Imperator-Class Star Destroyer (ISD MkII)

[Jedilaw]

Yes, you read correctly. This time, it actually is a friggin' Star Destroyer.

Or, that is, it wants to be when it grows up. I'm using Fractalsponge's wonderful mesh as a 3d reference of sorts, mainly to obtain viewing angles not available in the references, but I have already diverged from his approach in a couple of areas. The ultimate goal, if it's possible, is to be at least as anal-obsessive with fidelity to the 8' studio model as Fractalsponge was, and possibly even even more so (his mesh is fantastic work, but there are a number of differences from the studio model, mostly in the greebles). Now that, my friends, is officially a Tall Order.

Wish me luck!

Ok, fellow Star Wars fanboys/geeks/nerds...fire away!

Don Quixote, signing off...

Update 11/26/07:

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u20/jedilaw/waj-isd91.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u20/jedilaw/waj-isd93.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u20/jedilaw/waj-isd92.jpg

Update 2/21/07 the shots in this post have been updated to refresh the thumbnail.

http://www.3dscifi.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10161/waj-isd-engines13.jpg

[Dallidas]

hmm...it looks like an ISD... but wait it cant be...jedilaw only does ships that LOOk like ISD's :lol:
looks like a great start

[Mercutio_JB]

Noice. Keep on truckin', brother...

[Ozylot]

Great start!

You've got an ambitious goal, I really hope you reach it!

[homerpalooza67]

You've got the basic shape right, you got most of the panels right, um..., i dunno, something about the boxes just...don't...feel right...well, it only looks like a star destroyer anyway, so i don't think it matters too much! :lol: i just cant wait to see u go greeble-crazy on this when its done...
btw, did u mean "Imperator" or "Imperial"?

And what happened 2 the nacelles??? :D

[Jedilaw]

Imperator, definitely. The whole "Imperial" Class Star Destroyer thing was a misnomer originally started by a licensee, and then ocassionally repeated, oddly enough, by LFL. Curtis Saxton over at the Star Wars Technical Commentaries is pretty adamant on this point (http://www.theforce.net/swtc/dagger.html#imperator)

[homerpalooza67]

Oh. So "Imperator" is really canon, and "Imperial" was a typo. sheesh...my whole world is turning upside down :D
And maybe u can shed some light on this- acc to all 6 movies, the droids names were R2D2 and C3PO- were those model names (for all look alikes), or individual "serial numbers"/designations, with every single one having a different number?

[mikala]

What you have blocked in so far looks good. Like some wires to see how heavy shes going to get

[DarthMaya]

I LOVE star destroyers, I will definitely be watching this one.

[Jedilaw]

Oh. So "Imperator" is really canon, and "Imperial" was a typo. sheesh...my whole world is turning upside down :D
And maybe u can shed some light on this- acc to all 6 movies, the droids names were R2D2 and C3PO- were those model names (for all look alikes), or individual "serial numbers"/designations, with every single one having a different number?

IIRC, R2 is the model designation D2 is the unit designation. The R-type droids were all astromechs, apparently, hence R4 (Obi-Wan's droid in ROTS), R5-D4 (the defective astromech that the Jawas first sold to Uncle Owen).

Not sure if C3 is a model designation for protocol droids, but I don't think so.

Thanks for the comments, guys. I'll keep y'all posted as things move along.

@ DarthMaya: I love Star Destroyers, too. In fact, the ISD II is my favorite movie model of all time, hands down. Every cap-ship project I've done up till now has been essentially a proof-of-concept to develop the skills for this beastie. Now to see if I've come far enough along to pull this off...

[vf-1msx]

Cool Star Destroyer:thumb:

[Larsen]

So... you're actually going to do this huh?!... Respect man, I hope you succede:thumb:

And yeah, the Star Destroyer is one of the coolest designs out there!

[Jedilaw]

So... you're actually going to do this huh?!... Respect man, I hope you succede:thumb:

And yeah, the Star Destroyer is one of the coolest designs out there!

Cool it is, but I sure wish ILM was fonder of bilateral symmetry. If you look at the ISD II model, the port and starboard sides have substantially different greebles, as well as different secondary hull structures. You can't do this baby using the old trick of model one half, apply symmetry, yadda yadda.

Still, one doesn't achieve anything notable by taking on the easy tasks in life...

[Larsen]

^So true! Good luck!

[D.M.J.]

A worthy project, and a good start. You must be almost 0.023% on your way to finishing it so far! :D

To take on FractalSponge's model is a bit like deciding to wrestle a wookiee - you are most likely to end up with your arms ripped off, but if you can win you've got bragging rights for life!

[Jedilaw]

A worthy project, and a good start. You must be almost 0.023% on your way to finishing it so far! :D

To take on FractalSponge's model is a bit like deciding to wrestle a wookiee - you are most likely to end up with your arms ripped off, but if you can win you've got bragging rights for life!

Well, sometimes an honorable defeat is a worthy outcome. Just ask Ken Watanabe and Tom Cruise...

[Talos]

"What happened to the warriors at Thermoplyae?"
"Dead to the last man."

Seriously though, sweet job on this so far.

[scifieric]

Hey Jedilaw! Out to create one of those poly-tastic models known as a Star Destroyer, eh? Good luck man! Looks like the right shape already. I'll be watching!

[Pyrocitor]

I wondered when someone would take on the mighty fractalsponge's ISD

I'm gona be watchin this one closely
Good luck!

[Jedilaw]

Thanks, guys!

I don't want people to think I am trying to "challenge" Fractalsponge's work. It's more that he set the bar very high, and I use his mesh as the benchmark. Plenty of folks have made ISD meshes that are nowhere near as good as Ansel's. If I wanted to do that, I would've started a year ago or more. I see Fractalsponge's work as the brass ring of fan-made ISD models, and if I am able to withstand honest scrutiny next to his mesh, I'll feel like something has been accomplished. But I don't see myself as trying to knock the battery off of Ansel's shoulder, so to speak.

[Jedilaw]

Sorry for the double post, but I figured I would put up a smallish update shot. I'm working through the secondary hull structures at this point, including some of the larger attachments to the terraces.

[homerpalooza67]

Well, glad u finally started this; you now have a model you can go greeble-ass on! :D

[Jedilaw]

Nah, there aren't that many greebles on this one, just a lot of boxes and stuff. *cough*

[homerpalooza67]

Nah, there aren't that many greebles on this one, just a lot of boxes and stuff. *cough*

Not yet! Star Destroyers are very greeble-friendly :lol: (we are a non-smoking, greeble friendly environment. Please do not smoke or greeble indoors, unless in a designated smoking or greeble area. thank you!) :D

[Jedilaw]

Luckily, for a Star Destroyer the greeble areas are only between the bow and the stern, and the port side and starboard side. Outside of those areas, there's no greebles at all!:D

[blacklion148]

not bad at all.

[homerpalooza67]

hmmm...i distinctly remember some massive imp ship was a greeble ship...ibetter recheck my sources...

