Modified TOS Ent - Wallpapers - Page 20

deg3D · January 8 2010, 06:13 PM

Yep, I ran into the same render crippling issue with my dome(s) effect with TOS.5 E in modo. It took upwards of an hour+ to render a close-up frame of the dome(s).

Once I got into LightWave with her come TOS.5.2 E, I totally redid the effect (more to my liking as well), but always made sure to figure out a way-less expensive method. Went from hour+ down to like 10 mins for the close-ups.

Best of success with that on your end, V.

deg

Vektor · January 10 2010, 06:32 AM

Well, after adjusting some material properties and fine-tuning a few settings, I got the render time on my quad-core rig down to under 6 minutes per frame. I can even do it with motion blur at less than 8 minutes per, but I'm foregoing that for the test animation. My dual-core system is considerably less powerful, taking upwards of 15 minutes per frame, but it still helps quite a bit in the long run. The third single-core system is out of loop at this point as it only has 32-bit WinXP and won't work with the 64-bit systems through Backburner.

I re-started the full 300-frame animation from scratch about 9 AM this morning and it's well over half way to completion. If all goes well, I should have a finished version ready to post by morning.

Praetor · January 10 2010, 05:19 PM

Hooray!

sojourner · January 10 2010, 05:26 PM

Hi Vektor,

I am curious, what software setup do you use to render? I believe you mentioned using Blender as you drawing program, but I wasn't aware it had that many internal rendering options?

Vektor · January 10 2010, 10:56 PM

Okay, without further ado, here is the first test animation for the nacelle domes:

Engine Powerup Test 01

This is a WMV file that everyone should be able to play, but let me know if there are problems and I'll try a different format.

deg3D · January 10 2010, 11:24 PM

Interesting. Not sure how I feel about it yet. Still, interesting.

For now, pretty sure E's dome vanes both spin inwards though (opposite direction).

deg

Professor Moriarty · January 10 2010, 11:39 PM

deg3D wrote:

Interesting. Not sure how I feel about it yet. Still, interesting.

For now, pretty sure E's dome vanes both spin inwards though (opposite direction).

deg

I think it's a great start (pun unintended). It's really hard to judge the overall concept in this early test run though (i.e., brightly-illuminated surroundings, not in space, none of the energy effects Vektor mentioned earlier, etc.). And after all, this is only the first trial run... it's only going to get better!

My only comment for now: Try rendering how it looks without the spike rotating.

btw, I am pretty sure I've seen clips from the original series effects where the vanes spun in the same direction and in opposition (both clockwise/counterclockwise and vice-versa). Star Trek had more than one effects house in Hollywood doing the visual effects, which is why the quality of the F/X and the appearance of the Enterprise herself varied so much onscreen. I think an argument could be made for just about ANYTHING based on those "canonical" inconsistencies... LOL!

Vektor · January 10 2010, 11:41 PM

It's a pretty rough animation and the effect is by no means final, including the direction of rotation, but at least it gives some idea of what it might look like.

Vektor · January 10 2010, 11:46 PM

Professor Moriarty wrote:

My only comment for now: Try rendering how it looks without the spike rotating.

Actually, the spike isn't rotating. I used interpolated reflections on the metal material to speed up the rendering a bit and it creates artifacts as the POV changes. Interpolation can work quite well for still images but is generally bad for animation.

Professor Moriarty · January 10 2010, 11:58 PM

Ah! I stand corrected and look forward to the next iteration. Modeling-wise I think you've nailed this... I can't wait to see what you come up with for the energy effects!

Praetor · January 11 2010, 12:09 AM

I have to say, I like it. It's different, but I like it.

AudioBridge · January 11 2010, 02:53 AM

Vektor wrote:

Okay, without further ado, here is the first test animation for the nacelle domes:

Engine Powerup Test 01

This is a WMV file that everyone should be able to play, but let me know if there are problems and I'll try a different format.

I see what you're going for and it works.

Very nice. I echo the suggestion that the blades should spin towards the ship. I'll also add two things: the glowing elements behind the blades need to get brighter and be less pink.

TrekkieMonster · January 11 2010, 03:27 PM

Praetor wrote:

I have to say, I like it. It's different, but I like it.

Ditto.

Professor Moriarty wrote:

.... I can't wait to see what you come up with for the energy effects!

and ditto again.

