X-Flight Coaster
This is the X-Flight coaster project. We were hired to help ensure that the thematic elements did not interfere with the ride itself, and to provide images and animations of the design in-process.
We produced highly accurate engineering models in Autodesk Inventor of all of the ride structure column base plates to ensure that the data was accurate to the manufacturer’s specifications and that the placement of elements was correct in our models in all three planes.
Above was just one of many views produced as the design developed to show the safety envelope of the ride (wireframe blue) and how it aligned with the ride’s structures. This was a proposed “Hangar” that was intended to surprise the guests as the coaster ‘burst’ through the unseen back of the building. The 2D plans from the architect, Bleck & Bleck in Libertyville Illinois, were brought into Revit and Inventor to produce various elements. This allowed us to create parametric 3D objects that could easily change as the designs evolved.
Above was another area where it was critical to get the opening in the Tower and the other structures correct. Getting it right in the design phase saves a lot of money down the line, and ensures safe operation of the ride. No surprises. There are actually two safety envelopes shown in blue, one inside the other, along with yellow bands to highlight areas of concern. This early model shows some simple SketchUp objects from the designers.
Our primary goal with this project was the accuracy of the model to ensure ride-time safety. As time went on, our client needed to see the ride and queue line areas from the perspective of the ride staff and helping to ensure the host could see what they needed to see.
We also produced images from a number of vantage points to evaluate what the guests would see as they walked through the midway, or were in line and waiting to get on the ride.
Above is the ride’s Station area. Taking the 2D plans into Revit and Inventor, and seeing the 3D result, helped to find minor issues in the plans and also helped to set the direction as we approached the final design. We weren’t hired to do every detail, so some things are left out.
We produced QTVR panoramas from numerous vantage points throughout the design development process. Although fairly new at the time, this made a huge difference to both our client and their customer as they could look around and see the details anywhere in the field of view. The animations could be viewed on the web or a computer. The above image shows the viewpoint from a low point in the ride, where they might need to evacuate in the event of an issue. With our current game engine technology, we would likely still produce VR panoramas as they are easy to share and view, but also produce a playable game that the stakeholders could move around freely.
Birds-eye and other (then) impossible angles were helpful at every stage of planning and evaluation of the designs. The final Tower 3D model was built in Inventor to ensure accuracy, and compared against the safety envelope for the ride..
We did produce a video from the perspective of the rider. We did not have the model for the train itself, unfortunately, but could show what the ride could see throughout the ride experience. Below is a shot as the riders corkscrew into the Tower, then plunge into the Hangar.
The video was something we did for fun, but it turned out to be quite useful. The timing isn’t correct as we didn’t get that data at the time of the project, but it gives you a feel for what the guest will experience. This coaster features riders that are far off the centerline and “flying” on either side of the rails, and other videos show the different vantage points.