Hi guys,

I finally got a break from work and had the chance to draw just for fun again...today I drew up this brass compass.  Any comments and suggestions most welcome.

Gaz

That's gorgeous, Gaz. I've never seen an instrument like that.

Henry H

What a beautiful piece and lovely model

Thanks guys, it's a brass compass I have just purchased to put in a display I have in my study.  I like how it turned out.

Gaz

Thanks guys, it's a brass compass I have just purchased to put in a display I have in my study.  I like how it turned out.

Gaz

Gaz,

this is a lovely instrument, and a fine drawing, but, a compass?

It looks like a very old means of finding one's position, by measuring an angle of a celestial body, for instance.  I don't think you would use it to steer your ship by, well, not directly anyway. 
Could be some form of Pelorus?

Just my thoughts.

Regards Tim

...but, a compass?

It looks like a very old means of finding one's position, by measuring an angle of a celestial body, for instance.  I don't think you would use it to steer your ship by, well, not directly anyway. 
Could be some form of Pelorus?

I think you're right Tim, in that it can be adjusted on an angle (see the view with it open below) and sighted along to get the angles of celestial bodies, has a sundial on top and a compass beneath for orienting it correctly.  It's only "pocket" sized, so it was portable, possibly to take up on deck.

Gaz

Looks outstanding Garry.At the following link has some similar facts that may strike your interest.


http://handicraft.indiamart.com/products/nautical-products/surveyor-compass.html

Terrific job ob the compass/gizmo Garry.

I am curious if you used 3D text/objects for the numbers and divisions or a wrapped image?

I don't comment often... but very nice in all aspects.

Gaz,

It might also be used as a sundial, to assess the local time.
But, WD appears to have "hit-the-nail-on-the-head!"   

Regards Tim

Perfectly done. I looked at http://www.brasscompass.com/ . There is plenty to choose from.
Marek

Thanks for all your comments guys,

WD: Perfect!  Thanks for the link and the info, now I've learnt a lot more about it.
Greg: Thanks for your encouragement specially as you "don't comment often"
Don: All of the text and linework is text (text that I exploded four times back to basic lines then extruded to just 0.01 mm thick to be "paint thin")- takes some time doing it this way but I like the clean, clear results.
All others: Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.

I think my next "fun" project will be my brass Sextant from the same display...I love those old brass / glass complex "dust collectors" (this is what my partner calls them!) - they look so cool drawn up in CAD.

Gaz

Perfectly done. I looked at http://www.brasscompass.com/ . There is plenty to choose from.
Marek

Good find, Marek. Look specifically at

http://brasscompass.com/sundialcomp.htm#REG

Henry H

It looks really impressive. I wonder if a positive impression remains if you take it in your hand. Looks like a excellent gift. Well, is ideal for creating a 3D model in TurboCAD.
Marek

This is an impressive model & render.

Just up my street Gaz, you can't beat an old style brass instrument, the only pity I find is creating a very realistic texture with scratches that are not from a photograph, I have looked for years for a suitable plugin to create realistic scratches, and still looking.

Excellent creation!.

This is a beautiful model and render Gaz! What a fun piece to own as well.

Thanks everyone, Yes Brad, I have a display in my office with a "pirate" theme...old blunderbuss, flintlocks, cap pistols, brass telescope, sextant and this compass.  When I get some more free time I want to draw some of the other items in the display.

Gaz

Superb Modelling and detailing Garry... :-)

Thanks everyone, Yes Brad, I have a display in my office with a "pirate" theme...old blunderbuss, flintlocks, cap pistols, brass telescope, sextant and this compass.  When I get some more free time I want to draw some of the other items in the display.

Gaz

That sounds like a great collection Gaz. I look forward to seeing any of them that you find the time to model up.