[efritsch]

Dear God Man! Did I read that right? You're going to try and model a Star Destroyer in 3D that matches, in exact detail the live action model used in the films?

Geez....

It took me half an hour to UV Unwrap, texture and rewrap a simple cylinder...

To use the wookie wrestling theme...

This is like cage wrestling a whole team of wookies single handedly... after shaving their mothers bald. (In their sleep of course!)

Good luck and God Speed man. At least we know that the greebles will be perfect though...

[Jedilaw]

Dear God Man! Did I read that right? You're going to try and model a Star Destroyer in 3D that matches, in exact detail the live action model used in the films?

Geez....



As much as I can, yes. Probably need to adjust my meds, or at least I will by the time this project is done circa 2012...

Thanks again, folks!

[Prime_8]

LOL oh my .

[Jedilaw]

I've been working my way around the terraces, adding the "balconies" and a few more of the secondary hull structures.

[DarthMaya]

Siiiiiick :D

[JeffrySG]

Very slick looking so far!!! This will be a very cool thread to watch to see the ship progress!

only 1,456,932 greebles left! :shiner:

[Tovette]

Looking good so far. And you're crazy. lol

[Roliba]

Nice work Jedi. Not showing much ambition, are you? :)

[Ozylot]

....

only 1,456,932 greebles left! :shiner:

and thats only the left side.... :lol:

Nice work!

[Lee80]

Its lookin great so far. Nice Job..

[mikala]

Very early into this and looking impressive!
Are you clocking yourself on this? It would be interesting to see just how much time you put into this.

[aszazeroth]

Very nice work on those windows... gonna do some rooms behind those ?!

[Dallidas]

Very nice work on those windows... gonna do some rooms behind those ?!

i dont think those are windows mate

[aszazeroth]

Not even huge, over-the-top, Lucas Art Special Panoramic windows ?! =)
That demands matte-paintings of unphantomable resolutions

[Jedilaw]

Very early into this and looking impressive!
Are you clocking yourself on this? It would be interesting to see just how much time you put into this.

I've been working on it since about November 15 or so. ETA, roughly...2009.:( :o :(

As for the "windows" they aren't windows. From what I can tell, they are hangar doors lifted from the USS Kittyhawk aircraft carrier. On the port side (currently being modeled) they don't have any additional greebles within them. On the starboard side, there are other objects wthin them (the port side has considerably fewer greebles than the starboard side, making it easier to discern the underlying structures).

Thanks for the feedback. At least the mesh isn't wildly inaccurate yet...

[Jedilaw]

Brief update, work continuing on terraces and "things which are not windows but appear to be":

[StarSlayer]

That's no moon. Its a giant Greeble!

Good luck and godspeed, though she looks pretty damn good so far.

BTW granted i know the spec differences between the I and the II(more armor more guns) from the big giant guide(the older cooler pen and ink version not the one with the crummy color pics), but visually what is the difference between the Mark II and I?

[Jedilaw]

Jut a quick example: the one on the left is the Devastator from A New Hope. On the right is the Avenger from the Empire Strikes Back. The Avenger model was used for all of the Imperator-class ISD IIs in ESB and ROTJ, and is the model I am working on.

[Northern_Mind]

where do u get your reference ?

[homerpalooza67]

i don't really see a diff there, except that the Avenger seems a little more detailed...and is being attacked by a giant door! :D

[Namelezz]

That's a new hyperspace portal that its exiting there. The Empire's had their skunkworks developing it for quite some time now. It is highly experimental as shortly after this picture was taken, It shut upon itself, permanently erasing the ship from existence.

Awesome work Jedilaw! Can't wait to see the final project.

[Kadaeux]

i don't really see a diff there, except that the Avenger seems a little more detailed...and is being attacked by a giant door! :D

The Heavy Turbolasers are very different, the first one has single barreled weapons, the other has 8 barrels.

[Roliba]

How the hell can you make out the greebles in that mess. All I see is... Yikes!

[Jedilaw]

How the hell can you make out the greebles in that mess. All I see is... Yikes!

Heh, why do you think my ETA is 2009? :eek:

There actually is a fair bit of repetition of parts. For example, you see the same three-barelled turretts and four-barelled turrets throughout the model (they are mounted without the barrells), and you also see the triple-barrells and quad-barrells themselves used as detail pices elsewhere. I've also identified superstructure sections from a number of WWII-era battleships and carriers. Once I get the main and secondary hull features laid out, I will start with trying to build my set of reusable greebles. You'll know when that has started, because the sound of my hair being torn out in big clumps will be audible even in Europe.

WRT sources for refs, the best set of photos came from JIm Creveling, hosted at Cloudster.com (http://www.cloudster.com). There is another very nice set, though much smaller, at HALSTENSEN.COM (http://www.halstensen.com). Also check out Amazing Starships (http://www.amazingstarships.com). There are relatively few decent references at Starship Modeler - Your Complete Information Source for Science Fiction, Fantasy and Real Space Scale Modeling (http://www.starshipmodeler.com).

[JAGster]

Holy smokes Jedilaw, you are the owner of my greatest admiration! I will be watching your work closely.

I like you think the ISD is that greatest ship ever created in the sci-fi world.

BTW are you working in 3DS MAX 8? I am also trying to improve my modeling skills and would appreciate it if you could describe your modeling technique. For example are those terraces and larger greebles separate objects attached to the main mesh, or are they extruded polys or booleaned objects?

[Jedilaw]

Thanks, JAGster!

The terraces are separate objects, attached to the main mesh. The main triangular hull is one piece, the upper decks are another, the bridge is another, et cetera.

If you want to see a really kickass version of this ship, Fractalsponge's mesh is available over at Sci-Fi 3D: The Ultimate 3D Sci-Fi Resource (http://www.scifi3d.com).

[Lee80]

very ambititous project. Good luck :thumb:

[fractalsponge]

I think this looks very good so far. Jedilaw is, of course, cheating, by modeling the port side first :D.

I always regretted not going about my mesh systematically, since it started out as just the bridge tower. Lots of time lost to fixing problems later on that I probably wouldn't have had if I had done it this way. Of course, that's a bit more daunting, since you look at the references as a whole and not in sections.

This mesh should turn out far more accurate than mine, especially since it will use the actual (less-greebled) port side instead of using an adapted starboard side like mine. I'll be keeping an eye on it.

Watch the upper angle of the tower bridge block - should be the same as the bottom angle (one mistake in my version1 mesh).

[Jedilaw]

I think this looks very good so far. Jedilaw is, of course, cheating, by modeling the port side first :D.

I always regretted not going about my mesh systematically, since it started out as just the bridge tower. Lots of time lost to fixing problems later on that I probably wouldn't have had if I had done it this way. Of course, that's a bit more daunting, since you look at the references as a whole and not in sections.

This mesh should turn out far more accurate than mine, especially since it will use the actual (less-greebled) port side instead of using an adapted starboard side like mine. I'll be keeping an eye on it.

Watch the upper angle of the tower bridge block - should be the same as the bottom angle (one mistake in my version1 mesh).

