The Ship Model Forum

I think it is time to start with a new project - Dutch smack

A smack was a very typical Dutch cargo vessel of XVIII century. Usually it carried 2 masts. They were shhips of very different dimensions.

It is my first sailing vessel ever... So please, forgive me any possible mistakes... If you have any suggestions, please feel free to write
I hope you are going to like it, and I expect a lot of challenge during construction... So, off we go.

I knew what you meant, but the title still put a different picture in my head

Looking good so far. What app are you using? Also, could you post some wires so we can see the construction more clearly?

Its nice to see something from an earlier time period as well.

Owen

I hope it is not anything impolite... In fact, English is NOT my mother language, so I do not know all its nuances.
I use Blender version 2.63a. This model is going to help me to transfer from 2.49b to the new one (I hate pointless work so I decided to make some object to spend my time in front of the computer effectively).
Hope to show the next update soon.

Some update:





As I expected. Everything is challenging to me (especially the new version of Blender) But I try to continue my struggling.

Today I played with the textures and the light options. In the picture you can see few mast parts. I am going to like the Blender's new internal renderer as it is easy to use and gives relatively good effects.
How do you find the colors? Do they look realistic?



Cheers

Lothar,

It looks good. But I wonder how they finished the spars to protect them - varnish or paint?

This is a good build, and quite different from the more modern metal ships we have seen here. It will be interesting to see what unique challenges you find in modeling a sailing ship.

Phil

Looking interesting. Keep us posted. I'm still interested in some wires

Owen

Thank you for your kind opinions.

tea monster
I will show the wires as soon as I find some wire (of course - next time)

DrPR:
As far as I know some parts of the ships were also painted. But I am deeply convinced in this case the spars were varnished.
There are few real models of the smack I know built by experienced guys, who did not painted the hull and other parts over the deck, e.g.:
http://www.koga.net.pl/forum/search.php

And I keep my "digital shipyard" working Cheers


EDIT: (I hate multi-posting)

Hello again!
Here you have what I have done today. I assembled all parts I have built so far. Simply, could not resist to see how it looked like...

This time only a capstan. But still one step forward

Very nice work Lothar!

Love the texturing.

Since my professional life keeps me very busy, I do not have much time to make any significant progress... Anyway, I have put some new parts aboard. I also try to deal with the ropes. How to make them? So far - no answer

That is looking very good indeed. The shape is intriguing and the texturing for the wood looks good. Looking forward to the rest of it getting shaders!

Don't worry about the rate of work, it's the quality that counts. We're all 'guilty' of something similar at some time.

Good rope tut for Blender

Owen

Thanks Owen.

Today, another view with couple of new deck devices.

I struggle against the textures... Finally I have found the colour I am happy with, but I can not stretch this texture properly on the hull Anyway, some update.

How I would handle it would be to UV map the hull, then in the UV editor, adjust your map so that the horizontal lines are actually horizontal. Then that should cause the planks to 'curve up'.

Good work.

Owen

It is time to finish my boat In the picture you can see the smack shown without the mastst.

I see, my smack has not attracted anyone's attention So, one more picture to finish my subject. It is time to start with another project.
By the way, my main goal while "building" this model was to get familiar with the new interface of Blender (so far a used to use the version 2.49b). This sailing vessel was created within Blender 2.63a. As you can see this is very efficient tool, and I feel happy making small progress with the new version of sotware.

No, we're paying attention. Perhaps it's just "stunned" silence.

Beautiful work Lothar! Looking forward to whats next.

Lothar,

Nice model. I would like to see more detail of the masts and rigging.

I have been watching (when time permits) to see how you did with the rigging. Most of the models posted here are steam powered and have little if any rigging. My experience has been that realistic rigging in a CAD model is very difficult (I am currently struggling with the blocks and tackle for the lifts, vangs, and other rigging on the boat booms on my model). Drawing things like rope loops and knots is maddening!

Doing a large full rigged square rigger would be very difficult.

Phil