"The Doomsday Machine" - Professor Moriarty Edition

[Professor Moriarty]

Since the most recent destruction of scifi-meshes.com took the old thread with it, I'm starting this new thread... which is appropriate since this is a restart of my "Doomsday Machine" project.

Anyone who was following the old thread knows that I took a couple of months off at the beginning of the year because of my final semester of school (I was finishing my B.S. in Accounting). Well, obviously I didn't restart the project on schedule, and you can blame my loss of muse for awhile in the aftermath of finishing school. After spending literally days in front of the computer working on complex accounting problems, I discovered after graduation that I had no desire to sit back down in front of the damn box to work on my little models.

A few months away from the computer did me a world of good, though. I've been back at work for about four weeks now, and will be resuming animation output shortly. The model of the damaged starship Constellation is completely finished, rejiggering of the textures on my Enterprise model are nearly finished, and the planet killer model is about 75% complete. That means that when I start animation output again, I'll be able to go all the way to the end of act III before I hit scenes where I don't have models--the shuttlecraft and hangar deck models for Decker's big finale. I'll be working on those simultaneously with the animation of acts I, II and III.

Right now I'm doing some final tweaking of the textures and lighting rig used on the Enterprise. Here is a sneak peek.

[evil_genius_180]

Now, that's realism! I love the texturing on your Connie and the lighting in the scene is just awesome. It looks like a shot of a studio model.

Also, your new avatar is cool with the blinking lights on the Connie. :D

[3DTEKO6]

Looking very good. :thumb:

[Lee80]

Lookin good. :D

[Professor Moriarty]

Here are the scenes that I had completed with the old Enterprise textures and lighting rig. They're going to be redone when I start animation again in August, but I thought some people might not have seen them (and they can serve as a basis for comparison when I start outputting the new and improved effects).

Scene 1: The Enterprise
http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/tn_scene001.png
Windows Media: Right-click and save! (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/scene001.wmv) (6,866,392 bytes) (This is the latest version of this scene, and it's only available in WMV format.)
Windows Media: Right-click and save! (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/scene001_old.wmv) (8,754,506 bytes) (This is an older version of this scene.)
QuickTime: Right-click and save! (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/scene001_old.mov) (15,883,789 bytes) (Same as above, only in QuickTime MOV format.)

Scene 9: "Nothing left... but rubble and asteroids."
http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/tn_scene009.jpg
Windows Media: Right-click and save! (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/scene009.wmv) (2,454,932 bytes)
QuickTime: Right-click and save! (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/scene009.mov) (6,278,593 bytes)

Scene 13: The Enterprise Enters System L-374
http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/tn_scene013.jpg
Windows Media: Right-click and save! (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/scene013.wmv) (3,224,458 bytes) (This is the latest version of this scene.)
QuickTime: Right-click and save! (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/scene013.mov) (10,689,345 bytes) (Same as above, only in QuickTime MOV format.)
Windows Media: Right-click and save! (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/scene013_old.wmv) (2,991,810 bytes) (An older version of this scene.)
QuickTime: Right-click and save! (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/scene013_old.mov) (9,863,915 bytes) (Same as above, only in QuickTime MOV format.)
Windows Media: Right-click and save! (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/scene013_oldest.wmv) (2,875,486 bytes) (An even older version of this scene.)
QuickTime: Right-click and save! (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/scene013_oldest.mov) (10,562,155 bytes) (Same as above, only in QuickTime MOV format.)

Star Trek Opening Credits
http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/tn_openingcredits.jpg
Windows Media: Right-click and save! (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/openingcredits.wmv) (7,144,298 bytes)
QuickTime: Right-click and save! (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/openingcredits.mov) (42,253,773 bytes) (Same as above, only in QuickTime MOV format.)

[Dr-Timelord]

I never noticed that avatar blinking until someone pointed it out.


Good work ! Two Doomsday Project to keep an eye on

[evil_genius_180]

Thanks for posting those old pics, Professor. I think by the time I joined, you were taking your break, so I missed this before. It's either that or I was asleep at the wheel. ;)

I can't wait to see those shots redone with your new textures and lighting.

[Roliba]

Looking forward to you finishing it. What I see looks nice. I especially like how you not restricted yourself to just recreating each exterior shot, you're actualy going for some more dynamic flybys and whatnot.

Now, about those Bussards....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
They're very nice, damn it.

[Iwanov]

Now that is one nice project! I loved TOS over all other Trek series and this is marvellous. Makes want to watch all that old stuf again...

[uniderth]

I love this project! I knew you couldnt stay away forever!

[Professor Moriarty]

Yeah, it keeps calling me back... sort of the way that sirens woo sailors to crash into the rocks. :shiner:

[Dr-Timelord]

Its like an addiction :D to meshes

[Oovebei]

I am so glad this is back - I have been hoarding your old animations - just in case :)

[scifieric]

Say! This project seems ... eerily familiar. LOL!

Glad to see you back in action Prof. Nice render!

[Oovebei]

You know you love the competition Eric ;), and it is good for us - 3 versions:

1) Desilu Original
2) SciFiEric re-make
3) Prof Remake

How can we loose :thumb:

[Roliba]

By neither of them finishing?

[evil_genius_180]

By neither of them finishing?

Yeah, but we still have the original....

as Oovebei mentioned

:shiner:

[Roliba]

Yeah, but we still have the original....

as Oovebei mentioned

:shiner:

Well yah, but I kinda took that one for granted:D

[Four Mad Men]

Very nice. And those gridline are nice a subtle. Don't see them until you "up close and personal". As it should be.

I really like the update on scene 13. Nice closeup on the ship and the new scene make it look more like it's actually heading towards the center of the system.

I do, however, prefer the old angle on scene 1.

[Nevets]

Nice to know your coming back.

I, like everyone else (who knows previous your work), will be waiting very patiently.

[Four Mad Men]

Oh, and while I'm sure you want this to be 100% your work; I offer my TOS shuttlecraft to you if you want it.

[scifieric]

I do, however, prefer the old angle on scene 1.
Yeah, I like that one as well!

[Dr-Timelord]

Me

thrice, its very reminisant of the Tv Series

[Professor Moriarty]

^^^ Which is why I tried the portside flyby. But since I'm redoing all three of the scenes that have been rendered so far (not to mention the opening credits, although I'm holding off on redoing those until the end of the project), you'll get to see a third version of that opening teaser very shortly. (Hint: the angle will be very similar to what you see in my current avatar.)

[Dr-Timelord]

schweet

[Professor Moriarty]

Scene 1 from my "Doomsday Machine" project has been released and can be downloaded from here (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/index.php).

You'll notice several changes with the relaunch of this project. First, the Enterprise herself looks quite different from the earlier videos (you can find links to the old project videos here (http://www.scottgammans.net/weblog/2006/06/doomsday_machine_project_statu_1.html)). I decided to go with what I hope is a more visually-interesting texturing scheme that still honors the original look of the Enterprise as she appeared 40 years ago. Yes, there is the dreaded "aztecing", but if I've done my job right it's still fairly subtle and is only visible from certain angles.

Another change is the lighting. I have worked long and hard trying to improve my LightWave lighting technique, and hope that the result you see here is more pleasing and realistic. I think it looks waaaay more dynamic and less flat than the old light rigs used before... let me know what you think!

And finally, Star Trek geeks will probably be scratching their heads and wondering whether they're hearing things. Well scratch no longer--you're right! The music behind this scene is not what was aired 39 years ago, but is instead an alternate opening melody published back in 1991 on GNP Crescendo's CD of the original episode soundtrack--a melody that is a few seconds longer than what was heard in the original episode. This alternate track lets me extend the time the Enterprise is on-screen, and it also "feels" a bit more ominous... an appropriate mood, I think, when you consider the adventure that lies ahead.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get started on the next clip. Enjoy!

[evil_genius_180]

It seems lighting is something that most of us struggle with. Yours looks outstanding, though. As for your Star Trek geeks comment, there are a lot of us, aren't there? :D

[scifieric]

You'll notice several changes with the relaunch of this project.
I did notice several changes. Angle, lighting (which really brings out the aztec pattern by the way!) and even the passing stars, all very nice.

I won't be changing the music but that is an interesting choice. I'm going to have to turn up the sound and listen again. Hmmm.

Good job! This may kick me out of my lethargy and get me to rendering more scenes.

[Alareth]

Oooo ... The website is all flashy and dynamic.

[Four Mad Men]

I still like seeing the interior slide by behind the windows but that newest angle is pretty nice anyway. Your new light setup is indeed excellent. The panels seem to be alive (especially the secondary hull) as the light plays off them during the last part of the flyby. Nice!

