3D USS Kiaga - Perimeter Action Vessel [Archive]

Vektor

30th Oct 2006, 19:16

Over on TrekBBS, Aridas Sofia of "Ships of the Star Fleet" fame posted schematics for a new design of his, a TOS-era perimeter action vessel named the Kiaga. I liked the design so much that I decided to model it in 3D, with Aridas' permission of course. Yeah, I know, I've got enough WIP projects running already, but at least they're all still more or less active, and what's one more to add to the mix? ;)

Here are the latest schematics provided by Aridas:

http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/kiaga-top-rev1.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/kiaga-port-rev1.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/kiaga-bottom-rev1.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/kiaga-bow-rev1.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/kiaga-aft-rev1.jpg

And here are my 3D renderings thusfar:

http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_001.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_002.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_003.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_004.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_005.jpg

The original thread on TrekBBS can be found here.

Once again, this is based on an original design by Aridas Sofia. See FRS - Home (http://www.federationreference.com) for more of his work.

exodus2310

30th Oct 2006, 19:39

Awesome design. Can't wait to see more progress from the model.

Ramiel

30th Oct 2006, 20:21

No offence, but...
I like more your modeling than the design...:shiner:
Nice work so far Vektor:thumb:

seanr

30th Oct 2006, 23:03

Wish you'd finish the others first (LOL), but looks great so far.

Legolas25

31st Oct 2006, 00:08

Really really nice, but I think I'd like it more upside down. :)

Scorndrake

31st Oct 2006, 00:19

Looks ok for a pregnant Starship or a beached whale class!:thumb:

Vektor

31st Oct 2006, 21:23

Another three hours worth of work, mostly detailing:

http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_006.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_007.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_008.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_009.jpg

I should probably mention that the appearance of the bussard collectors is not final, I just slapped a fairly basic texture on them for added color.

Now all I gotta do is add those various pods and bulges to the primary hull, which is turning out to be more complicated than it sounds. Stay tuned.

Starship

31st Oct 2006, 21:31

When I first saw it, I don´t know why, my mind named her as USS HORNET.:p

Nice modelling Vektor, as usual. Can I ask you about the texture settings of the main hull ? Are you using maps in diffuse, specular and some sort of smoke over them ? I would like to learn a little from there so, if you could present the general settings, I´ll be gratefull. ;)

USS Mariner

1st Nov 2006, 01:59

Any chance for a wireframe? Even though box modeling scares me, I'd like to see it out of curiosity. :)

exodus2310

1st Nov 2006, 10:07

It's coming along nicely. Good work.

backstept

1st Nov 2006, 14:47

Nice work :thumb:

Freak

1st Nov 2006, 15:00

nice and very organic!

Pleiades

1st Nov 2006, 22:02

Hmm, I think it looks better upside down, (I turned my monitor upside down) :shiner:, but the modelling is top notch as usuall. :thumb:

Phaser

2nd Nov 2006, 02:17

This looks sweet!

Dallidas

2nd Nov 2006, 03:13

looks cool! its got a very cartoony look to it, which is cool!

admiral horton

2nd Nov 2006, 05:15

i just saw this design i like it the only thing i have to say bad about it is the secondary hull it just doesnt look right but the overall deisgn is good

Vektor

5th Nov 2006, 04:19

When I first saw it, I don´t know why, my mind named her as USS HORNET.:p

The tail is somewhat suggestive of a stinger.

Can I ask you about the texture settings of the main hull ? Are you using maps in diffuse, specular and some sort of smoke over them ? I would like to learn a little from there so, if you could present the general settings, I´ll be gratefull. ;)

I have a very simple panel texture in the diffuse slot and a more contrasty version of the same texture in the specular level slot. The base diffuse color for the texture is gray tinted ever so slightly toward green, and the diffuse and specular level maps are at 35% and 50%, respectively, so the base color predominates and there's just a hint of the panel texture, mostly where the light catches it. That's basically it.

