posted
I am in the middle of trying to design a starship, and its been slow going. I have exactly the shape I want for the external hull. It's like a larger, version of a Constitution, yet slightly beyond that period in terms of technology. Kind of stuck between the original and refit configurations. But I'm having designer's block on what the nacelles and pylons should look like. And even though I drew out the basic outline of every deck of the primary hull I have only the Bridge in any sort of representable shape, and in about twenty different configurations because I gave myself too much space to play around with.
So I was wondering if any of you have any tips for a high-schooler armed only with AutoCAD. Measurements, placement of rooms, and other little tidbits would be greatly appreciated. I'm assuming standard cieling height aboard starships is 9 feet and cooridor width is 8 feet with a 1 foot width of walls and decks. Also, if anyone knows where I can get plans of the Enterprise-A it would be a Godsend. I've already got a copy of the Avenger/Miranda plans and bookmarked the USS Irreverence deckplans, but I need more accurate representation of a the refit Constitution.
Also, I don't know if there's already been a post about this, and if there has been, just enlighten me on what your views are. If not, then . . . anyway, it just hit me that cooridor walls cannot contain piping and wiring trunks running horizontally, because DUH!, there are doors every ten feet or so blocking a continuous run. So, does the piping and circuitry run through the decking? That's the next most logical place.
posted
There is an excellent set of fan-made blueprints for the Miranda class that you should look into. (Well, ok, Avenger class.) They were put together by, um...Alex Rosenzweig and...and...someone else. I'm sure somebody here knows more.
posted
Have you taken a look at the blueprints of the E-D? it has the normal views of the ships hull and the deck plans of all the decks. it might come in handy
------------------ Tribbles and warp cores dont mix
posted
Thanks a lot for all of your suggestions. The only problem is, I already have all of that stuff. The Avenger deck plans are fantastic, but they don't have the arrangements of rooms of the secondary hull. The Enterprise D deck plans are okay, but they were created in a too generalized form. In a Constitution, I have a feeling the designers weren't about to waste as much space as they did in the D. And while Mr. Scott's Guide to the Enterprise is good for telling where things are, it only gives rooms, not complete deck layouts.
What I basically need are the original set of deck plans drawn up and distributed by Paramount of the refit Enterprise, or the E-A. If anyone has a copy, knows where to find them, or an obscure website where they've been scanned in, tell me. And just to reiterate my original post, I've already seen the Irreverence plans at John B. Shipyards.
P.S. I hope these posts I've been making aren't too long. I'd hate to be boring you all to tears. Thanks again for all of your help.
posted
Were there any deck plans of the Enterprise-A created? I don't recall hearing of any.
Maybe you should try to create your own deck plans, even though you may need to have the ship completed first. I created deck plans for my Vanderbult Class on MS Paint and it took four months. But at least I got them.
------------------ "Oh for fuck's sake, stop your moaning, If you fancy a threesome at this time of night, you can't get start getting choosey about which particular three! -Queer As Folk, UK
Starbuck "Replicate some marmalade, Commander - helm control is toast!"
Member # 153
posted
There was a fan-set of Enterprise-A blueprints made for the 25th or 30th anniversary, by (I think) David Schmidt. Both these and the Franz Joseph blueprints from the late '70s can be found on eBay and in specialist stores (and maybe convention dealer's rooms!). However with prices as low as US$5 on eBay for the prints, check there first - it's worth your time to find a bargain! The Avenger plans wouldn't show secondary hull rooms as the ship has only an extended primary hull
As for the E-A (and indeed E-D) print that Ertl put in its kits around 1995-96 as a 30th anniversary goodie... the artist was Bruce Morser and again I have seen them in specialist stores and at conventions. I'd scan mine but sadly they're in big glass frames
If you want a freebie set of deck plans, check out the USS Irreverent deckplans HERE. They're not canon but the basics will help you. (actually I tried this link and it appears to be dead-ish... if it doesn't work for you I'll try and dig up the plans off my hard disk).
------------------ "Replicate some marmalade, Commander - helm control is toast!"
[This message has been edited by Starbuck (edited December 27, 2000).]
posted
Everybody seems to keep making the same suggestions, ignoring what he already wrote. He has the Avenger plans. He has the Irreverent plans. He wants the E-refit plans.
That said, precisely what he asked for will soon be available. Mike Rupprecht, the guy who put out the Avenger plans, has announced the E-refit deckplans to be released 1st quarter 2001.
[This message has been edited by Tech Sergeant Chen (edited December 27, 2000).]
posted
OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! *has heart attack and self-administers CPR* Thank you so much! Woweee! E-refit in 2001! Whoohoo! Okay. Calming down now.
That is EXACTLY the sort of info I was looking for. And I found the E-Refit cutaway poster just last night, so I am set! Thank you so much, and even those who told me stuff I already know. I KNEW forums were a good idea!
P.S.: For those that don't have or want one, Intergalactic Trading Co. is selling the 1978 tech manual from Paramount covering the Phase II Enterprise consoles and etc.
But maybe this is old news or you all, being so much more learned than I, already have a copy. In that case, disregard, but otherwise buy it!
Starbuck "Replicate some marmalade, Commander - helm control is toast!"
Member # 153
posted
So shoot me. We dyslexics may often not see the wood for the trees but we're kind at heart Besides, I suggested looking for the "official" (licensed) and fan ones on eBay - and I looked myself, it's AMAZING how cheap they're getting (as low as $1 for the recent Enterprise-D set!)
On the BRIGHT side, however, I'm taking digital photos of the E-A and E-D prints. If you want them I'll mail them when I get back to my OWN PC (my mother's isn't equipped to link to the camera)
------------------ "Replicate some marmalade, Commander - helm control is toast!"
[This message has been edited by Starbuck (edited December 29, 2000).]
posted
Yowee! Thanks. Gee, I hope I didn't hurt too many people's feelings. I'd hate to lose contact with the people behind all the great ideas here. Thanks all! *leaves in state of euphoria*
Registered: Nov 2000
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Starbuck "Replicate some marmalade, Commander - helm control is toast!"
Member # 153
posted
No offence taken
Check out eBay for the Franz Joseph plans - sets go for under $5! They are only the "classic" E but they should give you some groundwork. The same can be said of the Rick Sternbach Enterprise-D set! And as I said there is an unofficial David Schmidt set of E-A ones too...
If you want to do your own, you can look at the Bruce Morser print, and follow some of my "key tips" for starship deckplan blueprinting...
Sit down with the ship specifications (dimensions, number of decks) and external blueprints, and draw a cutaway to make a Master Systems Display (MSD) - there's one in the TNG manual for the E-D, and there's one for the E-refit that's close enough in Mr Scott's Guide. Work out your deck shapes and sizes. Place your key items - computer cores, warp core, bridge, engine room etc. on the MSD and then locate them on the appropriate decks. Externally visible items like phasers, shuttlebays and large windows are easiest. Next, work on your turboshafts - the vertical ones need to overlap, and you don't need huge numbers on any given deck. Ditto for Jefferies tubes. Find space for all the key features that you want to include...
If you're interested I'd love to work with you... Pics will be posted next week.
Oh, I almost forgot. Look for a book called "Star Trek Phase II - The Lost Series" by Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens. Phase II was set after TOS and ended up becoming the first movie; it might offer some insights on room designs and the evolution of tech.
------------------ "Replicate some marmalade, Commander - helm control is toast!"
[This message has been edited by Starbuck (edited December 30, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by Starbuck (edited December 31, 2000).]
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