WIP - Apache AH-64D

#1

Hello all,

This is my first work in progress thread and I will try to post regular updates on my progress on this model. I will be modeling a Apache AH-64D attack helicopter from start to finish.

For about a month ago I started to collect as much information as I could about the Apache, I think I have about 400+ images of the actual helicopter, different kind of blueprints, videos and so on. I also collected images of the Hellfire missiles, the M230 machinegun, M261 rocket launcher and the cockpit.

My goal is to model this as accurate as I can and as close to the “real world” as I can with as much detail as I can based on my references, so I will not care about how many polys I have, the model will be pretty big in the end I guess. So it will be a big project and it will take some time to finish.

I’m using 3ds max 2016 for the modeling and when the model is done, I will use Photoshop for texturing (even if I suck on texturing). After that, I will make a decent user interface using maxscript in where I can controll different parts animations. I will have the M230 machinegun, rotorblades, doors, IR/NV unit animated in a correct way.

So I hope this will be a good project, and everybody are free to post what they think.
Below, you see the first part, the main Apache hull, close to done.

](http://s428.photobucket.com/user/Stefan_47/media/Apache/1_zpsvwkkuspv.jpg.html)[/IMG]

](http://s428.photobucket.com/user/Stefan_47/media/Apache/2_zps74fyl4g8.jpg.html)

#2

Apache! Love that copter! do him justice!

#3

Thanks Scote, I will for sure give him all the justice I can :slight_smile:
Update coming tonight!

#4

Some updated screenshots. I started to model a few of the hatches, handles, the back wing, back engine cover and a few other details.

](http://s428.photobucket.com/user/Stefan_47/media/Apache/3_zpss34jbbes.jpg.html)

[/IMG]

](http://s428.photobucket.com/user/Stefan_47/media/Apache/5_zpsyl8ji4cx.jpg.html)

#5

Started to work on the axel and mechanical parts that are part of the top rotor now. Nice to go over to hard surfacing modeling abit after so much work on the main hull and parts for that. Still a LONG way to go, but I am home sick now so I can sit all days and work :slight_smile:

](http://s428.photobucket.com/user/Stefan_47/media/Apache/Rotor_parts_zpspcpo2nam.jpg.html)

[/IMG]

#6

Wow that’s looking great already! Keep up the good work! :thumbsup:

#7

Thanks spreenbrouwer :slight_smile:
It’s much work, especially due I want everything to be as detailed as it can be and it’s hard to see on different parts on images how things actually look due many things are hidden or you just see 50-70% of the piece.
But I even bought a PDF, a Apache manual where many things are very detailed with measure and so on, 30 pages only about the cockpit. So, in the end, I think I will manage to do something good even if some parts are harder than others.
I still work on the top rotor part, much parts to model here, bolts, wires, connection pins, brackets and so on. I try to send an update during the day even if it might be boring to see when things isn’t done :slight_smile:

#8

Small update!

#9

Owyeah looks awesome already :smiley:

#10

I approve :smiley:

#11

Good luck with this beauty of a helicopter! :slight_smile:

You seem to be handling yourself pretty well.

Cobra 6

#12

Thanks for all of your kind words, makes me more motivated to continue :slight_smile:
The top rotor are now pretty close to finish, at least in terms of “now”, but I will for sure go back and check everything over and over again.
I have a bunch of bolts and wires left to model, then I need to make the 4 rotor blades as well.

For wires, I had some rather big issue/problems. I tried to model wires from a single cylinder, but it’s hard to make a cylinder travel from one point to another in a realistic way. Then I tried to use a simple spline, that worked much better but not as good as I wanted. But I found out that 3ds max have a build in Hose plugin, very good and that made my wires creation far more easy, great addon to max for this type of modeling :slight_smile:

Now, back to work, I post some updates soon :slight_smile:

#13

Another update on 2 rather hard pieces to model…

#14

The top rotor is close to finish now, just some small tweaks here and there are missing and a few more details needed to be modeled and added.

I made a basic clay material and tried out a few renderings. Maybe not the best material, but it’s my first clay material I made so feel free to help me out on how to make a decent clay material using VRay 3.2.

#15

My current work with the radar unit, still a few things left to do like wires, wire connectors and a few other parts, but close to done I would say.

#16

very good stuff, I wonder how would you deal with texturing it in photoshop, I had quite hard time when I had to texture in PS instead of Mari, especially those complex hard surface shapes

#17

Thanks!
Regarding texturing, I have no idea just yet. All I did before regarding texturing have been inside of Photoshop, but nothing complex stuff. Photoshop is what I have in hands on subscription. Mari seems to be a great software, but really expensive for a private person. I also looked at Substance Painter, also seems great.
So, right now, I don’t know, I fokus on modeling first that I can handle :slight_smile:

#18

Looks very nice dude! only point of critic is the size of the bolts/rivets of the longbow radar. In real life they are smaller. That way the scale of the radar will look more believable :slight_smile:

#19

If you are meaning the blind rivets that goes over the radars surface then I agree to you and I will make them smaller :slight_smile:

#20

yeah those are what i mean :slight_smile: