New motorcycle in Dain bundle question
sazzyazzca
Posts: 495
Does anyone else see something off in this motorcycle? https://www.daz3d.com/xi-classic-military-bike
Maybe I'm blind? Is it missing something?
Post edited by sazzyazzca on
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Comments
It seems to be based on the Harley Davidson WLA "Liberator" (which I mostly recognise because it was used in the first Captain America film). Maybe not to every bolt and weld, but it's far too similar for me to not believe the real thing was referenced.
It's a representation of a HD WLA. Like a lot of 3D models it has some missing parts, some extra parts and some parts that don't connect to the things that they should connect to.
For a guy on a bike render it's fine, if youre doing close ups of the bike it'll probably give pause to someone that knows bikes well.
I think it's almost there. But the mechanical engineer/car hobbyist in me doesn't quite buy it. It does have features and design elements that could have been used in the 40's, but the creator has not understood how the front suspension works, why are the springs there? Where are the exhaust pipes and what are the two canisters in front of the cylinders and on the left side of the rear cylinder? What are the small pedals for, surely not for pedaling? The rims are missing the deeper section in the middle, how does one change the tires?.
I also am not seeing any exhaust pipes, nor chain guard, among other issues. The small pedals are for a pedal start, but that would have been an earlier era with much smaller engine. This era would typically have been a kick starter. The heads are also not right. War era would typically have been "finned". These are more of a modified panhead. Maybe the vendor cobbled parts together to avoid copyright issues. I really wish PAs who aren't familiar with something would have a WIP thread where people could point these things out before something gets released. Customers have a vested interest in a good product and are generally very willing to give input towards making a product good. I think most people would rather have input on the creation end than on the critique end after release.
*To clarify about the heads, that's assuming it's supposed to be a WLA reproduction.*
I agree, close but no cigar.. I've owned a WLC (Canadian version of the WLA) in the past, and this isn't realistic version.. But then really good 3d bikes are few and far between, especially for vintage stuff, and are usually $$$$$
At least the rear wheel is attached to the bike on this one
Agreed:)
To me topology and good hq maps are what matter the most, and I appreciate the clayrenders! Would work for me if I needed it for a render
Also the fact there are heightmaps included would be a strong sales argument, since I very much prefer to use displacement instead of normal maps when converting stuff to 3DL PT materials...
With vehicles and mechanical gadgets, when one does know how stuff works and why, it is difficult not to see the (obvious) problems.
The steam locomotive product a while back where all the connecting rods were joined in a way where the thing would never be able to move comes to mind. (Also really odd proportions and some anachronistic design elements, but I digress).
It seems like a lot of artists make things from memory - but it's really not cheating to use reference.
(This one is definitely massively better than the example I'm thinking of though, given it's clearly obvious that it has been referencing something, even if it's not exactly identical.)
For me, functionality is very important, even if it's an "inspired by" or fantasy item. That applies to clothing as well. That may just be my autistic brain. As for the motorcycle, a war-era WLA weighed around 550 pounds dry weight. Can you imagine pedal starting that? Not very likely. I really wanted to love this item. I may still get it for the props (still thinking on that) but I'm disappointed in the bike. Maybe I can do something with the parts in the BillyT sets.
If the pedals were for pedal starting, first they would need to rotate 180 degrees, which I don't think they have space for and they are way too thin for that purpose.
Edit: the XI Classic Cruiser has the same pedals and I own it (came with the Nathan 9 bundle), but it's already past midnight over here, so I'm heading to bed.
Speaking of which, the play-doh epaulets on the Napoleonic Infantry Outfit need a rigid replacement add-on, but we haven't had one of these since M4, so I'd better just be happy about it.
For me, it's better than nothing by far, and I can make do, I think, by combining it with the old but great M4 uniforms by RenaPD. I'm also wildly determined to get to grips with Mesh Grabber at last, and that should be able to deal with all strange straps and such. Anyways, I'm happy for more historical clothes, even if the accuracy is still not quite there.
I get the impression some PA's maybe use toy models as a reference, it's an easy and low cost way to see the item 'in the round'. Unfortunately model manufacturers have probably made compromises in creating the minature, by simplifying and thickening components so that they mould or cast more easily. There's an old saying 'never make a model of a model' and for good reason.
I don't share that attitude, but what you chose to buy is entirely up to you and I'm not going to stand in anyone's way.
To compare how an other artist approached the "Captain America on a bike" theme have a look at Cybertenko's shop at Renderosity...
There are a few listed over there. The ADH3D one is an older product in poser format but it looks pretty accurate.
Checked the Classic Cruiser that has the same pedals - They don't move and even if they did, they wouldn't have enough space to turn 180 degrees, the foot rests are in the way.
I thought the same from the promos, that they wouldn't clear the footboards.