Vektor

5th Nov 2006, 04:21

Any chance for a wireframe? Even though box modeling scares me, I'd like to see it out of curiosity. :)

Happy to oblige.

http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_010.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_011.jpg

The second image is actually the unsmoothed base mesh for the secondary hull.

Vektor

5th Nov 2006, 19:38

The latest and greatest:

http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_014.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_015.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_016.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_017.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_018.jpg

There's lots of new stuff to talk about in these images. One of the more obvious additions is the aircraft aluminum hull suggested by the ship's designer. No, I'm sure it's not really aircraft aluminum, but that's the look he wanted to represent the ship at a time when it was still in the prototype phase and undergoing design trials. I'll probably be adding some checkerboard bands to the nacelle housing as well.

I did finally get the sensor domes finished, as well as what I'm calling the "jowl cannons." LOL. Hey, Apache helicopters have "chin guns," but these are out to the sides and they're way bigger so I dubbed them jowl cannons. I'm sure Aridas has a more technically appropriate name for them. ;)

I got pretty much all of the markings and insignia finished except for some stuff on the secondary hull and the starboard nacelle. I'm holding off going any further with that stuff pending a possible change to the size of the various registry numbers.

Regarding the nacelle pylons, I've taken steps to beef up their sturdiness a little bit, also pending approval from the designer. I kept the leading and trailing edges at their former thickness but I bowed the upper and lower surfaces outward a bit, more like an aircraft wing. Interestingly, this gives them a very similar cross-section to the pylons on the TMP refit Enterprise and I may be going a couple of steps further in that direction.

I'm working with Aridas on several other possible design changes, including the addition of an upper sensor dome, some intake grills for the warp nacelles, a saucer separation mode, and even the idea of making this ship landable on a planet's surface!

Stay tuned.

MichaelS

5th Nov 2006, 19:56

Simply stunning. I love the mock-aluminium look!

USS Mariner

6th Nov 2006, 02:30

This is Star Trek.

DamienNZ

6th Nov 2006, 04:44

Great as always Vek. Love the lines. Very TOS :)

Freak

6th Nov 2006, 09:29

Looks Great, VeK You have done a excellent job on this!

BEMEUP

6th Nov 2006, 15:32

I saw this design about a week ago and wondered what it would look like rendered. You've done a fantastic mesh job and texturing (as usual)! You really brought the ship alive! Wish more people would do unique ships like this.

Can't wait to see more...

Berticus

6th Nov 2006, 16:21

Wee! This is a truely original design, and very well executed into 3d as well.

Great work. (Will there be windows on this thing, or is it akin to todays submersibles.... military ones anyway.)
-albert

USS Mariner

6th Nov 2006, 16:22

No windows. This is strictly a military vessel, a Perimeter Action ship.

dru

7th Nov 2006, 02:33

You rock. Love the machined aluminum look. :thumb:

Cyba_storm

7th Nov 2006, 03:00

This ship looks more like something Buck Rogers would Captain, as opposed to James Kirk. There is a strong 1930 look to it. I am not sure I like the design, but cannot help but be impressed with the modelling and texturing. Nice work.

USS Mariner

7th Nov 2006, 03:10

It's supposed to be 1930-40's art deco influenced. You've got it on the money.

That, and the ship is intended for a completely different role than the 1701.

Vektor

10th Nov 2006, 07:22

No real time to work on the Kiaga today but I thought I'd go ahead and post a new rendering showing the top sensor dome and slotted nacelle struts. I originally thought the dome was a good idea, then I wasn't so sure after I actually modeled it, but now I find it is growing on me once again. The dicision will be up to Aridas.

http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_019.jpg

admiral horton

11th Nov 2006, 03:54

very nice great job

homerpalooza67

12th Nov 2006, 20:18

Vektor

13th Nov 2006, 02:12

Okay, the sensor dome has gone bye-bye and I've replaced it with eight smaller versions of the same thing in the locations shown on Aridas' schematics. I wasn't sure what these things were supposed to be other than circular shapes on the upper hull so I took a little creative license and modeled them as slightly recessed, glowing domes. Hope this works.

http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_020.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_021.jpg

I'm probably going to hold off on doing anything more to the JOWL cannons or the sensor blisters until Aridas has pinned them down in a bit more detail.