[Dr-Timelord]

I like it, the angle makes the ship seem pretty BIIIG

[Tallguy]

Did I see some depth on field as the model gets real close, or was that just compression? I thought it gives it a real TOS model feel.

[Professor Moriarty]

No, it's a little DOF. Good eye! :) I've been experimenting with all sorts of optical trickery including a wide-angle lens and a touch of DOF to make the Enterprise seem huge. And after all, she IS huge--you just had something the size of the Chrysler Building flying by the camera, so the Enterprise should look pretty damn massive.

[Professor Moriarty]

Scene 7 from my "Doomsday Machine" project has been released and can be downloaded from here (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/teaser/doomsday_scene007.zip) (previously released scenes can be found here (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/index.php)). In this scene, the Enterprise enters System L-370 and discovers that an asteroid field is all that remains of a seven-planet system.

It took a lot longer than I anticipated to get this scene out the door, but when you play the video I think you'll see why... as opposed to the earlier version of this scene (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/scene009.wmv), every single rock, boulder and asteroid is now in motion. To achieve this effect, I had to learn LightWave's LScript scripting system so that I could automate the tedious process of keyframing the scale, rotation and movement of each asteroid object (of which there are only six different kinds, which were cloned over and over and over again). I wound up writing a Layout plugin that allows me to select an asteroid object and randomly clone it as many times as I need. I then ran some test animations and tweaked the motion of the larger asteroids until I got the desired effect, and the end result is what you see here.

On to the next clip... enjoy!

[Tallguy]

Hrmmm. I'm trying to figure out what bugs me about this shot. Maybe that it's ALL moving. Or maybe that it's moving so fast! I just expect Kirk to say "Sulu! Are you CRAZY?!? Back us off!" Maybe it's cause the rubble is so big.

Nice job on the scripting though. And I've never seen anyone make WMV look so crisp.

[scifieric]

I have to say I like your original take on it better but it's all good!

[evil_genius_180]

Looks schweet to me. Chaos is awesome and realistic in space. :thumb:

[ST-One]

It looks great! Especially the big asteroid.

But I think the motion of the background rocks may be just a little bit too much.

[Dr-Timelord]

that looks cool!

[Professor Moriarty]

Hrmmm. I'm trying to figure out what bugs me about this shot. Maybe that it's ALL moving. Or maybe that it's moving so fast! I just expect Kirk to say "Sulu! Are you CRAZY?!? Back us off!" Maybe it's cause the rubble is so big.
Well... I did try to squeeze in a distant shot of the asteroid field, followed by the viewscreen zooming in on the destruction, but there just wasn't enough screen time to make it work. And if you'll recall, there were some decent sized chunks of aluminum foil flying towards the camera on the original shot, so I figured what the heck.



Nice job on the scripting though. And I've never seen anyone make WMV look so crisp.
That's probably because I'm keeping the footage and visual effects raw and uncompressed at 720x480 all the way through the pipeline, and I don't compress it or reduce it to 640x480 until Windows Media Encoder gets hold of the raw footage.



But I think the motion of the background rocks may be just a little bit too much.
Well you'd better take your anti-vertigo medication before viewing any of the clips yet to come... I plan on setting all of the action in System L-374 within asteroid fields.

One thing that has always bothered me about "The Doomsday Machine" is how the Enterprise could "outrun" the planet killer during Act II without going to warp and never getting very far away from the Constellation. The key to my answer for this conundrum is in a line Spock utters at the beginning of Act II as the Enterprise is fleeing the planet killer: "We are more maneuverable but it is gaining on us." So my plan is to show the Enterprise (and when she gets underway, the Constellation) dodging and swooping through the asteroid remains of System L-374, never going to warp during Act II because she's still inside the asteroid field, and never going to warp for the remainder of the episode because of the damage to her stardrive at the end of Act II.

That's why I took my time learning how to animate and replicate asteroids in a time-efficient manner... space boulders are going to be a constant background element pretty much from here on out. I'll try to keep in mind not to overdo it, though.

[Oovebei]

Ok - Professor - I have all your animations from the beginning of this project and that asteroid scene is fantastic - I almost jumped out of my chair when I saw them heading towards me :thumb:

[Professor Moriarty]

Management cannot be held responsible for injuries sustained while jumping out of chairs. :shiner:







(thanks! :))

[homerpalooza67]

I am really upset. my ****ing pc is all screwed up. anyway, i can't view the scenes you posted, maybe you can post them in AVI format, please? I will be eternally grateful!!! (maybe not "eternally", but at least for a good five minutes!)

[Dr-Timelord]

I was watching the Doomsday Machine the other day.


AS much as i think its cool that Fan Appreciate the Original SFX... its a little outdated, so why were they fumming?

[Professor Moriarty]

Sorry homer, but my webspace is limited and I have to standardize on one format for everyone (Windows Media 9, which anyone on Windows or Macintosh should be able to view).

(You're not trying to play the ZIP files in Windows Media Player, are you??)

[scifieric]

That's why I took my time learning how to animate and replicate asteroids in a time-efficient manner... space boulders are going to be a constant background element pretty much from here on out. I'll try to keep in mind not to overdo it, though.
Oh man, that's gonna be rough on your processor(s)! LOL!

I'll bet it'll look great though. I'm dying to see the next bit. When do we see the Constellation? (Matt Decker's in command; what could have happened to her?)

[Oovebei]

Oh man, that's gonna be rough on your processor(s)! LOL!

I'll bet it'll look great though. I'm dying to see the next bit. When do we see the Constellation? (Matt Decker's in command; what could have happened to her?)

If Matt Decker is in command will she last long enough for Prof. to animate her?

[Dr-Timelord]

You noticed on the Episode they say the bridge is totally destroyed, yet when u look at the model .. you go. there it is .


lol gotta love TOS

[scifieric]

If Matt Decker is in command will she last long enough for Prof. to animate her?
Uh ... looking for the right quote ...

"There was ... but not any more!"

Gee, doesn't really fit. LOL!

[scifieric]

You noticed on the Episode they say the bridge is totally destroyed, yet when u look at the model .. you go. there it is .


lol gotta love TOS
Actually, I think the quote is "The entire bridged is damaged and uninhabitable."

If you kept a close eye on the Prof's avatars, you'll see why Spock said that in his version of The Doomsday Machine.

We're all waiting eagerly!

[Cinnamon]

Eagerly is SUCH an inadequate word...

It's really good to see you back, Scott. =^_^=

-jaime

[Professor Moriarty]

Thanks. :)

Scene 11 - The Enterprise Enters System L-374

http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/teaser/sm_doomsday_scene011.jpg (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/teaser/doomsday_scene011.zip)

You can download this scene directly from here (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/teaser/doomsday_scene011.zip). Previous scenes can be downloaded from here (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/index.php).

With the exception of the opening credits, I've now caught up to the point where I left off back in January, so the next scene will be all new for this project. :cool:

Have a good weekend. :)

[scifieric]

With the exception of the opening credits, I've now caught up to the point where I left off back in January, so the next scene will be all new for this project. :cool:

Have a good weekend. :)
I have always loved the molten, glowing centers to your asteroids.

Spectacular.

[BEMEUP]

Awsome work Professor, can't imagine any better!! Looking forward to the next scene :thumb:

[dlfurman]

Well... I did try to squeeze in a distant shot of the asteroid field, followed by the viewscreen zooming in on the destruction, but there just wasn't enough screen time to make it work. And if you'll recall, there were some decent sized chunks of aluminum foil flying towards the camera on the original shot, so I figured what the heck.


That's probably because I'm keeping the footage and visual effects raw and uncompressed at 720x480 all the way through the pipeline, and I don't compress it or reduce it to 640x480 until Windows Media Encoder gets hold of the raw footage.


Well you'd better take your anti-vertigo medication before viewing any of the clips yet to come... I plan on setting all of the action in System L-374 within asteroid fields.

One thing that has always bothered me about "The Doomsday Machine" is how the Enterprise could "outrun" the planet killer during Act II without going to warp and never getting very far away from the Constellation. The key to my answer for this conundrum is in a line Spock utters at the beginning of Act II as the Enterprise is fleeing the planet killer: "We are more maneuverable but it is gaining on us." So my plan is to show the Enterprise (and when she gets underway, the Constellation) dodging and swooping through the asteroid remains of System L-374, never going to warp during Act II because she's still inside the asteroid field, and never going to warp for the remainder of the episode because of the damage to her stardrive at the end of Act II.

That's why I took my time learning how to animate and replicate asteroids in a time-efficient manner... space boulders are going to be a constant background element pretty much from here on out. I'll try to keep in mind not to overdo it, though.


