BLSSDWLF's TOS Enterprise WIP

[blssdwlf]

Why do I imagine the "mechanical 'oinking'" from "Transformers" when I see this?

LOL, yeah. I think it's more of features that extend/retract as needed to account for the different looks between shots rather than a complete transformers-style change.

There is only one change I am planning that will be more of a side-effect or optical illusion rather than an actual mechanical effect...

 

[Mytran]

Why do I imagine the "mechanical 'oinking'" from "Transformers" when I see this?

Erm..because it's one of the best sound effects ever devised?
IMO

 

[Redfern]

Erm..because it's one of the best sound effects ever devised?
IMO

You'll probably curse me for saying this, but I kinda' prefer the "crashing of metal plates" sound that was used for the short lived "Gobots" cartoon. The "richness" of the sound, gave a sense of scale to the mechanisms.

 

[Mytran]

You'll probably curse me for saying this, but I kinda' prefer the "crashing of metal plates" sound that was used for the short lived "Gobots" cartoon. The "richness" of the sound, gave a sense of scale to the mechanisms.

It's been years since I watched GoBots and I had to hunt through a few vids to find a clear example of the noise but this one is quite good - plus it features their own combiner; PUZZLER!

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

The sound effect is reminiscent (to me) of servo motors whirring. It's a good mechanical sound which makes sense, but doesn't stir my soul in the same way as the TF sound

 

[Redfern]

Strange... I "remember" something a bit different. Maybe they used another effect in some other episodes, maybe my memory is just "faulty". Or maybe II'm confusing the sounds of the "interlocking" of various 'bots. I will admit the "changing" sounds used here are certainly not as distinctive" was those for the AutoBots and Decepticons.

Apropos of nothing, but somebody noted that one of the planets Unicron consumed before reaching Cybertron was populated by "Gobot" looking denizens, supposedly an insider joke by the creative team taking a "shot" at the rival toy line.

 

[Mytran]

Apropos of nothing, but somebody noted that one of the planets Unicron consumed before reaching Cybertron was populated by "Gobot" looking denizens, supposedly an insider joke by the creative team taking a "shot" at the rival toy line.

Interesting, I've not heard that myself.
The designs are certainly much less blocky than the Autobots and Decepticons the audience were accustomed to, but GoBots? Dunno.
https://tfwiki.net/wiki/File:TFTM_Lithoniankids.jpg

https://www.google.com/search?q=Lit...JJcAKHahFBp0Q_AUoAXoECBgQAw&biw=1920&bih=1057

 

[blssdwlf]

Erm..because it's one of the best sound effects ever devised?
IMO

Are you referring to the Transformers cartoon sound effect or the Michael Bay Transformers sound effect?

 

[Mytran]

Are you referring to the Transformers cartoon sound effect or the Michael Bay Transformers sound effect?

Since Michael Bay nicked the sound effect from the cartoon...both?

 

[blssdwlf]

Since Michael Bay nicked the sound effect from the cartoon...both?

Bay's Transformer sound effect sounds mostly like metal clanging around. The cartoon series the sound was more like a synthesizer and much more distinctive. I prefer the cartoon one as it is more iconic.

 

[ashleytinger]

Bay used it, but ONLY as the start or mid part of the transformation and not throughout.

 

[blssdwlf]

Bay used it, but ONLY as the start or mid part of the transformation and not throughout.

Yeah. It's hard to pick out too as I only catch a little bit of it during the live action's long transformation sequences. But in the comics the we know that there is more to the Enterprise than meets the eye. So a live-action transforming Enterprise might not be too far off... (But just not this version I'm building.)

 

[Mytran]

Bay used it, but ONLY as the start or mid part of the transformation and not throughout.

Yes sorry, that's what I meant. The first transformation seen in TF1 has the classic FX as a sort of "initiation sequence" before the sliding metal sounds (that Blssdwlf mentioned) begin
But it's not used consistently, as far as I can tell.

 

[blssdwlf]

A quick test render after adding in windows (really just decals). Spent some time studying Cyclist and rigging and what does it and doesn't work in Octane. Moving on to texturing. So much to learn

 

[publiusr]

Oh, so that is what Connies look like after being abducted by the City of Light...

I love it

 

[blssdwlf]

Oh, so that is what Connies look like after being abducted by the City of Light...

Or the opposite...

 

[Mytran]

Add a bit more purple and it could be the ship of Nemesis Kirk!

 

[Atolm]

Ooooooh so good!!!

 

[blssdwlf]

A couple of WIP renders with windows matched to different variations as filmed. Still working on the primary hull forward ventral window setup. Haven't fully matched up the aft rectangular windows on the tear drop structure but I think they are a good approximation. The neck and engineering hull I'm pretty happy with.

I'm planning on texturing the windows in a way that I can illuminate, darken or "shutter" (by assigning hull material) them to match the filmed configuration as needed.

edit: Actually the primary hull rim windows are still WIP as well... Another variation

 

[Atolm]

This is looking fabulous!

 

[blssdwlf]

Thanks @Atolm

A quick update for tonight. I had updated my Enterprise with window locations from Petri Blomvquist's excellent renders used for Gary Kerr's color reference page and found that most of the windows fit where they should go (highlighted in green below). However I did find that the top row of 3 windows on the neck are a little high and had to be moved down (highlighted in red). Windows highlighted in orange seem to be a bit off when matched with the photo but it could be an oddity in my camera matching so I'll check against other images to see if it is consistent.

Since I'm including all the visible windows seen from S1-S3 there are extra windows on my model. The blue highlighted windows are those that were seen on the pilot or 3' versions.

edit: I'm sure someone has already done this but I just thought a render with the Enterprise lit only by her windows would look interesting so I've added another image to the post.

edit 2: I just realized I need to add some clarification to the window lighting... since these are decals they are acting more like light panels which is spilling more light than what windows would normally do. If I had cut in windows and used a lit interior, the interior light hitting the outside would be much more focused and directional and also significantly dimmer. On the other hand, the filmed physical model has super bright windows (from the bulbs being used) so if those lights are close enough to the window surface the light spill would probably be similar to the light panel illumination that I rendered here.