U.S.S. Gemini 3D WIP Thread

[BolianAuthor]

Well, I figured I'd go ahead and post this here, for those who may be interested. One of my many side projects is a TOS-era Star Trek fanfic called ST: Gemini, which I am still developing stories for. Anyway, this has been on the back burner for a LONG time, until Melak from Sci Fi Meshes contacted me, and expressed interest in modeling the Gemini in 3D. How could I say no to that?

The Gemini is a Surya-Class ship... based on the version that our very own Vance did so nicely. The artist is also referencing the Blender model that Tallguy built, of the Surya-Class, a while back. So... here is where I'll be posting the WIP images that I get. Please feel free to comment, question, or anything else, so long as it's friendly in nature.

Again, this ship is being modeled by Melak, not me... I am merely posting his WIP images here, so you can track the build of this ship.

Schematic by: Vance

Model by: Melak

Model by: Melak

More to follow soon!

- BolianAdmiral

 

[TOS Purist]

I'm also working with BA on this project, making sure it stays true to TOS!

Warped9, if you're willing, we'd love to have you along on the project, too. The more TOS purists around, the better!

 

[backstept]

I've got a crit on the orthos . . . the nacelle pylon's trailing edge should be visible in the dorsal view

 

[BolianAuthor]

I've got a crit on the orthos . . . the nacelle pylon's trailing edge should be visible in the dorsal view

Hmmm... I guess the very aft tip of it would indeed be visible...

I still like the orthos Vance made the best, though.

 

[BolianAuthor]

Wow... totally no love for the Surya, I guess. Ok, then... I guess people hate it, lol.

 

[Kaiser]

very nice so far

 

[sojourner]

Wow... totally no love for the Surya, I guess. Ok, then... I guess people hate it, lol.

The modeling is good. It's just that, well, personally I just see another TOS Reliant. Fairly common.

 

[Patrickivan]

I'm okay with it except for the bent nacelle struts.

 

[TOS Purist]

personally I just see another TOS Reliant. Fairly common.

Told ya, Admiral.

 

[B.J.]

Are these posted anywhere else? I'd comment, but stupid Imageshack is blocked for me.

 

[BolianAuthor]

^

You can go to Sci Fi Meshes... Melak has a WIP thread there.

 

[Herkimer Jitty]

It's a nice WIP, but I've never much been one for TOS Miranda designs.

IDK, I feel the shape of the block extending off of the saucer still has a TMP-ish angular 70's shape to it, which feels a bit weird with the saucer and nacelles. Like, it's all smoothed-out and has a TOS impulse deck, but it feels like it belongs somewhere else.

Personally, I'd experiment with more rounded designs for the aft hull, something a little more 1960s and Jefferies-esque.

 

[BolianAuthor]

^

See, that's interesting, because to me, at least, I always thought that TOS ships should all be very simple, in that they are arrangements of very simple and uncluttered shapes. To that end, I always thought that the Surya was pretty uncomplicated, in part, due to the lack of extra "stuff" on it, like the Miranda's rollbar and such.

 

[sojourner]

Well, he's not saying "more greebles needed", he's saying "different shapes needed".

 

[TOS Purist]

to me, at least, I always thought that TOS ships should all be very simple, in that they are arrangements of very simple and uncluttered shapes.

TOS ships are spartan, yes. Clean lines, yes. "Arrangements of simple shapes?" Um...no. Blocky, angular things are made up of simple shapes, and TOS ships aren't even close to being blocky or angular. Jefferies always drew curved, tapered, and streamlined edges whenever he designed a ship - the TOS shuttlecraft being an exception due to build restrictions.

Ask anyone who's struggled to model the TOS Enterprise...there isn't a "simple shape" on the whole ship (except maybe the bridge dome and the nacelle caps).

 

[BolianAuthor]

A couple new WIP images from Melak...

 

[sojourner]

Looks like the engines are runnin hot!

 

[TOS Purist]

Hey BA, as your TOS advisor for this project, may I make a small recommendation?

As others have pointed out, the angular section bolted into the primary hull doesn't look very TOS-ish (OR Matt Jefferies-ish). All you'd need to do to vastly improve the design, make it more TOS-ish, AND set it apart from the plethora of other TOS Mirandas out there, is just make this small, simple, easy modification:



Just round those corners. Just that one simple modification not only sets it apart, but it makes the whole design look like a Matt Jefferies concept. PLUS, it makes it look more clean, simple, and spartan - basically, a lot more like 60's TOS, instead of 80's angularity.

Again, as your TOS advisor...please heed me on this ONE issue (since you don't listen to anything else I suggest, lol).

 

[BolianAuthor]

Hey BA, as your TOS advisor for this project, may I make a small recommendation?

As others have pointed out, the angular section bolted into the primary hull doesn't look very TOS-ish (OR Matt Jefferies-ish). All you'd need to do to vastly improve the design, make it more TOS-ish, AND set it apart from the plethora of other TOS Mirandas out there, is just make this small, simple, easy modification:



Just round those corners. Just that one simple modification not only sets it apart, but it makes the whole design look like a Matt Jefferies concept. PLUS, it makes it look more clean, simple, and spartan - basically, a lot more like 60's TOS, instead of 80's angularity.

Again, as your TOS advisor...please heed me on this ONE issue (since you don't listen to anything else I suggest, lol).

That's not going to work... we tried it today, per your request, and it makes the ship look MUCH flatter, which does not look good... IM me on MSN tonight, and I will show you the test images of it like that.

 

[BolianAuthor]

As you can see, the sharp edges actually follow the lines of the ship as intended... the top, bottom, and sides of the saucer are all sharp edges... rounding them makes the top aft section look out of place on the ship.