Nice modelling work on the jack and the animation is excellent. Maybe you could write some simple words about animating the tracks and running gear?
Will you texture the Ha-Go?
For those who can’t watch: Probably you are using Windows Media Player ? Get the free VLC Player, it plays lots of codecs and is lean.
Thanks. I will try to write a detailed explanation in the next days.
Yes, I’m making UV maps now.
Well, here we are again, sorry I took so long… I finally finished animating the suspension, I had some trouble because the animation I made before only worked when the tank was still, and links went mad when I tried to move the tank around (not very useful, I’d say :no:) . But as you can see in the video, I got around it and it moves smoothly now :). I also animated the turret and wheels.
Here’s the latest animation test:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/oszfty (5 MB AVI DivX).
I’m going to explain the procedure as soon as possible. By the way, I finished unwrapping UV coordinates too, so I can finally get to the texture painting stage. Hope to post updates soon.
Cheers :).
Started texturing, for me the most difficult part 
.
This is just a test, the colours are not quite right yet, and I still have to add layer of dust and dirt.
Updates are on the way :yes:.
Colors and specularity look very good.
I think your bump map needs some tweaking though. I think it needs to be reduced in height a tiny bit, smoothed out, and the frequency lowered- ie map it larger.
This tank is very cool.
I am looking forward on your explanation of tread animation.
Moved the animation tutorialette to a thread of its own, check http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?t=109214.
A couple more renders… basic coloring is almost done, threw in some procedural clouds to make the surface dirty, just as a test. Soon I’ll paint in rust, dirt and the like, add the insignia and work on the bump map.
I’d like to send the tutorial (expanded with the suspension animation part) and images to Blenderart magazine but don’t think I’ll have a decent final render for tomorrow… will see.
Cheers 
Not been here for a while.
Excellent work on the model, the texture and thanks for the animation tutorial. Good luck with Blenderart magazine. You’re certainly able to write a good article for their next theme.
Some updates… Added markings (1st Tank Regiment, 3rd Company, Malaya peninsula, 1941) and some layers of dirt, rust and the like. I’m not yet convinced, so I’ll have to tweak them a little, and redo the bump map. Got to work on the lights too, but as I intend to make an environment for the tank I didn’t spend much time on them yet.
Hope to update yet again soon…
After a long time with no updates, here I finally present a fully textured animation test with some scenery.
Youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTPuGpmVmyM
I also attached a still.
Things to do: add some vertical movement, the speed of the tracks makes it difficult to appreciate the motion; better texturing on the vegetation; and ideally adding a tank commander popping from the turret.
Cheers everyone…
Animation is too fast- I know it’s correct speed (or close to it) but it moves too damn fast to allow to appreciate anything
Lovely model- not sure if I mentioned it before.
He certainly looks asian. Great mesh topology.
sorry if im resurrecting a dead thread(the last post seems to be a month old) but i just wanted to point out http://military-meshes.com/ might be of use/interest! 
Gosh, already 1 month without updating? 
Anyway, here we come again with some additions to the tank commander. I modelled the upper part of the body, since he’ll be just popping from the turret. Added some basic rigging and flat materials, and threw in some basic OpenGL tests of how he’d look aboard the tank.
I’m still to fully texture it, ideally shouldn’t take long, but there’s a chance I get tired and don’t use it at all… after almost a year (:eek:) of working with it I’d like to finish it ASAP and move to some other project.
Felix_Kütt, thanks for the advice, I’m actually registered there but never posted and didn’t visit since a few months… I think I’ll be around there soon.
Here’s a new update of the treads animation, plain OpenGL this time:
I can’t make the top part of the tread bounce too much because the links would twist badly… I think I could prevent that by not making the path “3D”, but I’d have to redo it… will see.
Darn, that tank is hella nice 
I’m gonna watch the animation right away.
Amazing! The animation (updated animation) is superb, the way the tracks move around the bumps in the terrain.
There where som minor glitches around 00:12 on the tracks (is it the right word?) otherwise: REALLY COOL!! (:
