Raptor 3D Project - Edits 14

Making a major upgrade, to a better set of 3D tools called "modo", from Luxology.
Visit the Luxology site, to learn about "modo".

After a variety of tests, importing several versions of my current F-22 model into "modo", I've made the decision to take a step back, for the sake of quality. Specifically, I'm happy with the exterior shape of the model, but not the precision of the door and vent openings, as well as some of the "bumps and bulges" on the airplane, created in the last few steps.

Since I carefully kept copies as I went along, it's easy to go back to the model as it stood, just before the "door cuts". The image below is one half of the fuselage model, at that stage, and imported into modo. From now forward, all my images for this article will be produced from modo.

I'm also transitioning to the methods available in modo, to apply textures and colors, so I've removed all the color information from my existing models. (See below) Modo's capabilities in that regard are so far superior to what I've been using, that it will be worth the effort.

Diving into modo:

I already know that modo has some very powerful, modern tools, that will greatly increase the quality of all my work. Still, I'm new to it, and I have to go through the "what button to push" stage, before I can be very productive. Here's a slideshow of my existing models, after being imported into modo and rendered, (before any editing) as the F-22 parts were. (This movie loops.)

Back to the F-22...

Details:

There are some new technical issues I have to fix, that have nothing to do with the F-22, in particular. See the gaps where the rudders meet the vertical fins, for example? It's just a software quirk. My previous 3D software allowed "one-sided polygons", and modo does not. So I'll be fixing that in the next few days, and am getting familiar enough with the modo tools that I've already fixed some creases and bumps. I'll wait on the fancy texture maps until the end, when the topology of the model is totally set.

I've also started to build up some detail for the cockpit. I'll keep adding more detail as the rest of the model moves along.

Getting used to the new tools!

After some struggling through the software transition phase for about 3 weeks, as I write this, I'm starting to understand the new tools, and they really make my life easier. In the images below, I've installed all the panels, vents and doors that I had on the Carrara model, and they are definitely cleaner here. Modo's renderer is really nice too, although these images don't take advantage of it's advanced features. I'll get to that finesse later... Right now, I'm concentrating on the model.

Click the "Edits 15" link below, to continue.