As Spock would say "Logical!"
(And it makes sense too!)

[MichaelS]

I am glad that you decided to continue this project. It's simply amazing what you've done so far.

[Oovebei]

The "recipe" is remarkably simple. Each asteroid is a LightWave object of between 42 and 252 points, and is nothing but a tesselated sphere where the polygons have been "killed" (removed) and the remaining points have been randomly jittered. I then attach HyperVoxel particles to the points in Layout, and put a red point light in the center for the glow. I then tweak the "texture" of the particles until I get the rocky, irregular look that I want, and I randomly scale the asteroids to make six different objects (hopefully) look like six hundred different ones.

That's simple?

[AldrikG]

Wow. This is fantastic!

[homerpalooza67]

It looks really nice, but i have a few probs, :( 1st: Was the scene of the enterprise entering the asteroid field from the original film, but touched up by you, or did you reanimate all the exterior scenes using the original footage as a reference? ( i thought that the enterprise should be moving a little slower, even if she is at full impulse, for some reason i think that looks a little better :)) 2nd: Did you touch up the bridge scene? it looks awesome!!!!

[Zhor2395]

groovy

[Alareth]

It all looks great except I think the planetary remains are moving too fast.

[akor]

:) Good wunderfull woork !!!

I wait for your next animations !!

[Dr-Timelord]

This is looking good Prof, i like what your doing

[STnut35]

So.......The Doomsday race has begun..Very nice work Prof,I really like where you are going with this.

[Professor Moriarty]

Gagggggh. I am having the worst time on this next scene. I might as well give y'all a peek because this one won't be done anytime soon.

http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/teaser/sm_doomsday_scene013a.jpg

I thought rotoscoping 69 frames of Bill Shatner walking in front of that static painted viewscreen was going to be the hard part, but nooooooooooooo. The hard part is match-moving the camera movement so that I can insert my new viewscreen footage without the background shifting in relation to the viewscreen frame, and that is proving to be a nightmare.

The main problem is that there is simply no data available on exactly where the 1967 live action camera was placed, the speed at which it panned left to right, or even what the lens size was (28 mm? 35 mm? 50 mm?)... never mind the fact that there are no precise blueprints of the original bridge set--only fanon blueprints that I've already discovered are not accurate enough for this precision task. Tracking the viewscreen is also problematic--you never see the lower right corner of the screen at all, the lower left corner is only visible right at the very beginning of the sequence, and the top two corners are never onscreen at the same time (there are several frames where NO corner is visible).

So basically, I've been spending the past 3-1/2 days trying to figure out the camera placement, zoom factor and movement by trial-and-error. And it's driving me bat**** crazy and makin' me cranky. :mad: So that's where I am right now. Be patient. I'll crack this nut eventually.

[Tallguy]

Wow. Intimidating.

How are you doing the rotoscoping (that turned out to be easy)?

[Professor Moriarty]

After Effects 7 has lousy motion tracking but excellent rotoscoping and masking tools. And I wouldn't say the rotoscoping was easy... it was more tedious than anything else. It was definitely easy to learn though; I had never even seen AE7 before I turned it on for the first time last week, but I was busy tracing Bill Shatner's posterior 69 times within an hour or so.

[scifieric]

Gagggggh. I am having the worst time on this next scene. I might as well give y'all a peek because this one won't be done anytime soon.
Looks like you're doing a great job though!

I'll have to look at After Effects pricing.

Interesting choice making the screen look like a television ...

[Professor Moriarty]

^^^ That particular effect may or may not stay. It's there right now partly to help with horizontal alignment, but also because yeah, it looks like a TV and that's what I always thought the viewscreen was growing up... a really big, really cool TV.

Ironically, the viewscreen isn't very big at all in real life... my home theater has a bigger screen!

[scifieric]

I always thought it was a window, growing up. Later I thought it was a TV! LOL!

Yeah, it's occurred to me that the screen was pretty small during ST:TNG where the screen was larger.

Of course, I work on a screen about the size of one of the flashing light panels on the old bridge! LOL!

[Dr-Timelord]

rotoscoping around Captain Kirk can't be a easy thing to do :D

[Professor Moriarty]

It's more tedious than anything else. Adobe After Effects 7 has some good matting tools, so it was more time-consuming than difficult. It certainly wasn't as hard as motion-tracking the viewscreen.

Speaking of which...

Scene 13a - "Every solar system in this sector blasted to rubble..."

http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/misc/sm_doomsday_scene013a_old.jpg (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/misc/doomsday_scene013a_old.zip)

You can download this scene directly from here (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/misc/doomsday_scene013a_old.zip). Previous scenes can be downloaded from here (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/index.php).

This is not the final version of this scene. I am not happy with the hand-tracked motion that you see here--you can see some slipping and sliding of the new footage, especially right at the end--but it's about the best that I can do for now. One of my online LightWave guru friends has kindly offered to track the motion of the original live-action clip so that I can get a more accurate bead on the compositing, so consider this scene a work in progress for now.

Normally I don't like posting unfinished work, but I figured I needed to give y'all SOMETHING to chew on for a bit because I'm going to release the next six scenes all in one extended clip... and I think we all know who (or what) is the star of the show in the next sequence. :)

EDIT: A much-improved version of this scene has been posted. Scroll down this thread to see it!

[Oovebei]

It's more tedious than anything else. Adobe After Effects 7 has some good matting tools, so it was more time-consuming than difficult. It certainly wasn't as hard as motion-tracking the viewscreen.

Speaking of which...

Scene 13a - "Every solar system in this sector blasted to rubble..."

http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/teaser/sm_doomsday_scene013a.jpg (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/teaser/doomsday_scene013a.zip)

You can download this scene directly from here (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/teaser/doomsday_scene013a.zip). Previous scenes can be downloaded from here (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/index.php).

This is not the final version of this scene. I am not happy with the hand-tracked motion that you see here--you can see some slipping and sliding of the new footage, especially right at the end--but it's about the best that I can do for now. One of my online LightWave guru friends has kindly offered to track the motion of the original live-action clip so that I can get a more accurate bead on the compositing, so consider this scene a work in progress for now.

Normally I don't like posting unfinished work, but I figured I needed to give y'all SOMETHING to chew on for a bit because I'm going to release the next six scenes all in one extended clip... and I think we all know who (or what) is the star of the show in the next sequence. :)

The suspense is going to kill me - Wheeeeeeeeee:D :D

[AldrikG]

Wow. This is insanely cool.
:eek!:

[Dark Saber]

Looks good to me. Great job.

[C_Doc]

And just think: Once this project is done, there'll only be 78 more to do :devil:

I think the camera movement looks pretty good already. Does after effects have an over-acting auto-matte funtion? If so, it should work nicely w/ Shatner's scenes... :D

[homerpalooza67]

Wow. Messing with canon can be a crime, ya know...:devil: but i think we can all forgive you this time...Amazing!!

[Professor Moriarty]

Good news... my LightWave pal Gordon Robb had better luck with his motion tracking software than I had with mine... take a look (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/teaser/doomsday_scene013a.zip). (For comparison purposes, look at the old, hand-tracked version here (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/misc/doomsday_scene013a_old.zip).)

There is still a bit of wobble, but after staring at this about 30 times I think that the software Gordon used to capture the motion of the background plate accurately caught some real-life wobble in the camera as it was panning. In any event, I think this shot is much better than it was before, so NOW I can move on to the next scene.

[IRML]

there used to be a free program called icarus, it was brilliant and would match move a video and export the data into a LW scene, maybe you could try and find it somewhere

[Professor Moriarty]

Icarus was the software I was using that failed miserably. It either kept crashing during the calibration phase or would get confused by the stars on the original painted backdrop and would export a LightWave camera that bobbed up and down terribly. Gordon Robb used Syntheyes to capture the same footage, and it worked almost perfectly from frame zero.

[Nayslayer]

looks perfect!

[scifieric]

Scott, that was nothing short of professional. Absolutely sweet work. Your first version was good, the last version was great!

Well done.

[ST-One]

Really good work :thumb:

[Prime_8]

Niiiccceee!

[IRML]

Icarus was the software I was using that failed miserably. It either kept crashing during the calibration phase or would get confused by the stars on the original painted backdrop and would export a LightWave camera that bobbed up and down terribly. Gordon Robb used Syntheyes to capture the same footage, and it worked almost perfectly from frame zero.I think you can select your own tracking points in icarus though, maybe that would have worked, I'll definately check out Syntheyes though

[Professor Moriarty]

Believe me IRML, I tried everything in Icarus--user features, drawing the XYZ lines (well, only X and Y... there's not a single blessed Z axis in that entire shot!), garbage matting The Shat out of the sequence--and at best I got an exported LightWave camera that looked like it was bouncing up and down on a trampoline.