Wow, Ansel, thanks for the support! Coming from the maker of the best-known and most-detailed fan-made ISD available, the compliments mean quite a lot.:thumb:

And, yeah, I am "cheating" with the port side first. Hell, at least you can see the hull on that side! :lol:

[fractalsponge]

^I like to think it's the most detailed one of all, since even ILM hasn't made a hero model CGI one to my knowledge :D But if you really do greeble-for-greeble detail, you'll have us all beat (may take you a few years, but hey... :))

The Imperial Star Destroyer (http://www.geocities.com/~special_effect/sw_star_destroyer.html)

This was the site I kept forgetting to dig up - got a couple of lots of nicely lit photos of the studio model.

[Jedilaw]

^I like to think it's the most detailed one of all, since even ILM hasn't made a hero model CGI one to my knowledge :D But if you really do greeble-for-greeble detail, you'll have us all beat (may take you a few years, but hey... :))

The Imperial Star Destroyer (http://www.geocities.com/~special_effect/sw_star_destroyer.html)

This was the site I kept forgetting to dig up - got a couple of lots of nicely lit photos of the studio model.

Well, they never did the entire thing as a hero model, just certain sections (the tower and part of the lateral trench). So, yeah, you hold the crown, sir!

You mentioned the proportions of your ISD, and since I used an ortho of your mesh as my reference image, lo and behold, I, too, had a hull shape that was more "squat" than the ISD II in ESB. So I went back and re-did the main hull, as well as the secondary hull features. And I fiexd the issue with the conning tower that you mentioned.

Thanks again for the feedback, Ansel, and everybody else (I'll miss you most of all, Scarecrow!)

[Ozylot]

So far so good... now lets see some greebles! :D

[mikala]

Hey now thats excellent.
Getting headsups from a fellow ISD modeler.
I have a strange feeling this is going to be a remarkable mesh.

[DarthMaya]

looks sooo cool, can't wait to see the finished product.

[homerpalooza67]

Please don't shoot me for this, but i cannot see the 8 barreled or single bareled or any turbolasers at all except one turret with 4 barrels. cna some one please circle over them in red 4 me? :D :D

[Jedilaw]

Here are the 8-barrelled turrets:

[Pyrocitor]

Looking good

IMO the MKI turrets look better, they just look bulkier and heavier

[homerpalooza67]

Oh. so THATS what that was...:doh:

[efritsch]

Which are rendered and which are real? I'm already having trouble telling them apart!

[Pyrocitor]

i think they're both real

[homerpalooza67]

they are both photos from the physical filming models used. @fractalsponge
there was something very specific about your mesh i did not like, it was when i zoom in for a close up render, of all the bits and greebles on the hull, it...just looks fake (well it is :D). I suspect its the ligting (and i am a total ignoramus for lighting); SO; would you recommend a lighting solution or setup that can be jury rigged (max 7) :confused: i think it would help me better appreciate the best friggin mesh of the ISD currently in existence :D :flatters: (jedilaw, u have 2 finish urs first:lol: ) Sorry for jacking the thread :doh:!

[Jedilaw]

Which are rendered and which are real? I'm already having trouble telling them apart!

Heh, I'm nowhere near that good, but thanks for the compliment.

[Jedilaw]

Hate to double post, but someone mentioned that they wanted to see some greebles on this sucker (no idea why my name would make anybody around here think of greebles *cough*). This shot shows my "toolkit" in progress: pieces that I know will be used many times throughout the model.

[Jedilaw]

Hate to double post, but someone mentioned that they wanted to see some greebles on this sucker (no idea why my name would make anybody around here think of greebles *cough*). This shot shows my "toolkit" in progress: pieces that I know will be used many times throughout the model.

[Berticus]

mmmm.... Greebless..... mmmmmm....

Ok. Thats done. Looks like a healthy start on your kit! Perhaps you might incorperate your Death Star greebles into it too!!:shiner:

Great work!
-albert

[Ozylot]

Looks like a triple post to me :p

No worries... its worth it. Nice work!

[Jedilaw]

The board is glitching up today. When I added that post, the page froze when posting the reply, so I reloaded and got two for the price of one. Then I couldn't get to this page at all. Weird...

As for using the Death Star greebles, I'd love to, but that would be, erm, "cheating," since there are no common greebles between the two models that I've detected.

[Ozylot]

...
As for using the Death Star greebles, I'd love to, but that would be, erm, "cheating," since there are no common greebles between the two models that I've detected.

Its ok, im sure you have a few more dozen greebles hidden in that never-ending supply of yours ;)

[homerpalooza67]

Dose he really like making greebles? :confused: i can just imagine a dinner order: "would u like fries w/ that?""yes, and make the greebles hot!!!" :D :D

[Jedilaw]

Dose he really like making greebles? :confused: i can just imagine a dinner order: "would u like fries w/ that?""yes, and make the greebles hot!!!" :D :D

Check in the meshes sections under "bits and pieces" for the answer :cool: ;)

[Jedilaw]

I'm focusing on the actual, greeble-by-greeble reproduction of the rear portside terraces. I've modeled these pieces as accurately as possible, though one of them has a dearth of useful reference shots that show it in sufficient clarity.

C&C, if ya got 'em, please.

[Ozylot]

Cool!

Ok so this may sound like a n00b question, but those new parts your adding, are they separate objects or are they built right into the base mesh?

[scifieric]

I'm focusing on the actual, greeble-by-greeble reproduction of the rear portside terraces.
Oh man. This is going to take you forever, man! LOL!

I love it all.

[Lee80]

Oh man. This is going to take you forever, man! LOL!

I love it all.

yeah my computer is already having sympathy pains.. I love the work so far..

[Dallidas]

Cool!

Ok so this may sound like a n00b question, but those new parts your adding, are they separate objects or are they built right into the base mesh?

i bet there separate objects. building them them in would be messy and poly expensive.

[DarthMaya]

Wow jedilaw, its looking very nice.... I didn't see fractal's wip thread (if he had one) so it will be cool to see how this thing gets built up. :D


-Nick

[homerpalooza67]

Check in the meshes sections under "bits and pieces" for the answer :cool: ;)

Figures. :lol: great work!!

[Bug 2000]

Wow jedilaw, its looking very nice.... I didn't see fractal's wip thread (if he had one) so it will be cool to see how this thing gets built up. :D


-Nick

Hey Nick,

He had a very good thread (tutorial) on this same mesh. But as you know when the site went "kaput" it was lost forever!

Does anyone have any full offline version?

There is a little bit here (http://www.scifi3d.com/wip_details.asp?intGenreID=10&intCatID=8&key=83), but its very small.

Take care, mate.


@Jedilaw:

This is coming along great. Keep the good work.

The Star Wars exposition is here at Lisboa (Lisbon - Portugal), next weekend I intend to go there and I am planning to use a digital camera+tripod+Stitcher Unlimited 5.5 (http://stitcher.realviz.com/products/ST/index.php?language=EN) to do some detail panorama shots from all the models.

If this model is there do you want any photos?

Take care, mate.

