Color test, using PNG format. I wanted to see how clean this was, since the old JPGs I did were so munged I couldn't stand them. So this is a whole new thingie...
FJ Bulk Container, fairly basic and good for gradient tests.
Posted by Fabrux (Member # 71) on :
Looks good! Can't wait to see its hauler.
Posted by Mark Nguyen (Member # 469) on :
Yup! That's grey, alright. Well done!
You know what I'd like to see, though? More closeup details on the containers. For example, what does the connection point between train-linked containers actually look like up close? Is there a pass-through for people and turbolifts, power or other materials? And what about the connection point to the hauler?
Mark
Posted by Vanguard (Member # 1780) on :
Yep, it's gray! Really the test was to see if the PNG format would munge everything like JPG did. It didn't, so I'm a lot happier!
I've considered doing some detail drawings of common pieces that are asked about. FJ left a lot of details (like the interconnector) pretty vague. I'll definately look at giving that section a go for Jaynz in the future, though.
As for the container's 'Hauler', the 2245 version of the Ptolemy is three projects out, actually. (Starliner is first, then 2245 Saladin, the Ptolemy).
Posted by Vanguard (Member # 1780) on :
Second test, more color, and more details.. the Starliner pod
Posted by WizArtist II (Member # 1425) on :
Personally, I would like to see a hair more contrast between the darkest and lightest grays.
Posted by Vanguard (Member # 1780) on :
Well, since these are 'kitbash' pieces, I didn't want to have the contrast too great, lest I make the pieces unusable from ship to ship. Granted, it may be very likely I'm playing it too safe with this, but this is my first major venture into this kind of art, so...
Anyway, the first of two planned updates today, the PB-31 MK-1
Posted by Mark Nguyen (Member # 469) on :
Oddly, I'd imagine a real starliner pod to have LOTS of windows. Assuming that the average Joe Federation Citizen would want to look outside as 50% of typical passengers on today's liners.
Mind you, what does a Starliner have to look at most of the time? empty starfields, warp streaks, or planets from orbit. Would most people want to see that? I would reason yes, as sightseers in the 23rd century would still want to see sights with their own eyes and not through a monitor. Should there not at least be a lido deck?
Mark
Posted by Vanguard (Member # 1780) on :
Well, I did at a LOT of windows. Remember, the original FJ Starliner pod didn't have any on them. Poor bastards.
Posted by Vanguard (Member # 1780) on :
This is the next step of the 'Experiment', an actual ship. Obviously, this is the 'Cage' version of the USS Saladin, with the Humungodish that nearly completely obfuscates the warp engine - oops! Oh well...
Tommorow will likely be a little cleanup, and a quick attempt at the USS Ptolemy.
quote:Originally posted by Vanguard: Well, I did at a LOT of windows. Remember, the original FJ Starliner pod didn't have any on them. Poor bastards.
Yes, thank you for that- I always thought those saps would be sneaking onto the tug to get to a window to relieve the clustrophobia.
Y'know, it does not have to be a Ptolemy lugging those around (I always thought that was a cheese design anyway, frankly).
Please excuse the poor model- this was made a while ago. Posted by Vanguard (Member # 1780) on :
Heh.. well, since this is for Jaynz, for Karen, and also was intended to be a Christmas gift for my uncle... I'm gonna stick with the Ptolemy.
Also, redid the color of the cap (refresh), where it's now a lot closer to WNMHGB than the Cage, but it overall LOOKS better.
Posted by Pensive's Wetness (Member # 1203) on :
Jason: More model pics please (Casts Summon linkie on Jason!)
Vanguard: (Casts MORE! MORE! on Vanguard)
Me likes! Lots!
and Jason? you should WORK for... who ever the fuck does the CGI shit for Paramount. You would make ST ship fanbois sing! SING, i say!
Posted by Vanguard (Member # 1780) on :
USS Ptolemy Test (Unloaded)
Second of three '2245' designs, unless I decide to include something of FASA's FYW.. which I haven't really decided upon...
Lookin real good but that thing on the ship's nose should not be there....is that something unique to that ship?
I still have your FASA re-creations from the Starship Combat site- gotta get around to building some of those...
quote:Originally posted by Pensive's Wetness: Jason: More model pics please (Casts Summon linkie on Jason!)
Vanguard: (Casts MORE! MORE! on Vanguard)
Me likes! Lots!
and Jason? you should WORK for... who ever the fuck does the CGI shit for Paramount. You would make ST ship fanbois sing! SING, i say!
thank you- I brag to all my Trek pals that Masao posts here and I speak to his greatness and everything and how one day I'll get discovered like he was.... I'll see if I can take some new pics of the USS Gao Yao when I photograph the newly assembled fleet (now three bookcases across!).
Vanguard, mind if I steal some of your details for an upcoming model I have in the works with pods? That docking connection is groovy and would make a fine decal.
