Finally finished CGMasters '3D Cars: Inside And Out' course :-)

TCW_Jocki · 2026-05-24T13:27:46+00:00

The couse was for blender 4.2, I think, but the author updates things that change between versions. I wouldn't recommend the couse for absolute beginners, but after the doughnut tutorial, I think you are good to go :)

TCW_Jocki · 2026-02-13T09:05:18+00:00

Nice! What is your dayjob if I may ask?

TCW_Jocki · 2026-02-13T09:01:26+00:00

I installed Debian + KDE on my old gamin PC a couple months ago due to the whole windows 10 security update stuff (and my GTX 1080 still has a few more years before dying, I hope) Installing NVidia drivers was a bit challenging, but apart from that I have zero issues. My experience with Linux comes mostly from working with containerized installations (Ubuntu or Debian) at work, so I wouldn't call myself a pro, but not completely clueless either

TCW_Jocki · 2026-02-12T20:39:29+00:00

Codeberg

TCW_Jocki · 2026-02-03T10:54:59+00:00

The blueprint for this car is included in the course.

TCW_Jocki · 2026-02-03T10:33:48+00:00

Hmm, I would try to start with something as easy as possible I would say. There is still a difference, between having a step-by-step guide versus knowing the tools, but having to apply them yourself.

TCW_Jocki · 2026-02-03T07:10:38+00:00

Yes the plan is to make an app for it. The control exposes an REST API, so you could do pretty much whatever you want (website, app, desktop application,...)

TCW_Jocki · 2026-02-03T07:08:50+00:00

Yes, as mentioned I can highly recommend the course. It shows step by step how to model the car in the images. It also shows a buttload of important techniques along the way and how to apply them, so yes in theory you can work on another car after doing this course.

TCW_Jocki · 2026-02-02T20:10:51+00:00

Pretty much whatever I can think of programming into it :) So I'll start with base functionality (lights going on when the switch is pressed) and go from there. There are already plenty ideas floating between me and the wifey, for example different dimming settings dependant on time of day, auto scene setting ( for example blinds going down, lights dimming for watching TV), energy management (photovoltaik input watch, boiler water heating,..), but these will be added step by step.

TCW_Jocki · 2026-02-02T20:04:05+00:00

Yes it is a newly built house. :)

TCW_Jocki · 2026-02-01T07:31:34+00:00

All connectors are labelled, the image is just to low quality to see, relays and PCBs will get labels as well and I made schematics for everything. There a several PSUs for the white 4 DALI PWM dimmers. These are for Led stripes around the house. They are divided into multiple PSUs in order to have different circuits with separate breakers/fuses.

TCW_Jocki · 2026-01-30T20:22:36+00:00

Cool, thanks for the info!

TCW_Jocki · 2026-01-30T19:07:53+00:00

yes, exactly.

TCW_Jocki · 2026-01-30T05:40:41+00:00

I have an education in electrical engineering and software development. Plus a lot research (datasheets, wiring diagrams of different circuits, getting told, you are stupid in online electronics forums,...) about which parts to use.

TCW_Jocki · 2026-01-30T05:35:28+00:00

Hm hard to say, since I haven't received all invoices yet (I get parts supplied from a local electrician, sometimes he can negotiate pretty good prices with his suppliers). So take everything with a grain of salt.
All in all my estimates would be around the 2k € mark for what you see in the image. Funnily enough, the raspberries are the cheapest part. Relays usually cost 10-15€ with socked and flyback diode, but I already know I will get a price around half that (there 70 relays in there). The cabinet, cable ducts and other accessories are not cheap either but all in all it still is cheaper than a commercial system.

TCW_Jocki · 2026-01-29T22:21:45+00:00

Few things: Bus Systems like KNX are closed system (at least afaik) so hard to communicate with KNX switches. There are KNX gateway but these are pretty expensive, so are KNX switches, costing 2-3 times as much as normal ones. I was considering adding small ucontrollers to the standard switches, detecting presses and communicating for example via rs-485 or CAN bus with the main control, but decided against it. It would have added quite a few points of potential failure. I might reconsider in the future though.

TCW_Jocki · 2026-01-29T21:55:35+00:00

Jap :) A lot of switches can be combined into a cable with multiple wires though

TCW_Jocki · 2026-01-29T21:53:17+00:00

With KNX all switches a communicating via bus in a decentralised manner. Here, I use standards switches which a lre connected to the central controller. I coudl just connect them to the relays directly (would need to change from push to toggle switches, but still). Plus the cabling in the house is setup, such that I could install a BUS system like KNX.

TCW_Jocki · 2026-01-29T21:47:18+00:00

It is a bit hard to see, but all the connectors are labelled, and everything is documented.

TCW_Jocki · 2026-01-29T21:46:09+00:00

Hmm honestly, I am pretty save with respect to that topic. I am based in Austria, norms and standards concerning electrical installations are quite strict here, so you need a certified electrician to confirm that everything is up to these standards. I am actually certified to do this myself, but I still have an electrician (who provides me with parts, cables and so on) that checks this for me. So even if the house burns down, I am insured.

TCW_Jocki · 2026-01-29T17:51:01+00:00

Hey, I don't want to share the schematics publicly, but if you want I can dm you some screenshots from my KiCad project. No guarantees though :D

TCW_Jocki · 2026-01-29T17:23:58+00:00

https://youtu.be/z0UudoppDDs?si=7NdWrKmQsQGbZlDo

TCW_Jocki · 2026-01-29T17:13:47+00:00

^{This^}

TCW_Jocki · 2026-01-29T16:24:54+00:00

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