[Jedilaw]

Hey Nick,

He had a very good thread (tutorial) on this same mesh. But as you know when the site went "kaput" it was lost forever!

Does anyone have any full offline version?

There is a little bit here (http://www.scifi3d.com/wip_details.asp?intGenreID=10&intCatID=8&key=83), but its very small.

Take care, mate.


@Jedilaw:

This is coming along great. Keep the good work.

The Star Wars exposition is here at Lisboa (Lisbon - Portugal), next weekend I intend to go there and I am planning to use a digital camera+tripod+Stitcher Unlimited 5.5 (http://stitcher.realviz.com/products/ST/index.php?language=EN) to do some detail panorama shots from all the models.

If this model is there do you want any photos?

Take care, mate.

ummmm, let me see...YES!!!!! In particular, if you can take some good shots of the terraces, showing the greebles up close, that would be great. See below for a shot of one of the more problematic areas.

Regarding the detail pieces, yes, they are separate objects, lined up with the base mesh. I've not attached them yet, as I still have symmetry active on the terraces, and these detail pieces aren't used on both sides.

Thanks for the comments, folks!

[fractalsponge]

And if you could take some pictures of the reactor dome, and the bottom edge of the hull right aft, and the trench on the starboard side, that'd be great too. Not enough references of the starboard side, as (relatively) simple as it is. Also, tie fighter models, if you can get some shots of them, pretty please ? :D Esp the rear end of Vader's fighter.

[fractalsponge]

^oh, and I forget if the SSD model travels any more, but if you could get some shots of the TOPS of the forward cityscape, that'd be awesome. There are no refs of those areas, to my knowledge.

[fractalsponge]

And, to nitpick on the model a bit - the little trapezoidal openings should be scaled to be more square, and a little more squat. Also the piped greeble thing on top should be level with the square panels to the right, and made smaller. The area above that and under the overhang of the terrace has some light traced panels that I can't make out in my refs.

[Jedilaw]

Thanks for the nits, Ansel. To paraphrase an old commercial, "When Fractalsponge speaks, people listen." That piped greeble thing is driving me nuts, as the various angles of ref shots are hard to reconcile (and most have washed-out lighting and/or poor resolution of that area).

By all means, guys, if you see something wrong based on references of the 8' ISD model from Empire, please chime in and let me know where I am getting off track. It take a village, and all that...

[fractalsponge]

I think what you have is about as good as it's going to get. I'd suggest adding another block underneath the rounded bit, and a horizontal pipe or something bar across the middle feature. But that's really nitpicking :) This is the reason I started flling in greebles myself - no really clear refs, and I hate empty space. Even the ISD is a little plain sometimes...

[homerpalooza67]

Plain makes it look meaner, somehow. its supposed to look mean....speaking of which; fractal, would you mind to render any one view of your ISD, with a big yellow smiley on the top? :D

[Jedilaw]

Well, the really interesting question comes in when deciding whether to model the details shown in the enlarged 10-foot conning tower and 10-foot trench sections they built for ESB and ROTJ, respectively. Then there's the issue of the ISD that goes toe-to-toe with a Mon-Cal cruiser in ROTJ, and clearly has different trench details than the 8' ESB model. Even when striving for 100% accuracy, the issue comes down to : accurate to what? Things aren't totally consistent.

[fractalsponge]

Smiley?

I always went by the rule in modeling things with different versions that the most detailed section gets used for references, as long as the detail scale can be kept consistent through the mesh. (assuming you're not doing specific detailed sections).

And modeling the studio version is not necessarily the best for a CGI model that will be used for stills and possibly animation - how do you make the greeble work?


You have a shot of the 10' trench section? I knew they essentially had new ships for ROTJ, such as the hangarless Tector and the comm ship, but when I think detail trench I draw a blank except for the TESB/ROTJ SSD sections.

[Jedilaw]

There is a really nice full-page shot in the new Sculpting a Galaxy book, which, Santa willing, I will have my hands on come Christmas. It's the only shot I've ever seen of that detailed trench section (in fact, I did not know they had made a separate detail model until thumbing through the book).

[homerpalooza67]

Smiley?

i think it would be funny...it would definitly make a good wallpaper :D, although, i can do it in photoshop!!!

[Jedilaw]

Here's an update. The lighting looks a bit different because this is a Mental Ray render with the dirt map shader. Most of the WIP shots have been with the scanline renderer.

[Lee80]

nice update. this is gonna be really good...

[Jedilaw]

Ok, this question has been bugging me for a while: what is the best way to go about adding the window lights?

I know that Ansel used flat planes with a self-illuminated texture, and lined those up to the model. That's one route, but he was using Final Render materials, and I'm not sure that Max's self-illuminated materials will do the trick. Al3d did a trick with his Enterprise mesh where he created a "backplane" for lack of a better term behind the windows on the engineering hull. The "backplane" had a self-illuminating texture applied, and the windows were holes in the mesh, making the "lighted" face visible. I've been toying around with that, but the problem is the sheer number of windows on the ISD. It's in the thousands. Making that many holes in any mesh is going to be a total pain in the arse. I need to start thinking of this before I get too much farther along, as some of the greebles I've been adding are supposed to have window lights.

Thoughts, anyone?

[Lee80]

well... i think the easiest way to go about it, would be to texture them on.. just because there are so many... just my oppinion. One of things I like to do in to make a box shape on the mesh and then extrude it in a bit and apply a "window" material to it... but as i use wings3d im not sure how that would work in max..

[Larsen]

^yeah... sound like a good idea.

I usually asing a dif mat ID to the windows, do a multi-sub-object material and just slap an image of a RMQ productionpainting in the ID2 slot and punch up the selfillumination by copying the image into the slot...

toy a little with it... you can get some awsome effects with it!

Awsome progress so far mate... keep it up:thumb:

PS: Here't the image I usually use... try changing the color if you want a dif hue... ofcourse most of these work quite well!

[Jedilaw]

Thanks for that, Larsen! I spent a few secs messing around with the material, and with a glow effect, and came up with this:

[Ozylot]

Looks like it works... and are you gonna do window boxes? :shiner:

[fractalsponge]

Doesn't look too bad, but a little fuzzy about the edges. When I did the small windows for v2, I used an octagon, extruded with the backface removed (the pinholes on the ISD model are circular, after all) Then I applied an fR self-illuminating map to them, and moved them individually into place. I used the density of the pinholes on the studio model as a reference, but I moved them into places I thought would be sensible (not on a piece of machinery, i.e.).

I imagine mental ray can be used to get the same effect:

http://fractalsponge.net/images/windows/1.jpg
http://fractalsponge.net/images/windows/2.jpg

[Jedilaw]

Doesn't look too bad, but a little fuzzy about the edges. When I did the small windows for v2, I used an octagon, extruded with the backface removed (the pinholes on the ISD model are circular, after all) Then I applied an fR self-illuminating map to them, and moved them individually into place. I used the density of the pinholes on the studio model as a reference, but I moved them into places I thought would be sensible (not on a piece of machinery, i.e.).