[ November 28, 2008, 09:04 PM: Message edited by: Jason Abbadon ]
Posted by Vanguard (Member # 1780) on :
Erm... what thing on the nose? I added a few 'physical details' to the Cage design, but not a whole lot, just the weapon mounts, and gangway, so you've lost me on this one.
As for the pod mounting details, feel free to use them. Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
That black mark with the red pinstripe at the fore of the saucer was there? Huh.
Vanguard, do you have any of those nifty "parts" layouts colored? I always meant to color sme of those for decal application but my old computer is no longer among the living (alas!) and all that stuff died with her.
Posted by Vanguard (Member # 1780) on :
No toolkits of the parts yet. I probably won't do it until Jaynz 2250 is out. (Which I'm working on now, actually, so it won't be TOO long.)
And, yeah, the decals on the foreward of the ship were indeed on the Cage version. I'm not sure about the WNMHGB before, as references go either way. Of course, by production, ALL the Cage saucer markings were gone.
Posted by Vanguard (Member # 1780) on :
FASA Ship Update - Loknar, Larson, Nelson classes...
Wait, did the originals have the monster deflectors?
Mark
Posted by Vanguard (Member # 1780) on :
That's the size of the Cage dish...
Posted by Mark Nguyen (Member # 469) on :
No, I meant that the original Nelson, Loknar and Larson had no deflector dishes. It was just the sensor dome whatsit on the bottom.
Looks great though!
Mark
Posted by Vanguard (Member # 1780) on :
Oh? FASA didn't use the dish much on anything, honestly. I put them there to be consistant with the other designs.
I figure that by the time of the PB-31/Mod 3, the dishes will be gone for ships without secondary hulls to support them. (Making the deflectors explicitly part of the shield grid for ships lighter than cruisers)
Posted by Vanguard (Member # 1780) on :
What was the point of the Heston according to FASA? Was it just a smaller version of the connie?
Anyway, they're comming out nicely, but I'm not sure about the Cage style deflectors on some, the Anton especialy. I don't know what to do otherwise though, except maybe an NX-01 style cut out at the front, but that'd look rubbish.
Posted by Vanguard (Member # 1780) on :
Well, fortunately, the 'Cage' era seems to be short. I have to do some quick math and sit-down and figure out exactly WHEN the phasing to the 'second pilot' could occur. Sometime between 2253 and 2266..
For FASA, the Heston has NOTHING on it, aside from being a cruiser just prior during the FYW.
Posted by Mark Nguyen (Member # 469) on :
Related to the Belknap family, methinks?
Mark
Posted by Vanguard (Member # 1780) on :
Actually, it's a more primitive version of SFB's Prometheus class strike cruiser. I simply kept the Constitution-style pylons and lost the heavy torpedo launcher (for now).
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
quote:Originally posted by The Ginger Beacon: What was the point of the Heston according to FASA? Was it just a smaller version of the connie?
That's how I feel about the Belknap- just re-configuring the parts makes little sense to me.
Posted by Fabrux (Member # 71) on :
But the Decatur/Belknap is more than just a simple re-arrangement... the secondary hull is smaller, the neck is longer fore-aft, the pylons and nacelles are all in a detachable unit, etc.
Posted by Mars Needs Women (Member # 1505) on :
Close enough, yeah. Oog on the actual model, though.
Man, this really does take me back. This morning, I was reading one fan publication from the early 90s that supposed the real reason all the TOS/movie starships had the same saucer was that each new design prototype actually used a decommissioned Ptolemy-class tug saucer, as there were dozens of them left over from when they ditched the container ship idea. Low stresses on the hull from years of hauling pods around at safe warp speeds, you know.
Mark
Posted by Mars Needs Women (Member # 1505) on :
Yeah the model is an oldie, could use an update Posted by Fabrux (Member # 71) on :
The Belknap class is in the 2500-range! Not 1717 (Yorktown)! Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
quote:Originally posted by Mark Nguyen: Close enough, yeah. Oog on the actual model, though.
Man, this really does take me back. This morning, I was reading one fan publication from the early 90s that supposed the real reason all the TOS/movie starships had the same saucer was that each new design prototype actually used a decommissioned Ptolemy-class tug saucer, as there were dozens of them left over from when they ditched the container ship idea. Low stresses on the hull from years of hauling pods around at safe warp speeds, you know.
Mark
Possibly the single lamest idea ever. Mass production and modular interior parts alone would account for the saucer's external uniformity on so many ships....not that these other designs are canon anyway. Personally, I like the notion of a saucer being reduced in diameter during costruction based on the deflector grid lines- or instance, Vangurad made a nice Andor class schematic- the Andor having a smaller saucer than the Connie Refit- and there's no need to make a custom saucer when the same stock Connie refit saucer can just have that last ring of saucer removed during construction. A shipyard might make several saucers in a production run this way without their being assigned a dedicated ship class.
All the interior walls and components would be modular- only the supporting spaceframe, turboshafts, and power conduits need remain standard- thus allowing for ease of repair and rescue in energencies. Unique saucers for each class would lead to real problems during emergencies- crewmen from one class of ship would be hindered in efforts to aid a ship in distress and re-training crew transfers would be a nightmare.
