Hi there,
I started modelling this nice ship here in Blender (thx to Galen82 for the schematics):
Legacy_Class_Poster_sample_by_Galen82.jpg
This is what I have done so far:
first_render.png
Not really much I know
I have little experience in 3D modelling, but mostly interior stuff. So I am stuck at the hull section of the ship. I tried some different things, like doing a box and then loop cut it and so on. But I dont get the front of the hull section right. Has anyone a tip for me how I should try it?
Regards,
CLEMARC
Posts
I have a bunch of tutorials, Blender-specific, about how to tackle common starship modeling techniques here. Perhaps that will offer some insight?
Books: [ Ashes of Alour-Tan | Embers of Alour-Tan ] | Blender Tutorials | Blog
I'm talking about this area (green), especially the red part:
Legacy_Class_Poster_sample_by_Galen82_marked.jpg
From there, it's a matter of cutting in new edgeloops to reflow the shape topology so that it follows the contour lines of the hull. This gets trickier as the shape undergoes more complex curvature. If your hull and saucer section are seamless (as they appear to be in the reference image), then you'll face challenges trying to gracefully marry the basically-a-cylinder shape of the secondary hull to the saucer section. Pretty much everyone modeling an integrated hull like this faces those challenges, so you're not alone.
I wouldn't worry too much about that linear grille bit inset into the neck. My Ambassador had the same sort of thing and as you can see from the subdivision tutorial, the actual hull mesh only has the inset area; the grille piece is separate and added later.
Take a look at some of the discussion in Polaris004's Galaxy-class thread for an idea of how these contours can be dealt with.
Books: [ Ashes of Alour-Tan | Embers of Alour-Tan ] | Blender Tutorials | Blog
I'm surprised that schematic sheet you're using doesn't include a top-down view. That would be really helpful.
Yes its a a big problem for me some times when I think "uh it looks like... it has to be bad"
http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs44/i/2009/122/3/1/Legacy_Class_Mk_2_Blueprint_2_by_Galen82.jpg
My Thoughts
The design is a modern confluence of eras/
-Deflection crystals and Neck-TMP,
-Sovereign cues in the lower deck detail, Nacelle (nose on view), Secondary Hull (Nose on view)
-DJ Curtis design clues from the darker trim rounding the saucer and the angled contours of the saucer's edge
Tech:
The ship should be capable of fairly high warp. The Long Nacelles provide plenty of Negative Energy at the rear of the ship and allow for maneuvering at warp. The Saucer is very streamlined except for the front edge indentions which will limit it's top speed from structural integrity concerns. With a sovereign class Hex-Core I could see Warp 9.6 Sustained/ Warp 9.91 Dash Speed.
-The placement of the impulse engines centerlined would make the ship as cumbersome as the Galaxy at warp.
-It seems to sport 3 deflector with one facing aft
-16 phaser arrays
-2 Forward photon tubes/2 aft photon tubes
-1 Forward Quantum tube
There is no separation plane for this ship but there is a dual shuttle bay.
I'm often a critic of design that ad features like this for no apparent reason. Explorers don't need heavy flight operation. One egress and entrance is truely enough as flight operations can potentially jeopardize ship operations.
The phaser design is a welcome upgrade from the ridge array. (at least on the artist final product)
http://galen82.deviantart.com/art/Legacy-Mk-2-3d-Model-Plan-View-138714364
The placement of the phasers creates the standard Sovereign/Constitution blind spots aft with no coverage for the nacelles.
The Hull is moderate on windows but seems lightly armored, modular yet conformal in body in a fairly ridged structure. The pylons do look small but the nacelles aren't too massive.
Conclusion
It's design conscious and not over powered. It fits it's role moderately with the 3 deflectors and limited armament. It remains somewhat modular with the nacelles and I don't see superfluous styling like Sovereign's arrows and arrow-heads around the lower and superstructure. Artistically it appears forward modern and largely pleasantly familiar.
I started with a cylinder now and a first quick test worked out really well. Now I will try it with more patience and I will show you the result
screen1.PNG
screen2.PNG
I had to flatten the bottom of the hull, now the cut out of the deflector should work. Thx to McC, the curve tool that you recommended helped me a lot.
screen3.jpg
screen4.jpg
screen5.jpg
That happens a lot. What I usually do is just make it line up with one view and get as close to the others as possible.
Should I do the marked part (the shuttle bay / red marked part in the picture below) before I apply the subdivision modifier or cut it in afterwards?
USS_Cadence_Dorsal_View_by_Galen82_marked.jpg
Books: [ Ashes of Alour-Tan | Embers of Alour-Tan ] | Blender Tutorials | Blog
I finally managed to get this shuttle bay done. I think I have to tweak some parts later, but it looks good for now. The lightning in my scene is crap so sorry for the weird shadows.
render_01.png
WIP_01.jpg
I have to fix some areas, but now I'm happy with the result.
WIP_02.png
From what I can see, it looks good so far.
I focused on the upper hull a bit. Here is the result:
WIP_03.png
WIP_04.png
Now there are only the impuls engines and the warp nancelles left, then I can start with the detailing.