I imagine mental ray can be used to get the same effect:

http://fractalsponge.net/images/windows/1.jpg
http://fractalsponge.net/images/windows/2.jpg

Ansel, was this extruded back into the face of the model, ie through a boolean or some such? And, yes, I have noticed the roundness of the windows, these are just "proof of concept" to see if it will work.

@Ozylot: Window boxes? Well, I was considering those (I've used them before on my Alexandria frigate), but what with the thousands of windows on the ISD, I think it may be a little hard to implement.

Because, you know, the project is really pretty low-intensity, other than those windows. *cough*

[fractalsponge]

No, if it were a boolean, well, you just screwed up a lot of good geometry by trying :P. Essentially they're just boxes with a self-illum map inserted into exiting objects so they overlap, but aren't integrated like a boolean would be. Cheap and easy.

[Jedilaw]

Ok, so in other words you give them a little bit of depth so you have some margin of error when lining them up with the base mesh? Easier than getting a plane to line up right.

That the idea?

Oh, speaking of cheap and easy (and brilliant) that was a lovely trick you did with the Executor mesh, using a volumetric light with a noise effect to simulate the windows. It took me a few minutes to suss out where those window glows were coming from, but once I did I had to shake my head in appreciation.

[StarSlayer]

When its done can we have Jedi and Fractals ISDs fight to see which Warlord wins the sector ;)

[Jedilaw]

Well, Fractal also has a Super Star Destroyer to bring to the party, so he wins.

[homerpalooza67]

Yeah, but it's low poly (relatively speaking of course:D)!

[fractalsponge]

Ok, so in other words you give them a little bit of depth so you have some margin of error when lining them up with the base mesh? Easier than getting a plane to line up right.

That the idea?

You got it - using planes would take forever by that method, which is why I only used them to fill in enclosed holes in the mesh.


Oh, speaking of cheap and easy (and brilliant) that was a lovely trick you did with the Executor mesh, using a volumetric light with a noise effect to simulate the windows. It took me a few minutes to suss out where those window glows were coming from, but once I did I had to shake my head in appreciation.

Ty, ty :) But that mesh really needs an overhaul - I learned to do 3d doing that, so it's rather crap now.

[Jedilaw]

Ty, ty :) But that mesh really needs an overhaul - I learned to do 3d doing that, so it's rather crap now.

Yeah, kind of like Nicholas Meyer learned feature film making on Star Trek II, eh?

Then again, you are the only modeler I've come across who said "ILM's studio models are lacking in detail, I need to add some" (referring to Vader's Advanced Tie prototype).

[Jedilaw]

I decided to focus a bit on the nose section of the trenches. To say that figuring out these particular greebles has been a pain in the arse would be an undestatement for the ages...

[DarthMaya]

Really shaping up, this is going to be great. :)

[Admiral Danev]

what references are you using for that 'nose' section, i have not seen any pics of that section, its a very interesting section!!!

[Tovette]

The detail looks good so far. Reminds me of ww2 naval battleship's conning towers with the different layers of balconies and obvservation booths with the windows.

[Ozylot]

For some reason I just love that perspective shot. Nice work.

[chrono]

I decided to focus a bit on the nose section of the trenches. To say that figuring out these particular greebles has been a pain in the arse would be an undestatement for the ages...

Trench warfare is never fun. :(

[Jedilaw]

Ohhh, bad pun, Chrono!

As for references of the nose section, the best shots I have came from Untitled (http://www.amazingstarships.com), combined with some of the images from Cloudster (www.cloudster.com). I'm still having to "wing it" with some of these nose details, because of the lack of available angles (I only have maybe 6 or 7 reference shots of the nose all total).

@Tovette: I'm not surprised this reminds you of WWII battleships, as the model is using a combination of superstructure pieces and turret pieces from battleships. In fact, some of the refs I've been using are from the actual battleships themselves.

[StarSlayer]

ROFL i recognize that! Its the bridge section from a Revell USS Arizona model :P Jedi your a brave man taking on a greebled beast like this ;)

[Jedilaw]

Well, I spend all my damned time making greebles, anyway, so why not just do a ship that's almost nothing but greebles? At least there's a more interesting design underneath the greebles than, say, the Daedelus from Stargate.

[Larsen]

The detail looks good so far. Reminds me of ww2 naval battleship's conning towers with the different layers of balconies and obvservation booths with the windows.

The prototype or concept model if you want... was infact a triangle with wwII conning tower and cannons slapped on it... looked kinda funny, but thank god they kept it... what would the world be like, without the Imperial Star Destroyer!?!

Awsome work so far JEDI, I just got the "sculpting a galaxy" the other day. Man where did they dig up those closeups? awsome book, I sat down just fliiping through it... I had to stop, my brain just couldn't cope with all the detail:P it's just awsome, I'm only like 1/4 through the book:D

Keep up the good work:thumb:

[Kadaeux]

Damn me, looking at some of those pics I recognise a lot of the parts....
Some of them are from WW2 fighter jet models too. I recognise one particular piece thats the internals from an ME-262's engine.

Oh and great modelling mate. and I wish ye more luck, I am never doing an SD, I'd never do it justice.

[Jedilaw]

Brief update, nothing huge, just keeping on with the keeping on...

[DarthMaya]

Very nice, I love seeing this thread bumped to the top. :D

[Jedilaw]

And now, for the nose ridge. Think of it as hidden evidence that the Klingons are the real designers of the ISD. Them, or the Bajorans...

[Dallidas]

And now, for the nose ridge. Think of it as hidden evidence that the Klingons are the real designers of the ISD. Them, or the Bajorans...

how is that? looks great btw

[Jedilaw]

Big bony ridge on the nose. Think of the noses of the Bajorans, or of the (TMP-era onward) Klingons.

[Ozylot]

Good to see someone who nose what they are doing :D

[Jedilaw]

Ba-dum-bum!

Where's Rodney Dangerfield when you need him?

[Pyrocitor]

Looking really good so far

I'm just wondering, does the MkII have the tractor beam projectors at the front like the MkI in the Incredible cross-sections book

[Dallidas]

Big bony ridge on the nose. Think of the noses of the Bajorans, or of the (TMP-era onward) Klingons.

dont watch star trek...:lol:

[Jedilaw]

Looking really good so far

I'm just wondering, does the MkII have the tractor beam projectors at the front like the MkI in the Incredible cross-sections book

Technical refs vary. Some diagrams identify the "blister" on the aft ventral portion of the hull as the primary tractor beam. Others say the tractor beam is mounted in the nose or elsewhere in the trenches.

Honestly, I have no idea what any of these greebles do, I just know what they look like. Which is about as much as Joe Johnston and Ralph McQuarrie ever knew, from what I've read.

[Jedilaw]

Worked on this during the long-assed deposition of a seventy-six-year-old man today (really boring crap, these depositions --witness interviews).

[Nadesico]

excellent work, i didnt realize you were going to duplicate every single freakin greeble on the thing either.

[Jedilaw]

OCD is a bitch,man.