I'll still try using Icarus for the other motion tracking shots I'm planning, but I'm not sanguine about the chances for success. At least I now know that I have Gordon Robb over at lwg3d.org and his Syntheyes MT software for a backup.

(p.s. Thanks everyone! This was the hardest shot yet, so I'm pleased you're pleased. :))

[Lt. Washburn]

The main problem is that there is simply no data available on exactly where the 1967 live action camera was placed, the speed at which it panned left to right, or even what the lens size was (28 mm? 35 mm? 50 mm?)

Who knows what was used specifically in the scene, but generally 18mm and 9mm lenses were used and they shot wide open (T2.3), to enforce a shallow depth of field and throw the background out of focus.

By the way, would it be possible to get some DVD caps of Lt. Washburn from that episode? If so, I'd really appreciate it. :)

[biotech]

Fantastic work with the SFX.

A suggestion for the Kirk walk.

This could be time consuming, but could you not illiminate the wobble by setting a fixed point for the screen to be, then moving each frame up or down however many pixels you need to to line it up, then cut the top and bottom pixels off so you have a smooth transition as he walks across?

[Professor Moriarty]

^^^ I could, but I'm not going to. This scene is DONE.

[biotech]

I must have missed the post where Gordon helped you out, sorry

[Cinnamon]

Sweet work, Scott.

It really is amazing when you think about it - in its day, Star Trek was the single most expensive series ever made on a per episode basis - and now people like Scott can do better effects in their dens as a /hobby/. It makes you wonder what the next forty years will bring.

-jaime

[biotech]

Er no it wasnt, the budget was a quarter of what they had for bonanza in the first season, and each season after saw a budget cut, only the pilots were expensive.

[Cinnamon]

Really? I'd read that the costs were between 100,000 and 150,000 per episode - at the time, that was real money.

/Bonanza/ of all things cost that much more?

Wow.

I stand corrected. ^_^; Thanks for the heads-up.

-jaime

[Alareth]

The analogy still stands though. We can still do better at home for less than was spent on the original.

[froggi3]

Will this or any other episode be available for download(with your updated cg upgrade)on line?

I hope so:thumb:

[baxart]

I'm kind of torn Professor... I liked the really long shot of Enterprise entering the system from your earlier posts. The new debris looks great, but that long shot gave it such scale.

[Professor Moriarty]

Scenes 14-19: The Constellation
http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/teaser/sm_doomsday_scene014.jpg

http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/teaser/sm_doomsday_scene015.jpg

http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/teaser/sm_doomsday_scene017.jpg

http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/actone/sm_doomsday_scene018.jpg

Download the 40 MB zipfile containing the Windows Media 9 movie clip for these scenes from here (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/teaser/doomsday_scene014.zip). Previously-released scenes may be viewed here (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine).

I'm pooped and off to bed... I'll answer any questions/comments tommorow (er, later today :D).

[ChrisGFX]

this project is comming along very nice ... I love it :)

Greets

Chris

[scifieric]

Scenes 14-19: The Constellation
*edit*
I'm pooped and off to bed... I'll answer any questions/comments tommorow (er, later today :D).
Although the middle was a little choppy during playback, I'm assuming it's due to my computer. I'll play it again on my other system.

Very nice! You've given the Constellation a little more damage than was visible in TOS and a little more swing in her rotation. Great choice using an earlier version of the Enterprise as the basis for the Constellation. Nice way to show the difference (besides damage) between the two ships. (I wonder who else is doing that ... ? :D)

So, gonna give Paramount's in-house people a run for their money, eh Prof?

Terrific work and very enjoyable to watch!

[Dr-Timelord]

and you can see that the bridge is destroyed too , great idea for damage.

What about a few..i dunno burn marks across the hull too?

[D.M.J.]

Forcibly bludgeoning me a new definition of "impressive".

[Nayslayer]

impressive.... most impressive. ;)

[scifieric]

Well, the burn marks are pretty much like what was shown in the series. I like it! Unless you mean you wanted to see more or larger swaths of burn marks. Is that what you meant?

[Professor Moriarty]

^^^ That's probably what he meant. I tried adding more damage but it got to be TOO much, so I decided to pretty much cleave to what was on the original model, with a few additions here and there. You haven't seen the port side of the secondary hull, for example... or maybe I should say what's left of the port side. :devil:

[scifieric]

Oh ... oh you tease! LOL!

I can't wait to see! (How about a little render just to tide us over while we wait, mon ami?)

[Professor Moriarty]

You won't have long to wait. Next week I'll be cranking out another bridge viewscreen shot and the two exterior shots of the Constellation and Enterprise that occur before the planet killer arrives on the scene at the end of Act I. Because of the direction of rotational drift, the port side of the Constellation should be swinging into view in, oh... about a week from now. :cool:

[DAve]

Really nice work.

(You sure you're not part of the 'update' team :P)

DAve

[Professor Moriarty]

Nope, I'm just a semi-talented amateur. :)

I'm still not quite satisfied with the asteroid positioning and movement in these scenes, but as I progress along my technique is improving and becoming more consistent. Earlier this week I rewrote the custom LightWave plugin I'm using to create, position and keyframe the asteroid objects, but I'm still trying to get a feel for the appropriate amount of rotation and movement of my space rocks. When I am confident that I've got the process down pat, I will be going back and re-rendering all of the asteroid backgrounds, so consider this a "beta release".

The starship Constellation took about 100 hours to model (I'm lots of things but speedy isn't one of 'em!), using a copy of my Enterprise model as a jumping-off point. The textures on the Constellation (the parts that aren't all burned and shot to hell, that is!) are a bit dingy-er and more rusty-looking than those on the Enterprise; the idea being that the Constellation is an older ship (hence the lower registry number). You'll also notice that the Constellation has some subtly different detailing from the Enterprise. In scene 18 you can see two of these details: the black vent dohickeys on the port and starboard sides of the saucer and the markings on the forward edge of the saucer. As the episode progresses you'll see more details--basically, most of the features seen on the Enterprise in "Where No Man Has Gone Before".

Next up: two more exterior shots and a bridge viewscreen shot, a possible reworking of the transporter beam-in effect (I haven't decided yet whether I'm going to attempt that), and then a short break while I finish the planet killer model. It's going to be a race to see how much of this episode I can get finished before the NutraTrek CGI-ed version in syndication is broadcast, so stay tuned!

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. :) For my friends in the United States, have a safe and fun Labor Day weekend.

[MichaelS]

This is splendid, I have to say. The Constellation model is well done - I especially like the heavily damaged bridge module where you can see inside.

[Bravus]

Nope, I'm just a semi-talented amateur. :)

that's a good one :lol:

no really, you're a very talented amateur. i love your Enterprise model and the sfx sequences you did look simply amazing. nice lighting, great models, smooth animation, this is a pro's work! :thumb:

[USS Mariner]

Perfect...except for when the rotation of the opening fullscreen ship shot and the shot fo the Enterprise coming in don't exactly match. Honest to god, that was the most jarring thing in the whole sequence I'm sure you could probably render the Enterprise shot first, and then plane a camera where it should be an re-render for the Constellation

I absolutlety love everything else though. I notice that you didn't follow the damage pattern on the saucer in the same way, noticabley missing the second semi-chomp marks on the saucer, the one with the giant scorch mark. Not disturbing, just noticable.

Also the damage looks a little too "constructed," very blocked in compared to what one would normall expect, but I'm not too concerned.

The textures are to die for.

[Professor Moriarty]

The surgical nature of the damage is a deliberate choice that I explained in some detail at the Trek BBS art forum. I will add one thing though: look at the damage wrought by some real life weapons on actual military hardware. One specific example I had in mind while modeling the Constellation damage was the torpedo blast damage suffered by the USS Cole in 2000.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/images/ddg-67_cole-hole-close_usnavy01.jpg

[Cinnamon]

Holee MOSES.

<crawls back under her rock>

-jaime

[U.S.S. WINGER]

ahh gezz, pls add on dvd or on tv...lol..

[tarsus]

I wonder if the reason that they've said they'll be adding updated FX to the dvd's is that they've seen your work.:o Wow and awesome are a couple of words that describe it. The thing I like is that the scenes you've done only compliment things. Well done and *ahem* more please:)

[scifieric]

It's going to be a race to see how much of this episode I can get finished before the NutraTrek CGI-ed version in syndication is broadcast, so stay tuned!
NutraTrek! LOL!

