Well, Summer is getting on and Fall is coming. My wife is going back to work, and my son is getting ready to go back to school. To me all that means one thing: time to get back to my favorite hobby. This season my first project is going to be the Defiant Class. I figure she should be a good warm up and not prove too difficult as far as the basic build goes.
I'm a huge fan of the Defiant class. I was unsure how I felt about her at first, but her style really won me over in the end. I'm getting near the end of the rough modeling. I know there's quite a few fans of this class, so feel free to point out any problems you see.
Thanks, evil genius 180. Glad you're still here on the boards doing your thing...
The build seems to be going very well. I'm comparing several different diagrams and cgi models I found online, but that's mostly for the proportions. I'm using studio model photographs for the detailing. For her length, I went with 120 meters, which was the best, most convincing number I could find online. (There is a LOT of mixed messages out there concerning her length.)
Not much else to say here, as the build seems to be proceeding without much difficulty.
Yeah, DS9 has a LOT of scaling issues, as they had a mix of studio models and CGI and nobody could seem to make anything consistent. However, 120m is definitely a good length for this ship. If I remember correctly, the decks fit nicely at that length.
Looking really good. You seem to have the deflector shape right, but something about the nose in those top views looks off. A little broad and flat, maybe.
Looking really good. You seem to have the deflector shape right, but something about the nose in those top views looks off. A little broad and flat, maybe.
Yeah, you are definitely right. I'm missing a crucial taper or two up on the top of the nose, and where the nose connects with the rest of the hull. Good catch. I'll try to work it out.
For my purposes, I find it takes my computer too long to work in cycles. I like the results better, but I just don;t have the computer time needed. I sometimes make another version of my models, using cycles, to use for still shots.
I'm running Blender on a HP Pavilion laptop I bought in 2013, 4 threads, all CPU, and I've recently found the good values for sampling and light clamping that will let me render good results in less than an hour. Cycles was very frustrating when I first started using it because I wasn't sure what to adjust to get the results I wanted. It's a trial and error process.
I'm running Blender on a HP Pavilion laptop I bought in 2013, 4 threads, all CPU, and I've recently found the good values for sampling and light clamping that will let me render good results in less than an hour. Cycles was very frustrating when I first started using it because I wasn't sure what to adjust to get the results I wanted. It's a trial and error process.
Yeah, I definitely had a similar experience with it. I really like the way the results look, but it's such a time sink. For the general goofing off I'm doing it seems like overkill. But if I ever get better at this I may take Cycles more seriously.
Latest pics. I think I sorted out the deflector snout pretty well. These colors are temporary; I'm just laying out all the panel shapes. Still have a lot of details to model, too. But nonetheless, she's going pretty fast...
Looks like you've got that nose down. Great work so far.
You've probably found these, but just in case you haven't, here's a link to some hi-rez pictures of the studio model. http://www.modelermagic.com/?p=9903
Which raises an interesting question, are you going to model or texture the deflector detail?
Looks like you've got that nose down. Great work so far.
You've probably found these, but just in case you haven't, here's a link to some hi-rez pictures of the studio model. http://www.modelermagic.com/?p=9903
Which raises an interesting question, are you going to model or texture the deflector detail?
Vortex, those are the very pics I'm working off of for all the details and greebles and such. Great pics, so lucky to have them.
I will probably model all the little details I can. I like physically modeling stuff and dislike messing with textures very much. The Deflector will most likely be all modeled details.
Here's a quick update shot. Starting to mess with the panel lines/deflector grid.
Great stuff. Will you be modelling the insides of the nacelle housings like the physical model had?
Yes, that is my intention. The blue material behind the screen will be transparent and we will see the interior greebles within the nacelles. I'm not a big fan of those particular greebles, however. I always thought the interior space looked sorta weirdly empty. Part of me wants to see if I can come up with something better. But then creating greebles from scratch has never been my strong suit.
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The build seems to be going very well. I'm comparing several different diagrams and cgi models I found online, but that's mostly for the proportions. I'm using studio model photographs for the detailing. For her length, I went with 120 meters, which was the best, most convincing number I could find online. (There is a LOT of mixed messages out there concerning her length.)
Not much else to say here, as the build seems to be proceeding without much difficulty.
Yeah, DS9 has a LOT of scaling issues, as they had a mix of studio models and CGI and nobody could seem to make anything consistent. However, 120m is definitely a good length for this ship. If I remember correctly, the decks fit nicely at that length.
Yeah, you are definitely right. I'm missing a crucial taper or two up on the top of the nose, and where the nose connects with the rest of the hull. Good catch. I'll try to work it out.
For my purposes, I find it takes my computer too long to work in cycles. I like the results better, but I just don;t have the computer time needed. I sometimes make another version of my models, using cycles, to use for still shots.
Yeah, I definitely had a similar experience with it. I really like the way the results look, but it's such a time sink. For the general goofing off I'm doing it seems like overkill. But if I ever get better at this I may take Cycles more seriously.
You've probably found these, but just in case you haven't, here's a link to some hi-rez pictures of the studio model.
http://www.modelermagic.com/?p=9903
Which raises an interesting question, are you going to model or texture the deflector detail?
Thanks, Evil!
Vortex, those are the very pics I'm working off of for all the details and greebles and such. Great pics, so lucky to have them.
I will probably model all the little details I can. I like physically modeling stuff and dislike messing with textures very much. The Deflector will most likely be all modeled details.
Here's a quick update shot. Starting to mess with the panel lines/deflector grid.
Still have some physical details to add to the underside and the entire aft section.
The lines underneath the deflector "snout" are too wide. They will have to be re-done.
She's still got bare shoulders.
Not far to go for this angle.
Basic Modeling for the deflector seems under control.
Yes, that is my intention. The blue material behind the screen will be transparent and we will see the interior greebles within the nacelles. I'm not a big fan of those particular greebles, however. I always thought the interior space looked sorta weirdly empty. Part of me wants to see if I can come up with something better. But then creating greebles from scratch has never been my strong suit.
Yeah, I guess I am now. I looked at a few tutorials and figured out some stuff... it's definitely time to get on board. Way past time in fact.
For your viewing pleasure, My defiant model rendered in Blender Cycles:
Can't even believe the difference cycles makes.
She's maybe about 80-85% done. Not too much longer now...
Trying to learn cycles is going to slow me down a bit, but it's definitely worth it.
Time to finish the modeling up...
I produced two different Registries for her. Not sure I like the name Audacious any more. Maybe a bit too cute?
I thinks she's about done. Just need to let her sit a while. Then I'll clean the mesh and produce the orths. She was a fun ship to build....
Between the two I actually prefer Audacious, but both are cool.