Poll XJ3D project

Hay guys I am still here….

It’s been an insane a difficult 2013 winter and crazy busy summer, haven’t been able to work on the XJ3D project for a long time.

Some may be thinking who is this then?

I am the nutcase that is attempting to model an XJ in full 3D and make some type of cool interactive manual out of the work, (Some older samples below).

It’s time to take a poll about this project so I can evaluate its commercial potential, and decide to put in another 1,000 hours into the project.

I could use some estimated numbers of XJ owners that would be interested in the final product. The cost of the manual will be somewhere around $85.00 depending on what anti-piracy tools will be needed.

Anyone think this is “kickstarter” worthy? Kickstarter is the cloud funding of special projects, Google the term and check out the site.


FlyGp

 

You know what, I wouldn't *need* this, but the work is just so captivatingly beautiful I think I'd be likely to buy an interactive manual or just the 3D modelled "cutaway" images just for how good they are to sit & look at...

 

Holy hell. I wish my carbs/motor/gas cap looked that clean...

 

Awesome work! When you say interactive, what do you mean?

Will everything come apart in an animated parts fiche sort of way?

I think a kickstarter would be a good idea, especially if you have any ambitions to do other makes and models.

 

Do it and Ill buy it! But just like 29R Bloke I don't need it, just want it very cool!

 

I'd gladly buy it, even pay double if it included the stuff that is specific to the X engine. Are you planning to cover all the XJ model differences or just do a 'generic' XJ?

Beautiful work! That engine cutaway would make a nice poster all on it's own.

 

Now that's a good idea too & could help with funding if you could get some
nice glossy A2 or A1 posters printed off I'd buy a couple of engine cutaways
& one each of carbs complete & carbs cutaway right off the bat! Workshop
wall XJ p0rn & inspirational material in one 8)

 

+1 on the the poster idea. If you can do it for around $10.00 to $15.00 so and a decent poster size. I would love to have one of the engine for my garage. Would like it with all the connecting rods though,

 

This is great stuff. It would be fun if these 3D images could be handled with free softwares like Google sketchup.

 

Totally awesome! I'd buy. Have you thought about naming each part in each particular view so we can refer to it by its actual name instead of the "doohickey" sitting just behind the "thing-a-majig"?

 

I am being selfish here.....lol......hopefully it is done on a 1982 XJ750J Maxim specifically.......

Actually, I would help fund the project......"kickstart" that this.....

Great work.....I believe you are on to something here......you would have a lot of buyers of your product or service.....

 

dude... are you getting technical data for the parts to model them to, or doing a reverse engineering approach (which would be an INSANE amount of work...been there and done that for RC cars...)

 

Told you a long time ago that I would..........

Hope everything is ok. I sent a few txt msg but never heard back. I'll try again...............

dave f

 

To answer some questions

Mad_Bohemian

Yes I am reverse engineering the bike from parts, No data from Yamaha. So if you have experience doing this with an RC car you definitely understand the complexity of the process. If someone knows a contact at Yamaha that would have access to old engineering drawings that would be cool.

Joeperzis

The 3D manual would be interactive, parts would contain the part numbers and extra info not available in existing text based manuals. Some of the possible features

X-ray vision: look inside before you take something apart (no surprise springs waiting to launch across the shop)

Interactive exploded views: you can rotate and look at everything from different directions not just a fixed position like in a normal exploded view drawing

High level of detail: the exploded drawing views in manuals are horrible when you are attempting to identify one washer from another for example. Or if that odd shape ink blob is an important part that needs to go in a particular way.

An unlimited number of assembly photos: photos in paper manuals suck, you can only see things in two states of being, Assembled (covered up by surrounding parts) or disassembled (laying in an inappropriate position on a workbench or in someone’s hand). In the 3D environment you control the views and transparency of the parts obstructing your view.

Books assume that parts you need still can be acquired as new: most parts like the ignition switch, handlebar controls, even mirror swivel joints can be fixed to better than new condition, Book manuals just assume you can get a better replacement and used parts are likely to have the same problems as the one you already have so why not fix it.

How many show you the inside of a horn for example



Explanations: if you can see inside a device with all the parts in place you can see exactly how something works. Maybe some minor text explanation would be needed but the majority of the how it works secrets would be obvious if you could see inside with the parts still in place.

And possibly the most annoying thing about manual books: the phrase “assemble in reverse order”. This is the most insane way to show someone how to fix something. Give them pages of verbal instruction to take it apart then after the home mechanic has been away from the project ask them to use the disassembly instructions to assemble in reverse order. So now you have a pile of shims that look like washers and washers that look like shims, now does this bump on this part face out or in? What part did I just drop on the floor? (Ok a bit of a rant).

Thanks for all the comments and encouragement I need to make some major decisions to keep this project in play, this would only be one of many motorcycle manuals to undergo this transformation, but if I invest 2,500hr into a manual and only sell a few, well you know what I am getting at, totally scary.

Not sure if the links below will work they are micro videos of a few models,
click to play.

FlyGp :wink:

 

While I can't guarantee it, it sure seems to me that as soon as these become available, and OTHER companies and restoration clubs see this, they're going to be clamboring for you to do this for their bikes, too.

It sure seems to be cutting edge in my own feeble opinion.

Dave Fox

 

That's not a terrible price, the headlight for my 650R will cost that much.

Awesome as usual Fly

 

im getting hard to impress as i get older, but thats pretty good,

 

I think you're right Dave, but hopefully the XJ's get priority

Again, while I wouldn't need this I'd buy it simply for it's beauty, especially seeing the videos & the nut & bolt detail of the horn. Definitely interested in posters if you do any too, I wanna get in there before you get headhunted by Haynes to bring their manuals into the 21st C...

 

+1 on the project - I wud definately buy it!!!

 

There's been thousands of bikes taken apart and put back together without 3D drawings.
If a person can't do it without them chances are they can't do it with them.
It's a nice conversation piece but if the manufacturers thought it was useful they would be out there. They already have them.

 

I disagree Polock. Seems to be the XJ wizards are leaning towards not needing this for obvious reason. They have experiential talent over non-wizards. The manufacturers would not put them out there for the general public. That's why they invented the dealer service center (cha-ching $$$)!! Things have changed over time...how many times have we heard on this site that local mechanics/shops will not even touch these 30 year old bikes.

My two cents...

Nice job FlyGp.

 

I would buy it.

 

Stunning work, the possibilities are infinite

 

found some other short video/s testing some formats. The videos are old and the project is much more detailed now and there is way more of the bike modeled.

Let me know if this looks useful, only scratching the surface with these outdated formats.

FlyGp

if the link is not working maybe try these....

link to video 1 starter

old test video of the front end

old switch test video

old headlight test video

Control switch gear video

 

Tons of work went into that. If you showed me animated tear down/rebuild procedures, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

 

Not sure how I haven't seen this until now, but WOW. This needs to come to fruition more than a live-action Voltron movie that isn't directed by Michael Bay.

 

And if these beautiful 3d images had technical dimension you could then program a 5 axis milling machine to make parts that are no longer available or a 3d printer to make casting blanks or any plastic parts like headlight bucket , switch clusters, dash indicator lenses and on and on....
Now we just need some stinking rich uncle to buy the equipment!
And pay Fly to do all the work

 

Is the starter motor turning in the wrong direction...?

 

Yes.

 

Hell yea, been waiting for you to finish.