Challenge #9 – dredd2000 – EASS "Crystal harbor"

[dredd2000]

I'm afraid this is going to be another sphere in this challenge, but it's the most space-like shape to me - or it have to be something complicated. So, sphere.

It is going to be an Earth Alliance (of my own) Space Station "Crystal Harbor". Details on it are still in kind of process (number of crew, systems placement etc.), the rest is on my sketch. Hope, I'll post some 3D models soon.

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/303/01qj6.th.jpg (http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/303/01qj6.jpg)

[Ozylot]

That looks like it will be pretty cool once modeled! Nice work!

[dredd2000]

Hope so, thanks for the comment. Working on bay design - I think I'll improve it with 3 hangars instead of one per each bay. That shall remove problems with queuing on such a big station....

[Tinukedaya]

Uhm... I looking forward to see this one modeled... looks like nice design, if a little impractical. But might look really great.

[dredd2000]

...if a little impractical...
Yes, this really an issue. But this is a cutting edge of Earth tech. It has shield above dome to prevent problems with asteroids. Armored hull and weapons to stop a medium-sized assault. So...

First step in modelling:
http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/9646/02gi9.th.jpg (http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/9646/02gi9.jpg)

[<:K.I.S:>]

nice job on the modelling so far can't wait to see how this progresses

[fluxfire]

I like it so far... i am more interested in seeing how you are gonna do the sensor array.......

[dredd2000]

Working on smaller details now. So new update possible will be only tomorrow. Meanwhile - any c&c are welcomed and thanks for kind comments so far - that's very nice.
http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/5193/03xz6.th.jpg (http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/5193/03xz6.jpg)

[fluxfire]

I am liking the detail work that i am seeing so far...... just curious though what exactly is the center spire for?

[dredd2000]

This is an additional support for the dome and a connection between controls in the bottom part of the station and main scanners on the top. Also there are life support things inside - right under sensors array you may see air vents covers.

[fluxfire]

hum ok that makes sense then.......

[BEMEUP]

Looking good so far, I like it!

[dredd2000]

Progress so far. Working on belt systems and sensors.
http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/3995/04co7.th.jpg (http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/3995/04co7.jpg)

[CrimsonLine]

It might be cool if the city weren't all built on a flat plain, but if the artificial terrain inside the dome had some hills and valleys...

[dredd2000]

It might be cool if the city weren't all built on a flat plain, but if the artificial terrain inside the dome had some hills and valleys...
Yes, I've beign thinking of it. In fact my first idea was simply to plant some trees inside the dome, but now I think it will be better if there would be some terrain inside... I'll think about it.

[chrono]

Better deal with where the dome and base meet pretty soon. ;)

[dredd2000]

...where the dome and base meet...
Here we go - connection section is ready. So is part of main hull and systems belt. Working on bottom sensor array now. But really want to go to sleep, so new updates are coming maybe just tomorrow.

Oh, yes! There's some lighting ideas also. Not final, of course, but...
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/8483/05ac2.th.jpg (http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/8483/05ac2.jpg)

[Dallidas]

lookin real good bro! My only crit is that geo-domes dont seem very futuristic too me.

[dredd2000]

...that geo-domes dont seem very futuristic too me.
I also thought, that they are a little bit ordinary. But that's an Earth technolodgy - so I think, that's ok. Anyway, there gonna be some details on a shield, so it will look good, I hope.
Thank you for the comment!

[fluxfire]

I think its taking city shape quite nicely :D

[Striker]

I was wondering how did you do that structural grid for the geodome? I've been toying around with Max, not sure if that is what you're using, but it is the little details that I am still rather poor with.

[dredd2000]

fluxfire, I hope it really does.
Striker, that's really MAX. It has a primitive, called geosphere. I used it twice - first one needed to make structure for the dome, second is the shield.

Working on some new details and thinking about buildings for my city. That's really a challenge - don't want'em to copy any design, you may know )))

[dredd2000]

Work status so far.
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/8734/06fo1.th.jpg (http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/8734/06fo1.jpg)

[Ozylot]

I've always loved ideas like this! Nice work!

[Brickhead]

Ambitious, watch your time for completion.

[dredd2000]

Ambitious, watch your time for completion.
Well, indeed. Hope this won't be in TopGear-style - ambitious but rubbish ))))

Taking a little halt - I'm busy at work. But I'll keep on working, so new updates are to come! Meanwhile - any c&c are welcomed!

