Looking good. Yeah, the D7 is an odd one to figure out for sure. There aren't that many straight lines on the ship, it's a lot of complex curves and things that make it a challenge. Also, I'm sure the new one has scant references compared to the one from the 60s.
Oh, there are a lot of references I can draw from! There are the Eaglemoss models, Mark Bell's renders on his Artstation, the "D7 Miracle Worker Flight Deck Carrier" in Star Trek: Online, and videos from both Discovery and Strange New Worlds. And these are a lot more consistent than the set of model references I used when I built the Enterprise.
The tricky part now will be in figuring out the basic shapes for the warp nacelles. There are a lot of little bits and pieces there. Including a monster disruptor cannon.
So, it's been a while, hasn't it? I started blocking out the nacelles, and instead of posting a few WIP shots with the basics all together, I ended up just detailing the entire section. After watching SNW s2e1 and seeing some interesting detail going on, I couldn't figure out just where the disruptors were supposed to be! Plus, there were some interesting differences between my reference images that I had to figure out which ones to use.
So... I figured I'd add my own bits to fill out the design. With that said, here's the warp nacelle/big honkin' disruptor canon.
After finishing some work assignments, I decided to update Blender from 3.4 to 4.02. And while I had the program open, I figured I'd put a little effort on this ship. I was thinking of how I'd work out the panels on the hull surface but did some rear and wing details instead.
Alright, finished detailing the underside of the wing. At least as much as I can think to stick under there. I wanted to add a disruptor turret in the same area as on the K'tinga. So I made a quick and dirty model loosely based on the cannon on the wings of the B'rel Bird of Prey. I also changed up some of the greebles on the rear end near the impulse engines.
Maybe for a later larger design…maybe have an additional deck atop the manta half way out to the pylons..an another atop that only a third of the way out for the shuttlebay/powerpack to rest on…
Maybe for a later larger design…maybe have an additional deck atop the manta half way out to the pylons..an another atop that only a third of the way out for the shuttlebay/powerpack to rest on…
OMG, this took me HOURS to do. Just that top center section and I only had to do HALF OF IT! [cries] I think I started around 2 am, and now it's 0820.
I know it's a pain, but that's time well spent. Your work is so clean and highly detailed. You really knock these newer Star Trek designs out out of the park.
I spent a few hours working out the panels on the underside of the hull. Now I need to do the front-facing panels.
With the neck added on, it's really starting to look like a proper starship! I still need to detail the impulse engine and shuttle bay on the top to finish off the main hull section, though.
wow wow wow.. I just went through this ENTIRE thread from start to finish.. what spectacular work!! also given me some inspiration for some updated phaser/disruptor cannons for my own TOS D-7. Excellent work!
wow wow wow.. I just went through this ENTIRE thread from start to finish.. what spectacular work!! also given me some inspiration for some updated phaser/disruptor cannons for my own TOS D-7. Excellent work!
Oh, wow! Then you've gotten a snapshot of 14 years of my artistic development. From half-baked ideas to fully realized projects, and everything in between!
Reworking and updating some materials. Mostly the glass and lights. I might go and up the saucer texture from 2k to 4k to fix that pixelation on the registry later. I also toned down the metal to look a lot less chrome.
You can also see the bridge interior now! And by "bridge interior" I mean a screen shot I took from the show and applied as a texture.
Just curious. When you build your starships, do you give them this chrome material just for a bit of artistic flare or is this how you think they should look in your minds eye?
They kind of remind me of Hallmark special edition models that I've seen in the past.....which is meant as a sort of compliment.
Edit: I see that you mentioned toning down the chrome effect somewhat, but it's still nice and shiny and cool looking.
Just curious. When you build your starships, do you give them this chrome material just for a bit of artistic flare or is this how you think they should look in your minds eye?
