Smokey sure has shown a bit of improvement since the first render. I put him in a temporary environment using recycled texture maps from previous projects, modeled the arms a bit more to create little grabbers, but it’s not quite locked down yet. I’m going to make changes to the model to prepare it for animation (such as turning the little pincer claws individually into separate objects ready for rigging). If anyone out there is listening, what do you think? I’d love to see comments.

Here’s more of Smokey the robot. I did a lot of refinement to the legs, mouth, eye area, and jaw mesh. I still need to add detail to the arms which will eventually be much larger than is there, and possible a four-way pincher… like a claw game claw. I’m going to start working on finalized textures once the model is locked down, which should be this weekend!

I’m working on a project involving robots! This little guy is Smokey, an Incin-a-bot that picks up and burns trash. The textures AND model are definitely work-in-progress. I’ll do final textures after the model is locked down. The next steps for me are to put the final leg and arm models in, which will add detail and improve the size of the feet and claws.

Here’s the latest render.  At this point, I optimized some of the geometry, did a complete UV map and pack, and baked the ambient occlusion and procedural wood.  I decided to use the procedural wood rather than paint a wood map because the procedural texture created the soft, clean look I was going for.  I can always paint on the baked map if I need to make any specific modifications.  This shot was rendered with only the default 3ds Max lights and no shadows.  Everything is baked in!  Ambient Occlusion + Render To Texture = Awesome.

I think it turned out pretty well, but this is still inside 3ds Max, and has not been optimized yet. I will pack the UVs, tweak the maps, and the glass is there now for reference. We may use separate models for the glass and the table, as they will have to break differently.