[chrono]

I'd establish a size scale before to long that way you can keep an eye on that as it'll help with your realism.

[dredd2000]

I always use some kind of relative sized objects to my model, so I wouldn't mess up with scales and over-detailed models. This is very helpful - especially, when you don't know final result for sure.

A little update - started working on city itself.
http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/2499/07xm3.th.jpg (http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/2499/07xm3.jpg)

[fluxfire]

Now that looks like the beginning of a space metropolis :D

Laser tag any one :runs:

[Tinukedaya]

well. This looks like REALLY nice... Millionaires villas on the hill, anyone?

[Ozylot]

Loving that city! Great stuff!

[Dallidas]

diddo with ozy!

[RewiredMonkey]

The addition of the buildings just upped the jaw-drop factor. Can't wait to see this when it's done

[dredd2000]

Thanks to all of you! That's really good comments!

New updates will come, when I'll complete the city.

[dredd2000]

Crystal Harbor City is complete! Working on textures, tiny details etc. So updates are coming.

Right now there's an interesting question - how can I show that there's an atmosphere inside the dome? Any suggestions?

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/5892/08kp9.th.jpg (http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/5892/08kp9.jpg)

[Ozylot]

Fantastic! :thumb:

One way you could show atmosphere is to have some powerful lights at the top. Add some trees. and perhaps a little fog around the lights to show moisture. Just a thought.

[Tinukedaya]

Looking great!

As for your question... I think it's big enough to have some artificial weather there, so maybe just do an rainy day inside with some storm clouds <grins>

[dredd2000]

Ozylot, I think your idea is good - I definitely want trees on that hill, but lights - I want to make render where we can see this station well lighted... can we see them, than? Need to think about that.
Tinukedaya, rain would be nice - but that's too complicated special effect as it seems to me... Maybe I'll try - but later ;)

Nice ideas, so many to do, so little time. I need to get cracking.

[fluxfire]

Personally the weather would be coo..... but not reallistic in that type of construct... Still though rain and clouds in space does sound fun :D

Liking the city man....

[dredd2000]

Some textures and effects for the final scene. Working on atmosphere, textures and scene itself. Of course, background is temporary...
http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/9949/09my7.th.jpg (http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/9949/09my7.jpg)

[Sphynx]

Information regarding Challenge #10 (http://www.scifi-meshes.com/forums/challenge-wips/54880-sensei-challenge-10-primitives-motion.html) has now been released.

[dredd2000]

Taking into account new challenge, I think I'll concentrate more on a final scene later. So for this challenge there will be only station and stars on the background.

So, final render is on it's way. Any comments so far?

[Ozylot]

Looking good!

If that previous image is an indication of your final render, I would suggest zooming in a little more if possible. Great work though!

[dredd2000]

I'll try. Thank you!

[dredd2000]

This is final renders of my scene. Any comments?
http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/5452/10mb2.th.jpg (http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/5452/10mb2.jpg) http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/1291/finalch9ci8.th.jpg (http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/1291/finalch9ci8.jpg)

[CrimsonLine]

I really dig the waterfall texture! The city looks great.

[dredd2000]

Thank you! In fact, waterfall is a combination of texture, some special effects and post-processing.

[Ozylot]

Lovely work! It turned out very nice!

[CrimsonLine]

When I saw it earlier, with the flat blue material, I thought it looked - well - hideous! ike it was made of play-dough. But your work on that one element REALLY sells the whole thing. Outstanding!

[dredd2000]

Ozylot, thank you!
CrimsonLine, I see. First of all I thought I may use two parts of my mesh - one for waterfall and one for a lake. But it turned out, that this idea looked bad - you really could see line were they were connected. So I rendered two stations - one with lake and one with waterfall, than I mixed'em in Photoshop.

[Dallidas]

That looks great! Do you have any ships to put on the docks?

[dredd2000]

That looks great! Do you have any ships to put on the docks?
Well, that's what I was planning to do with my entry for a challenge #10 - make some low-poly ships, construction scaffolding etc. and place'em near docks and flying by near station. For this moment - no ships... just a couple of ideas on cargo carriers and space liners.

[dredd2000]

Happy New Year everyone! And again, thank you for so many kind and helpful comments. I've returned from my vacation and I think, I'll continue thinking on original idea of final scene for the challenge #10 (you may see that on my first sketch).

Anyway, that's my final:
http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/5452/10mb2.jpg