Madman's Enterprise, Version 6

[Psion]

Ah, I think I see. This tutorial looks similar to what you mentioned...

http://www.foundation3d.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1774

Does Retopo work in older versions of Blender? I'm still using 2.45... it's the last version that I really liked, before they started messing with keyboard shortcuts and stuff. If I could project vertices like that, I wouldn't need to use a boolean, ever again!

Yeah, that tutorial is really similar to what I was talking about.

I was about to tell you that retopo was introduced around 2.48, but double-checking that, I see it was actually 2.43, so you should be able to use it with 2.45. I get what you're saying about 2.45, but do yourself a favor and download one of the release candidates of 2.53. It's a totally new look and feel, with amazing new tools and much faster rendering. I promise you'll lose lots of productivity getting used to the new interface, but once you're back on top of it, it's much, much better. In fact, I only keep 2.49 around for special scripts for Second Life, the betas for 2.5+ have been so much more fun.

One of my favorite improvements is the interface now supports multiple monitors. I can break out a view from the application window and drag it anywhere; a different place on the screen, a different monitor, even a different desktop. This works for tools, scripts, nodes, anything.

There's volumetric rendering, a whole new particle system, a complete re-organization, rendering optimization, proper 64-bit support, vast improvements to the sequence editor, and all your favorite hot-keys have been changed. (But that's okay because you can now customize the hot-keys!) Check out some of Williamson's tutorials over at Blendercookie from last winter when he introduced the 2.5+ interface.

But don't migrate your current project. I did that with a spaceship I was working on for Christopher last spring, and I spent more time messing around with the tool than actually building the model. I never did get his ship done, not that he had any kind of a deadline for it ... anyway, your project is looking far too promising to let that happen to it!

 

[MadMan1701A]

Ah, I think I see. This tutorial looks similar to what you mentioned...

http://www.foundation3d.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1774

Does Retopo work in older versions of Blender? I'm still using 2.45... it's the last version that I really liked, before they started messing with keyboard shortcuts and stuff. If I could project vertices like that, I wouldn't need to use a boolean, ever again!

Yeah, that tutorial is really similar to what I was talking about.

I was about to tell you that retopo was introduced around 2.48, but double-checking that, I see it was actually 2.43, so you should be able to use it with 2.45. I get what you're saying about 2.45, but do yourself a favor and download one of the release candidates of 2.53. It's a totally new look and feel, with amazing new tools and much faster rendering. I promise you'll lose lots of productivity getting used to the new interface, but once you're back on top of it, it's much, much better. In fact, I only keep 2.49 around for special scripts for Second Life, the betas for 2.5+ have been so much more fun.

One of my favorite improvements is the interface now supports multiple monitors. I can break out a view from the application window and drag it anywhere; a different place on the screen, a different monitor, even a different desktop. This works for tools, scripts, nodes, anything.

There's volumetric rendering, a whole new particle system, a complete re-organization, rendering optimization, proper 64-bit support, vast improvements to the sequence editor, and all your favorite hot-keys have been changed. (But that's okay because you can now customize the hot-keys!) Check out some of Williamson's tutorials over at Blendercookie from last winter when he introduced the 2.5+ interface.

But don't migrate your current project. I did that with a spaceship I was working on for Christopher last spring, and I spent more time messing around with the tool than actually building the model. I never did get his ship done, not that he had any kind of a deadline for it ... anyway, your project is looking far too promising to let that happen to it!

Well, I have decided on how to do the gridlines... they should look good, when I get around to them. I'm going to use the bevel tool, like he used above, but I was able to do the same thing, without having to cut it back up into chunks, and spin it.

I'm glad you like the new Blender betas... but I really don't like the new interface, at all. I've downloaded every build and tinkered with it, and I wish they hadn't changed so much. I'll probably wait until it's final, before I even try to learn it. I'm just now feeling really comfortable with the thing, and I don't want to head back into noob territory.

I forgot to add, too, that I feel the same way about Adobe's stuff. I am still using CS3... I absolutely hate those stupid workspaces in CS4, and CS5. I guess I'm getting old.

 

[Nero's Shadow]

Looking good madman V6 enterprise looking the best yet !!!!

 

[BolianAuthor]

I'm still using the CS2 version of both Photoshop and Illustrator... both have all I need for what I do, so I see no reason to upgrade "just because".

 

[Psion]

Well, I have decided on how to do the gridlines... they should look good, when I get around to them. I'm going to use the bevel tool, like he used above, but I was able to do the same thing, without having to cut it back up into chunks, and spin it.

Well, I'm certainly as eager as anyone to see the results!

I'm glad you like the new Blender betas... but I really don't like the new interface, at all. I've downloaded every build and tinkered with it, and I wish they hadn't changed so much. I'll probably wait until it's final, before I even try to learn it. I'm just now feeling really comfortable with the thing, and I don't want to head back into noob territory.