Besides, I figure the only way I can ever match Ansel's mesh and actually have a model worth talking about in comparison is to try to be even more nuts about detail than he was.

Of course, for Ansel, the ISD is old news. He's capable of far more by now, just look at his TIE Advanced Prototype mesh...

[Tovette]

long deposition huh? I can just see jedilaw sitting there modelling away...

"oh yes, oh hold on Your Honor, lemme just boolean this box; I'll be right with you.."

:shiner:

[scifieric]

That's what went through my mind! LOL!

[Pyrocitor]

Really great work
At this rate you'll get it finished in the next 5 years :lol:


Besides, I figure the only way I can ever match Ansel's mesh and actually have a model worth talking about in comparison is to try to be even more nuts about detail than he was.

Hey I didn't think you we're trying to beat Ansel:D

[Jedilaw]

long deposition huh? I can just see jedilaw sitting there modelling away...

"oh yes, oh hold on Your Honor, lemme just boolean this box; I'll be right with you.."

:shiner:

Luckily, no judge in the room with a deposition. Plus, there were 50 other lawyers there, and I wasn't going to be asking any questions. I modeled while listening and typing notes of any interesting testimony. Got lots of strange looks for other attorneys trying to figure out what the hell I was doing, and, once they knew what, why the hell I would want to make a Star Destroyer. No geeks in the room, from what I could tell.

As for "beating" Ansel, there's no competition, it's more a question of using his work as the informal bar that I need to jump across in order to feel satisfied. He could do what I'm doing 100 times better, and quicker, any time he wanted to. Believe me. Still, if you want to be a great basketball player, you want to match up with Michael Jordan. Can't prove yourself very well if your goals aren't high, you know?

[Tovette]

Still, if you want to be a great basketball player, you want to match up with Michael Jordan. Can't prove yourself very well if your goals aren't high, you know?


Yep! It's how we improve ourselves!

[StarSlayer]

"Id like to present exhibition 125..."

Judge: "A ISD MK II?"

"Woops wrong file"

[DarthMaya]

"Id like to present exhibition 125..."

Judge: "A ISD MK II?"

"Woops wrong file"

:lol: Thats funny :D

[Tovette]

LoL

[Jedilaw]

Good way to be unemployed, too...

[Jedilaw]

Double post, sue me. :devil:

[Tovette]

hottness. love all the greebles

[StarSlayer]

Good way to be unemployed, too...

Sorry i wasn't implying that you would make such a rookie move, just that it would be funny :) Out of curiosity, are the greebles symetrical on both sides or are the different depending port or starboard? If the ISD is greebly assymetrical then, well, your a greeble god.

[Ozylot]

Double post, sue me. :devil:

^I'd probably lose....

Nice work!

[Jedilaw]

Sorry i wasn't implying that you would make such a rookie move, just that it would be funny :) Out of curiosity, are the greebles symetrical on both sides or are the different depending port or starboard? If the ISD is greebly assymetrical then, well, your a greeble god.

Nah, I didn't think you were implying that.

As for symmetry, the ISD is most definitely not symmetrical as far as the greebles go. They are significantly different on the port and starboard sides (the port side is the less detailed side, they almost always shot her from the starboard side).

Thanks for the input, folks!

[Brickhead]

That thing looks as if it's eating Greebles, I feel you're pain Bro. Very impressive, Oh I'd say 2011 at least.
Very well done.

[Jedilaw]

Heh, don't you mean...2010?

Thanks, Bricks!

[stonky]

This is looking fantastic!

[efritsch]

I can't fathom how many poly's that is already....

Are you using a Cray by chance to make this model?

[Jedilaw]

I can't fathom how many poly's that is already....

Are you using a Cray by chance to make this model?

Much lower than you might think. Right now, less than 120k. It'll be in the 3mil range when it's done, I'd bet.

As for my rig, it's a Core Duo 2ghz with 2gb RAM and a GeForce 7900GS. Not a cray, but pretty damned fast, at least this week. Good thing, too, because render times with raytraced shadows are starting to seriously creep up.

Again, thanks for the input.

[ernesto]

Super details. I am looking continuous to your work. They are good suggestions/inspirations for my WIP.

Ciao ;-)

[nulll]

Awesome detailing, can't wait to see this finished (and textured and animated :P)

[punchface]

...but who is Ansel?

punchface

[Northern_Mind]

...but who is Ansel?


Ansel would be fractalsponge , the creator of the most detailed ISD model out there.

[Tovette]

Ansel would be fractalsponge , the creator of the most detailed ISD model out there.

Even more detailed than the ILM CG versions??

[Northern_Mind]

Even more detailed than the ILM CG versions??

I like to think so yes :D

[homerpalooza67]

Even more detailed than the ILM CG versions??
Hell Yeah!! ILM has time and money and no concept for quality! (or maybe its just george lucas :devil:)

[Jedilaw]

Guys, there is no ILM-created CG version of the ISD Mk II. None of the shots that were added in the SEs for TESB and ROTJ involved an ISD, hence no need to create a CG version (besides which they had the practical model to use if needed).

The Acclamator and Venator-class ships were both done in CG, but those are different ships than the one I am working on (and the one Fractalsponge already made into his CG bitch).

[StarSlayer]

heh funny enough i pop in the DVD of ROTJ in my laptop and watch the Battle of Endor it looks more real because of the models, for some reason i can tell im looking at CG on the laptop if i watch CGI heavy flicks

[Tovette]

heh funny enough i pop in the DVD of ROTJ in my laptop and watch the Battle of Endor it looks more real because of the models, for some reason i can tell im looking at CG on the laptop if i watch CGI heavy flicks

Yeah I noticed that too. The scratchbuilt models just have a look of realism to them that the CG ones dont have.

[Pyrocitor]

that might be because they are real and have real lighting

just a thought

[Jedilaw]

heh funny enough i pop in the DVD of ROTJ in my laptop and watch the Battle of Endor it looks more real because of the models, for some reason i can tell im looking at CG on the laptop if i watch CGI heavy flicks

I agree with Pyrocitor. Our eyes have been trained by decades of film-based special effects. A lot of what we perceive as "looking real" is caused by the physical nature of the camera, the film, and the lights. CG tries to fake camera-based artifacts, but it's still rough simulation of a highly complex series of random phenomenae.

[Jedilaw]

Double-post, I know, but this has an update:

[DarkSapiens]

If all your double posts are accompanied with contents like that, I think you could make as more as you want :D

Impressive work, man. :thumb:

[al3d]

Hell Yeah!! ILM has time and money and no concept for quality! (or maybe its just george lucas :devil:)

wow..and my dad's better then yours.., man...talk about penis envy..hehehe....funny since ILM is the most successfull FX house ever to run, and so far ahead of any others, that it's alone at the Top..and that's even without the SW movies. and without ILM's ground breaking work..well..we would'nt even be here doing our little ships dude. so can the ILM bashing if you will. you're on sleepery ground.

Jedi...awsome work so far. what's the poly count so far?...

