See where your wireframe is discontinuous in the second image? That suggests to me the two sections of this mesh haven't actually been merged. As for edge flow, try this:
While this is probably true of the vertices in the collapsed area (closer to the curve center), the vertices in the slightly expanded area do appear to be adjusted slightly in the reference image.
I actually want to make my own version of it with the technique I just used. While inaccurate, it's precise. The reference image is only to show what it is
Well, I kinda fixed the topology by deleting and re-doing the circular part. Unfortunately, is very uneven, as shown in the 1st image! I will keep trying fixing it ;/
lol that tut was built to attempt to replicate things you can do in max in maya. :) The image link was posted on page 6 but heres a repost for the max workflow (image not mine) You can do it in max in fewer steps see The other thing you can do is select the main shell, copy it and convert it to an edit patch object, then…
ZacD, arrangemonk thank you both very much. Those alpha images combined with the bike_metal pictures are excellent references; already saved them for future use!
The other half is without the indent, but you nailed the half with the indent. Would you mind posting images on a step by step basis on how you achieved it? Thanks!