The Ares, Deck by Deck

[AliasEthan]

Hi all,

As I get ready to start up a new RPG with a friend of mine, I realize that one of the most useful things might be a deck-by-deck layout of the ship that we wish to sim on. Something a la Star Trek Next Generation Blueprints.

Obviously without the same level of detail, but I'd like some help with expanding the design into an outline, then developing it further. Ideally someone (or multiple people) who has good spatial sense and decent knowledge of how to use illustrator or a similar application.

Just so we all know, the ship is Marklar's Ares. I've spoken to him on multiple occasions and have his consent to develop it as I see fit. The design is beautiful, and if you haven't seen it, I recommend looking up marklar and viewing his gallery. I also have images that have since been lost with the recent crash to aid in working out details, as well as the actual mesh itself.

It should be known that the design is slightly unorthodox, and poses a number of challenges from a deck layout point of view, however, it wouldn't be fun if it was easy. I'm basically looking to get out of this, a plan for how each deck (including the bridge) is laid out, with a bird's eye view of every deck sequentially. If anyone's up to the task, I'm eager to get started.

Thanks, and I hope to hear from you soon.

[Larsen]

Sounds cool, and like a very big task... How much would this be paying!?!

[AliasEthan]

It's not a *huge* task, but it requires someone with a little more skill than I when it comes to illustration. If I was commissioning a proper set of blueprints, I think I'd start invading the wallet, but I'm hoping for a more collaborative (free) effort. It's really just to canonize the deckplan I had in mind, I'm not planning on building the thing.

Attached is a file that roughly shows the level of detail I'm hoping for. I'm also looking locally amongst friends - I attended an Arts-specialty high-school, but I'm having trouble convincing them to try their hand at more technical drawings.


Note: I did not make this image - unfortunately I do not know who did.
Update: The image was drawn by kaden, as is explained above (or below, depending on how you like your forums organized).

[Endeavour]

I could probably handle that, though if you could post a link to pics of the ship, that would be great.

[AliasEthan]

Attached is an ortho I made a long time ago based on found images, before I spoke with the ship's designed. I just re-opened the mesh and will be making massive orthographic views soon. Also attached is an outline image made by marklar himself. I've also got someone's take on a Master Systems Display, but I really dislike the layout. These should do in the meantime - give you an idea if you want to tackle this.

If so, let me know and we'll chat!

[Endeavour]

All right, I would be willing to try this. First I'll need the specs, so that I can draw it out in 10m (10 pixels=1 meter) to deckplan it. The program I use is MS paint. As for chat, I hope you have a gmail account, because Google Talk is the only chat program I can use.

[kaden]

Originally Posted by AliasEthan

It's not a *huge* task, but it requires someone with a little more skill than I when it comes to illustration. If I was commissioning a proper set of blueprints, I think I'd start invading the wallet, but I'm hoping for a more collaborative (free) effort. It's really just to canonize the deckplan I had in mind, I'm not planning on building the thing.

Attached is a file that roughly shows the level of detail I'm hoping for. I'm also looking locally amongst friends - I attended an Arts-specialty high-school, but I'm having trouble convincing them to try their hand at more technical drawings.


Note: I did not make this image - unfortunately I do not know who did.

lmao i drew that one years ago!!

[AliasEthan]

Endeavour,

Don't have a GMail account - I may invest in one soon (already have an address from my ISP I don't even use). All I've got is MSN at the moment. We can communicate via e-mail for now - can you please PM me your address?

Also, how would you feel about posting this as a WIP - I'm sure others are interested in keeping tabs on how this comes along. Your call though, it's your work.


Kaden,

This begins to convince me that everyone who's ever modelled or drawn for the Trek community is on this board. Would you like me to take it down or just edit the post to include credit?

[kaden]

yeah just credit will be ok, that pic was almost back when i first started doing ship designs too. it was for an akira class i was rpging at my elite force clan forums!

[AliasEthan]

So a high-res profile shot of the Ares has been sent off to Endeavour - just waiting to hear back from him on how he wants to attack this. We've decided that we will post this as a 2D WIP on the other forum.

At present, I'm currently attempting to freehand the bridge and potentially Deck 2. One of the main problems for the bridge module is that it's massive (front to back, it's 23.1m, same length as a Danube class). Secondly, Marklar chose to put in these great tubular things which jut out beside it, and they'd be perfect turbolift cars for a smaller ship, however, on this ship, it would make for a turbolift some 5m in diameter.

There's also a second set of jut-outs which are much smaller, but are perhaps a bit too small for turbolifts. I'm pondering as just writing them off as bridge support modules (aux computer cores in armored casings, backup life support systems) and placing the turbolifts internally, but we'll see how that goes. Also, the Ready Room module is pretty big. 24'6" long by 14'6" wide. Even with a bunk, head and shower, that's a big room.

Attached is an image with scale to show what I'm getting at. If you have any ideas on how to organize this, feel free!