So, I assume that you've done some animated output with the nacelles?
No, I have not actually gotten around to running any ani tests yet dude. Just trying to get the overall "look" to where I like it.
Overall, I think this is the best "updated" version of TOS Enterprise that I've ever seen. I'd be very, very, VERY HAPPY if this was the look that was used in the upcoming movie. In a lot of ways it a perfect example of the stuff I've heard about the look of the new movie just being an "HD version" of TOS.
I love the update of the nacelle endcaps and the impulse engine. I like the blue glow effect on the interiors of the nacelles, subtle enough that in daylight it might not be seen. I like the aft portion of the nacelle pylons too.
That said, I've got some minor criticisms. I've never been a fan of the grid lines or "aztecking" since I've always felt it made ships look less advanced not more. I also don't like all the phaser banks and torpedo tubes. There was a version of TOS Enterprise posted in this forum a long time ago which had the bottom, lighted "cap" of the saucer with a phaser/photon torpedo turret in it's ring. Alternatively, for a technology as advanced as Starfleet, there might not be any need for turrets or torpedo tubes. I'm torn on the bussard collectors. I've always like the "glowing plasma" look from the later versions of the Enterprise (NCC-1701-D and even the NX-01), but the ones here might make me change my mind about that.
Still those are minor gripes and over all this is a nice update with some of the most imaginative and brilliant changes I've seen. Far more creative, in my opinion, than some of the other "updates" that have been around recently and been rumored to be the ship to be used in the upcoming movie.
Thanks very much JBElliott, glad ya like her eh.
No intention to proselytize, as I accept your view on E (heck, we all have one don't we?
), but I'll share my thoughts as to your points for the fun of (and my love of) Trek-Talk, as I call it.
I myself like the efx of hull plating. That just a personal-taste thing. I totally understand what you are saying as to it perhaps lending to the impression of less advancement, but I do like it. And I tend to disagree, as I believe even in the future, if you are going to build large structures with metal, it is going to have to be done with small pieces welded together. Sure, maybe SF came up with some kind of one-piece coating along the lines of the integrity fields to gloss over the plating, but I don't feel that would be as interesting to look at in this day-and-age of models. (Heck, even Gene thought she needed some lines on her, that Matt begrudgingly lightly penciled in, that ended up (as per Jefferies' intentions) being washed out under the lights and lost on film). And also, one big non-plated ship, IMO, aside from just not being as interesting to look at, would also end up making it look too much like a cheesy 60's model, or even worse, a plastic toy.
And opinion aside, a point as to my own hull hull plating;
I can't stand Aztec patterning! IMO, speaking from an industrial construction POV, there is just is
no way any ship would end up out of the shipyard with perfectly symmetrical repetitive patterns all over it. Some would argue that those patterns are some type of field generators, and that's not bad, but for me, Aztec patterning as an efx never worked. IMO Aztec patterning was just a 90's quick and easy way that was developed to lay down the efx of hull plating. And, being such an easy method, became a standard for CG Trek models among artists less willing to go the extra-mile for their art, or just not savvy enough with industrial design sense to think to do anything else. Either way, it's waaaaay out-dated and amateurish at this point in the game IMO.
Now my plating, there is not one single repeat pattern anywhere on her. I hand-picked every single plate group, by hand, and it took days and days and days to do. Which is why I can understand why folks do not do it. And, the capper, it may not even show up as making any difference, other than in the ortho shots! But I know for me, it's more along the lines of how I feel real random hull plating patterning would emerge, as per real construction.
As to the phaser banks and torpedo tubes; the phaser banks are based on the refit, and the two torpedo tubes are based on my view of where they would be, this extrapolated from watching the show itself (TOS), this being the position where I feel the beams and torpedos are emerging.
The "turret" idea on the "lighted cap" is a no-go for me for two reasons. First being, turrets. So
not Star Trek/StarFleet IMO. BSG. SW. Buck Rogers, sure sure. Trek, no (IMO). Second, that "lighted cap" is actually a sensor array, and not an armament array in any way, so that goes against the idea for me right there.
Plus, extending turrets would change her profile, and that was my goal, to keep her profile 100% intact.
As to the "need" for torpedos tubes in or on SF vessels, well, this has been established as Trek canon on-screen (the only canon for me) time-and-time again, so I have no prob with the concept, as well, it's on-screen Trek canon.
As to the bussard efx, that remains to be seen. I will say this, I am liking the new efx I have come up with, enough to know for sure that I have 30+ final renders that are all going to have to be re-rendered, as the old red efx is definitely o-u-t, out.
Whether that opinion is shared by others, that remains to be seen. And my thought is, as it always is in this regard, some will love it, some will like it, some won't care one way or another, and some will hate it. Comes with the turf when creating any type of art, but esp. when presenting Trek art to folks that generally have very strong opinions on that something that they love so very much. Passion really. Whatever the opinion, ultimately, I have to go with what I like best. And if my vision/interpretation happens to make some more Trekkers happy as well, well then, that makes it
even all the
more enjoyable to have built her.
Thanks for you inputs dude, much appreciated.
PLL,
deg
We'll see...)
