So, I guess it's time to post this. I recently got back to watching TNG again, and it made me open 3ds max again, after a really long time, to play a bit. Seeing all the current work being done here by Tobias, IRML and others, I started to fool around with my old Akira mesh, and I thought it would be a good idea to try and bring it a to a better standard.
Back when I built the first (I started 2003 and finished in 2007!) I didn't have a lot of experience, and computing power wasn't so great, so I settled for a lower poly mesh with most of it textured. I tried changing the original mesh, but it was pretty clear that I wouldn't be able to use most of it. So I started blocking in the shapes again, and I think it's in a good spot to post here to see what you guys think. I have been focusing mostly on the nacelles and catamarans for now, as those are the hardest pieces to build. The nacelle is almost done, and the catamarans need a little bit more work on the shape to get it done. After that I can go into the other parts.
If anybody is interested, there are no booleans so far and the only texture is the light panel map I put into the reflection slot of the material for the hull. The idea is to build a highly detailed Akira model, while keeping it as close as possible to the original model done by ILM. The pieces that I can't make out from the CGI mesh, I'll take from the original concept art.
Sorry for the long post
I'm not yet on the level of some of the other guys here, but if there's anything you guys wanna ask, go ahead
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@SnowCrash: I'm using MentalRay. I wanted to test using MR materials as well for this build. Sometimes the standard materials frustrate me a little bit. This way I could easily setup a metallic material that worked right out of the box
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If when I go back to round out mine after the ship is finished. I thinking of giving the bussard more of post FC look. but we will see.
Those Cat's are looking spot on and put mine to shame. Somthing else that needs correcting one mine.
Good to see you around again Diogo.
Yes, your deviation from the original naceles looks VERY good. IAâm anxiouslly waiting to see what you have planned for the other bits. :thumb:
Hopefully I can get back to it soon.
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Get well soon bud.................glad to see you back
ROFL, thanks I'll be back in not time
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Get well soon and get back to work. You may not be at the same level as the top players, but you're already light years ahead of us little leaguers.
Solution: code an AI to model for you! Seriously though, hope you feel better, this ship is looking awesome!
I'll probably have something new to show on this over the next few days
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Now lets see an update.
:thumb:
So, got back to this project. Let's see how far I can go this time :thumb: For those wondering, I dropped the previous work and started it all over again with Nurbs. Poly modelling is a great tool, and I applaud the people that have the time and patience to go through with it. But I just don't have the time. Still, I don't want to drop the hobby, so Nurbs is a good substitute. It allows me to work a lot faster and spend zero time cleaning stuff up.
Here I have a start on the nacelle and the weapon pod. Still some details to go on both, but I'm pleased with it so far.
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with the rear trops on the weapons pod, are you going to go with the original desgin or make them face rear like I did.
So, you come back... Are you tired of seeing the Flamengo (or Vasco?) lose the games? Just kidding!
Well it looks dammed good my friend! I need to find a freetime and play with modelling again too.
I think I'll go with the original design. I'm following Alex Yeager CGI model and the original design sketches as closely as possible, with only a few minor alterations. Namely, the bussards and probably the deflector dish region that I'm not very fond of in the CG model.
Yes, I'm using Solidworks. My business partner has been bugging me to try it for well over a year now, and last week I decided to give it a shot. The results have been very encouraging.
Hey Cassio Although I don't really follow soccer, you can never get tired of seeing those teams losing And thanks
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I take it your going to put some grebles behind it to give off the blue glow?
I've never fiddled with Nurbs before. TrueSpace had that, but I never used it. So, I haven't even bothered seeing if Lightwave has Nurbs.
Not sure yet. I wanted to model it to give me the option. But I think I'll just fake the glow using maps. If I have the patience after the rest of the ship is done, I might come back and model the internals of the nacelle.
Thanks I'm not sure how the tools for Nurbs are in other software either. I know that in 3ds max they are pretty horrible, hence why I went with another package altogether. That said, 3ds max 2014 imports directly from Solidworks, so I'll go back to it later for materials and rendering.
BTW, finished the nacelle. Can go back to other parts of the ship. I actually think the Nacelle was the worst piece, just because it has some really weird details. The rest should be more straight foreward
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The biggest issue I had with the ship was the Cat's, they where a right pain to model and they still have issues.