[ArcTec] Manticore

[TheArchitect]

So I've decided to start another ride that I probably wont finish, or will lose due to file corruption with no backups.

Manticore

Epic flying lion with bat wings and a scorpion tail!

Brief Description:
So the original idea was simple "wouldn't it be cool if a ride launched out from the inside of a waterfall?", and that was what I worked with. After deliberating many cool ideas and themes, I decided to see if I could actually make this work. I came up with ideas of mechanisms which could part the flow of water, and played around with different ride styles which would be suited to this. After making many realisations, I felt it was best if the waterfall was permanently split, but using line of sight so that it didn't immediately appear to be. I settled with a Wing Rider, as this kept the opening narrow, and simply because I imagined the ride being a Wing Rider from the start. The park path will remain on one side of the river, and I can use the line of site to hide the keyhole:

This will be further hidden using scenery and effects. The second waterfall is left mostly untouched, and the ride dives right down it. You hang over the top of it upside down, before plummeting down it. At the base of both waterfalls, the track and supports will be set into a narrow trench, allowing the riders to get as close to the water as the clearance envelope allows.

Quick stats & facts:

• To be featured in my Gaudium park
• B&M Wingrider
• Two launches
• 215ft (65.5m) from lowest point to highest point
• 5355ft (1632m) long
• 4.2 G maximum force
• 76 mph (122 km h) top speed
• Waterfall Keyhole feature
• Split level layout
• A few water features/effects
• Station area featured within cave
• 7 Inversions including one unique inversion
• Inspired by Thunderbird
• Ancient Persian theme with a temple closely resembling the Treasury at Petra

Ride Layout:



Beauty Shots:
Please ignore all prefab supports. Only the track work and colours are final, all scenery and supports are purely place holders.





Trackwork:
I used Thunderbird quite heavily for shaping, the pictures don't quite do it justice because of FOV differences. I must have watched Thunderbirds POV a hundred times trying to get this shaping right. The bends are incredibly complex in their shaping, and ride quite differently to how they look. The banking stays constant, and only the roll speed varies. Whereas looking at the element, it seems to bank in hard, then relax, and then bank back into the drop. I've got the shaping as close as humanly possible, and learnt so much about FVD and playing with rolls speed. I have close to 30 files for Manticore's FVD, each one at different stages and milestones of the track work.









I'm currently working through terraforming and scenery, I'm on my 10th file for Manticore's station area. I'm currently working through some models and stripping them of triangles where possible. I've just reduced my pillar caps from 872 triangles down to 416, and that's not completely finished yet. I plan to use of all NL2's features, like LOD's, clipping and occluders to ensure maximum performance for all users. Example:

Thank you, please comment!

[mkingy]

*insert expletive here*

I will hound you until this is finished.

[Oscar]

Yeah, this is looking very nice. Kewl colors too. You best finish it or else you gonna get demoded

[Coasterkidmwm]

Looks pretty badass. Do you plan on cantilevering the supports out a bit where the wingover starts so they're out of the canyon?

Well this looks fantastic so far. You managed to nail the really complex banking transition B&M used on Thunderbird. I can't wait to see this thing in its full glory

[TheArchitect]

Short answer: Yes to some degree.

Long answer: When I planned the layout, the supports for that part where going to be the typical upright with the lateral brace on the inside. The upright will be on the cliff top, with a reinforced foundation, and the lateral brace will be off the the right of the track, going in land. However, as the ride has developed, that cliff top has been eaten away and the upright is ending up much taller than I initially imagined. So I may lean it more inland to counter the effect. I wouldn't mind doing some erratic Great Bear style supports over some parts to further enhance the feel, but this might come across as bad planning, with is completely contradictory. I may add some oversized footers on the cliff edge, like Hair Raiser, for added realism.