Posted by Vanguard (Member # 1780) on :
Rick Sternbach's Baton Rouge class heavy cruiser, circa 2227 STC This is basically "Mod 1" for this ship, based on the original drawings with only a few minor tweaks to be more 'Cage-like' in appearance
Pretty nice, though that wok in the front looks kinda big for that class. Posted by The Ginger Beacon (Member # 1585) on :
I've always liked the Batton Rouge, but that secondary hull always bugged me - all straight lines, euhg. Are you gonna have the one on your site as the refit version then?
Posted by Mars Needs Women (Member # 1505) on :
Ah the Baton Rouge, I always liked the design, like a Bizarro Constitution class.
Posted by Vanguard (Member # 1780) on :
The Mod 2 will be the version that's on my site now (with the Horizon-style engines, which seem too modern to be the Horizon, mind you... oy...) . I haven't decided what other tweaks I'll do to the BR for that set yet. I keep going back and forth on the secondary hull, but it seems like that's pretty much what's expected now.
I MAY tweak the Mod 1 one more time to redo the engine pylons to reflect the painting rather than the line art. It's much easier to work with that way.
Posted by Vanguard (Member # 1780) on :
Y'got some left over artifacts on the image there, boyo. But great job on these so far.
Posted by Vanguard (Member # 1780) on :
Man, didn't even catch that. (Yes it was the original Nordie, scaled up so I could measure it). I've been doing too much of this, I think.. probably should switch to writing up the data points.
Posted by Fabrux (Member # 71) on :
No worries. I've been in that boat before. I have a page here of ships that I've drawn from the TOS-TOS Movie era, but I only drew the ones that I liked, heh. The only one I've done a top view for so far is the Santee, never did get started on others.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
quote:Originally posted by Vanguard: Nordenskjold Class Starship goes QUACK?
hmmm...from the top view, the ipulse engines look like a box of chinese food. Maybe the ship's propelled by a fried rice drive.
Hella cool work there Fabrux.
I'd like to see someone make a version of this with NX-01-style components: lots of bare metal and details, the NX style nacelles, etc.
Posted by Pensive's Wetness (Member # 1203) on :
quote:Originally posted by Fabrux: No worries. I've been in that boat before. I have a page here of ships that I've drawn from the TOS-TOS Movie era, but I only drew the ones that I liked, heh. The only one I've done a top view for so far is the Santee, never did get started on others.
God... gosh darn it. Ass Hat .... I have to save that page, there's so much pics to clip...
*whips Fab for more overhead views* have you discussed the idea of adding some of those to Maso's stuff?
Posted by Mars Needs Women (Member # 1505) on :
Yep we should save the page.
Done.
Posted by aridas (Member # 1051) on :
quote:Originally posted by Jason Abbadon:
quote:Originally posted by Vanguard: Nordenskjold Class Starship goes QUACK?
I still don't like the bigass intercoolers. But the thing I had in mind from the beginning -- that as launched, this was a much-more streamlined, proto-shuttlecarrier -- is much clearer now. I called them cruisers because, you know, aircraft carriers were originally called cruisers (CV="cruiser, aviation").
Posted by Fabrux (Member # 71) on :
^That's hot.
Posted by Irishman (Member # 1188) on :
You know, the secondary hull and nacelles would make a hell of a ship on its own. Posted by WizArtist II (Member # 1425) on :
If you're using Firefox get the "DownThemAll" add-on. It is SWEET. It will download all the images in a couple of clicks.
Posted by Vanguard (Member # 1780) on :
Well, Aridas, they can't all be the swans, ya know? I think the rather bizzare look of the Nordenskjold is what sets her apart from a lot of the other fandom designs out there.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
Looks really great with the exception of the giant christmas lights on at the saucer's edge. In that scale they'd be over 10' across!
Make those smaller and she'd be nigh-perfect (at least in comparison with the source material). Posted by Vanguard (Member # 1780) on :
[ December 11, 2008, 05:55 AM: Message edited by: Fabrux ]
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
What? No rust-ring?
Posted by Mars Needs Women (Member # 1505) on :
Nice but I'm not a fan of grid lines on the hull. IIRC there were never grid lines on the model while the show was on the air. They seem to have been added later.
Posted by Vanguard (Member # 1780) on :
They were penciled in for the production version, but very lightly (and under Jefferies' protest). They DO show up on some rare shots, but not very often. (This is why the FJ manual has them, actually.)
Granted, they're pretty dark here, though nowhere near as dark as the Smithsonian had them for several years.
Posted by Mars Needs Women (Member # 1505) on :
Yeah the Enterprise looks like hell in the Smithsonian. I'm sure Fonzie's jacket gets better treatment.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
Maybe just change the color of the grid-lines to light grey....that should work as a subtle comprimise.
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
Well done!![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Really the test was to see if the PNG format would munge everything like JPG did. It didn't, so I'm a lot happier!
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)