This tutorial explains how to create some STATIC tank tracks for any
tank/tracked model!!
A Quick explanation is we create a SPLINE in the shape of the tracks
from the side, and 1 Track section, then DUPLICATE the section 30-50
times and ARRANGE it along the SPLINE...Read on
1. First we need to create a SPLINE 2. I
Chose the AKIMA SPLINE (use whatever you prefer) 3. Create the SPLINE
in the SIDE VIEW as shown and 4. Create a Track section, more on this
in the next step...
1. Here you can see the track section from
underneath showing the details that will face OUTWARDS around the
track, I made it from a BOX with a few EXTRUDES, INNERS etc SCALED it
down to roughly the right size...This section is gonna get DUPLICATED
and ARRANGED evenly around the SPLINE
1. Heres the DUPLICATION part, so select
the track section (Cube) as shown and 2. Select FUNCTIONS from the menu
and 3. Choose DUPLICATE, in the pop-up 4. Type in something like 30
COPIES, 5. TICK GENERATE INSTANCES and 6. Set MOVE to 0 (zero)
otherwise each one will be offset by 500 which is the default
setting!!! Press OK and see next step...
1. Now what you get is a new NULL OBJECT
with 30 copies of the track section (Cube) inside it 2. You cant see
them as they are all in the same position here ;-) see next step to
ARRANGE them...
Now to ARRANGE em 1. Select the NULL OBJECT
containing the 30 copies 2. Choose FUNCTIONS and ARRANGE 3. In the
popup box type "Spline" as shown which is the name of the SPLINE the
sections will be ARRANGED around, press OK see next step...
Wohoo! Some tracks...BUT theyre not quite
close enough, so instead of 30 we need 40 maybe 50 copies, this part
repeating the last few steps may take a little trial an error, FIRST
thing to do is to DELETE the NULL OBJECT that contains the 30 copies so
we can make a new one with 40-50...
OK same again, 1. Select the track section (Cube) 2. FUNCTIONS and choose DUPLICATE 3. Type 45 or something 4. OK...
 Click to enlarge |
|
Again 1. Select the NULL OBJECT with the 45
Copies in, 2. FUNCTIONS and choose ARRANGE 3. Type "Spline" if needed
and 4. Press OK, there you go some fairly detailed tank
tracks...depending on how you build the track section the more/less
detail you can have in each track section! Have Fun!!