3D-RING:
Can you tell us a bit about the steps you have taken to make this model? |
Al Meerow
When I start to develop a new model, I create all big parts to be sure that their proportions are fine, it is some kind of skeleton of the future model. Then I decide what details should be implemented as mesh and what ones as maps. Then I take some part and start to fill it with small details. And so on until I reach good level of detailing. Or until I'm became sick from it. 
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3D-RING:
Tell us about the Y-Wing model. How complex is the model actually? What did you use as reference? How long did this project take? |
Al Meerow
Yes, it's complex... it's too complex. About 70,000 faces and a lot of textures. No bumps (well, almost), only the mesh. As reference I used a picture from "The Essential Guide to Vehicles And Vessels" that's why the bottom side of model is lowly detailed. Modeling and texturing took about 3 or 4 months if you look at calendar. Actually I spent about two weeks.
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3D-RING:
What do you think of Max's modelling tools? Can you tell us about the steps in making this model? |
Al Meerow
MAX has good tools for creating mechanical objects. As for steps, they are the same as for Falcon. In the beginning I make some kind of 3D sketch of the model, and then I start to develop each object, add more details and apply textures.
I trying to create objects as simple as possible. If it's possible to create, let's say, engine of Y-Wing from cylinder, I will use multi-segment cylinder and then edit it's vertextes. In this case there wasn't any need to create spline and then lathe it. But I used lathe operation to build Falcon's body. And I always delete invisible triangles.
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3D-RING:
Tell us about your "Blasting TIE" and "Blasting X-Wing" images. How did you create the explosions and laser blasts? How did you create the space backdrop? |
Al Meerow
Blasting TIE was the first model I made in MAX. The explosion is a combination of combustion, volumetric lights, particles and glow. To imitate laser beam I created two semi-transparent glowing coaxial cylinders. Later, when we (Nick and I) were working on Blasting X-Wing, I realized that it's better to use combustion for laser beams.
Besides this I made some retouching in Photoshop. I added lensflares to X-Wing's guns, I repainted fragment where laser beam beats TIE (using a WACOM digitizer) and I added more glow effect to sparks. As for background, I used an original ILM spacebackdrop.
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3D-RING:
Can you tell us about your TIE interceptor model? How complex is the model? What did you use as reference? |
Al Meerow
I just took my TIE Fighter, deleted it's wings and build new ones. But the Interceptor is much more complex than the Fighter, because of it's more complex wings. As reference I used pictures form "The Essential Guide...". I'm talking about the new MAX model, because a couple of years ago when I created the Interceptor in 3D Studio I used a Galactic Bath Foam wrapper as a reference.
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3D-RING:
Have you done any non Star Wars work? |
Al Meerow
Not much. I created 3D model of keyboard and monitor. I just took a ruler, applied it to my keyboard and monitor and reproduced measurements in Max. My friends from a computer shop asked me to create a scene with a broken monitor with a keyboard stuck from display's Cathode Ray Tube as if some mad user threw his keyboard into the monitor. But I still can't figure out how to create a hole in CRT realistic enough. So I used keyboard and monitor in another scene, called "Creating Y-Wing". Also I found that it looks good for front page of my gallery. Sometimes I make some minor job, like design of calendars or booklets for advertising companies, but it's not 3D.
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3D-RING:
Have you ever thought of creating your own star ship design? |
Al Meerow
I have no time. I made all my models because I'm a huge fan of StarWars, 3D graphics is just my hobby. Unfortunately. I tried to imagine my own space ship, but I don't have enough patience (or insanity) to think up some ship that is beautiful and functional simultaneously.
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3D-RING:
Have you seen the Special Edition Trilogy? What do you think of them? What do you think of the "enhanced" and additional scenes? |
Al Meerow
I saw the Special Edition Trilogy for the first time a couple of days ago. And I tell you, there's nothing better than StarWars except another StarWars! Additional footage is absolutely incredible! But I noticed some unpleasant similarity between creatures in Mos Eisley and dinosaurs from Jurassic Park. It seems like ILM use the same old tricks. And I noticed that it has became fashionable to make a ring explosions. It's fun to see it once, but when they show you the very same effect in Aliens, Special Edition, Armageddon and so on... it's boring. But anyway, I had great pleasure.
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