I have never made a connie so I decided to try making one with a method a coworker of mine suggested. (He's fantastic, in a couple of hours he puts out 3d simulations of car accidents or plane crashes (he did a fantastic bit on the Air France crash last year) faster than any other network in Ontario (We don't have CNN's budget so it's just him)
So I made a box with images from the Star Fleet Technical manual and started. 2 hours work so far, but now I have to do my real job.
The Torp Launcer isn't Canon but I watched the remastered version of Arena and the lower position is more likely.
Posted by Shik (Member # 343) on :
I like the Box idea. It's neat.
Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
I like to cheat!
Posted by Shik (Member # 343) on :
Yeah, but it also gives it kind of a cool picture look.
Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
I know. Plus it gives you a good check for basic shape.
Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
I should mention I won't remain entirely faithful to the design, but the general positioning is what I wanted. I'll start on Nacelles tomorrow, and a smoother saucer.
Posted by bX (Member # 419) on :
blah blah non-canon FJ bashing/requisite SFM griping blah. No, but it looks great so far Makotokat. Is the method suggested by your speedy coworker the projection diagram box? Anyway nice work so far. I look forward to seeing more...
Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :
quote:Originally posted by Makotokat: I have never made a connie so I decided to try making one with a method a coworker of mine suggested.
Hmmm I always thought that having the plans to 3d objects would allow you to just 'extrude' in particular directions - but I never saw any way/one who did it. Is this a new program? Is it easy to do? Or is it just the "old way" but putting the pictures/plans there as a guide?
Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
Nothing new, I just made a box of 3 planes 5x2, 5x2 & 2x2 and textured the inside faces with the plans from the tech manual scaled (in photoshop) so that the saucer would be a 2unit diameter circle. I simply built it out of simple shapes with the plans as my 'background'. I run truespace with partial textured wireframe in my main window so I can check against the plans so that I know I have the dimensions right.
Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
Updated the saucer, added grill to heat vents above impulse engines (note there are 4 engines ala FJ) and fleshed out torp launcher somewhat. Changed triangle under saucer to outlines. Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
2 more changes, filled in the triangles and added a dome on the impulse engine housing (reactor?) Posted by Mars Needs Women (Member # 1505) on :
Nice Makotokat, but ever happened to your Pre-tos design. You know the Chibi-prise?
Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
It's still in the works, just havent touched it in months. This one I did just to sharpen my skills a bit, 4 hours in and it looks pretty good. The other needs quite a bit yet and I'm at a block with the saucer.
Posted by Masao (Member # 232) on :
FJ sure drew that ventral dome on the primary hull in a weird way! Are you using FJ's "General Plans" (Enterprise blueprints) to fill in stuff not visible in the Technical Manual?
Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
Bit's and pieces, but others I'm borrowing from later (TMP) and from your (Masao) ships. The tech manual is not very detailed, and the plans are very detailed! I'm basing it generally on the plans but changing things (such as a torp launcher by the sensor dome instaed of in the upper hull) Way I see it you only build so many ships a year and new design elements and equipment require changes in the plans. Thus NCC 1701 and NCC 1711 might look slightly different, and NCC 1834 might look very different from earlier vessels. Different weapon loadouts, nacelles, deflector dishes or even hull shape
Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :
So to make 3D ships - you just have to build them out of smaller shapes!?! Is all 3D done like that?
Posted by Bernd (Member # 6) on :
Great work. Do you envision this as a class variant? Or as a prototype despite the details that are rather movies-style?
Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
Variant I think....earlier ship (maybe Republic)
Posted by Johnny (Member # 878) on :
quote:Originally posted by AndrewR: So to make 3D ships - you just have to build them out of smaller shapes!?! Is all 3D done like that?
Yes, just like putting together a model kit, only you make all the pieces yourself.
Posted by Peregrinus (Member # 504) on :
*sigh* The Republic is not Constitution-class...
--Jonah
Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
Acording to Franz Joseph it is, however I haven't decided on a name yet.....
Posted by Peregrinus (Member # 504) on :
He arbitrarily decided that the Republic and Farragut were Constitution-class, despite there being NO indications of class in the dialogue. Go watch "Court Martial" and "Obsession" to see what I mean.