I've been laughing ever since they made the announcement. Fans can make their own version of the effects and people will comment but most don't get up in arms about a fan making their own "vision" of TOS. Paramount on the other hand is going to incur the wrath of millions of fanboys no matter what they do.

The lash-back should be almost as entertaining as watching the new effects.

In any case, your latest images and animations are wonderful to watch, Prof. It's still a treat to see this coming together.

[Cinnamon]

Yep... Fanboys/girls are a virulent lot, particularly if they're not the ones doing the diddling. Personally, I like to wait and see before reaching for my phaser.

That said, having seen the promo image for the CBS/Paramount CGI Enterprise, I /can/ safely say that I like Scott's here much better. And I really like the way he retrofitted the Constellation to show features more reminiscent of the pilot version of the ship. That's a really sweet touch, and one that I don't think Okuda will have thought to do - as much as I respect him and his work.

It's very much a treat to see these scenes. Always looking forward to more. I can't wait to see what you do with the planet killer itself. ^_^

-jaime

[Zhor2395]

i think the damage looks right, for being done by an energy weapon. one assumes the missing portions were vaporized or in some fashion non-explosively seperated from the rest :)
a much better version of the constellation methinks

[akor]

He scott what is withe your websiete i can open it and the downloads didnt work !!:confused:

[Nevets]

Love scene014. WOW!

The Constellation looks very good. Wish there was a zoom in to what's left of the bridge, or zoom out.

[Professor Moriarty]

He scott what is withe your websiete i can open it and the downloads didnt work !!:confused:
That would probably be due to the fact that my website hosting service is having data center issues. :( Try again later tonight or tomorrow.

[Four Mad Men]

I've got more to say about those last scenes you posted but that will have to wait for when I haven't been up all night at the hospital. What I will say right now is that I like the bridge (and B/C decks) damage. Animated quite nicely indeed.

[scifieric]

4MM: Hope everything turns out all right.

Prof M: I'm looking forward to seeing what the differences will be between your version and the Paramount in-house version. It seems like the big P is finally going where every 3D Trek Fan has gone before.

[DAve]

It seems like the big P is finally going where every 3D Trek Fan has gone before.

Love it!

DAve

[baxart]

Very nice!
I can't wait to compare your version with the "official" (<- I use that loosely) revamped version.
I saw this the other day on you tube there are two versions of effects companies doing "proof of concept" for this project.
I want to point out this one:
YouTube - Trek refurbished (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9XHmj-dPEY)
at 2:40 I really like the way the Constellation is still burning and throwing off sparks.
Keep up the great work and sign me up for a copy of your release!!

[homerpalooza67]

All I can sauy is: WOW

[Dr-Timelord]

Very nice!
I can't wait to compare your version with the "official" (<- I use that loosely) revamped version.
I saw this the other day on you tube there are two versions of effects companies doing "proof of concept" for this project.
I want to point out this one:
YouTube - Trek refurbished (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9XHmj-dPEY)
at 2:40 I really like the way the Constellation is still burning and throwing off sparks.
Keep up the great work and sign me up for a copy of your release!!


Yeah, didnt this company get bought over, which put a stop to this revamp. it seems like they don't want to touch up TOS.

I mean i love the original effects, but i even wanna see a New Cgi enhanced episode or six

[homerpalooza67]

Yeah, didnt this company get bought over, which put a stop to this revamp. it seems like they don't want to touch up TOS.

I mean i love the original effects, but i even wanna see a New Cgi enhanced episode or six

They might consider "re-imagining" of TOS, like BG. Still, i dont think i can picture spock coming back as a woman :lol:

But if not, i wouldnt mind seeing a re-cgi-ed release

[Cinnamon]

They might consider "re-imagining" of TOS, like BG. Still, i dont think i can picture spock coming back as a woman :lol:

But if not, i wouldnt mind seeing a re-cgi-ed release

Been done. Whaddya think T'Pol was? Though I gotta admit, she was pretty hot. Wish *I* looked that good.

I'm starting to wish, though, that I had a High Def TV... Oh well. Maybe people will record it and post it on USEnet.

Looking forward to more, Scott!

-jaime

[Professor Moriarty]

A minor release for today.

Scenes 25 & 31: The Constellation
http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/actone/sm_doomsday_scene025-031.jpg

Download the 9 MB zipfile containing the Windows Media 9 movie clip for these scenes from here (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/actone/doomsday_scene025-031.zip). Previously-released scenes may be viewed here (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine).

And yes, there are several live action shots between the two F/X shots in this release that were edited out. Gotta save that online bandwidth, you know.

This is the last release you're going to see from me for a little while. I now need to go and finish a model that will be needed for the next batch of scenes, and let me tell you, it's a killer. ;) Stay tuned... I'll be back soon. :cool:

[Stevejw]

love your work man, cant wait for the finished project to "air" ;)...

[USS Mariner]

Your changing the rotation constantly to piss me off, seeing as that's the only flaw in the whole project. :p

[scifieric]

Nice update. I like the flashing light in the bridge!

[BEMEUP]

Now that's just amazingly cool!! Very nice and I like the rotation!

[Hugger]

Sweet :thumb:

[Cinnamon]

A minor release for today.

And yes, there are several live action shots between the two F/X shots in this release that were edited out. Gotta save that online bandwidth, you know.

This is the last release you're going to see from me for a little while. I now need to go and finish a model that will be needed for the next batch of scenes, and let me tell you, it's a killer. ;) Stay tuned... I'll be back soon. :cool:

Let me say once more, Scott, that I really LOVE what you've done with the Constellation - the retro detailing is SUCH a nice touch, and the structural damages are wonderfully rendered.

I most certainly WILL stay tuned - I've been dying to see your take on the planet killer. I'm sure that it's going to be spectacular.

-jaime

[Professor Moriarty]

Your changing the rotation constantly to piss me off, seeing as that's the only flaw in the whole project. :p
Yes dear, everything I do is carefully planned to maximize your piss-offed-ness. :p ;)

Actually the ship spin is a bit inconsistent (not to mention a bit too fast) and it's something I'll address for the "final" render (which won't occur until after all scenes have been completed). One thing probably should mention from time to time is that just about every scene I post online is a "release candidate" and not the absolute FINAL version (unless I specifically say it is), so keep those cards and letters coming. :)

[homerpalooza67]

I like it so far. you gotta show us the final when its done!!!

[Dr-Timelord]

i can't see any of the vid clips cos i'm using a Mac with no media player :(

[Nevets]

Another nice addition. Love the spinning Constellation. Don't forget there's not that much gravity to effect it, so it would keep on spinning, gradually slowing down after several thousand years.

[Professor Moriarty]

it would keep on spinning, gradually slowing down after several thousand years.
At the rate I'm progressing I ought to be done with this episode right about then. :cool:


i can't see any of the vid clips cos i'm using a Mac with no media player :(
Sorry Dr. Timelord, but Windows Media has proven to be the best format for delivering my little movies... QuickTime just doesn't compress as well (either that or the compressors at my disposal in the Adobe Video Bundle don't work as well).

You do know that there are WMV viewers available for Macintosh that work quite well?

[Professor Moriarty]

Well folks, the race is now officially on to see if I can finish my "Doomsday Machine" before CBS Video airs theirs. StarTrek.com (http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/article/25835.html) is reporting that the NutraTrek™ version of "Doomsday" will air the week of February 10, 2007.

[Tallguy]

Mush! Mush! Schnell!

[scifieric]

From the little previews, it looks like they're trying to do this as I was trying to do it.

Maybe I'll just update Flash Gordon ...

[Professor Moriarty]

Mush! Mush! Schnell!


Captain I'm workin' as fast as I can!!


In fact, I should have what I've identified as scene 68 (the iconic shot of the Constellation floating below and to port of the Enterprise (http://tos.trekcore.com/gallery/albums/2x06/doomsdaymachine_146.jpg)) finished by this weekend... the Constellation and the asteroid field in that scene is being rendered as I type this. :cool:

[BEMEUP]

From the little previews, it looks like they're trying to do this as I was trying to do it.

Maybe I'll just update Flash Gordon ...

I think I have a couple ships laying around...:D

Professor M: Can't wait! If I didn't know better (and I don't), I'd swear some studio suite got the idea to renew the series from you and Eric!

[Nevets]

Spooky! Only last night I did a DVD capture of the same Constellation image for my desktop.

Nice. Very nice.