BEMEUP

13th Nov 2006, 03:28

I like that better! Beautiful render, my compliments to Aridas's design! :thumb:

DamienNZ

13th Nov 2006, 03:29

What's it's specs?

Road Warrior

13th Nov 2006, 05:41

Vektor, man it looks fine to me, I think you got it dead on.

XFozzboute

13th Nov 2006, 06:43

The textures are beautiful.

exodus2310

13th Nov 2006, 08:45

I agree with ^ This ship has fantastic texturing.

Vektor

14th Nov 2006, 01:31

i would'nt include a saucer separation for this ship- its too...military instead, i would have a redundant core ejection system in case of a warp-core breach- it would be like separating the Intrepid (Voyager) there would be no ship left on either end!

I have a saucer separation plan that I think would work fairly well. Gonna be a while before I get around to that, though.

Vektor

14th Nov 2006, 01:33

I agree with ^ This ship has fantastic texturing.

I have to admit I find that funny considering how low-res they are and that so far I'm using nothing but standard UV maps. Eventually, I'll unwrap the parts and pieces and do the texturing properly but for now I just wanted to get close to the right look. I am pretty happy with the aluminum material definition, though, especially since it's not even raytraced.

Vektor

15th Dec 2006, 06:36

Just to show I haven't forgotten about this one...

http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_022.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_023.jpg

I started working on those sensor pods but I didn't have time to finish what I had in mind, so it's probably best not to form a lasting impression of them just yet. I also added the shuttle bay doors on the underside.

And yes, that's The Little Blue Guy standing on the bow. He really gets around. ;)

Ramiel

15th Dec 2006, 06:41

I love the way you use the lighting and textures to make a "simple" model outstanding...
Great work (as always) :thumb:

evil_genius_180

15th Dec 2006, 06:46

That's awesome. Anything TOS is cool, but this is really badass. :D

aridas sofia

15th Dec 2006, 22:04

Long time lurker, first time I've had the courage to actually post. I just had to publicly state how lucky I am to have Vektor developing this design with me. His advice has been invaluable thusfar, as has his construction of the model. I'm looking forward to this project continuing in as fruitful vein as its enjoyed thusfar. :thumb:

Beomoose

10th Jan 2007, 21:50

Looks awesome, Vektor!

Zardoz

12th Jan 2007, 15:03

Wow!! I don't like the design (not look for me a UFP ship ... too organic lines), but your model is great !!! Awesome !

al3d

12th Jan 2007, 15:10

hey...love the cartoonish look...very cool

aridas sofia

12th Jan 2007, 19:17

Just so that it can't be said i'm not doing my (2D) part ;)

Click the image for a larger version:

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n167/aridas_sofia/trek/kiaga-color.jpg (http://home.comcast.net/~aridas/kiaga-color.jpg)

Vektor

23rd Jun 2008, 17:14

Over the past few days, I've been trying to revv things up a little by revisiting some old, unfinished projects like my modified TOS Enterprise and, of course, the Kiaga. The Grandeur is still my priority but I'm starting to have strange dreams about the shape of her warp nacelles so I figured it was time for a little break. ;)

I did a bit of modeling and texturing work on the Kiaga over the weekend. I also converted it for use with the Mental Ray renderer, switching over to Architecture & Design materials, adjusting the light sources, exposure control, etc. Here's a short list of other changes and additions:

I made the hull material darker per some earlier design notes from Aridas and added a "sensor scattering/absorbing" surface texture.
I finally got around to fully modeling and texturing the bussard collectors, including "bulbs," spinning blades, a reflective back plate, and a dome with an A&D Frosted Glass material for that oh-so-important diffuse translucency effect. Looks decent at this point but I might tweak it further.
I re-worked the impulse engines a bit, again per Aridas' design notes, making the circular apertures on either side the actual thrust ports while the rectangular grid between them is now a softly glowing heat dissapator.
On my own initiative, I altered the nacelles slightly, reworking the four fins into TOS-style intercoolers complete with diamond patterned grills.

