Celestia Forums

Previously I posted the availability of an Addon containing a simplistic model of one of the VLA telescopes.
( See viewtopic.php?f=23&t=16247 )

Since then I've gradually been adding more details. Here is a picture showing some of the progress so far.

Note that I'm doing my usual "representational" modeling, not "realistic". The support structure is implemented using "cubes" -- each strut is composed of a single rectangular solid with only 8 vertices. The real structure's individual struts are actually 3 cylinders, which would increase the number of vertices by about a factor of 20. Currently the mirror assembly is about 16K vertices. I'm guessing that'll double by the time it's finished. The yoke is about 10K and the base is about 5K. They're essentially complete, so I don't expect them to increase significantly.

One of the pictures I'm using as a reference can be seen at
http://static.zooomr.com/images/495879_720aa556d8_b.jpg

WOW Selden !

I can't wait to see the final version. Looks good !

A delightful model. What next!!!
Regards, David.

Good work, Selden!

Michael

Yes... super .3ds as well please.

bh,

Why do you want a 3DS version?

3d_molier is already selling a model of a VLA telescope in many formats, including 3DS. I'm reluctant to
a. have my free version compete with that
b. entice someone to try to plagiarize and sell my version.

See http://www.turbosquid.com/FullPreview/I ... /ID/410524

Yes... I totally understand Selden... sometimes I like to import models into Bryce.

Selden,

when do you intend to release your new model ?

I don't know. It's taking a lot longer than I expected.

selden wrote:The support structure is implemented using "cubes" -- each strut is composed of a single rectangular solid with only 8 vertices.

Hi Selden,

You might want to consider using "cubes" with a triangular section (ie. 6 vertices) for many of the finer struts on the rear of your dish. This is a 25% reduction in vertices for those parts (and probably wouldn't impair their appearance).
Perhaps may only result in a 10% reduction overall taking into account the remaining mesh, but may still be worth the effort.

Telepath,

Thanks a lot for the suggestion, but there are several reasons why I probably won't do that.
1. cubes are a primitive in the modelling program that I use, but 6-vertex objects aren't.
2. I've already redone the dish support structure several times and I'm quite sick of it!
3. a 25% reduction isn't quite enough of an improvement for me to be willing to spend the time redoing everything yet again.

Some progress to show. I'd guess the reflector assembly is about 75% finished: The secondary reflector assembly is only a placeholder, and the counterweight assembly isn't finished.

Then I'll have to do a major revision of the yoke assembly. It has to be made narrower to match the scale of the rerlector's support structure, which affects just about all of its components in non-linear ways

Another progress report: the vertex feed horn assembly is mostly finished. I haven't added the heaters yet.

The meshes are still growing:
Dish: 77K vertices
Yoke: 20K
Base: 12K

I think I'm pretty much done with the dish. It's at 88K vertices.
Now to fight with resizing the yoke....

Are you going to add a Dr. Floyd standing on the stairs?

selden wrote:I think I'm pretty much done with the dish. It's at 88K vertices.
Now to fight with resizing the yoke....

No bad at all for such a structure. It seem very optimized.

"Almost done." Yeah, right.

Very CoOl ! Can't wait to show it to my students !

Reiko wrote:Are you going to add a Dr. Floyd standing on the stairs?

What about Jodie Foster?