mclea1mm - Intrepid Class

[mclea1mm]

Howdy all,

I wanted to open a thread to document my progress on an Intrepid class starship. Of course, I'm using Voyager heavily for reference.

Note that I'm not going for a 100% accurate reproduction, though I usually like to get as close as I can. Mostly I think it's a really interesting design, and I thought it would be fun to hone my skills with it.

My weapon of choice is 3D Studio Max. I'm doing a game asset workflow, so I'll be making a high poly model that will be used for texture baking. Those textures will then be applied to a low poly version of the same model.

For a little while there will be a very noticeable split down the middle, as I'm only working on one side and mirroring it.

Here are a few renders. Only a few hours into it so far.

http://bit.ly/SngdOp
http://bit.ly/QH5VpV
http://bit.ly/PVwmqh
http://bit.ly/PtVsu7
http://bit.ly/U9FOvn

Thanks for looking!

[Tiberius]

Looking good so far.

[mclea1mm]

Thanks! Here's some detail going in, mostly on the saucer.

http://bit.ly/VNiFNx

[Tiberius]

Are you going to make little rooms behind those windows?

[mclea1mm]

Interesting question - given that the end result is supposed to be a low-poly game asset, I don't expect it to hold up super well for close-ups. So it may not be worth the effort.

Still, for the larger, detailed windows, I think I'll probably experiment with that and see if I can get some rooms in there. The typical smaller windows won't have rooms, even though I've found it pretty impossible to lend them any impression of depth by just painting them. I think the key there will be to experiment with subtle variations in color, and in the amount of output in the glow map, for each window.

[USS Intrepid]

Looks great so far. One of my favourite ship designs.

[Albertese]

mclea1mm wrote:

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Interesting question - given that the end result is supposed to be a low-poly game asset, I don't expect it to hold up super well for close-ups. So it may not be worth the effort.

Still, for the larger, detailed windows, I think I'll probably experiment with that and see if I can get some rooms in there. The typical smaller windows won't have rooms, even though I've found it pretty impossible to lend them any impression of depth by just painting them. I think the key there will be to experiment with subtle variations in color, and in the amount of output in the glow map, for each window.

The original Voyager model, that is, the actual physical production miniature, was treated similarly. The larger square shaped windows had slides behind them of the sets taken from where the windows were on set. The slides were mounted about 1/4" (IIRC) behind the window glazing. But the other narrower windows were just lit white. The windows are the best give-away to if you're watching the physical model Voyager or the CGI Voyager as every window had something behind it on the CGI ship.

(Also, the windows on the stern of the ship are a dead give-away. They are dark on the practical ship as that was where the motor hardware was to raise and lower the nacelles, but lit on the CGI model, because, well, they could be.)

--Alex

[mclea1mm]

USS Intrepid wrote:

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Looks great so far. One of my favourite ship designs.

Thanks! The design is really pretty isn't it? Lots of nice, flowing lines. On this project I'm coming away with a greater appreciation for it, especially with all the little elements that carry through from other Federation designs.

Albertese wrote:

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The original Voyager model, that is, the actual physical production miniature, was treated similarly.

Excellent point... I don't think I knew that the filming model had those slides, and that's probably how I'll try it in 3D too, just a box behind the window with the appropriate texture.

[mclea1mm]

Here are some updated screens - mostly small details, but roughing out the shuttle bay and deflector areas too. Hoping to move on to pylons/engines soon, then do another detail pass. Also, because the model is reflected across the center, you can see two cutouts in the dorsal area of the hull, when there should only be one on the port side - that will eventually be fixed when I merge the two sides together.

http://bit.ly/RLRRJG

http://bit.ly/WpbUBI

http://bit.ly/WdjEIs

http://bit.ly/WdjIrI

[Bernard Guignard]

Coming along nicely keep up the good work

[Tiberius]

Agreed, that is going very well!

[Bell'Orso]

Excellent work so far, except for one small detail: There should only be one indentation above the rear torpedo launchers on the ship's spine, not two. Compare photos of the studio model here.

[Albertese]

^^^

I believe he already acknowledged that in post #9.

--Alex

[Bell'Orso]

OK, I feel stupid now. Should have actually read the whole post instead of just going for the pretty pictures. Sorry about that.

[mclea1mm]

@ Bell'Orso, still a good catch!

Making slower progress than I'd like, but here are the warp nacelles going in... never really feels like a starship until the nacelles are there!

http://bit.ly/QBDNBf