Get KRAKEN!

The last ride sign is for the Kraken's Crew (bumper boats). I decided to go for the life preserver look with the KRAKEN peeking through.

I whipped up some simple vectors which wold be used to create the reliefs/

 I first used the extrude function to create a mesh object.

 Then I used the teardrop vector to create the body of the KRAKEN. I then flattened out the sub body in the front view and sized and positioned the conning tower (mesh) to fit.

I created a zero height relief and then merged the mesh to it.

At this point I realized that I had made the square zero height relief too small to encompass the submarine body. I backed up one step and stretched the zero height relief and then merged the mesh once more. Then after deleting the original relief I merged (highest) this relief with the sub shape. Take note of how I positioned the flat relief to effectively cut off the front of the teardrop shape.

This is the resulting relief of that operation.

Next up is the slice, where we'll create the layers that will fit inside the Precision Board we are routing it form. Since we are using 1.5" thick material the sub was sliced four times.

The engine halves were created using an oval vector and the dome tool. Then I created a zero height rectangle under it. By merging highest with this rectangle I would slice the ends off the egg.

I duplicated this shape flipped the copy and then duplicated the two pieces. Four halves would make two engines.

Then it was time for the lifesaver/sign. I use the dome tool to create the basic shape.

The lettering was added using the add to command and the flat relief tool.

The four pieces necessary for one half of the sub were duplicated and flipped. Then everything was arranged to fit on a 48" x 96" sheet of Precision Board.

I created one more piece for the sign - the middle layer that would house the welded steel frame. The weird shape opening is to allow me to cut steel with a 45 degree cut on one end and then be a random length (with a square cut on the other. This meant I didn't have to be precise with my cuts and this sped up the building process.

Once the pieces were off the MultiCam it was time weld up the sturdy steel frame and then to glue them up. The sign ring and Kraken were glued up separately. Once they were dry we welded the protruding legs to the post behind. Then I drilled for a steel peg and slipped the sub over it. The tail was tied to the post structure behind.

The next step is to finish the concrete sculpting on the mast and then to add the detail to the submarine using sculpting epoxy. Steel armatures will add strength to theKRAKEN arms which will protrude out of the front of the piece. Some hand sculpted ropes will also be added to the life preserver sign.

-dan

Skull Rock sculpt done

It doesn't take much hand sculpting to make a sign go from mildly dimensional to off the wall different. In the case of the Skull Rock Scramble sign it looked pretty good with just the random shape, the texture and raised lettering. Adding Webster, the turtle Gruffle changed it in a big way without a doubt and he took only a couple of hours to create.. (This time includes my helper's time.) But we weren't nearly done yet.

I spent another twenty minutes with our air powered die grinder to extend the gnarly rock texture around the sides, top and bottom of the sign. Then it was time for another bit of sculpting.
The rocks were extended a little to create the skull eyes and the detail around the mouth. The palm tree was the final detail to take the dimension over the top.

The mast post and sail will next get their skin of sculpted concrete and then the paint will start. It's going to be a cool looking truly dimensional sign when we are done - like all of the other signs for this project.

-dan

Topographical modeling in 3D

I've wanted to use the router to do a topographical map for some time. As we get into the build of the Trinidad project I've been having some difficulty in describing the elevations of the site to the various people involved. The grades are somewhat complex without a doubt. I had done a color keyed 2D topographical map to explain things and it certainly helped. But some people still weren't quite getting my ideas. I decided it was a good time to do a 3D physical model. The area I was modeling is inside the red rectangle.

It was a simple matter to hand trace the vectors needed to establish the grades I needed. This topographical model needed to be precise but no overly detailed. I did the elevations in 2' layers.

The purpose of the model was to figure out how much rock work we would need and where to place it so we needed a little more detail. Rather than model it in the 3D software and then route it in I decided to sculpt it in by hand. This would allow for more flexibility and easier changes as I went.

The model is quick and dirty but provides all of the information in an easy to read manner. I'll probably dress it up some with some landscaping materials to help out the landscaper as well but that will be another day. Stay tuned...

-dan

Scrambling turtle

The sign routed up beautifully. I welded up a frame and then laminated it inside. While the glue was setting I cut a turtle shape from some Precision Board and then did a quick sculpt of the shell. This was allowed to harden. A half inch step rod poked out of the bottom center as well as 1/4" rods for each leg. These would add strength to the sculpt and also serve to be the mounting points for the sign.

Once everything had set up.I drilled the holes in the sign (in the right places) and then glued the steel rods securely. Then Sarah mixed the sculpting epoxy while I had a little fin. Ot took about an hour to finish off the turtle sculpt.

Tomorrow I'll begin the process of carving the edges of the sign, extending the texture of the rock all the way around the edges. Once that is done I will use sculpting epoxy to add in the plank and rock work around the face. I'll post some pictures of that process.

It won't be long until the sign is turned over to the painting crew to work their magic on it.  Stay tuned...

-grampa dan

Rock on!

The largest feature of Skallywag Bay Adventure Park is now under construction. It is being prefabricated by RockWerx in their studio. It will then be cut into pieces and transported to the site to be reassembled there. This feature is going to be immense and will top out at over fifty feet tall!

We've decided to feature every one of the sixteen Gruffle characters though the park, primarily on the signs but also in other areas as well. The purpose is of course to further the story we are telling. As I got into the design of the sign for the SKULL ROCK SCRAMBLE (A rock climb) and the WALK THE PLANK (a fifty foot controlled jump) attractions I wanted to include Webster as the feature character. Webster looks a lot like a turtle. It's a bit impossible of course but then again just about everything in the park falls into this category.

We decided to combine the two attractions into one sign since they share the same feature. I had already done the concept for the WALK THE PLANK attraction. The SKULL ROCK SCRAMBLE lettering would go underneath and Webster will be climbing up the side of the sign.

Because Webster will be clinging precariously to the rock by only three legs I'll hand sculpt him to achieve the most drama possible and bring him to life. For now I settled for a quick sketch to work up the idea.

I whipped up a new texture to help create the rock work which will hopefully look somewhat like the rock face we are making for the mountain peak. It was quick and dirty but as I created it I kept in mind what happens when we use textures in EnRoute... Back does nothing, white raises by the amount we inter and grey colors do something in between - depending on their value. The JPG was created in PhotoShop is only a few minutes using a variety of brushes.

I started with the rough outline of the rock and the lettering vectors.. Using the rock outline I first created a flat relief that was 0.8" tall.

I then imported the new bitmap and applied it using a rather large value of 0.3" This created some substantial texture across the piece.
 

I then imported SPLOTCHES and applied the second bitmap texture to the piece.  This evened things out a bit with the deeper ridges still in place.

I then duplicated and flipped the relief to form the back of the sign. The lettering vectors were then used to modify the original relief and create the names.

I also created a center section of the sign which will be laminated into the middle with room for the structural steel.

Tomorrow I'll tool path the file and then throw a sheet of 1.5" Precision Board on the Multicam and set it in motion.

Stay tuned to watch this cool sign come together...

-dan