Competition #14 - giles

[giles]

Greetings!

Also new to the site here, here's my idea.

I'd like to try doing a Recon, Surveillance unit based on a Firefly/Lightning bug.

Given what I've read, Firefly's blink in order to coordinate information. This lead me to decide on a Recon, coordinator type military unit. Firefly - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I'd like to do a robotic insect style. I've attached images, but here's some explanation :
1.) The camera system would replace the eyes.
2.) A jet engine to replace the body.
3.) Iron Man style hand stabilizers so the unit can hover over an area while doing surveillance.
4/) I was thinking some kind of deployment doors to drop supplies or a beacon or light sphere (apparently firefly's eggs glow when hatched).
5.) Flashing lights on the body and wings for Morse Code, similar to what enabled Navy vessels to communicate.
5.) Antenna could server as radio transmitters.

Well, let me know what you think. I did a quick model of a firefly just to get an idea of poly count (~800 right now, but that will have to be sorted out). Also modeled the beginnings of the camera system.

Good luck to everyone!

[giles]

update to the head -- hi res.
idea here being the head guard would be able to rotate up and down during surveillance/flight.

[rrguitar]

very nice, looks like you've put a lot of thought into this, i'm excited to see the final result

[giles]

Originally Posted by rrguitar

very nice, looks like you've put a lot of thought into this, i'm excited to see the final result

thank you for the feedback rrguitar,
attached some updates :

[Pearson]

It looks like you are off to a great start. I also like how well your idea fits with your insect's natural role.

One thing that it makes me think of, which I haven't seen in your references, is the distinctive disc used by planes who perform the AWAC role. You don't have to include it, of course, but I thought I'd mention it.

[giles]

Originally Posted by Pearson

It looks like you are off to a great start. I also like how well your idea fits with your insect's natural role.

One thing that it makes me think of, which I haven't seen in your references, is the distinctive disc used by planes who perform the AWAC role. You don't have to include it, of course, but I thought I'd mention it.

Pearson, great point and thank you for the link. I could see the head guard acting as the disc containing the radar system shown in the link. I was toying with ideas of how to better use the head guard in the design, so I'll definitely try out some concepts based on the AEWC disc.

[giles]

worked on the body more. decided to stick with the overlapping exoskeleton in the abdomen (normal map later on). added air intakes and the tail end of the firefly will be replaced by the jet engine exhaust piece.

also, gave the awec idea a go by adding support beams off of the head.

i copied some references into the images with dots marking my thought process.

off to work on the legs. :-)

[giles]

here's a leg wip, not crazy about the bottom 2 pairs. probably take another go at them.

[Tom]

I like the style of it a lot, but I agree with you on the legs.. Giving them some clear segments instead of having each leg be a bend tube essentially would help the insect feel a lot.




and here is a great reference to insect leg atanomy in general

Insect Leg Anatomy

[giles]

Originally Posted by Z-trooper

I like the style of it a lot, but I agree with you on the legs.. Giving them some clear segments instead of having each leg be a bend tube essentially would help the insect feel a lot.

and here is a great reference to insect leg atanomy in general

Insect Leg Anatomy

hey Z-trooper, thanks for the feedback and the links! totally agree on the tube feeling. i'll be working on cleaning those sections up.

i'm wondering if it would go against the rules to replace the middle pair of legs with harrier jet side engines :
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...arrier-jet.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi.../dc/AV-8A.jpeg

i still plan on keeping the other two pairs with "hand" thrusters for lateral or other quick movements.

requiem2d? doylle? any thoughts?