[Jedilaw]

Jedi...awsome work so far. what's the poly count so far?... Thanks!:thumb: Coming from a guy with your skills and talent, that means a lot.

Poly count is 120,221 counting triangles, and 55,776 counting polygons (per the Max polygon counting tool). The strange thing is, as low as those counts are, this thing is starting to kill the raytracing engine already. If I do a render with raytraced shadows (as opposed to the single-skylight setup for most of these), render times are hitting 45 minutes. I can render Ansel's entire mesh faster than that. I'm wondering ifthe slowdown comes from there being more interior spaces for light to bounce around in.

BTW, to those who feel like ILM bashing or prequel bashing, might I suggest another thread? I'm doing this mesh as a lifelong SW and ILM fan, including the prequels. You're entitled to feel otherwise, but this wouldn't be the best thread in which to vent your spleen.

[Ozylot]

Lovin it so far! Keep up the good work :thumb:

[Cinnamon]

JediLaw *is* the Greeble King!

I'm very much looking forward to seeing this one grow - You've set yourself one hella high bar to clear, but I think that you will do it. Your detail work is simply gorgeous.

Cheers!

-jaime

[Jedilaw]

Awww, you guys are gonna make me blush... :thumb:

[Lord of the Rings Junkie]

Being a hyper-detail person myself, I really appreciate all the detail you're modeling. I haven't read the whole thread, but if you haven't already could you tell what program you're using? Do you plan on providing the model when you're done?

[Edit] And forgive me, what is a greeble?

[Jedilaw]

1) 3DS Max 7

2) No, not as a wide release.

3) Greebles are the little detail bits that are attached to the ship. In this model, they're mostly pieces of battleship models, turrets, superstructure bits, et cetera.

[Jedilaw]

Once again, a double-post, the 2nd being an update:

[Ozylot]

Fascinating... it almost looks like there is a mini-hanger in the side there.

[StarSlayer]

Awesome, between your ISD and Ozzy's GreebLegos its detail mania!

[Eoraptor]

Looking very cool, but got any recent full mesh shots? am only seeing the nose bit

[Lord of the Rings Junkie]

Probably because that's the part he's working on right now...

[BEMEUP]

Sweet work man! :thumb:

Can't imagine the level of detail this beast will have when you're done...

[Jedilaw]

This may look like a smallish update, given that only a few new pieces are in place, but I've been doing a good deal of rescaling and rearranging of the greebles, to make the layout match the studio model more closely. Several hours later...

[Ozylot]

Slow going... ?! there is no other way of going about this.

:thumb: :thumb:

keep going :D

[Pyrocitor]

Really awesome Jedilaw :thumb:

I'd love to make a model with this much detail, but I would probably have gone completely mad by the end of it

[Jedilaw]

I find that the trick is to take satisfaction in each individual piece that I finish. When I try to think about how much more I have to do on this thing, that's when I get nuts. Focusing on the small, discrete tasks makes all the difference.

[scifieric]

Nice going Jedilaw! Thanks for the whole model shot. I can see how this would be daunting!

[ernesto]

Great work! Step by step.

Ciao

[Roliba]

Amazing work man. You go, you greeble god you!

[Lee80]

:eek: wow. its comming along nicly...

[JAGster]

Fantastic progress Jedilaw, I’m using my minds eye to fill in the details you have already completed for the whole ship shown in that last render. Sublime!

[homerpalooza67]

I really dont see the big deal here; all you did is model hald an ISD w/ full greebles from scratch...woops, now i see the big deal :D :D!!!
freaking awesome!!!

[Jedilaw]

Bit of an update...

[Ozylot]

Oh nice... looks like you added that doodad that connects to the whatchamacallit. :thumb:

[Jedilaw]

No, no...it attaches the thingamajig to the whatsit.

[DarthMaya]

Looks very cool, can't wait to see the final. :D

[Jedilaw]

Looks very cool, can't wait to see the final. :D

Hmmm, get your hyperbaric sleep chamber ready, then, because otherwise the wait will seem realllllly long...

[Ozylot]

Hmmm, get your hyperbaric sleep chamber ready, then, because otherwise the wait will seem realllllly long...

What? no light at the end of the tunnel?

Im sure you get it done ;)

[Starscream]

Of course he will! After all, the Emperor is not as forgiving as I am... :D

[Jedilaw]

Oh, look, I found new ways of motivating myself...

[limdaepl]

I prefered the dark gray you had in the previous wip shots. the white is hurting my eyes.
... or maybe i should just get some sleep ...

beside that: hmm yummy :shiner:

[Larsen]

ROFL... sounds fun in here... looks around, hmmm... something fishy here!

Wait... these guys are the bad guys...

Ahh... what'yagonnado... they have the coolest toys anyway, what's a few brainefarts here and there just becourse your lord dosn't like the way you scrubed the floor:D

Lovely work JL... just lovely:thumb:

[Jedilaw]

I prefered the dark gray you had in the previous wip shots. the white is hurting my eyes.
... or maybe i should just get some sleep ...

beside that: hmm yummy :shiner:

How's this? Easier on the eyes? Try more tomato juice and less vodka next time :devil:

[Ozylot]

How's this? Easier on the eyes? Try more tomato juice and less vodka next time :devil:

Yeah thats a beat better! :D

[scifieric]

How's this? Easier on the eyes? Try more tomato juice and less vodka next time :devil:
But ... but I NEED my ... medicine!

LOL!

Nice update Jedilaw!

[al3d]

hey...don't know if you mentionned it before but are you doing the ANH or ESB version of the STD?

[Konvex]

Its looking great so far, lots of detail, can't wait for more updates. :)

[Jedilaw]

Thanks for the feedback and encouragement!

@Al: this is the ESB version of the ISD. The ANH version would actually be a good bit easier, but this one just seems more...impressive to me. I may do an alternate ANH version later. Incidentally, the ANH Star Destroyer appears in a couple of shots in ESB, in formation with the Executor.

For those curious about the differences, here's a reference shot of the bow trench area of the Devastator:

[Pyrocitor]

Really awesome work Jedilaw

One of my tutors brought the Star Wars Sculpting a Galaxy: Inside the Star Wars Model Shop (http://shop.starwars.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=405593;category_id=298;pcid 1=;pcid2=) book into class today and man this would be an awesome reference book for anyone wanting to do acurate starwars models, there was a big image of a MKII in it aswell and another big image of the bridge section.

Just thought I'd let you know

[Jedilaw]

Really awesome work Jedilaw

One of my tutors brought the Star Wars Sculpting a Galaxy: Inside the Star Wars Model Shop (http://shop.starwars.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=405593;category_id=298;pcid 1=;pcid2=) book into class today and man this would be an awesome reference book for anyone wanting to do acurate starwars models, there was a big image of a MKII in it aswell and another big image of the bridge section.

Just thought I'd let you know

Thanks for that! I got the book for Christmas, and have been checking my work against scans from the book ever since.

Speaking of the work...

[ernesto]

It grows and grows. Good job Jedilaw :thumb:

Ciao

[Dallidas]

thats hotness jedilaw

[Ozylot]

Yummy!