Aridas hasn't seen these yet so whether or not any of these changes survive to the next iteration will be up to him, but I'm liking them so far.

http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_026.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_027.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_028.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_029.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_030.jpg

Lonewriter

23rd Jun 2008, 19:16

I remember this ship, glad to see it back. I really like the darker hull plating. The nacelles are really cool.

Road Warrior

23rd Jun 2008, 19:16

Outstanding! Your texturing and lighting is first rate. Vecktor-outstanding.

theCommander

24th Jun 2008, 07:05

Looking awesome, VEK!! I love the darker textures, myself. Very nice and organic looking, which is a trait I admire! :)

Vektor

24th Jun 2008, 08:49

Here is an idea I came up with to tone down the visual brightness of the bussard collectors and dampen stray emissions to help maintain the ship's stealth profile:

http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_031.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_032.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_033.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_034.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_035.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_036.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_037.jpg

Aridas may not go for them but I had such a clear picture of what they would look like in my head that I just had to try 'em.

The design intent is that these baffles stay closed under normal stealth operation but can be opened when you need maximum efficiency and speed.

Road Warrior

24th Jun 2008, 08:53

Sweet. i think they tend to work very well. Hey Vektor can you give us a full 3/4 front with the baffles closed?

Vektor

24th Jun 2008, 08:58

One more showing the front 3/4 with the baffles closed:

http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_038.jpg

U.S.S. WINGER

25th Jun 2008, 08:37

i think better turn upside down..

jimi kane

25th Jun 2008, 15:05

I like the baffle idea, very cool.

Winger, do you mean turn the baffles upside down, so that the larger 1 is on the bottom?

docprice

25th Jun 2008, 15:08

I think the vessele is fine the way it is. It still holds the apperance of the TOS era ship but steers away from the Traditional Federation ship designe.

I like it.

Vektor

25th Jun 2008, 15:46

Latest and greatest:

http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_039.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_040.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_041.jpg

I definitely like this look better in the closed configuration. It's not as busy and looks a lot less like a blow torch nozzle. I left the original versions in place on the port nacelle to more easily compare them in these renderings.

I also tinkered around some last night with different articulation schemes for the baffles. I looked at having them retract into the nacelle body, but there are curvature issues that make that problematic unless I use more than three segments. It could be done, but I think it would wind up to be too mechanically complex to the point where it's unlikely anyone would bother to actually build it that way. That's why I'm sticking with the hinge so far, because it's the simplest, most expedient way I can think of to get the baffles out of the way when you need to open those bussard collectors to full throttle.

Any other opinions?

Tallguy

25th Jun 2008, 16:01

I like the second version just because it seems to fit the scale better. I like the "holes" version, it just seems like if it were really that big it wouldn't look like that.

Maybe there's a way that the baffles could fold all the way back so they rested on the hull? Then they'd be more like fins when they're open rather than flapping about in the intestellar "breeze"?

Road Warrior

25th Jun 2008, 16:04

Vektor- thanks for the 3/4 front view.:thumb:

The new baffles are great. The hinge idea is neat and I think it is better being simple compared to a complex mechanical sliding arangment like you said. However.......I wonder how it would look if they opened like a sunroof on a car- just pop open and slide back? My two cents anyway.

docprice

25th Jun 2008, 16:07

looks cool.

What about a Turkey feather Design. i.e. The exhuast ports on the Gen. 4 Fighter jest.

