Modeling road sturctures

[emjay]

I have a plan in which I have a complex network of roads. If some one could point me on the methodology to model them out.

 

The roads have overhead bridges which loop around and reach the ground level, a few roads tha merge into each other like "Y" , underpasses, these are all in one plan.

 

I have tried to work with splines, but what happens is when the splines pass over each other(not touching) the extrude modifier fails.

 

What would be a decent work flow. Just a slight work flow tips will make me going and I can pick on from there.

[Thablanch]

I would go loft or sweep for the bridges, and spline modeling or polymodeling for the roads. Extrude the roads only if you are working on a flat surface...

 

Lines for the outlines, and a Surface modifier on top of the lines.

[Claudio Branch]

Take a look at this:

 

http://www.pbviz.com/forum/Topic1318-77-1.aspx?Highlight=Rules+Road

[emjay]

guys ...thanks so much...this was of real help. Great info. I have one more little issue, I have say two roads coming from two different sides and then combining into a single road more of like a 'Y' , the two roads coming from either side is a part of a overhead bridge, hence is NOT a Grade-level(ground) the single road IS at GL, how do i combine/merge this intersection after lofting/sweeping ? Also keeping in consideration that i have a cross section that has been used in lofting for the two roads.

?

 

thanks!

[Claudio Branch]

 

...how do i combine/merge this intersection after lofting/sweeping ?

 

 

1. - create road sections to use with the Sweep modifier on your road splines.

 

2. - collapse to editable poly and attach all of the road surfaces

 

3. - use Bridge command to adjoin opposing faces and Create poly to fill the voids.

[emjay]

Thanks so much for the detail, so it has to be done manually i guess, like you have mentioned. I was reluctant to follow this since i am not sure what goes of the UVs then?

[Claudio Branch]

Typically for an intersection you will texture it with it's own custom map. It all really depends on how complex the intersection is and how much accuracy/realism is required to reproduce the lane markings, concrete, dirt/oil etc.

[emjay]

Ok i have the poly thing working , the model comes out fine. Now this means i will have to UV map it manually because now the loft's uv has been disturbed. I can also make different parts detached where the roads intersect and keep the remaining as sweep/loft? . So more of it's like a mix of poly and loft objects as per requirements.

How to go about the seams that will be visible between these various objects? or should i skip those in the camera?

[beestee]

Not sure how well it works for authoring the road networks within Max, but the Dynamite VSP plugin was made available to Max Design 2011 subscribers. There are links to a video and brochure about the tool here, which seem to highlight the "import from AutoCAD Civil 3D" and not so much the usability for originating content within Max. I believe it comes as an option in the Max Design 2011 installation files. It seems that it would be the ideal solution for this type of situation if it works for authoring within Max, but I wouldn't know as I am still on 2010.

 

EDIT: Found another article here that suggests usefulness of the tool for anyone using 3DS Max Design...so maybe.

Edited June 22, 2010 by beestee