--Jonah
Posted by Shik (Member # 343) on :
What about the, uh...Making Of Star Trek lists? The ship memos & all that?
Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
Careful....this can become a bottomless can of worms....
Posted by Peregrinus (Member # 504) on :
Again.
--Jonah
Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :
quote:Originally posted by Johnny:
quote:Originally posted by AndrewR: So to make 3D ships - you just have to build them out of smaller shapes!?! Is all 3D done like that?
Yes, just like putting together a model kit, only you make all the pieces yourself.
Sorry I've been here too long, was that a real response or a sarcastic response?
Posted by Cartman (Member # 256) on :
No, a sarcastic response would have been "yes, 3D is done like that all in all, with triangles big and small", which it wasn't.
I have nothing further.
Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
Okay took a while, but here's an update.... I had lots of fun trying to make the secondary hull. I attempted to stay faithful to the design from the Technical manual, but there were a few inconsistancies. From the top and side views the engineering hull seems to flare out at the midline behind the nick (not a circle, an ovoid)and then come back to a circle by the shuttlebay. This is not so on the FJ blueprints, there the dimensions are correct. I tried for a while to reproduce the flawed look but it was rather unattractive. Instead I built it by hand and it looks quite good so far. I'm going to correct a few things that were roughed in and then on to the struts and nacelles.
Posted by Mars Needs Women (Member # 1505) on :
Hey nice job there. Once your done with this ship do you plan on making any other Franz Joseph designs?
Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
Probably make a scout/destroyer and a tug afterwards.
Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
made a few changes..... Posted by Mars Needs Women (Member # 1505) on :
That section around the impulse drive looks a lot more interesting than anything on the canon model's impulse drive. But now we must see the pylon!
Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
I'm out of time tonight, so I'll get on to it tomorrow. BTW I stuck the name Yorktown on her as that was the Original name attributed to Aprils ship....
Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
And the struts are done.....rough draft now complete. Detailing begins......with the impulse deck! Posted by Shik (Member # 343) on :
Left & right? Is this Braxton's new ship?
Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
Very funny........
Posted by bX (Member # 419) on :
nice.
Oooh, it's looking good, Makotokat. Would you mind explaining your process for how you did the engineering hull? Sounds like you've got a line on ref material, but I do have some pics of the insides of those nacelles (tricky) if you need 'em.
By way of completely unsolicited advice, one thing I've found is that TOS ships don't look right in pure white. I mixed some very subtle subtle yellow/greenish and grey mottling with white specularity on my "Preliant". I'm still not 100% happy with my results (or even entirely certain what tweaks are helping or hurting), but it was closer.
Looking great. Making good progress. Can't wait to see it with some finish textures. Maybe that's what you meant by detailing?
Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
Actually just futzed it out of cylinders, torus's and spheres. And as I started taking it apart for texturing I found a few really nasty bits, so I'm going to redo it over the next few days.
I was thinking Duck egg blue.....
Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
Started some windows.... Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
and did a quick fix.... Posted by Mars Needs Women (Member # 1505) on :
How about that: Docking Ports.
Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
Makes sense doesn't it. Maybe I'll put them on the engineering hull as well! I wanted to go with a bit of the NX style. Transporters take power and when you're docked and it's easier to walk cargo and crew on at a Starbase. BTW I'm changing the impulse section a bit as well. If I have time tomorrow I'll redo the bridge sections and then work my way down. I am not happy with the secondary hull (some of my shapes were off by .001 of a unit and the resulting extra polys are a nuisance!).....then the joy of texturing in truespace.
Posted by Mars Needs Women (Member # 1505) on :
More docking ports? Go for it.
Posted by bX (Member # 419) on :
*can't believe that's just a conglomeration of primatives for the engineering hull* *boggles*
The docking ports are nice. I'm too late to the party, but it seems to me like the windows are recessed a little too far. Other than that it looks great to me.
Posted by The Ginger Beacon (Member # 1585) on :
I'm loving this! Fanboy connie without the ezxtra nacelles - great.
Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
I was going through some old files and I found this ship......so much to do. Been a bit sidelined (waiting for a specialist to look at my wrists for carpal tunnel), but I want to finish her!
