I did not find a better way to enhance my bump maps than to crank up the texture resolution or to model them.
While writing this, the cue 'vector based images' came to my mind. Maybe it's worth to evaluate (?)
I concur with Evil Genius...even with the four emitters I think it's a good hardpoint and makes sense to have backups even if they couldn't fire both pairs simultaneously.
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Also the Ring lighting is reminesiant of the original Excelsior's lower dome lighting...
Or up it to four. Maybe she alternates banks. Fires one while the other recharges.
I'm fairly certain that is seen in the episode Balance of Terror. Kirk orders a specific numbered set of phaser banks to fire, followed by a different numbered set. The alternation of phaser banks suggests a recharge time, or at least an attempt to avoid overheating.
I guess that's what I was trying to say in Post #271. You just found the more striking words. But I also have to say that to myself all the time. It's really hard not to get frustrated if you see all the pros around here who are continually bumping out awesome work. So don't worry, you are showing great work here and if it's done it will be done.
I can't give you any advice for bump maps 'cause I haven't come to the point yet where I have to use them.
But maybe this helps. (In case you don't know that already)
unfortunately he hasn't a sepecific bump map tutorial but he is speaking frequently about bump mapping in several of his videos. And he is making really good tutorials, so it can't harm to watch them. As I said, if you havn't allready.
I remember that post. Good advice then, good advice now!
As far as the tutorial, I'l have to watch that again to see if he has some ideas in there.
If you quit starting over, you may actually finish.
Having said that, I really like the dome. Though, I'd flip it and put it under the saucer. Here's one reason: in TOS, we saw the phasers coming from that general vicinity in more than one episode. These things look like they'd make great phaser emitters:
They're roughly phaser shaped and you have several of them arranged in a circle. Plus, they have grooves in which they can move and reposition themselves to fire. Based on the dialog from several episodes, we know the Enterprise was supposed to have several phaser emitters, so these fit the bill quite nicely, in my opinion.
Evil's got a point. Those would make for lovely phaser banks ... just drop 'em from three per slot to two (since we never see The Old Lady fire more than two at a time).
I concur with Evil Genius...even with the four emitters I think it's a good hardpoint and makes sense to have backups even if they couldn't fire both pairs simultaneously.
---
Also the Ring lighting is reminesiant of the original Excelsior's lower dome lighting...
I'm fairly certain that is seen in the episode Balance of Terror. Kirk orders a specific numbered set of phaser banks to fire, followed by a different numbered set. The alternation of phaser banks suggests a recharge time, or at least an attempt to avoid overheating.
With the phaser banks, I'll be placing them more like there are placed on the refit, as that configuration makes a lot more sense to me. Creating four emitters on each bank instead of two is a good idea, I think I'll go with it!
I did not find a better way to enhance my bump maps than to crank up the texture resolution or to model them.
While writing this, the cue 'vector based images' came to my mind. Maybe it's worth to evaluate (?)
I tried one format of vector image, but it didn't work. I still want to explore that option further with other formats. If I figure something out, I'll let you know, because it would be very helpful to a lot of people.
With regards to the number of emitters, also consider what the beam would look like. The four emitters would make sense for a cool down time with a continuous beam, with two emitters like on the refit, the beams are no more like pulses, possibly negating the recharge/cool down time a bit.
At long last, I'm back working on this project! I decided to start with the nacelles this time, since I kept getting stuck on the saucer. Here is a rough draft of the nacelle mesh. I after I finish this, I will retopologize this to add some subtle grid lines and other small details. My goal is to keep the hull smooth, with selective detail. This means I'll keep details in concentrated areas, similar to the refit. I apologize for the fuzziness, I didn't want to do full renders on these WIP images.
I think you should change it all because you are making us look bad!
Awesome work Hunter. I like how the pylons have a bit of TOS and TMP mixed together along with your own design touches. Your attention to detail is excellent.
Hmm, I'm getting the vibe that I'm on the right track.
Here are some updates:
I cut the thrusters into the mesh, as opposed to having them stick out, which I think looks better now. I'm now trying to figure out a material for the bussard dome. Here's what I got:
However, I want to figure out how to get the bussard details to show through the dome. There not much point to them if you can't see them. If not, oh well.
I'd recommend a straight 50/50 mix of a Glass and a Transparent shader for your dome. Maybe throw in a mix with a Translucent for added filtration, but Glass+Transparent tends to look pretty nice.
Posts
While writing this, the cue 'vector based images' came to my mind. Maybe it's worth to evaluate (?)
---
Also the Ring lighting is reminesiant of the original Excelsior's lower dome lighting...
I'm fairly certain that is seen in the episode Balance of Terror. Kirk orders a specific numbered set of phaser banks to fire, followed by a different numbered set. The alternation of phaser banks suggests a recharge time, or at least an attempt to avoid overheating.
I remember that post. Good advice then, good advice now!
As far as the tutorial, I'l have to watch that again to see if he has some ideas in there.
With the phaser banks, I'll be placing them more like there are placed on the refit, as that configuration makes a lot more sense to me. Creating four emitters on each bank instead of two is a good idea, I think I'll go with it!
I tried one format of vector image, but it didn't work. I still want to explore that option further with other formats. If I figure something out, I'll let you know, because it would be very helpful to a lot of people.
With regards to the number of emitters, also consider what the beam would look like. The four emitters would make sense for a cool down time with a continuous beam, with two emitters like on the refit, the beams are no more like pulses, possibly negating the recharge/cool down time a bit.
And the bussard details:
Books: [ Ashes of Alour-Tan | Embers of Alour-Tan ] | Blender Tutorials | Blog
You have to ask a moderator or admin to do it.
I'll have to message a moderator to get that fixed then.
Books: [ Ashes of Alour-Tan | Embers of Alour-Tan ] | Blender Tutorials | Blog
:thumb:
I finished up the detail on the nacelle and moved on to the pylon. If you see anything you think I should change so far, speak now!
I think you should keep going with what looks good to you, because you're doing a friggin' fantastic job so far. :thumb:
Seconded.
Awesome work Hunter. I like how the pylons have a bit of TOS and TMP mixed together along with your own design touches. Your attention to detail is excellent.
Books: [ Ashes of Alour-Tan | Embers of Alour-Tan ] | Blender Tutorials | Blog
Here are some updates:
I cut the thrusters into the mesh, as opposed to having them stick out, which I think looks better now. I'm now trying to figure out a material for the bussard dome. Here's what I got:
However, I want to figure out how to get the bussard details to show through the dome. There not much point to them if you can't see them. If not, oh well.
I'd recommend a straight 50/50 mix of a Glass and a Transparent shader for your dome. Maybe throw in a mix with a Translucent for added filtration, but Glass+Transparent tends to look pretty nice.
Books: [ Ashes of Alour-Tan | Embers of Alour-Tan ] | Blender Tutorials | Blog