Tosk · January 11 2010, 03:55 PM

I love this thread. That is all.

Kaiser · January 11 2010, 04:55 PM

Vektor wrote:

Okay, without further ado, here is the first test animation for the nacelle domes:

Engine Powerup Test 01

This is a WMV file that everyone should be able to play, but let me know if there are problems and I'll try a different format.

very cool video

January 8 2010, 06:13 PM	#286
deg3D Commander Location: Hollywood, CA	Re: Modified TOS Ent - Wallpapers Yep, I ran into the same render crippling issue with my dome(s) effect with TOS.5 E in modo. It took upwards of an hour+ to render a close-up frame of the dome(s). Once I got into LightWave with her come TOS.5.2 E, I totally redid the effect (more to my liking as well), but always made sure to figure out a way-less expensive method. Went from hour+ down to like 10 mins for the close-ups. Best of success with that on your end, V. deg __________________ VFX artist/creature/hardware modeler Universal Studios Defiance http://deg3D.biz

January 10 2010, 06:32 AM	#287
Vektor Rear Admiral Location: Spokane, WA, USA	Re: Modified TOS Ent - Wallpapers Well, after adjusting some material properties and fine-tuning a few settings, I got the render time on my quad-core rig down to under 6 minutes per frame. I can even do it with motion blur at less than 8 minutes per, but I'm foregoing that for the test animation. My dual-core system is considerably less powerful, taking upwards of 15 minutes per frame, but it still helps quite a bit in the long run. The third single-core system is out of loop at this point as it only has 32-bit WinXP and won't work with the 64-bit systems through Backburner. I re-started the full 300-frame animation from scratch about 9 AM this morning and it's well over half way to completion. If all goes well, I should have a finished version ready to post by morning. __________________ www.vektorvisual.com

January 10 2010, 05:19 PM	#288
Praetor Vice Admiral Location: Totally different head. Totally.	Re: Modified TOS Ent - Wallpapers Hooray! __________________ "Dude, put the blasty thing down, and have a toke on this baby." - 420 Kirk.

January 10 2010, 05:26 PM	#289
sojourner Vice Admiral Location: I'm at WKRP	Re: Modified TOS Ent - Wallpapers Hi Vektor, I am curious, what software setup do you use to render? I believe you mentioned using Blender as you drawing program, but I wasn't aware it had that many internal rendering options? __________________ Baby, you and me were never meant to be, just maybe think of me once in a while...

January 10 2010, 10:56 PM	#290
Vektor Rear Admiral Location: Spokane, WA, USA	Re: Modified TOS Ent - Wallpapers Okay, without further ado, here is the first test animation for the nacelle domes: Engine Powerup Test 01 This is a WMV file that everyone should be able to play, but let me know if there are problems and I'll try a different format. __________________ www.vektorvisual.com

STAR TREK

CSI

ABOUT US

January 10 2010, 11:24 PM	#291
deg3D Commander Location: Hollywood, CA	Re: Modified TOS Ent - Wallpapers Interesting. Not sure how I feel about it yet. Still, interesting. For now, pretty sure E's dome vanes both spin inwards though (opposite direction). deg __________________ VFX artist/creature/hardware modeler Universal Studios Defiance http://deg3D.biz

January 10 2010, 11:41 PM	#293
Vektor Rear Admiral Location: Spokane, WA, USA	Re: Modified TOS Ent - Wallpapers It's a pretty rough animation and the effect is by no means final, including the direction of rotation, but at least it gives some idea of what it might look like. __________________ www.vektorvisual.com

January 10 2010, 11:58 PM	#295
Professor Moriarty Vice Admiral Location: Drifting in interspace	Re: Modified TOS Ent - Wallpapers Ah! I stand corrected and look forward to the next iteration. Modeling-wise I think you've nailed this... I can't wait to see what you come up with for the energy effects!

January 11 2010, 12:09 AM	#296
Praetor Vice Admiral Location: Totally different head. Totally.	Re: Modified TOS Ent - Wallpapers I have to say, I like it. It's different, but I like it. __________________ "Dude, put the blasty thing down, and have a toke on this baby." - 420 Kirk.

January 11 2010, 03:55 PM	#299
Tosk Rear Admiral Location: On the run.	Re: Modified TOS Ent - Wallpapers I love this thread. That is all.