"Star Trek" Enterprise Saucer

[Cinnamon]

It's because <kirkvoice> it's a beautiful lady and we love her. </kirkvoice>

All units relate... Norman, co-ordinate...

-jaime

[Four Mad Men]

Been absent lately so first let's get caught up on the posts...

Originally Posted by Tallguy

Damn that looks CLEAN. Can't wait to see the wires.

Wires are always a dubious thing in Blender. They don't render with back edges hidden so it ends up looking messy. Perhaps some wire orthos when it's finished.

Originally Posted by EBOLII

Looks absolutly fantastic!

Thanks, maybe I won't mess it up during the texturing phase.

Originally Posted by scifieric

Dang Son! That's unreal!

Your rendering talent and Blender's abilities are not to be denied!

Thanks Eric, Your Connie is one of the reasons I decided to persue this particular subject.

Originally Posted by number_six

So is there going to be a place to park the shuttle in this mesh as well??

The quality of the work makes me envious.

Wimpers off to corner.....

No need to be envious of me, takes forever for me to finish these things (assuming I even finish at all). A hangarbay is planned, but I'll be doing something different back there so we'll see how it goes.

Originally Posted by darkthunder

Dang... even in it's unfinished state, the ship looks better then the TOS version seen on screen (60s and remastered version)

Can't agree at the moment but thank you.

Originally Posted by admiral horton

very nice hope to see more

I think that can be arranged.

Originally Posted by Cinnamon

Oh, really? What all are they doing to Blender for the new version? I've still got to learn the existing one! ^^;; As for the buoy, I've got a version assembled from overlapping primitives - bot that's as far as I've gotten so far. I'm sure I could probably do a lot better with the detail such as it is, too. I've got an idea how I'd like the thing to look texturewise, but I need to get to the lights and materials parts of the tutorials to do it. I think. ^^;;

Your Connie here is really looking sweet... You did a wonderful job with the nacelle caps, and the domes... I'd like to see some wires on it, too, when you get around to it. This is going to be one beautiful model. ^_^

-jaime

BlenderNation has started a monthly column on CVS changes. Here is September. They've since added a couple more mini updates outside of this new column.

Originally Posted by grumpyguy

wow, just amazing. Hardly wait to see the finished product.

Why is it that the original Enterprise generates so much "love" and devotion that you don't see with the D or E?

Is it because it is such a clean and timeless design?

It's always nice to see that this design is still appreciated. What's the phrase? "No bloody A, B, ...".

Originally Posted by Cinnamon

It's because <kirkvoice> it's a beautiful lady and we love her. </kirkvoice>

All units relate... Norman, co-ordinate...

-jaime

Yes, that's a good answer. She is.

Now for some small updates...

Tweaked those tabs while looking at the reference pics this time. Here is version 2...


I haven't had a chance to work on the impulse deck yet so I spent a little time last night with some initial texture tests. The gridlines are mapped at 15%. What do you think? Too heavy? Too light? I'm trying to duplicate the pencil lines on the filming miniature so you can't see them from a distance but CAN see them upclose.

[Tagiomaki]

Maybe just a bit more visable...you can see the gridlines, but its more subtle then the original model i think

[Cinnamon]

I agree... they need to be a bit darker... But damn that's a sweet model, 4MM... just lovely.

-jaime

[Tallguy]

I'm torn on the grids. I know they're there. But if they're too faint you'll never see them. But you're not SUPPOSED to see them. See what I mean? The way you have them now, it'll be a comfort thing. No one will see them, but YOU'LL know. Esp. if you ever animate it.

[Four Mad Men]

Originally Posted by Tagiomaki

Maybe just a bit more visable...you can see the gridlines, but its more subtle then the original model i think

If only I could know for sure but thanks for the input. Love the AV too, creepy and funny all at the same time... I love it.

Originally Posted by Cinnamon

I agree... they need to be a bit darker... But damn that's a sweet model, 4MM... just lovely.

-jaime

Kind words and thanks as always.

Originally Posted by Tallguy

I'm torn on the grids. I know they're there. But if they're too faint you'll never see them. But you're not SUPPOSED to see them. See what I mean? The way you have them now, it'll be a comfort thing. No one will see them, but YOU'LL know. Esp. if you ever animate it.

Yeah, I know what you mean. However I DO want them to be seen just not from very far away. Still more texturing to add so I can't finalize any percentages just yet but darker seems to be the word of the day for now.

And finally new geometry...

Either the impulse deck looks nothing like the photographs I have or Sinclair really got it wrong in a few of the more important aspects. The jury (for me) is still out on whether or not the base shap of the deck includes an inward curve at the sides so for now the sides are straight.

Here's a pictures of the engines (potentialy) at various power levels (I'm sure some will HATE the idea of blue glowy bits on the TOS Connie, ah well):


And some general views of the engine as it looks on the saucer:

[Vektor]

Based on my own experience, Sinclair was pretty far off on the impulse module. I spent a good two or three days just tweaking mine to match the reference photos as closely as possible. Same goes for the "linear accelerator" above the engines.

[nyrath]

Originally Posted by Four Mad Men

Wires are always a dubious thing in Blender. They don't render with back edges hidden so it ends up looking messy.

I assume there is a good reason to avoid using Blender's Scene:Output:Edge settings to fake up a wireframe with hidden back edges, a reason that I'm too inexperienced to see.

[Cinnamon]

Originally Posted by Four Mad Men

Yeah, I know what you mean. However I DO want them to be seen just not from very far away. Still more texturing to add so I can't finalize any percentages just yet but darker seems to be the word of the day for now.

I'm really looking forward to seeing how you end up on this... I *like* the gridlines, and tend to agree with your overall strategy - having them visible close up, but not at a distance.

Originally Posted by Four Mad Men

Here's a pictures of the engines (potentialy) at various power levels (I'm sure some will HATE the idea of blue glowy bits on the TOS Connie, ah well)

Okay, I admit that I believe the later incarnations of Trek overdid the blue glowy... but FWIW, I think the blue looks stellar here, and I like the effect you've got with the engines. Since canonically the things weren't even lit at all, you can use whatever colour suits you, IMHO. I'll cheerfully vote for the blue. ^_-

As ever, I'm loving watching this grand lady develop.

-jaime

[Chanur]

Originally Posted by Four Mad Men

(I'm sure some will HATE the idea of blue glowy bits on the TOS Connie, ah well)

As long as you don't move to green or pink it's ok
No, the blue glow looks very good on that (also very well done) impulse engine.
And i'd make the gridlines a bit more visible (just a bit!)

great work 4mm