[scifieric]

In fact, I should have what I've identified as scene 68 (the iconic shot of the Constellation floating below and to port of the Enterprise (http://tos.trekcore.com/gallery/albums/2x06/doomsdaymachine_146.jpg)) finished by this weekend... the Constellation and the asteroid field in that scene is being rendered as I type this. :cool:
Hey, didn't you get that shot from some guy?

[Professor Moriarty]

Hey, didn't you get that shot from some guy?
Huh? What do you mean, the screen capture that's at trekcore.com?

[Dr-Timelord]

after watching the little sneak preview trailer on ST.com , they really are trying to update the SFX and enterprise but keep it pretty close to the Original look.

I say good luck to them, and i hope they can pull it off

[homerpalooza67]

Do you have scene 68 uploaded yet? i gotta download it!!! btw, im seeing the original for the first time 2nite!!! (always more of a tng/voy fan, never got into the TOS)

[dru]

You do know that there are WMV viewers available for Macintosh that work quite well?

They work but "quite well" is debatable. I have to convert the files to MPEG4 (using the free iSquint) so I can view the clips without massive stuttering on a recent G4.

If you're on Mac OS X, the options are Flip4Mac and, well, since their competition was bought out by them... I guess there's Flip4Mac unless you get a copy of the lousy, old, Windows Media Player for Mac OS X.

Flip4Mac (as Windows Media Components for Quicktime) and WMP are available at Microsoft's site. (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/mac/default.aspx)

A problem, I think, is that the Quicktime player does not drop frame rates on 'slower' computers and VLC or mplayer which often provide smoother playback of higher data rate files don't make use of the Quicktime codecs.

It's very frustrating. :mad:

[goliath1997]

Hello, Professor. I am very impressed with your work and I've been following this thread for a long time. Very good work indeed.

I have been a member for a long time but this is my first post. I am attempting to learn 3D modeling and animation but I am finding it a bit difficult at times to get started.

Anyway, long story short. Would it be possible to get a high rez pic of the Constellation for use as a desktop? It really does look incredible!

Thanks for your time.

[Professor Moriarty]

When I publish the next scene there will be a 1600x1200 wallpaper published with it... stay tuned.

[BEMEUP]

No, I want it now! :D

Before I run out of air....

[goliath1997]

Thanks much!!

[Professor Moriarty]

No, I want it now! :D

Before I run out of air....
Breathe!!! BREEEEEEATHE!!!

Scenes 68 - 76: "Red alert... red alert."
http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/actone/sm_doomsday_scene068.jpg

Download the 27.8 MB zipfile containing the Windows Media 9 movie clip for these scenes from here (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/actone/doomsday_scene068.zip). Previously-released scenes may be viewed here (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine).

I've also created a 1600x1200 wallpaper of scene 68... you can download it here (http://www.scottgammans.net/doomsdaymachine/actone/doomsday_scene068_1600x1200.jpg).

I'm off on vacation for the next two weeks... I'll respond to your comments (and I'm sure there will be a few on *ahem* the last part of this sequence) when I get back. Enjoy!

[Nevets]

WOW!

[goliath1997]

Thanks much for the pic. Great job on the new scenes too!

Have a great vacation!

[scifieric]

I'm off on vacation for the next two weeks... I'll respond to your comments (and I'm sure there will be a few on *ahem* the last part of this sequence) when I get back. Enjoy!
I should think there would be a few comments. I'm going to start off with: "Holy F---ing Moley!"

Scott, as the clip came to a close, I was shaking my head and I heard "Unreal!" from someone. It was me.

Nice job.

The only thing that I thought of in the "Con" category would be that I think there are actually too many asteroids near the Constellation. I know she's sitting in the remains of a planetary breakup but I don't think she could move without hitting a boulder!

In any case, it does not detract from the spectacular quality you have produced.

Bravo.

[Brain]

Years ago the website digistream.com showed off a pet project where they were re-doing the effects sequences from "The Doomsday Machine", and they had some pretty nice stuff going, but I was never crazy about their redesign of the machine itself (it reminded me of a big white spermatazooa with horns!).

And although 'STAR TREK: New Voyages' has a pretty cool redesign of the machine (except for the fact that parts of it moved), I think that no one should mess around with the original design for that mother. It was too cool. I always imagined that it was made directly from the surface of a neutron star by detonating some device directly beneath the surface and pushing out a cone that perhaps also created the interior workings (or something suitably alien), as I imagine neutronium is pretty hard to work with directly.

I myself have a couple of sequences with the Enterprise and the DM that I did in Swift3D, but I'm sure they pale next to some of the fine work seen on this site (except that I got dead links above to those samples).

Anyway, it's one of my all-time fave eps (next to "The Devil In The Dark"), and I'm sure I'm not breaking any news when I mention that they are supposed to be re-doing the effects sequences for TOS for when they release the HD DVD versions. Can't wait for that. I think they oughta do a Forest Gump on us and replace all the Klingons with the newer versions that we're familiar with nowadays, but that's my opinion (but then they'd have to remove Worf's comment about the Klingon changes from the DS9 ep "Trials and Tribble-ations"! :-)).

Anyway, I'm enjoying being here, and keep up the cool work, everyone.

Brain
STONETREK.COMHTML (http://www.stonetrek.com)

[STnut35]

Hey, This is really looking awesome!!!! Your killing me with antisipation.Your Doomsday Machine looks dead on...I cant wait to see more.

[Cinnamon]

Wow... just... wow...

-jaime

[Dr-Timelord]

Anything? any updates at all? i need my fix!!

[Tallguy]

I believe he's still in Austrailia.

[Dr-Timelord]

Dammit :(

[Professor Moriarty]

I'm back... but VERY jet-lagged. There probably won't be any new updates until the weekend of October 14-15.

(p.s. I cannot highly enough recommend a trip to Australia. What an amazing and gorgeous country. :thumb:)

[scifieric]

I hope you enjoyed yourself and welcome home!

[Cinnamon]

Welcome home, Scott! Glad to hear you had such a good time!

-jaime

[STnut35]

Welcome back Professor,Ive always wanted to visit there myself.

[Starship]

A W E S O M E !!!!!!!

[Professor Moriarty]

Welcome back Professor,Ive always wanted to visit there myself.
Thanks. Australia is magnificent. Here's a taste of what I saw there:

http://www.scottgammans.net/australia2006/cairns/sm_cairns001.jpg

That's me right behind the big fella in the shell. :cool:

[scifieric]

Are you sure that's not rendered? LOL!

Looks like you had a good time!

[Cinnamon]

My... what big feet you have... :p Looks like you had a very good time indeed... did you get to see anything of the interior? Mum was from NSW, and I've always wanted to go - though I wanna see Coober Pedy and the Rock. ^_^

Cheers!

-jaime

[Dr-Timelord]

so.... whats going on with this?

[Professor Moriarty]

UNfortunately, I didn't get a chance to go into the interior. Next trip, definitely.

What's "going on" right now is that I'm having a very hard time readjusting to U.S. time zone more than a week after returning. Don't know why. Work will resume on this project when I'm feeling more like my old self again. Patience! :)

[Dr-Timelord]

Sorry :'( i just enjoy following this project

[Dr-Timelord]

:( i dont wanna let the project fall into nothingness!!

[Professor Moriarty]

Real life has been interfering lately, I'm afraid. On Thursday I was laid off from my job of over thirteen years, so until I'm gainfully employed again I'm afraid hobbies like this are going to play second fiddle to finding a job. Sorry!

[Taranis]

Sorry to hear that Prof .... but your right ..

[Dark Saber]

Sorry to hear that. Good luck with your search, and I will keep an eye for anything new here.

[scifieric]

Real life has been interfering lately, I'm afraid. On Thursday I was laid off from my job of over thirteen years, so until I'm gainfully employed again I'm afraid hobbies like this are going to play second fiddle to finding a job. Sorry!
I'm really sorry Prof. It's more than just losing a job at that point.

Good luck.

[BEMEUP]

Very sorry to hear it! All I can say is that anyone who left my company didn't necessarily get a better boss, but got a better, higher paying job for themselves.

Good luck to you, it will work out, it always does! :thumb:

[Professor Moriarty]

Nope, sorry, no updates on the project. I actually haven't had much time or desire to work on this since getting back from Australia in October and then getting laid off, and have absolutely no idea when I'll be starting up on this again.

I just wanted to wish everyone at scifi-meshes.com Seasons Greetings, and let those of you who've been following this thread that I am once again gainfully employed at an even better job than the one I lost in October.

Unfortunately one of the side-effects of the new job is that they want me to have my MCPD (Microsoft Certified Professional Developer) certification by 2008--those of you who are MS developers know that that is an ambitious goal, especially for someone who has been exclusively open-source for over seven years. This means that for the next twelve months I will be spending the majority of my free time studying for and taking exams leading up to that certification... so no more Doomsday for the forseeable future. Sorry! You'll have to rely on scifieric and CBS Digital's "official" version in February for the time being.

