That was a good suggestion. I tried to incorporate it, but I keep changing the panel config to see what works. Anyway this, I think, works a lot better now and also did a first pass on windows:
Nice! That does look a lot better and the windows also help. Are you planning on adding other surface details like on the 1701-A? Access hatches, escape pod covers and the like?
Ooops, what happened to the bridge? The windows really add a lot. This may end up a nicer design than the original Akira. I went back and looked at early pictures of it in this thread and personally would consider reducing the size of the hull under the saucer. Only because it is looking really sleek here.
I had deleted it before accidentally. I took the opportunity to build a better base for it. And I appreciate the comment, but Alex Yeager is the man. He created the Akira design that I'm basing this on. As for the secondary hull, I kinda think it's a bit small sometimes. Once I get to that part I'll review the size.
Nice! That does look a lot better and the windows also help. Are you planning on adding other surface details like on the 1701-A? Access hatches, escape pod covers and the like?
Actually, I have to be really careful to not add too much stuff. The Enterprise is deceptive in its details. It looks like there's a lot, but there really isn't. The texturing step is very important to get the look right. I think for the outside I might review the lines and window placement, but apart from the very rear, this is mostly it. I'll add the famous docking port on the inside part that is flat. As for escape pods, are there any on the Constitution and Miranda? Or even the Excelsior for that matter? At least ones that are visible.
Actually, I have to be really careful to not add too much stuff. The Enterprise is deceptive in its details. It looks like there's a lot, but there really isn't. The texturing step is very important to get the look right. I think for the outside I might review the lines and window placement, but apart from the very rear, this is mostly it. I'll add the famous docking port on the inside part that is flat. As for escape pods, are there any on the Constitution and Miranda? Or even the Excelsior for that matter? At least ones that are visible.
I used these sets of blueprints as part of my collection of references when I built my upgraded Ares-class U.S.S. Dakota model. There are some surface details on the saucer and engineering hulls that look like hatch covers.
@Lizzy777 Ah, right. I'm not sure those are escape pods. I think they are just access hatches. I might go the same route I went with the Connie and just texture those. I'll have to think about it.
I focused the past few days on getting the shapes refined. The catamarans are pretty much final. I also took a stab at modeling the engineering hull to be similar to the Akira itself. I know the design looks a bit too advanced, but it does look a lot better than what I had before. I'll keep this for now while I work on other parts and see what I think. Any comments are welcome of course.
I am sure there is a way to make that engineering up look a little more like TMP era.
I was thinking may be making the front end of it similar to what was done with the Excelsior or the Ent-B. It might work.
It's looking great, Viper. I think the engineering hull works really well.
Those hatches on the Connie and Miranda are definitely access hatches. Kirk, Spock, McCoy and Decker exit the Enterprise through one to reach V'Ger in TMP.
Honestly, depending on how you deck out the Engineering hull with the details, using the shape from the Akira is fine. By the time you're done detailing her out she'll fit right in with the era you're working on.
So I woke up today, saw the renders from last night again and my head just went "Nope, that doesn't look right". I decided to go back to the other one I had before. After a bit of tweaking I got a result I'm happy with. This will be the final shape as I need to move on to detailing if I ever want to finish this ship Sorry for the fans of the Excelsior style hull
While I like the Excelsior style hull it your ship so you can do what you want with it!
So Now Worries, I still look forward to seeing what you do to that Engineering hull with the details to bring it in line with the Movie Era.
Spot on, luv it!
I also like the green panels and the 'stripes' around the 'pontoons', they all help give it mass.
Good choice on the secondary hull mod.
I appreciate all the comments I've spent the past few days just figuring things out in my head. Doing some tests. Here are my current plans for the Shuttle Bays:
The bays look good so far. I take it there are no plans for the through-deck bay concept, like the original movie model?
I could do it in theory.The upper bay can go all the way to the front, no problem. I'll think about it. I haven't actually settled down on how the internals will look like. This is more of a proof of concept.
Here's a cool shot that I took without any external lights:
I always thought the through-deck concept made sense, as the Akira was a fighting ship. Shuttles could be launched quickly out of the front, but landing and retrieval takes longer, so you have the catamarans protecting the shuttle. I'm just not sure of the role of your ship in the fleet, or if you've even decided on one.
I always thought the through-deck concept made sense, as the Akira was a fighting ship. Shuttles could be launched quickly out of the front, but landing and retrieval takes longer, so you have the catamarans protecting the shuttle. I'm just not sure of the role of your ship in the fleet, or if you've even decided on one.
The original idea is to be a test bed for new technologies, specifically for the Excelsior and Excelsior refit so maybe the deck through won't be a good idea. It would also kill my plans for a proper carrier ship.