For the Enterprise, Farragut, Reliant, and Miranda, I did it because I thought that's how the Enterprise looked when she was reintroduced during the two-part season finale/backdoor pilot in ST: Discovery. I went over as much footage as I could find of the ship in DISCO and Strange New Worlds to get a sense of the materials that were used.
A lot of the chrome look is also due to the HDRI maps I used for those renders. Without something to reflect, the surface will look more matte than metallic. I'll give you a prime example. Note that the material and settings in use are exactly the same between these two WIP images.
The only differences are the HDRI maps. I think the first one was "Gathering Storm" while the other was "Machine Shop".
The only differences are the HDRI maps. I think the first one was "Gathering Storm" while the other was "Machine Shop".
Ah, I see. Interesting, same material but like night and day.
Every since I've been applying more materials to my models, I've been using outdoor HDRI's instead of the distant lights used in my earlier renders. I still add some additional lights as necessary when I want to highlight some smaller details.
Recently I changed the HDRI to one with a light probe called Japan Blossom which gives the models a more moody look compared to the previous one.
That took way longer than it should have. At least the main hull is done with the detail stage. Well, except for the impulse engines/shuttle/fighter bay on top. I'm guessing those 10 squares on either side of the neck are supposed to be torp launchers.
Posts
Oh, there are a lot of references I can draw from! There are the Eaglemoss models, Mark Bell's renders on his Artstation, the "D7 Miracle Worker Flight Deck Carrier" in Star Trek: Online, and videos from both Discovery and Strange New Worlds. And these are a lot more consistent than the set of model references I used when I built the Enterprise.
The tricky part now will be in figuring out the basic shapes for the warp nacelles. There are a lot of little bits and pieces there. Including a monster disruptor cannon.
So... I figured I'd add my own bits to fill out the design. With that said, here's the warp nacelle/big honkin' disruptor canon.
- Mike Oldfield
-edit- And I just realized I nearly spent 4 hours on that section.
Now I can move onto the main hull section.
Thank you! Still, there is So. Much. To. Go...
Ugh...
Not sure what you mean?
Now that's dedication to ones craft! When do you sleep?
I went to bed a few hours later. The liberties of pulling an allnighter on a weekend!
I know it's a pain, but that's time well spent. Your work is so clean and highly detailed. You really knock these newer Star Trek designs out out of the park.
Time seems to just melt away when you start concentrating on a 3Dmodel!
With the neck added on, it's really starting to look like a proper starship! I still need to detail the impulse engine and shuttle bay on the top to finish off the main hull section, though.
Oh, wow! Then you've gotten a snapshot of 14 years of my artistic development. From half-baked ideas to fully realized projects, and everything in between!
Also, welcome to SFM!
You can also see the bridge interior now! And by "bridge interior" I mean a screen shot I took from the show and applied as a texture.
They kind of remind me of Hallmark special edition models that I've seen in the past.....which is meant as a sort of compliment.
Edit: I see that you mentioned toning down the chrome effect somewhat, but it's still nice and shiny and cool looking.
For the Enterprise, Farragut, Reliant, and Miranda, I did it because I thought that's how the Enterprise looked when she was reintroduced during the two-part season finale/backdoor pilot in ST: Discovery. I went over as much footage as I could find of the ship in DISCO and Strange New Worlds to get a sense of the materials that were used.
A lot of the chrome look is also due to the HDRI maps I used for those renders. Without something to reflect, the surface will look more matte than metallic. I'll give you a prime example. Note that the material and settings in use are exactly the same between these two WIP images.
The only differences are the HDRI maps. I think the first one was "Gathering Storm" while the other was "Machine Shop".
Ah, I see. Interesting, same material but like night and day.
Every since I've been applying more materials to my models, I've been using outdoor HDRI's instead of the distant lights used in my earlier renders. I still add some additional lights as necessary when I want to highlight some smaller details.
Recently I changed the HDRI to one with a light probe called Japan Blossom which gives the models a more moody look compared to the previous one.
Getting there. Just 3 more sections to go.
Good things just need there time.