Quick update: The modelling has been pretty much finalized, and I've uvw unwrapped most of it. I'm starting to create bump maps to outline where the hull panel diffuse maps will go. I've also downloaded a program called CrazyBump which creates Normal maps from a standard bump map, something I haven't tried on the previous ships I've made.
I like this design very much, and this is coming from someone who overall dislikes the Danube-Class. This has far better proportions.
Thanks Santaman. If you're getting blingy space limousine vibes from it then the design is doing its job. Thanks. I'm glad the Danube class DNA is still coming through. I personally quite like the Danube as I have a soft spot for utilitarian looking things, but keeping all of the Danube's blocky proportions wouldn't really work for this ship. Edit: I've also been continuing to play around with procedural displacement and getting to grips with Corona's volume material, which I'm sure will have lots of uses when I create some environments for this ships. Right now I'm concentrating on experimenting with ground textures and surface fog:
Minibar? Sure! I definitely draw the line at stripper poles though; how unbecoming! These Federation politicians are a very respectable sort, don't you know!?
Gee..that’s heck of an expanse of super canyons that makes the Grand Canyon look like a patch of frost heaves...
Cynical? What would you expect when you have Romulan and Vulcan intelligence officers working together, covertly, to undermine the Federation?
I've been rethinking the texturing, going for more of a two-tone look rather than the standard starfleet grey:
It's things like this yacht that's the reason the people of the Federation don't have any money. Loved them in Babylon Five.
All kidding aside, I think having some sort of small craft that senior UFP types could use, makes sense. I recently read a book on FDR's Hyde Park residence, which he used to host visiting dignitaries. It was a useful place when you need to talk one-on-one, away from the hubbub of DC. Likewise, I like the idea of having a ship that can take a few laps around Saturn whilst diplomats talk over the issues of the day without every admiral's uncle wanting their say.
So I guess it is like an armored limo that drives diplomats and the like around quick, safe and efficiently, guess she must be having big engines, armor and hidden weaponary.
I guess I'm in the minority on this, but I prefer the uni-tone, three square windows version, because it fits more with the DS9 era of ships and because I love the runabout design so much. Even so, this is another beautifully designed model you got there, @SCE2Aux!