gmax shape help

[rwk]

I'm trying to build a water tender like this in gmax it looks to be a simple rectangle but it has a slightly curved roof.
I can draw a rectangle shape in gmax, but how do I make the top of the rectangle curved? And how do I make it
to scale in Trainz? I want it to be slightly shorter and slightly lower than the colorado71 765 tender. I know k&l
was doing one but theirs isn't released the image was even taken off the site so I want to build my own. I will use
the trucks from the J 611 originally by Ben Neal. Also, how do you add couplers to the ends?

 

[simulatortrain]

You probably want to model that shape with splines. And type with punctuation after each sentence. Couplers would have to be modeled. Also, why the duplicate threads?

 

[angelah]

In the Box you have made increase the Length Segs (segments) so there are more lines running along the legnth of the Box that you have made into a rectangle. Turn the whole into a mesh and then edit these lines using the Edge option. By moving the Edges in/down a little that will create the slight curvature you're after. This is how I make the hulls of my warships.
If you find it diffcult to locate the Edges, maybe due to there being many lines (to see these push f3 button) then use Verticees each end of the Edge lines by selecting Vertex, it is sometimes easier.
I glip between a solid image and 'skeleal' one to check how the model looks.

Angela

 

[narrowgauge]

Create your shape as a spline this way.

Make a rectangular shape as the basis for the parallel sides then draw on top of it a rectangle rounded corners. Use this as a template to draw the shape of the tender cross-section as a spline. Make sure that any changes you make are to the vertices using 'edit spline' When you are entirely happy with the shape, select it and select 'extrude' in the Modify dropdown. Extrude it to the correct length and you have your correct tender shape. Making shapes to trace the outline ensures that you get the final accurate shape you want.

Practice this with any shape to learn what to do. I make spoked wheels this way.

Peter