[Jedilaw]

Thanks! :thumb:

I finally got around to attempting the most aggravting pieces (so far): the sensor globes. See, the MAX geosphere will not create an object with anything close to the right geometry, so I had to start with a 24-sided cylinder, use the cut tool to make diagonals, remove the vertical edges, and make the new faces planar. Then I had to scale the six rings of triangles correctly. At first I used a sphere as a guide object, but when I looked at the model pics, and measured things in photoshop, I had to re-do all of the scaling because the $&%^# globes are not, in fact, globes. More like eggs.

Anyway, this is as close as I could get, based on measuring the model itself and calculating the proper ratios.

[Tovette]

that's hot.

[AldrikG]

Swwweeeeeeett!!!

[Jedilaw]

Thanks...but does it look accurate? These things are among the most distinctive features of the ISD, so if I screwed 'em up, this dog ain't gonna hunt.

[Tovette]

looks accurate to me on first glance.

[Dallidas]

indeeed. without an actual picture i couldnt tell the difference. the triangles dont seem to meet on top though. But i suspect thats because some of the triangle are extruded.

[Jedilaw]

Thanks for the input. No, the top triangles don't meet, but from what I can tell they aren't supposed to. Here's a reference image, kindly provided by Jim Creveling, hosted on Cloudster (www.cloudster.com) (I converted it to grayscale and modified the contrast levels so that I could try to discern more shadows and suss out more details):

[Dallidas]

i agree with what you have, they dont meet, but they seem a little more squashed in the z axis in the photo, but that might be the angle.

[Ozylot]

Looks like you forgot to bend one of those vertical rods :shiner:

And I agree with dallidas, it may be the angle though.

[Jedilaw]

This is a better head-on shot (I used this shot for my measurements):

[Pyrocitor]

Very nice

Your version looks a little bit more "egg" shaped than the reference image to me
I noticed the bent over rod too :lol:

[Dallidas]

could you show us a shot from the same angle? it would help

[Sugartooth]

the lil antennae are down to low and a bit too long, maybe make the 'sphere' a bit larger, as the piping below on the support looks like it needs to be in a larger circumference.

Other than that {and i hope it helps}, its looking VERY smartly done, adjust a bit of the proportions and youll 'sell' the ISD image your shooting for ;)

[scifieric]

I finally got around to attempting the most aggravting pieces (so far): the sensor globes. See, the MAX geosphere will not create an object with anything close to the right geometry, so I had to start with a 24-sided cylinder, use the cut tool to make diagonals, remove the vertical edges, and make the new faces planar.
That's wild! I would never have suspected that it would have been so difficult to make these objects or the clever way you used to get what you wanted.

Terrific work Jedilaw! :thumb:

[fractalsponge]

Hey, looking good.

A little late, but a quick way to do the globes would've been to take n-gon planes, one to correspond to the each of the cross sections of the globe at each bend in the profile, scale them to fit, and rotate to get 3 vertices in a triangular pattern. Collapse them to one object, then use create face in poly mode to get the triangles. Collapse any extraneous vertices. The tops and bottoms are easy - take the top ngon, extrude, and collapse the vertices of the top rim.

No cutting required :)

But what you did looks good (more segments on the ring!) Also I think the struts extend a little into the tower structure itself, like there's a pit supporting the globe. And the globes are a little flatter I think. Seeing this makes me wish I had made mine more accurate - a lot of it was just ad hoc detail :P

[Jedilaw]

Hey, looking good.

A little late, but a quick way to do the globes would've been to take n-gon planes, one to correspond to the each of the cross sections of the globe at each bend in the profile, scale them to fit, and rotate to get 3 vertices in a triangular pattern. Collapse them to one object, then use create face in poly mode to get the triangles. Collapse any extraneous vertices. The tops and bottoms are easy - take the top ngon, extrude, and collapse the vertices of the top rim.

No cutting required :)

But what you did looks good (more segments on the ring!) Also I think the struts extend a little into the tower structure itself, like there's a pit supporting the globe. And the globes are a little flatter I think. Seeing this makes me wish I had made mine more accurate - a lot of it was just ad hoc detail :P

Thanks, Ansel!

I wouldn't worry too much about your "ad hoc detail," since it looks so damned good. After all, aren't you the guy who looked at Vader's TIE Advanced and said "not enough greebles?"

[Jedilaw]

could you show us a shot from the same angle? it would help

This should be about the same angle (EDIT - I re-rendered after an angle adjustment with the camera):

http://www.scifi-meshes.com/forums/attachments/3d-wips/23980d1169184200-imperator-class-star-destroyer-isd-mkii-tower-21.jpg

[Dallidas]

from that angle it just seems that the top and bottom ring of triangles aren't pointy enough.

[Lee80]

I have to agree with Dallidas. From the angle given the origanls seem to be a little more pointed than yours. Still, A very good job..

[Jedilaw]

Actually, it is. But duplicating the angle exactly made it look too funky IMHO, so I brought it down a little bit. Artist's perogative, I suppose.

BTW, since some of you were convinced that I had forgotten to bend one of the struts, I re-did them to enhance the angle. I also did the exterior posts, as on close examination they aren't round after all.

[Brickhead]

Fantastic job so far, a greeble buster for sure.
You seem to be making good progress on time.

[toby-wan]

i think they're spot on.

[Ozylot]

BTW this is what I was referring too... http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l44/ozylot/Refrence%20Pics/SDRoddemo.jpg


Your doing great, keep up the good work!

[Jedilaw]

BTW this is what I was referring too... http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l44/ozylot/Refrence%20Pics/SDRoddemo.jpg


Your doing great, keep up the good work!

Ah, the little human imperfections of alignment.

Meh.

I'll futz with errors later. I've already corrected what looked like ILM's alignment mistakes elsewhere on the mesh (pieces that looked like they should have been lined up, but were kind of jumbled in there...this ain't the Falcon, man).

BTW, I corrected the angle of those struts again. This time I think it's closer.

[Jedilaw]

Re-did the interior struts one more time (MAX ate the file with the previous version). Hopefully the third time is the charm with these things.

[Dallidas]

they looks fantastic!

[DarthMaya]

Nice, not sure if saying the same thing over and over again helps you do better.....but I can't resist........Awesome! :D

[Pyrocitor]

With modelling this good I'm not sure there is much else we can say......Awesome! :D

[Jedilaw]

Thanks!

[Jedilaw]

I've started working on the face of the command tower. Just from this little bit I can tell, the tower is going to a right bastard to model.

[DarthMaya]

Looking very very good. :)

[Jedilaw]

A little more...

[Pyrocitor]

Looks good

I can imagine the tower is going to take a while to build, considering how greeble heavy it is :D

[Ozylot]

Progressing masterfully!

[DarthMaya]

I was trying to just make a little panel of greeblies.....but it looked like crap...lol
:D

[Jedilaw]

Remind me to show you some of my early work. It's all about progress, man.

[efritsch]

Just from this little bit I can tell, the tower is going to a right bastard to model.

As opposed to...?