[scifieric]

Good luck Prof. I hope you get your certification.

[BEMEUP]

Congratulations and Happiest of Holiday's back! :thumb::thumb:

Good luck on the certification, long but well worth it process! If you want, I'll prod Eric regularly to feed you updates... :D

[Tallguy]

Seasons Greeting and everything happy, Prof. We miss your work and I always feel better knowing you're keeping an eye out on the rest of ours.

[Dr-Timelord]

aww :( good luck though!

[Forcemaster2000]

Good luck Prof! Hope all goes well for you!

[Oldcode]

Hey Professor,

Sorry to hear about your job. I know where you are coming from. I've been laid off many times myself. Even though it's not your fault, you still feel like sh*t. :mad:

Hope you had a good holiday and keep the faith. If there is anything I can do (yeah right, like what?) let me know.

Cheers,

[Professor Moriarty]

Thanks guys. I have to say that even though it was an unpleasant experience, getting laid off was actually the best (involuntary) career move I ever made! I'm now earning about 1/3rd more than I was making at the old job, the position is much more interesting and has a clearly-defined career path upwards, and (best of all) the new employer strongly believes that outsourcing and offshoring line-of-business functions is a load of hooey (that's how I lost my old job--it was offshored to India).

Hopefully someday I will have the time and energy to return to this project. And who knows... if CBS Digital's version of this episode sucks rocks, I might just find the time sooner than I anticipated! :)

[scifieric]

I guess that begs the question of what you've thought of the episodes thus far?

Well, when you return, we'll be waiting!

[Tovette]

Thread closed at thread owner's request.

[Professor Moriarty]

Screencaps and "beauty shots" from my "Doomsday Machine" project. These shots below are from the teaser and main credits which debuted on June 12th.



http://www.scottgammans.com/doomsdaymachine/act0_scene01.jpg
The Enterprise

http://www.scottgammans.com/doomsdaymachine/act0_scene02.jpg
Nothing left but rubble... and asteroids

http://www.scottgammans.com/doomsdaymachine/act0_scene03.jpg
The Enterprise enters System L-374

http://www.scottgammans.com/doomsdaymachine/act0_scene04.jpg
"Every solar system in this sector blasted to rubble... and still no sign of the Constellation..."

http://www.scottgammans.com/doomsdaymachine/act0_scene05.jpg
Captain, I think we just found the Constellation...

http://www.scottgammans.com/doomsdaymachine/act0_scene06.jpg
"She was attacked!"

http://www.scottgammans.com/doomsdaymachine/act0_scene07.jpg
"Red alert... red alert... man your battlestations!"

http://www.scottgammans.com/doomsdaymachine/openingcredits_3.jpg
These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise...

http://www.scottgammans.com/doomsdaymachine/openingcredits_4.jpg
It's five year mission: to explore strange new worlds...

http://www.scottgammans.com/doomsdaymachine/openingcredits_5.jpg (http://www.scottgammans.com/images/uss_enterprise_1920x1080.jpg)
To boldly go where no man has gone before!
(Click for extra embiggened size)


Oh yeah, p.s... I'm back. :)

[somacruz145]

Whoah that's absolutely mind-blowing ! :thumb: I have only one question - do you do it all by yourself !? Even if you don't , the level of realism is perfect - it just screams "phsyical models" :D

[Crash_AF]

Just watched the full teaser (through the link at the bottom of his post) and I have to say it's spectacular. The level of realism and the lighting are both spot on. I can't wait to see more of the episode.

Later,
Joe

[D.M.J.]

What a wait, what a result.

Truly a labour of love. Well done for resisting the temptation to over-do the effects, you've smartened it up without making it into something it isn't.

[Professor Moriarty]

Thanks. :) Yes, this is almost entirely my own doing from soup to nuts, models and rendering. The only thing I did not do is the motion tracking of the F/X insert in the scene where William Shatner walks in front of the viewscreen... my friend Gordon Robb handled that for me with his copy of SynthEyes. (I did, however, do everything else in that scene, including the laborious rotoscoping of Shatner out of the background).

[BlueNeumann]

Agreed re: the feel of physical, there's little subtle things with the lighting (particularly when the Enterprise goes over the planet) that makes it feel like a real model.

Chris

[Dr-Timelord]

Its great to see this project back in the Green, Welcome back sir!

[Buckaroohawk]

Professor!

Great to see you back! And the new scenes to "Doomsday" are amazing! I remember your earlier attempt at this, and it was great; but your new stuff is just so...so...WOW! I'm very much looking forward to seeing the rest of this project as it comes together. You've definitely stepped up your game, and the results are astounding.

[homerpalooza67]

sweet! I wonder how it would look with the jjprise? :runs:

[tondemonai]

That was silly good. Great work! Smooth camera work, too.

[Tallguy]

Looking great, no surprise. So in the next act we actually see the Doomsday Machine, right? ;)

[Professor Moriarty]

Yeppers :D

[ST-One]

Looking great, no surprise. So in the next act we actually see the Doomsday Machine, right? ;)


Yeppers :D

Is it still the version you showed me some time ago?

[Professor Moriarty]

Is it still the version you showed me some time ago?
Not... quite.

[scifieric]

Not... quite.
Oh, now THAT'S a teaser!

Good to see you back Prof! This is beautiful work and I can't wait to see more!

[Professor Moriarty]

Act I is now online. (http://scottgammans.com/blog/2009/07/28/act-i-now-online/) More later...

[Melak]

That was pretty awesome, you got me hooked! :thumb:

[Professor Moriarty]

Here's a fun little "family portrait" I whipped up showing the relative sizes of the Enterprise, Constellation and the "guest star". Depending on how you feel about spoilers and being surprised, you might want to hold off on embiggening the image until you've seen the clip. :)

[Lizzy777]

Yay! I was hoping you'd post an image of the planet destroyer.

I like this version. Definitely looks better than the remastered telescope design. Or the original which looked (to me) like a roll of newspaper covered in aluminum foil. This looks truly menacing and alien.

[Basill]

Pretty awesome stuff. :D

[Road Warrior]

One word: (minus all of these) Fantastic.

[ST-One]

Here's a fun little "family portrait" I whipped up showing the relative sizes of the Enterprise, Constellation and the "guest star". Depending on how you feel about spoilers and being surprised, you might want to hold off on embiggening the image until you've seen the clip. :)

This one look better than the version you showed me :thumb:

[Professor Moriarty]

It's actually very close to what I showed you a year ago and what you see here now. The only significant changes are the hull openings at the front are now closed, and a slight change in the overall color. Here's a shot of ol' Sparky from early 2008:

[Professor Moriarty]

The Enterprise

[Buckaroohawk]

I have watched Act 1 of your version of "TDM" and I'm amazed. The stark lighting, and the fact that it all takes place within the debris field of the destroyed planets really add a sense of drama to the action. I never even thought about the fact that the episode should take place in such a debris field; but while watching your version I realized that it makes perfect sense.
And then the evil machine itself appears, just before the break. I like your take on the design; very ominous and alien-looking but it keeps enough of the original shape to be instantly recognizable. I can't wait to see the rest. Great work, Professor!

[scifieric]

Act I is now online. (http://scottgammans.com/blog/2009/07/28/act-i-now-online/) More later...
Downloading now! Woo hoo!

[Tallguy]

Looks great, Scott. Glad to see this progressing so well. I really dig the new DM. I might have some quibbles, but the profile shot of the Constellation on the viewscreen is haunting. Really conveys the Enterprise's stately pass by a derelict wreck. Very nice.

[Buckaroohawk]

I know I'm getting way ahead of the game for this, and I don't want you to give away any spoilers, but I just have to ask this question:

Are you planning something big for the final act when Kirk takes the Constellation down the DM's maw? I've always been a little disappointed with how it's been interpreted by others so far. My thinking is that the matter/anti-matter explosion when the Constellation is destroyed would do a lot more damage to the planet killer than has ever been shown. What are your thoughts on this?

[Professor Moriarty]

You're right, you're getting way ahead :)

I honestly haven't given it a lot of thought yet, but keep in mind one thing: Lt. Watson reported in Act I that "somehow the antimatter in the (Constellation's) warp drive pods [had] been deactivated." Make of that what you will.

[Buckaroohawk]

You're right, you're getting way ahead :)

I honestly haven't given it a lot of thought yet, but keep in mind one thing: Lt. Watson reported in Act I that "somehow the antimatter in the (Constellation's) warp drive pods [had] been deactivated." Make of that what you will.