Posted by Mars Needs Women (Member # 1505) on :
Good, but when are you gonna finish your NX ship?
Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
I've got her in hand as well. Work on the saucer should begin soon.
My problem is I've noticed that my mouse hand is not as steady as it used to be and tires easily (this is why I stopped modeling for a while) I believe I have carpal tunnel, so I'm waiting for my appointment to find out what to do.
I have 3 projects from my pile that I want to finish.
1. the FJ enterprise (my way) 2. the NX successor 3. a 540 foot Enterprise designed in 2D by someone whose name I forget but I still have my references! (I really wish I knew who designed it)
Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
I'll be getting back to work on this (and other projects) soon. Once my next kid is born (T-2 months) I'll have some time for modeling again.
Posted by Fabrux (Member # 71) on :
Wait, what? Doesn't that usually work the other way? ie once the kid is born you have no time anymore?
Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
Since the last time I posted I have repainted 3 bedrooms, replaced 2 carpets and redone a kitchen. Taking care of a baby is simpler and lends itself more to work on a laptop!
Posted by Ritten (Member # 417) on :
Fabrux, I thought the same thing at first, then I remembered. He's right.
Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
An update!
I started to remodel the saucer more in line with the FJ design, and elements takef from Star Fleet Battles. Started the impulse engines again (again Vektor gave me an idea)
What do You Think? (please ignore the blue light, I have a invisible light I can't seem to kill at the moment)
Posted by Sean (Member # 2010) on :
Very nice.
Posted by B.J. (Member # 858) on :
I like those impulse engines. But the segmenting in the saucer & other places is very distracting.
Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
Saucer is now 96 segments instead of 48. changed a bit on the engines and slimmed down the Phaser mounts.
Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
Little update...phaser banks Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
And one last test. Trying out a new look for the top of the impulse deck. Put a test Texture on the top of Saucer as well. Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
Made a few test renders, not high res (my laptop is powered by a hamster), the first is the texture from the FJ art book. The next two are tests. one is true to the original artwork, the other I find a little cleaner. Fonts are too thick (Can't find a Skinny version of the Star trek extended font - anyone know where to find it?)
Posted by Mars Needs Women (Member # 1505) on :
Gridlines are too dark. Nice job though.
Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
Ran into a problem.....tried texturing the 'bottom' of the saucer and my laptop ran out of memory. It is an ancient thinkpad powered by a hamster wheel so that's not surprising(I think it's a 350MHz machine). Now I have to move my files to the big machine.
Posted by Fabrux (Member # 71) on :
You were rendering stuff on a 350MHz machine? Good god man, how long are your render times?!
Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
Don't do no fancy stuff....just simple raytracing. Takes about a minute or two....no depth of field or reflections (that takes forever)
Posted by OverRon (Member # 2036) on :
350MHz? I haven't rendered anything on a machine that slow for 10 years now, and I'd hate to have go back to that speed now.
It's probably doing no good to your HDD rendering and modelling stuff on your laptop. I know my old thinkpad chews up 2.5" drives like they're made of candy floss. Been through like 8 drives in 8 years.
Anyways it looks good so far. What are you using to model it?
Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
Moved to my newer Dell laptop..... Posted by bX (Member # 419) on :
Impressed at your abilities with such limited hardware. Shapes look great. The too thick and too dark grid lines are a bit distracting, but can't wait to see more.
Posted by OverRon (Member # 2036) on :
Are these just still test textures? As you may want to up the resolution of the textures you are using. As at the moment we can see the jaggies where the small texture is stretched across a large area. I'm guessing that the grid lines are 1px thick, right? So if you double the resolution but keep the lines as being 1px thick and maybe make the line colour a little lighter, it'd make a smoother and more subtle final effect. Still it's shaping up quite nicely.
Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
How's this.....
Posted by OverRon (Member # 2036) on :
The grid lines look much better in this one, although the name/registry looks a little on the skinny side. Now if you had the font thickness of the first texture with these grid lines it'd look perfect.
Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
Added a few windows..... Posted by Makotokat (Member # 1041) on :
Revisiting......finding old files......
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
Weird. I was just thinking a couple days ago that we never see any 3D CGI ship modelling around here anymore.
