Noob in need of advice and critique - Sci-fi Forge

Cuboos

I really hope i'm doing this in the right forum, if not, please direct me to the proper forum. I've been dabbling around in Maya for a couple years, and i'm starting to consider getting more serious with it. A friend of mine issued me an interesting challenge that sounded like a lot of fun. For something on Second Life she requested a Sci-fi forge for a Role Play server. Since i have some experience in black smiting, she thought i'd be the perfect candidate, and I've been itching to dabble in making my own designs for once.

My current progress:









Now, obviously the top piece isn't suppose to float like that, it's suppose to be attached to a beam behind the fire-pot. The idea is that when heating the materials, the top piece can be pulled down and activated, then pushed back up when you're ready to pull the metal out. I decided to seek criticism early on into the build before i got to far in. I plan on making a low-poly version once the high poly is done. I'd love any input at all, call it bad or good, i want to improve my skills.

Also, using these as reference

Eric Chadwick

First step should be a 3d blockout model, to get the basic proportions down, and to include all the major shapes (such as that support rod). You can also do a bit of paintover on it to add quick detailing, adjust proportions, try some color schemes. This will help you plan the highpoly model better.

The model is looking good so far. I would suggest adding more angled parts, especially considering the first two references. For example the front of the round base could use some angled trapezoidal cuts in those horizontal curves. Break up the monotony of those flat curves.

Great start.

Tobbo

It is looking like a good start. I would suggest varying your bevel widths a bit to add some nice variation. Bevels are much more interesting than straight edges.

Mark Dygert

I agree with everything that Eric said. I would also like to add that the reference you are going off of, are not forges at best they are "greeble" inspiration but they are electrical and mechanical things with dainty circuits and beauty paneling, that aren't really built to withstand the intense heat and weight of molten metals.

What I think you should be doing is taking a lot more reference from real world forges from today and the past and putting a sci-fi spin on them. The basic concept of a forge, smelter, furnace wouldn't change a whole lot and a lot of the real world examples are very close to sci-fi looking.

Research how the process works now, then think of ways that it might be improved or tweaked in the future. For example, it looks like your pot would receive molten material from the upper piece but what does it do with it? Does it rotate and pour it into a channel or mold? Instead of molten material does it work with some other kind of material? How can those things be explained. Just putting material in a pot doesn't actually turn it into anything useable, unless you're making soup.