Ah, yes...I had forgotten about that. I can't quite remember how Scotty rigged the ship to explode, but if the anti-matter was out of commission, that just leaves the impulse engines which, while not as volatile as the warp engines, would still pack quite a punch when detonated.

I was just curious. I don't think the DM should be completely destroyed, but I've always wanted to see something more dramatic and powerful when Kirk finally manages to stop it. I shall wait patiently to see what you come up with.

[BlueNeumann]

Bunch of cracks running down the skin of the DM would probably look good.

Chris

[Professor Moriarty]

That would look cool, but is that really realistic? Spock remarks that "the hull is pure neutronium. There is no known way of blasting through it." Neutronium is REALLY strong stuff--it's the compressed gunk at the core of collapsed stars. I think the detonation of the Constellation impulse engines results in something more akin to disruption of the PK's energy systems... sorta like blowing out the pilot lamp. That's kind of what I'm thinking about in the back of my mind as that scene approaches.

[BlueNeumann]

Ahh... see I was just going off of the look of the DM, that hull reminds me of glass or hard but thin plastic. I pictured that the main destruction would come not from the impulse engines themselves but from the collapse that happens afterwards. The first explosion is a monkey wrench, pushes everything out of alignment and the planet eating machinery destroys itself.

Chris

[Professor Moriarty]

At one point I had a thought that the planet killer would slowly collapse upon itself--the theory being that when the energy output was reduced to zero that it also turned off whatever force was holding the PK in its normal shape. Discarded that idea after deciding (a) that would be HARD to accomplish, (b) from a design standpoint it makes no sense--if you need a forcefield to hold a shape, the most efficient shape would be spherical, not a cornucopia of doom, and (c) a sight like that would likely be commented on by Spock and Kirk. I can't do something outlandish and spectacular--if I did, their lack of dialogue about it would not make sense.

It'll prolly just go kablooey--but I'll try to make it make some semblance of sense while still being visually interesting.

[BlueNeumann]

I agree, destruction should be understated. It's just that you want to clearly see that it's dead, and that's the tricky aprt.

Chris

[Melak]

As far as I remember, the hull is made of neutronium, and usually nothing gets to enter without being broken into small chunks by the antiproton beam.

So the innards might not have been built to withstand a strong detonation.

[Buckaroohawk]

We seem to have formed an impromptu Think Tank on how to destroy the Planet Killer, or at least how that destruction might look.

If I were ambitious enough to tackle the project, I'd go with the "kablooey," but not like the Death Star since Spock clearly says that it's dead, not destroyed. Instead, I'd take the Independence Day route, with smaller explosions blowing through parts of the outer hull, and a bigger explosion billowing from the maw. Despite the hull being neutronium, the smaller explosions along the thing's hull would clearly represent that its innards have been permanently disabled.

But then, I'm not ambitious enough, and I know you'll come up with something that will look very cool, Professor. I'm looking forward to it.

[Dr-Timelord]

Just downloading part I now, can't wait to watch this

[Professor Moriarty]

Some eye candy while you download...

[scifieric]

Ah, sweet! That certainly is some eye candy.

Beautiful work Prof!

[Promus]

As a rabid TOS Purist (just read my signature), I'm not really open-minded when it comes to messing around with TOS. A lot of the remastered efforts I've seen I'm not happy with (save for SciFi Eric's project, which looks awesome). I certainly never like to see things redesigned or reimagined - that's the ultimate insult (screw you, Abrams).

Which might clue you into how awesome your work is when I say "I like it," ESPECIALLY the redesigned Doomsday Machine itself. I never, ever, EVER in a million years thought I'd actually like a redesigned TOS *something* better than the original version, but here you've done it. I have to say I actually like your DM better than the TOS version. I can't believe I just said that, but there it is - and I meant it. If your work was able to convert me, then...well, that says a lot about how incredible it is. :)

[Tallguy]

That eye candy is gorgeous.

Did you ever make that poster that you used to talk about?

[Professor Moriarty]

I'm staring at it right now--it hangs on my office wall.

[scifieric]

Would you consider showing us a small version of it? (He asks meekly with eager anticipation ...)

[Professor Moriarty]

Sadly I do not have the electronic version of it anymore--it was lost along with the hard drive it was on in 2007. The good outcome from that incident was that I had backups of my models and scene files elsewhere that were only a few weeks old, so I only lost about a month of work... and it taught me to backup MUCH more often.

I'll try to remember to take a picture of it with my cellphone camera tomorrow and post the picture here. It's an OK poster but I think the new textures and lighting effects make the model look MUCH better now than it did two years ago.

[scifieric]

Hey, a cell phone image should give us an idea! Thanks!

[Professor Moriarty]

Here it is...

[scifieric]

Oh, that's beautiful!

I've gotta say that I really loved your previous asteroids with the molten centers. Those things were wild-looking!

[nova1701dms]

Cool picture.

[Professor Moriarty]

Before you ask... :D


No, I haven't been hit by a bus.
Yes, I'm still working on this.
No, you're probably not going to like what I did to the Enterprise in this scene :p


Let the torches and pitchforks commence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6V4Z6IThQv8)

Sorry about the crappy video quality on YouTube... tried uploading the original *.wmv here at scifi-meshes.com but the 4.7 MB file size limit is waaaay too little for this 20-second animation. (Didn't there used to be an [ame] tag that permitted inline YouTube videos, though?)

I know you're probably thinking oh jeez, another Max Rem F-18 wankfest! Well, yes... :D But I really wanted there to be at least one scene in my little project where we get to see what Spock meant by "We are more maneuverable but it is gaining on us!" Future scenes will show the Big E travelling at a more sedate pace (especially once she gets the snot kicked out of her at the end of this act... thanks for nothing, Commodore Decker!)

[scifieric]

Well ... she's certainly maneuverable!

[TrekMD]

More maneuverable indeed! :) Glad to have you back.

[Professor Moriarty]

Certainly moreso than in this earlier version (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNYKzFY4v1E), where the Enterprise looks like she's on a leisurely Sunday stroll. Mebbe I went a little too far in the other direction (deg and Thilo certainly think so!), but eh, can't please everyone all the time, right?! :D

[Promus]

WHOA DUDE THAT WAS TOTALLY AWESOME I AM COMPLETELY FREAKING OUT RIGHT NOW ON A TOS HIGH!!!!!! WOOOOOOO!!!! I'm pretty sure I got an actual boner from watching that (all three-thousand, seven-hundred and ninety-eight times)!!

It makes sense!! The Enterprise COULD maneuver like that, we just never saw it on the original masterpiece television series. I LOVE the whip-pan on the asteroid, and seeing the huge Planet Killer just swallow it up as it slowly lumbers relentlessly toward the Enterprise, unstoppable by the things that the Enterprise must move around. Finally, Spock's dialogue actually seems like it's referencing something that's happening! How else would that line make sense?

As an added bonus, the MUSIC fits it! The "glittery," faster-tempo music for the Enterprise's grand entrance feels as free and fleeting as the ship itself, and the music for the Planet Killer seems like it was composed to match the speed of the huge thing as it chases after the starship. Honestly, Sol Kaplan surely must have been watching the dailies of your animation while composing the music!! It certainly seems that way...

Plus, I've always had a fantasy of watching my favorite scene from Star Wars (in "Empire Strikes Back," when the Millenium Falcon escapes from the Star Destroyers by running between them and into the asteroid field) with the Enterprise in place of the Falcon, and this is VERY close to that!! Even the dialogue is the same: Han Solo: "But we can still out-maneuver them!" Spock: "We are more maneuverable..."

So for all that's holy and artistically ideal, KEEP THE ENTERPRISE'S SPEED!!!

[scifieric]

Certainly moreso than in this earlier version (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNYKzFY4v1E), where the Enterprise looks like she's on a leisurely Sunday stroll.
Oh, but I gotta say that I LOVE THIS VERSION! Woo hoo!

[ST-One]

Certainly moreso than in this earlier version (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNYKzFY4v1E), where the Enterprise looks like she's on a leisurely Sunday stroll. Mebbe I went a little too far in the other direction (deg and Thilo certainly think so!), but eh, can't please everyone all the time, right?! :D

:p

;)

[Lizzy777]

I like the version with the Big E zipping around the planetoids to avoid the doomsday machine. The only thing that could possibly make the beastie look even more foreboding was if that big asteroid that made a close pass bounced off of the hull and broke apart.

Maybe give it an even greater sense of indestructible power! First it swallows one big rock while another just breaks apart off of its side like a dirt clod?