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Hydraulic Crane

O

ne of the largest features on the deck of the F/V Scully is the hydraulic crane.

The hydraulic crane is a key feature on-board any crab boat. Its main purpose is to help move empty crab pots from a stack on the deck, to the pot launcher and back (lifting large pots weighing up to 800 pounds).

As like many other assets for D_ROGUE, I am purely following photographic reference. This requires plenty of patience; studying all the components multiple times to construct it in a 3D space.

Furthermore, not only does this model need to look accurate (I have to fill in the blanks where they haven't been recorded), but it has to be mechanical, with many moving parts! Fortunately, the cranes on the fishing vessels seen in the television show Deadliest Catch are well documented on camera.

Once I had a basic form with all the pivot points aligned, I rigged the crane using joints and an iK Handle to simulate and re-position it when needed.

Below are screenshots of my progress of the model as of writing.


Jason Bartlett ©

Jason Bartlett ©

Jason Bartlett ©


Thanks for reading :)

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