Vektor

25th Jun 2008, 16:24

What about a Turkey feather Design. i.e. The exhuast ports on the Gen. 4 Fighter jest.

I considered that as well, but it doesn't fit with what I'm trying to achieve aesthetically. I want the bussards to still be visible, even from the sides, just not glowing like the sun. I also like the idea of something that is more overtly mechanical. Trek ships have never had enough moving parts. ;)

docprice

25th Jun 2008, 16:52

jimi kane

25th Jun 2008, 23:21

^ Agreed. Tracks on the side of the nacelle would be the best way to go imo, simple yet effective.

Nevets

26th Jun 2008, 10:00

WOW! Haven't seen this one for a long time. Love the refit Vektor.

theCommander

26th Jun 2008, 15:43

Truely sweet design idea, Vek!! Love it. :)

Inquiry: this flap modification is to reduce visual glare? What about "sensor flaps", because most vessels use sensors to find other ships, not simply looking out a porthole or front window. Has this been addressed (sorry if so)?

Tallguy

26th Jun 2008, 16:12

Not to speak for Vektor, but I think the idea is to limit energy (or whatever) emissions, not just make the ship visually "dark".

Lonewriter

26th Jun 2008, 17:10

I really like the last one the best.

Vektor

26th Jun 2008, 19:19

What if you take a guided rail system and have the shields slide back wards.

This articulation of the baffles has been discussed more extensively over at TrekBBS, but the problem with sliding them back on rails is that the curvature of the baffles does not match the larger diameter of the nacelle body. I actually tried that approach first, before I even thought of simply hinging them, and while the curvature difference doesn't prevent the baffles from sliding back in and of itself, it does make them look weird in the open position, or at least I think so. Some might argue that the hinged version look even weirder but not to my eye.

This keeps getting brought back up so I guess will do a set of renderings showing a slide-back configuration and you can all decide for yourselves.

Vektor

26th Jun 2008, 19:46

Inquiry: this flap modification is to reduce visual glare? What about "sensor flaps", because most vessels use sensors to find other ships, not simply looking out a porthole or front window. Has this been addressed (sorry if so)?

I had an email conversation with Aridas about this just yesterday. The short version is that he is sticking with old-school interpretation of the nacelle caps as "space energy matter sinks" as defined in Franz Joseph's original Starfleet Technical Manual. This doesn't rule out the idea that they are also Bussard collectors but their main function is to warp space ahead of the ship. Aridas speculates that this is accomplished by way of a cluster of microsingularities winking in and out of existence within the nacelle dome (the Christmas light effect).

Now, my thinking is that microsingularities might indirectly produce emissions such as Cerenkov and tachyon radiation, the latter being detectable over great distances. The purpose of the baffles is to contain that radiation and thereby make the ship more stealthy; however, reflecting too much radiation back into the dome actually destabilizes the microsingularities, which is why the baffles must be opened at higher warp factors.

So it's not just a matter of containing the visible light emitted by the domes.

Robert Harrison

26th Jun 2008, 19:59

I Really like this ship... I think the hinged baffles are great... makes it look much more real... i think thats what i mean, i think the First idea for the Baffles are better... means you could compleatly enclose them and still be able to see them...

Matt

Vektor

27th Jun 2008, 06:30

And here, by popular demand, are two renderings showing the current baffle design in a sliding retraction configuration as opposed to the hinged flower petal setup:

http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_042.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_043.jpg

I have to admit, I like the look of this better than I did the first time I tried it. I might have to give it some further consideration.

ghanima

27th Jun 2008, 06:36

STUNNING! love the textures and the modelling!

Road Warrior

27th Jun 2008, 06:37

I think it looks cool.... but I like the flower petal desigh as well. She's your ship, eh. The petal does look more TOS though I think. Then again since youre going for stealth they could be...purpose built or something. I dont know.

jimi kane

27th Jun 2008, 15:15

Awsome. How does the slider look closed?

