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I have used UV mapping when it comes to texturing repetitive patterns that have different spacing, it ensures that it doesn't matter which way it is facing the logo will point the right way and gives you stricter control... and how is the 'secret' project coming along?

I completely agree about the keeping poly count down where possible, if I were to use some of my original bricks it would easily increase the poly count ten fold, I have had to make compromises (efficiencies) along the way to ensure that I don't kill my pc and I am able to easily modify things if I make a mistake - trying to make sense of parenting with about 1,300 pieces, trying to locate an individual piece can drive you mad... but the satisfaction of a job done well is immense! Keep up the good work guys! Have either of you looked at bump mapping for the logo? I haven't done it myself, but I have seen some really good examples of where it can work

Here is the latest render of Speed Racer (obviously missing a few pieces - wheels)

Thanks a bunch, I have the truck here with me, I can make up something using the used stickers, but any of the other ones (like snake oiler's) would be greatly appreciated! Cheers!!!

Hey guys I was wondering if anyone has a good scan of the stickers from each of the speed racer sets 8158, 8159, 8160 & 8161? I am doing some 3D renders of the cars and need the stickers for the textures... any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Consider your secret safe with me... and just between you and me, I started work on speed racer and racer x from speed racer, obviously won't be posting it in here...

Thanks for that, I found a good lighting set-up a while back for lightwave and have been slowly tweaking it to get the best results I can, it helps that lightwave has global illumination as standard now and I don't have to fake it with rotating light rigs, I really like the x-wing you did, very nice! I must ask, does max have an object limit like lightwave does? I notice if I have over 750 pieces it will have issues and I will need to merge pieces, which sucks!

TerranCmdr - I do it in pretty much the same way, except I bought some calipers to get some of the measurements, I have about 300+ pieces done (varying from technics to castle to ninja), and it's just a case of getting all the right pieces for the sets, by going to peeron to see the inventories of each of the sets, I can then work out what pieces I need to create/modify to complete the set. I started doing the Lego modeling about 5 years ago got about 100 pieces done, then life got in the way and I only got back into it earlier this year, but have been working fairly hard getting more done. I have been enjoying the challenge of doing each individual piece, but not having some of the pieces in front of me does make it difficult as I have to make assumptions based on similar pieces and just plain make it up as I go along... but it is fun, especially when you look at the progress pictures as you go through the manuals. I am constantly refining the models (because I am a bit of a perfectionist) and it's all I think about when I am at my main job (sketch pad and pencil sit on my desk for recording of my thoughts). Thanks everyone for the C & C, keep it up!

I was thinking about doing 8039 - Venator Attack Cruiser, 7674 - V19 Torrent or 8088 - ARC Starfighter, or even doing a couple of non-star wars things (cars from batman or speedracer)

Tantive IV is now finished (kind of - almost finished the textures for the control panels - but you wont see them unless I open it up) so now I will look at starting the 8039 - Venator Republic Attack Cruiser...

latest tantive iv images...

And so the Tantive IV is well under way... From this... To this...

Yeah that's the advantage of using 3D, I can look at how the decals will look, and I can change them very easily, I just need to learn how to create nice looking decals, I have just been grabbing what I can from the net and texturing the models to see... btw, anyone got a nice scan of the cw obi wan head and torso that I may use?

Aramour - that is awesome stuff, keep going! Darth Lion - I use a program called Lightwave to model and render my images (it ain't free, but you can get it in certain places if you need it - one program you can use that is free is blender, check it out) Been working a bit more on some models, had some major issue with my net connection (that hopefully have been sorted) so it has been a while since I last posted anything... but here are the latest

Have almost finished the main model for the gunship, just have to add a couple of details - including the minifigs - incidentally does anyone have a nice clear scan of the clone trooper's torso that I may be able to use? or even a nice front on and side angle photo of the helmet? I need to model that and it is almost complete... then I might try my hand at some animation! Hope everyone is enjoying this as much as I am! Keep up the good work folks!

G'day all, rekindled my love of Lego thanks to my 5 year old son discovering the joy of putting bits of plastic together to make something fun, it doesn't matter what he builds it's always a work of art as far as he is concerned, then he happily destroys it!!! Thankfully I have used this as a way of combining my two loves of 3D modelling and Lego building... I am currently about 95% of my way through building a virtual (that's in 3D) 7676 - republic gunship, just need to find a few more reference images for the minifig accessories (the clone trooper's helmet and a nice texture I can use for the trooper's body as well - hint hint!!!), and a couple of other pieces for the wings, but it is getting there, my next model will either be 4504 - millennium falcon, 10198 - tantive iv, 8038 - venator-class republic attack cruiser (my personal favourite) or 7680 - the twilight, I hope to get enough done to get a little animation happening - check out my sig for some of my other renders

thanks guys for the compliments, it's a long process to go through, but I use Newtek's Lightwave for the modelling and rendering, I model each piece (I have about 3-400 individual pieces) and then by using the instructions I am then able to construct each set. I have been able to model most pieces but it is difficult when I don't have it in front of me, I have to use image searches on the net to try and get as much info as possible and some have been made purely on assumptions. I have been modelling in Lightwave as a hobby for the last 5 or so years, but have only been doing the Lego sets for the last few months, I have completed a lego castle and some others, but I am finding the Star Wars stuff the most enjoyable. I have started a flickr set so I will be including some of my WIP there... I only found this forum when searching for some example textures for the clone troopers, but it is awesome!!! Here is the latest image I have completed using rayman and agi2007 custom RGS nose decals THANKS GUYS!!!

Hey guys, not sure if you have seen much of this sort of stuff, but I have started doing some 3d renders of star wars Lego, it's a little time consuming - seeing as I work and have 2 small kids (both love playing with Lego so it's alright), hope you enjoy it and please don't hesitate to flick me some C & C.