3DBuilding my own Connie, finally.

Starkiller

Gotta jump on the bandwagon! Someone at SciFi3d mentioned that a scifi modeler building a Connie,
is like a Jedi building his lightsaber. Sooner or later, he's gotta do it. So here is where I am with my
attempt. I'm using Prologic's Connie for a size reference, and using Deg3d's awesome Connie orthos
for the detail reference.

Eric

Starkiller

A few more shots, including one of where I am at this time.

Eric

IRML

I've said this to many people before and I'll say it again now, you shouldn't use a fan made model as reference for your own, when you copy a tape you copy from the source to get the best result, if you copy from a copy you get degradation

otherwise good start so far

Starkiller

True, but I'm just using his to get the dimensions right. As with other models I've done, I always up the detail. The Connie is a great ship, but there
are enough models around that are absolutely faithful to the original. I'm doing what deg3d has done, building a version that would work for a
modern audience, as I did with my Metaprobe. I believe Prologic's connie, the one I'm using for a size reference, is accurate, as it's obvious
he's used one of the more accurate blueprint sets, though I can't remember the set he used.

Eric

Starship

Looking good Eric!

Starkiller

Finished most of the modeling on the secondary
hull. Just deciding how to do the bay doors. As
with the warp nacelles, any markings common to
all Constitution class ships get modeling,
leaving only ship specific markings to textures.
This Connie is based on Deg3d's model. You could
say that it's a fanwork of a fanwork.

Eric

Buckaroohawk

I've used other 3D models for size reference before, just to make sure I get the general specs of my own model right, but I hope you're not just building your own version of deg's Enterprise. Where's the fun in that? Even if you add a few details that he didn't think of you'll only end up with a slightly updated version of his model, not something you can truly call your own. In my opinion you should put deg's model out of your mind right away and strike out in a new direction. Make this Connie your own, not just a refined copy of his. Trust me, you'll like the results much more.

Elokim-Supreme

Starkiller wrote: »

Finished most of the modeling on the secondary
hull. Just deciding how to do the bay doors. As
with the warp nacelles, any markings common to
all Constitution class ships get modeling,
leaving only ship specific markings to textures.
This Connie is based on Deg3d's model. You could
say that it's a fanwork of a fanwork.

Eric

How can you model the markings? it is not a texture?

Starkiller

Possibly true, but since ALL Connies are basicly copies of the original Connie, what difference does it make if I use deg's orthos
or the original orthos? It'll still be a copy of someone else's work. Point is, since this is, basicly, a homage to deg's model, as
other's are homages to the original, the closer I can get to his Connie's 'look', the better I've succeeded.

No, it's not a texture. Modeling markings is done using stencils on a copy of the hull, then the rest of the copied hull is deleted, the
markings copied to the original hull layer, and moved outward from the hull by a VERY small amount, so they can be seen clearly.
It's not too hard, but it IS tedious, though no more so than texturing.

Eric

Elokim-Supreme

I see.... Anyway the model looks great.

Starkiller

Secondary hull markings are done, now on to the bay doors.

Eric.

PS: Thanks to all who commented.

Starkiller

Bay doors done, and sectioned, in case I feel brave enough to try the Bay
interior, as deg did.

Eric

Starkiller

Just getting started on detailing the primary hull. I take back what I
said earlier, the Primary hull IS harder than the secondary hull.

Eric

RAF-MX

Very nice and clean modeling !!
Good start ,Starkiller...
Buen comienzo !!

Elokim-Supreme

The lines on the saucer section - are they just texture? or modeled panels?

Starkiller

The lines are a separate material from the hull and are a very light grey. Some people don't like the grid. This way, you make the material
white, like the hull material, and it'll go away. I had considered modeling it, but had no idea if it was raised or recessed. The separate
material idea is better, IMVHO, because you can use it, or not, user's choice. ^_-

Eric

Starkiller

Detailing the Impulse engines ala deg3d, my inspiration.

Eric

publiusr

I love the aft endcap of the nacelles. Perfect!

Starkiller

Yup, deg was my inspiration for that too, though I had to guess on much of it, due to
it being too dark to see detail in the images I had. I got close though, not exact, but
close.

Well, that completes the impulse engines. I guess I'll take a crack
at the deflecter dish next. I also need to do the 'thingamagig' at
the bottom of the saucer section, as well as a bit more detailing
around the ship, lights, markings, etc.

Eric

Starkiller

Hmmm. Haven't updated for a time. Here are a few new ones of how I've done so far.

Eric

Elokim-Supreme

love the details!!

publiusr

The warm hues make the model.

Starkiller

Had to give the ol' girl a name. While ship names and numbers will
be handled by textures, I modeled a set so that she'd no longer
be JUST a generic Connie.

Eric

Elokim-Supreme

Superb work! I can't wait to see texturing and lightning.
b.t.w - which software are you using?

Starkiller

Modo 3.2, as I'm not used to Modo 4 yet, though I have it. Modo's superb UVmapping tools will make UVmapping this easier, though
by no means easy. The ship is to detailed for simple mapping. Ah well! Maybe next time, I'll do a cube, though with my habit of adding
detail to everything, it'll likely end up as a complex Borg cube.

Eric

Starkiller

Too Tired after working in the heat and humidity
all day, to do any intricate detailing, so I
managed a few kitbash style parts, and producted
the Saladin class destroyer, Connie's 'Little
Sister'. Now THAT was a run on sentence!

Eric

Starkiller

Just finished the phaser banks, now on to the photon torpedo
tubes. After that, just various running lights on the primary and
secondary hulls. The model is currently just under 344,000 polys.

Eric

Starkiller

I wanted to see if I could do a phaser style effect in Modo.
Not too bad for a first try. She has teeth now, with phaser
banks and photon torpedo tubes done.

Eric

Starkiller

I have the basic Hanger Bay shaped. I had to adjust things as the
Hanger I'm using as a reference, is only half as long as it should
be. All the plans and hanger renders I have, show the Bay going
from the Bay doors, to just past the warp pylons. This is not a problem
as the ref gives me the info I need. I just need to lengthen certain
sections after I build them.

Eric

Starkiller

Bay floor is done. I'm going to have to do a lot of improvising now.
Even Deg's images are sparse on the rest of the detail.

Eric

PS: Not sure if the suttlecraft is from Rduda, 4MadMen, or Xcalpro.
It is one of them though. I wanted to test size, and the turntable
was the exact size. Didn't need to change a thing.

Elokim-Supreme

Awesome model... it is still without textures, right?