

[WyattHarris]

Menthol - Thanks, I'm liking that look. Glad you like it too.

Eyeayen, Kromano - All in due time, you will see very soon. Actually Kro, I've got the NES sitting next to the Atari so it's next on the chopping block. No time in this challenge but I feel I must miodel it as well.

VanillaChicken - I suppose that's going to be an asthetic descision. What I've decided is to leave it as a show model. Like the schematic jumped off the page. I was toying with adding the rusty metal that is all over this thing but ultimately I think it came out better this way.

Added some more tiny components and last piece is FINISHED!
The video cable, which fit perfectly in the video port BTW, is complete.
http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.circuit.35.jpg

What needs to be done now is place all the pieces as they lay, make whatever adjustments are necessary and rail extrude the actual cable that connects the 2 ends of the vide cable. That I have to save for when it's in place.

So Eyeayen, next shot will be the cutaway. I should definately have time to animate and render a breakapart.

[moonangel]

Nice done, Wyatt, especially that tiny details like the sticker make a good realistic impression. I really like the overall look, its quite consistent. So lets see the cutaway ;)

[WyattHarris]

Moonangel - Hehe thanks, glad you like the little touches. Means they weren't for nothing.

Finished all adjustments, everything fits nice and tight. Rail extruded a video cable and wedged it in place in the bottom shell. Positioned the circuit board and all components as it will lie in the final.

Final poly count pre-cutaway: 559,507
I believe LW calculates based on whole polys (quads, N-gons, subDs) otherwise this guy would be well over 1Million.

Almost there. Next is finally the cutaway!
Do ya dig the 70's faux wood grain lol.
http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.comp.5.jpg

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.comp.6.jpg

http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.comp.7.jpg

+450,000 polys on the board alone. :D
http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.comp.8.jpg

[barrab]

I Cant Wait For The Mother ****ing Textures, They Will Make Me Power Cum I Bet! Great Model So Far

[menthol]

I think it has its textures. Great job, pal :D I hope you enjoyed it and improved yourself. It's all that matters.

[avgas]

Excellent job and I can almost feel the stiffness of that wire!

[eyeayen]

Wyatt this is undoubtedly your strongest model to date. Maybe technical hard surface stuff is more your thing, you've done exceptionally well with this. I know why you've done it but for a cutaway I'm not sure about the broken switch in this illustration ?

[WyattHarris]

barrab, menthol, avgas - Thanks guys, I really appreciate the incouragement. Yep textures are mostly final, I may tweak some things.

eyeayen - Thank you very much eyeayen. I think it's because I've got 15 years experience with LightWave and early on this was exactly the type of thing I would build. Just some random object in the house I could analyze and measure in my hands. Of course, I've certainly never built anything hard surface this complicated this fast before. Anyway, I know LW like the back of my hand (where'd I get that cut :D ) so I didn't have to think hard about any step. I'm still in the learning curve with ZBrush so I hit stumbling blocks constantly.

As far as the broken pieces, there are actually 4, you may be right. I'll just have to leave it up to the vote. Making the model specifically my Atari felt right.

[Boone]

You Sir, are awesome.:bowdown:

[MicahtheMartian]

Very nice work! Gotta love those old systems:)

[Senseicapi]

Awesome Wyatt!!

[John-S]

Great job indeed. Keep up the good work!

[Wozner]

Is it working like a real Atari ? ))) Just kidding. This is awesome work! You have done hard but fantastic work!!!

[WyattHarris]

Wow, talk about good timing. I turned my computer on this afternoon and my powersupply literally exploded. Like made a loud pop sound and burned up. Luckily I finished rendering everything last night. :thumbsup:

I was going to do some detail shots and the animation tonight but oh well. Can't always get what you want. So without further stalling on my part.

Cutaway
HI-Rez beauty render (http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.final.full.1.jpg)
Beauty render
http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.final.1.jpg

Orthograph
http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.final.2.jpg

Wireframe
http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.final.3.jpg

Uncut
HI-Rez beauty render (http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.final.full.2.jpg)
Beauty render
http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.final.4.jpg

Orthograph
http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.final.5.jpg

Wireframe
http://www.wyattharris.com/cgtalk/hmc/18-cut/atari.final.6.jpg

Been a long time since I've finished a project to this scale in LightWave. I've been so obsessed with ZBrush I forgot how much fun it was. Thanks everyone that visited for all the support. Makes these challenges much easier.

[moonangel]

Yay, what a wonderful cutaway layout. And you even cut through the cable, how sweet :thumbsup: A very detailed work with great attention to realism through fine modeling and shaders. Great that you had the time to finish it, would have been a pity if we had to miss that entry. There should be a "most realistic look" cathegorie, i am sure, you would make it!

Powersupplys seem to have the bad habit to wreck mostly in the least appropriate moments. One should always have a second one in the closet :D

[kromano]

Wow, you even cut into the wire. That's awesome.
I guess your power supply exploding is probably why we didn't see you in the TF2 game the other night? Hah!

So... when do we start voting? I gotta support the Ragun' Cajun'

[Dmaxer]

Great looking model you done there dude :) and just to add that thing you call a unique capacitor wrapped in a rubber or plastic sheath is infact a quaz crystal it will be part of the circuit that provides a time base signal to the main prosseor . looking at the number on the side the system would run at about 3.5 Mhz ,and the pink thing is a variable inductor coil .what prosseor is in this old beast ? a Z80 maybe ? , how about adding the ID numbes on the ICs ? youve done so much already :). I cant rember how old this thing is ?. but how things have moved on a lol .
again great job dude :)

[WyattHarris]

Oops, I had to double check but you are correct DMaxer.

3.579545 definitely sounds more like a frequency (Hz) then a farad (F) charge.

[Dmaxer]

I spent 10 years working in electronics so I like to think I know my stuff mate :)

[OmicroNiuM]

Hey man, I have a collection of old gaming systems myself, one of which is this old dog. I also have in my collection an Atari 800xl. I appreciate the fact that someone like yourself is still keeping the memory of these things alive, and to do so through modeling makes it even better.

I still play the 2600 and the 800xl every now and then, I still find Minor 49er to be one of the better games for the system.

Keep it up, I wanna see your gallery. :D

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