I'm enjoying this in a big way. I'm in a rush just now, so that's all. But I hope to have time to elaborate tomorrow... --Alex
Definitely has that bomber feel to it but I can also see it as a carrier/dreadnaught. Very cool design. I think I much prefer this to the 3 nacelled versions we usually see
Woah, I couldn't really tell where you were going just from the nacelle and pylon shots, wasn't really expecting that. Looks a bit Romulan in layout. Very interesting.
All right, I really like this. The forms are familiar without being just copied from any existing ship. The idea of the twin engines per nacelle is cool, and I like the visible coils. Normally I don't care for that feature in a TOS era ship, but somehow it works on this one. I recall years ago hearing speculation that this was how the E-D engines were; two sets of machinery per nacelle. It's fun to see that idea in practice. I also like how you carried the shape of the cylinder for the hanger structures. The echoed shapes really tie the whole thing together. And I love the little shuttlecraft visible there. Should I imagine a central hangar, too? Something more for just administrative craft? If there's anything I am not thrilled with it's the sail structure dorsal aft. I like it in concept, but as it is, it strikes me as too related to the sail on the DY-100. I think if it were squatter/shorter/wider, it would work better visually. Just my opinion. Overall, this thing makes me think of those funky old flying wing designs that never really got off the ground. I'm not sure why, as it certainly isn't one of those at all, but somehow that's what it invokes. Anyhow, I can't wait to see this finished up. It's looking great so far! --Alex
Well, the flying wing vibe is what I was going for with this. Initially I envisioned this as a carrier which would be completely prepped for landfall, up to the point that the nacelles would feature atmospheric machinery to make flying in an M-class atmosphere more easy and care free than what was the case up until now; alas, that idea is gone. There is a central hangar, yeah, but indeed only for administrative craft. You won't find more than two shuttlecraft in there. The sail is a thing, yeah. For the overall silhouette it works wonders, but I get what your problems are with it. For now it's there to stay though, I don't quite know what else to do with it. Here's a new render with the aft, while also showing the deflector pods. I had hoped this would work without extra editing, but it looks like the addition of that endcap while still having a complete structure underneath messes up the flow. Time for a change alright!
From the front it looks kind of Romulan? Yeah the more I look the more Rom bird of prey vibe I get. http://www.studiohowell.com/blogimages/trek/Romulan_BOP_JL_02.jpg The front of saucer shape, the 'tail fin' and the wings are all give me the Rom feel.
I'm really digging this. Love the design and the look does scream TOS starship. Yeah but originally the Romulans were supposed to have aped technology from the Federation. It's where the whole conspiracy theory about a Romulan agent on board the Enterprise in Balance of Terror came from. The Romulan ship was supposed to have Starfleet tech in it, hence the similar nacelles and saucer hull. The scenes either didn't get filmed off the script or ended up on the cutting room floor.
...Currently... Not. Sorry, but bits of the design seem to be Fed TOS, other bits Rom TOS and some bits JJ-verse. Maybe once finished and detailed it will gel better with me (and to be fair it does usually take a bit of time for a ship to click with me) but as is nope.
To each his own, I suppose Perhaps it's residual images in my head that influenced the shape, because the last time I saw the TOS BoP before clicking that link was... a long time ago. But I have to agree that there are certain similarities there, without me doing that on purpose. That tail fin in particular has me scratching my head because of how much they look alike... Anyway, I shot the bottom as well after going to bed last night. So main things to do include cleanup of unwanted errors, some windows, the deflector dishes and a splash of color. Are we allowed to name the ship with the existing TOS font or is that off-limits as well?
Tested the elevator setup. This connects the lower and upper flightdecks to each other, when not in use it is covered by a blastdoor; you can just see the edges of it on the far left. I also noticed that the warninglights use the same color as the deck, so that has to change.
Ah, there we go. Adding the windows did make for a more interesting picture, as do the phaserbanks. Around the bridge are four additional phaser to protect it, but currently those are the only ones facing up; the rest faces aft or front. I actually like how clean that leaves the saucer, but it's impractical AF. The new Fleet Ops disc works like a charm, breaking up the ugliness of the sail in a great way. But I will need to find a spot for my two torpedo launchers. ONLY TWO!? Yes, only two: one facing front, one facing aft. The current configuration's phasers are there to assist the fighters in kicking butt, torpedo warfare is relegated to accompanying ships. I'm really digging my non-round deflector dishes :3
Fantastic design... and the "Futurama" fan in me thoroughly enjoys that the core of the ship is essentially the Nimbus.