For now, I finished the saucer top. It was already pretty close anyway. Just added the phasers. I also spent a few hours setting up the substance file for the project. Doing the textures will be a breeze now. Top is already done. I'll do bottom next and also create the decals for those.
She's coming along nicely.
Do you have plans to install a Hanger Control room on the back?
I know the original had it just above the rear hanger, but seeing as you have two. It might be best to put it onto the rim of the source so they can keep an eye on both.
Posts
Nice! That does look a lot better and the windows also help. Are you planning on adding other surface details like on the 1701-A? Access hatches, escape pod covers and the like?
I had deleted it before accidentally. I took the opportunity to build a better base for it. And I appreciate the comment, but Alex Yeager is the man. He created the Akira design that I'm basing this on. As for the secondary hull, I kinda think it's a bit small sometimes. Once I get to that part I'll review the size.
Actually, I have to be really careful to not add too much stuff. The Enterprise is deceptive in its details. It looks like there's a lot, but there really isn't. The texturing step is very important to get the look right. I think for the outside I might review the lines and window placement, but apart from the very rear, this is mostly it. I'll add the famous docking port on the inside part that is flat. As for escape pods, are there any on the Constitution and Miranda? Or even the Excelsior for that matter? At least ones that are visible.
Couple more images:
Frequent updates at our Discord channel!
I used these sets of blueprints as part of my collection of references when I built my upgraded Ares-class U.S.S. Dakota model. There are some surface details on the saucer and engineering hulls that look like hatch covers.
https://www.cygnus-x1.net/links/lcars/excelsior-revised.php
https://www.cygnus-x1.net/links/lcars/uss-enterprise-ncc-1701-b.php
https://www.cygnus-x1.net/links/lcars/ksy-enterprise.php
As for the escape pod hatches? Yeah, I thnk you can see them on the Saratoga's saucer.
http://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/scans/christies/miranda-christies4.jpg
The blueprints labeled them as EVA hatches.
https://www.cygnus-x1.net/links/lcars/miranda-class-starship-uss-reliant-ncc-1864.php
IIRC that's where I got the idea. I just added numbers to the squares on my Dakota build.
https://i.imgur.com/d4y7R76.jpg
I'm sure Section 9 likes it too.
I focused the past few days on getting the shapes refined. The catamarans are pretty much final. I also took a stab at modeling the engineering hull to be similar to the Akira itself. I know the design looks a bit too advanced, but it does look a lot better than what I had before. I'll keep this for now while I work on other parts and see what I think. Any comments are welcome of course.
Frequent updates at our Discord channel!
I am sure there is a way to make that engineering up look a little more like TMP era.
I was thinking may be making the front end of it similar to what was done with the Excelsior or the Ent-B. It might work.
Those hatches on the Connie and Miranda are definitely access hatches. Kirk, Spock, McCoy and Decker exit the Enterprise through one to reach V'Ger in TMP.
Frequent updates at our Discord channel!
That really make it more of a TMP era and works really well much better than the original, which did not suit this era.
Frequent updates at our Discord channel!
It's all good, it's our ship.
I like that hull too, it fits the era just fine.
So Now Worries, I still look forward to seeing what you do to that Engineering hull with the details to bring it in line with the Movie Era.
I also like the green panels and the 'stripes' around the 'pontoons', they all help give it mass.
Good choice on the secondary hull mod.
Frequent updates at our Discord channel!
I could do it in theory.The upper bay can go all the way to the front, no problem. I'll think about it. I haven't actually settled down on how the internals will look like. This is more of a proof of concept.
Here's a cool shot that I took without any external lights:
Frequent updates at our Discord channel!
I always thought the through-deck concept made sense, as the Akira was a fighting ship. Shuttles could be launched quickly out of the front, but landing and retrieval takes longer, so you have the catamarans protecting the shuttle. I'm just not sure of the role of your ship in the fleet, or if you've even decided on one.
The original idea is to be a test bed for new technologies, specifically for the Excelsior and Excelsior refit so maybe the deck through won't be a good idea. It would also kill my plans for a proper carrier ship.
For now, I finished the saucer top. It was already pretty close anyway. Just added the phasers. I also spent a few hours setting up the substance file for the project. Doing the textures will be a breeze now. Top is already done. I'll do bottom next and also create the decals for those.
Frequent updates at our Discord channel!
BTW, saucer bottom is done:
Frequent updates at our Discord channel!
Do you have plans to install a Hanger Control room on the back?
I know the original had it just above the rear hanger, but seeing as you have two. It might be best to put it onto the rim of the source so they can keep an eye on both.