Annihilator
-----------------------------------------

The annihilator is a MOC designed by CP5670 (
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=188937).  I started with his MPD and made a series
of updates to use current LDRAW parts files and to include the fiber optic cables.  This is the
second MOC from a Technic builder which I have attempted to reproduce.  I'll start by describing
the features of the model itself, and then I will discuss the specific rendered images in this
directory.

- 2 motors, 2 fiber optic elements (16 cables), 6 motorized functions (1 4-position  gearbox, 1 2-
position gearbox)

- Two rear axles with twin differentials drive a 12 cylinder, horizontally opposed engine.

- Front and rear outriggers are driven by a motor located in the cab through a gearbox.  The
gearbox switches between operating the front and rear outriggers.  A pole reverser controls
direction.  The outriggers are geared down enough to actually lift the vehicle.

- Rear "weapons platform" contains a motor and a 4-position gearbox controlling the following
functions:
* 1 - Translates the entire platform forward and aft using 4 driven pinion gears on a long pair of
racks.
* 2 - Elevates the turret.  Goes from level to up about 50 degrees.  Driven by worm gear so it
holds itself up.
* 3 - Rotates the turret.  360 degree rotation is possible though it will tangle up the wires
running to the upper section eventually.
* 4 - Rocket "exhaust".  A pair of fiber optic elements rotate in the upper section simulating a
launch.  Note that torque must pass through the inside of the turntable to accomplish this which is
done with a differential used as a hollow ring.

- There are 8 launchable "rockets" which use competition arrows.  They launch in pairs.

- The front steering is rack and pinion via HOG.

- The cabin tilts forward to give access to the front seats.



I've included a parts list in case anyone would like to procure the parts to reproduce one of these
like I am did.



This was among the first renders which I attempted and so I was very methodical as I wanted it to
be really good.  I don't start small.

- annihilatorbasic.jpg:  This render uses all of the defaults.  The MPD file was converted with
L3P.  It uses the default lighting, the default floor, the default parts and colors.

- annihilator_lgeo.jpg:  This is the same as the first except that the LGEO parts option was
selected in L3P.  The parts are much smoother and the colors are better.

- annihilatorcolor.jpg:  Now I've made some serious changes.  Firstly, I changed the model itself
by converting many of the transparent neon green parts with transparent yellow.  I removed two of
the lights and used a large area light for the remaining light.  I used radiosity "final"
(rad_def.inc type 5) and I used HDR lighting.  Specifically, I used the Eucalyptus Probe
(rnl_probe.hdr).  Which gives you the look of trees in the background and makes the lighting
generally more full.  By  this time I was getting reasonably happy.

- annihilatorcolor2.jpg:  Same as before except I added an additional light to brighten up the
front end a bit.

- annihilatorcolor3.jpg:  I decided that this model deserved a better setting than just a white
room.  For the background sky_sphere, I used the galaxy.inc include file along with one of its
randomly generated star clusters and nebulae.  I liked the purple hue of this one.  I removed the
old lights and placed a dim purple light very high up.  I then added a couple of even dimmer white
lights closer to the model.  If you look closely, you will also see that I sythensized the fiber
optic elements.  LSynth generated so many cylinders to do this (hundreds of thousands) that it
wouldn't render.  I found that I could use the pneumatic tubing instead and decrease the number of
parts by a factor of 100.  By scaling the diameter of the tubing, it still looks like fiber optic
cable.  The ground uses a simple granite texture with a little bit of reflectivity.

- annihilatorcolor4.jpg:  This remains one of my favorite renders to date.  So few people seem to
use nighttime scenes, but I find that it really brings out the character in the model if you get
the lighting right.  Background and basic lights are the same as before.  The ground now has a more
complicated texture to look more like dirt.  I merged a small yellow light source with each
transparent yellow part to make it look like they are glowing.  This illuminates the underside of
the turret nicely.  I also changed the fiber optics to red.

-Blakbird 2008