RAF-MX

28th Jun 2008, 05:30

Modeling to perfection...awesome design...wow!!!!!!
Absolutamente impresionante amigo!!!!!

Vektor

28th Jun 2008, 09:52

I was playing around with some different rendering effects today and kinda went a little crazy. I started with some depth-of-field...

http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_044.jpg

...and then tried some environment mapping and background compositing...

http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_045.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_046.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_047.jpg

No real progress on the model itself but I did learn a few new things about photorealistic rendering. I'm also pretty pleased at how well the textures are holding up considering they're just a couple of stock, lo-res texture maps overlaid with mix maps and some specularity tweaking.

Anyway, thought they were cool and wanted to share.

Road Warrior

28th Jun 2008, 18:27

Thanks for sharing Vektor. Awesomeness.

jimi kane

28th Jun 2008, 18:34

Hahaha, awsome.

Vektor

11th Oct 2010, 16:27

Look out! It's the zombie thread apocalypse! Just when you thought the Kiaga was securely buried in its grave, it comes clawing its way back to life! :devil:

http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_048.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_049.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_050.jpg
http://www.vektorvisual.com/3dwips/kiaga/wip_051.jpg

Actually, the work shown here was done months ago, but I was going through some old folders last week and realized I never showed any of it, so consider it a little Monday bonus. :D

Mikey-B

11th Oct 2010, 16:54

Just when you thought the Kiaga was securely buried in its grave, it comes clawing its way back to life!

Buried alive... buried alive...
Kiaaaaaggaaaaaa!

Looks cool! Is this a JJ-verse vessel- er, wessel?

Vektor

11th Oct 2010, 16:58

No, it's an Original Universe design, though there are some transitional elements between TOS and the movie era.

IRML

11th Oct 2010, 18:03

it looks very cool, and it's great to see someone doing some more advanced surfacing on a trek ship

all I can say is the panelling could probably be toned down a bit, a kind of 'less is more' thing, it looks good but if it was not so noticable it would look even better

VALKYRIE013

11th Oct 2010, 18:11

the 4th seal, the Kiaga comes back to life!!!! RUNNNNN!!!! @_@

very nice! love the texture work!

Freak

12th Oct 2010, 14:34

Nice updates to the ship.

Scotchy

12th Oct 2010, 14:39

Vektor, I've got to ask you a question, so don't take it the wrong way, but did you prototype this in Spore? I just get a spore spaceship vibe from it, so pardon me if I've missed the mark there. Either way, it looks real neato.

somacruz145

12th Oct 2010, 15:37

I wasn't familiar with this vessel (or I forgot about it :p) but whoah, it's absolutely gorgeous ! I agree with IRML that the paneling is a bit too contrasty but the material itself is great. Is it reflecting a HDRI image or just getting gloss from environment/lights ?

Vektor

12th Oct 2010, 16:55

all I can say is the panelling could probably be toned down a bit, a kind of 'less is more' thing, it looks good but if it was not so noticable it would look even better

Technically, the texturing is still only “temporary.” What I mean by that is that I haven’t reached the stage of creating actual texture maps for this specific project or doing any custom UV mapping or anything like that. What you see currently is just a combination of several diffuse and specularity maps applied with the basic UV mapping options, nothing too fancy. One of the texture maps has a lot of grain in it, which I think is detracting a bit from the overall effect at this scale.

I would like the end result to be similar in appearance but I probably will be toning it down a little.

Vektor, I've got to ask you a question, so don't take it the wrong way, but did you prototype this in Spore? I just get a spore spaceship vibe from it, so pardon me if I've missed the mark there. Either way, it looks real neato.

Nope. This was originally designed by Aridas Sofia of Federation Reference fame and I have modeled it pretty faithfully to his 2D schematics.

Is it reflecting a HDRI image or just getting gloss from environment/lights ?

I’m using an HDRI mapped sphere for both lighting and reflections, which has more or less become my standard these days. There is also a small area light in the scene to sharpen up the “sunlight.”