I gathered information about this locomotive almost a year ago when I started to learn Modo, but never felt I got to a place where I thought I'd be capable of modeling to the different shapes which correctly, wit the smooth curves and lines transforming into sharp edges.
But now I've finally started modeling the NSB El 18.
For this model and mod I am using a new technique to push myself into thinking different and how to approach the challenges, as well as getting on top of retopo of said high quality mesh. So far, after a few after noon sessions of testing things, this is what I've come up with so far.
The base shape is there, and consists of roughly 300 polygons. It will of course become more as more details are added.
The model I use for baking of normal and other information maps for Substance Painter, is about 150K polys, and is modeled using catmull-clark subdivisions and edge weighting.
Base mesh vs smooth mesh.
[Blockierte Grafik: http://puu.sh/rvxMK/9fd258277a.jpg]
There are a bit of details to add and adjust yet. My goal is to have it completed asap when Transport Fever is released. Or perhaps even before that. Not making any promises.
Here's some testing of baking normals from dense high poly mesh to the low poly game-ready mesh and some color tests. Don't mind the shapes, they are just tests to see how the texture resolution will hold up to the things I want to get in there.
[Blockierte Grafik: http://puu.sh/rvz6l/2ce50839e5.jpg]
And here's the wireframe. A tiny bit messy in some parts, but will be optimized as modeling progress.
[Blockierte Grafik: http://puu.sh/rvz6R/f2305f5849.jpg]