Absolutely love those impulse engines! The rear shuttlebay doors are great too.
I like how nothing on this ship reads as "delicate". I do love the organic lines of many star trek ships (i.e. Galaxy class). But all the details on this really make it feel like its assembled to get a job done, not just be looked at.
Thanks, I'm glad you're liking the way the ship is progressing. The ship is definitely not delicate, which I really like about the Ambassador type. And it's why, if you strip away all the additional detailing, the basic shapes mostly still follow the TNG filming model. IMHO, they really did a great job when they built that model, especially since they had limited time and budget on it.
It was a tech development sub, which matches the purpose of my ship, and is also a name that begins with 'A' which I wanted because it's similar to Ambassador.
I really love the amount of detail you're putting into this, yet the saucer still says "Ambassador class" to me.
Yeah, I think the ship was starting to get away from its origins just a little bit too much, so maintaining the light/dark quadrant pattern of the original ship was probably the right decision.
Bristling with power.
Those missile tubes on her spine?
Sorry, I think I missed this question earlier. My idea for that whole area is a sort of 'T-0 Umbilical Bay' where dry dock connections can transfer supplies, fuel, coolant, and an 'on-shore' power supply etc. The location, however, and the fact that it's a double row of protective covers, gave the impression of missile hatches. I've since added smaller additional umbilical connectors based on those I've seen on the Space Shuttle, in order to try and avoid the impression of missiles. But tbh, it still looks like a boomer submarine anyway.
I made some panel layout changes to the saucer, and I reckon upper surfaces are more or less complete now.
I had initially expected to stick very closely to the diagrams I drew at the start of this project, but there are some things that just didn't translate well into 3d. I found it interesting in retrospect what's been kept and what's changed. The proportions are still the way I initially intended though. The lesson here is that I probably need to get into developing concept art skills in order to better plan things.
Last thing to do is the underside of the saucer. I've made a start on the ring cutout here, and tidied up the saucer separation seams.
Pretty much finished with the Albacore modelling. I'm going to park this project for a bit - got to carve out some time to learn Substance Designer, which I hope I can utilise during the texturing of this model.
Posts
Edit - one extra image that better shows the alterations underway to the saucer superstructure:
I like how nothing on this ship reads as "delicate". I do love the organic lines of many star trek ships (i.e. Galaxy class). But all the details on this really make it feel like its assembled to get a job done, not just be looked at.
I still remember that cool UESPA ship you posted on my old Reliant thread - you've got talent, and plenty of it.
Those missile tubes on her spine?
Maybe USS Kelvin type pop-up turrets on the saucer to keep the level of detail up.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Albacore_(AGSS-569)
It was a tech development sub, which matches the purpose of my ship, and is also a name that begins with 'A' which I wanted because it's similar to Ambassador.
Very nice!
Yeah, I think the ship was starting to get away from its origins just a little bit too much, so maintaining the light/dark quadrant pattern of the original ship was probably the right decision.
Sorry, I think I missed this question earlier. My idea for that whole area is a sort of 'T-0 Umbilical Bay' where dry dock connections can transfer supplies, fuel, coolant, and an 'on-shore' power supply etc. The location, however, and the fact that it's a double row of protective covers, gave the impression of missile hatches. I've since added smaller additional umbilical connectors based on those I've seen on the Space Shuttle, in order to try and avoid the impression of missiles. But tbh, it still looks like a boomer submarine anyway.
I had initially expected to stick very closely to the diagrams I drew at the start of this project, but there are some things that just didn't translate well into 3d. I found it interesting in retrospect what's been kept and what's changed. The proportions are still the way I initially intended though. The lesson here is that I probably need to get into developing concept art skills in order to better plan things.
Last thing to do is the underside of the saucer. I've made a start on the ring cutout here, and tidied up the saucer separation seams.
It reminds me a bit of this concept here--with a great torpedo deck
https://www.facebook.com/startrekfancomic/photos/a.639008166280004.1073741833.428477803999709/657301607783993/?type=3&theater