I forgot to add, too, that I feel the same way about Adobe's stuff. I am still using CS3... I absolutely hate those stupid workspaces in CS4, and CS5. I guess I'm getting old.

With the customizable interface, I wouldn't be surprised if someone puts out a pre-2.5 skin so you'd feel right at home. And I sure do understand your reluctance to upgrade -- I was more productive pre-2.5 because since then I get bored with games of "where'd the feature go?" I wasted time one night just trying to figure out how to add a shape. When I'm in a creative mood, nothing shuts me down faster than having to waste time referring to instructions or video tutorials instead of just having fun. Even though I know it'll pay off in the end, I still get frustrated.

 

[MadMan1701A]

Looking good madman V6 enterprise looking the best yet !!!!

Thanks.

I'm still using the CS2 version of both Photoshop and Illustrator... both have all I need for what I do, so I see no reason to upgrade "just because".

Yeah, I also don't like the trend with software companies lately, where they decide to change the UI dramatically, in one version. At least do it gradually, over a few versions.

Well, I have decided on how to do the gridlines... they should look good, when I get around to them. I'm going to use the bevel tool, like he used above, but I was able to do the same thing, without having to cut it back up into chunks, and spin it.

Well, I'm certainly as eager as anyone to see the results!

I'm glad you like the new Blender betas... but I really don't like the new interface, at all. I've downloaded every build and tinkered with it, and I wish they hadn't changed so much. I'll probably wait until it's final, before I even try to learn it. I'm just now feeling really comfortable with the thing, and I don't want to head back into noob territory.

I forgot to add, too, that I feel the same way about Adobe's stuff. I am still using CS3... I absolutely hate those stupid workspaces in CS4, and CS5. I guess I'm getting old.

With the customizable interface, I wouldn't be surprised if someone puts out a pre-2.5 skin so you'd feel right at home. And I sure do understand your reluctance to upgrade -- I was more productive pre-2.5 because since then I get bored with games of "where'd the feature go?" I wasted time one night just trying to figure out how to add a shape. When I'm in a creative mood, nothing shuts me down faster than having to waste time referring to instructions or video tutorials instead of just having fun. Even though I know it'll pay off in the end, I still get frustrated.

Yeah, that skin would be great. Yeah, it feels like someone walked into your workshop, bought you all new tools, took your old ones, and rearranged your shelves while they were at it. Such is progress, I guess...

 

[publiusr]

Now, I think it was Drexler who had alternate designs of the NX-01 in Bandai's kit of the same. There was art of a ship that looked almost like the TOS ship, but looked more advanced. Probert also had a saucer idea for JJs ship, but it was flat underneath. A compromise, with just the lower dome as on some of Neale's versions of the Akula/Akyazi might be in orger, with the upper section of the saucer like Drex's early NX-01.

Anything but an arrowhead saucer. I don't think that would fit.

 

[MadMan1701A]

I don't think I've heard about the art of the one that was almost the same. Are there any images floating around, out there?

I don't think I've seen the early NX-01 images either... those would be neat to see those.

 

[MadMan1701A]

Hey guys, it's been a long couple of weeks. A lot of stuff has happened... my tortoise, Spike, somehow got and ate some toxic plants from the yard, and died this past Monday.
It really sucks too, because he was only 9 years old, and he should have lived well into his 50's. Here he is, just a couple of months ago...

Anyway, I did get some work done on the model, now that things slowed down some. It's been a help to distract myself from what happened to Spike.

It's getting there... it's almost a whole ship. I'm going to work on the top of the saucer most, tomorrow, and get it detailed up.

What do you guys think?

Have fun...

 

[Psion]

This is looking great! Condolences on Spike. I'm a fan of herps, too, and I know how much it hurts to lose a reptilian member of the family. I bet Spike had a great life even if it was too short, so good on you.

 

[MadMan1701A]

Thanks, about the model, and Spike.

That does make me feel a little better, that he was spoiled the entire time he was here... I think that guy had it better than me, sometimes.

More updates on the ship later...

 

[ST-One]

Nice mesh and also nice progress on your skill-level

 

[B.J.]

Nice work! Without the deflector dish in there (which I assume is coming Tuesday? ), it looks like the ship has a bit of an underbite.

Sorry to hear about your tortoise. Do you know what kind of plant it was?

 

[MadMan1701A]

Nice mesh and also nice progress on your skill-level

Thanks. I'm almost where I would like to be, to feel comfortable.

Nice work! Without the deflector dish in there (which I assume is coming Tuesday? ), it looks like the ship has a bit of an underbite.

Sorry to hear about your tortoise. Do you know what kind of plant it was?

Thanks. I'm 99% sure that it was a plant called groundsel,
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j280/gardenplansireland/GroundselSeneciovulgaris.jpg
which is invading our county, apparently. It's high in alkaloids, and has been known to kill cows and horses. I had no idea, I hadn't looked at them closely, and thought that the dandelions were just growing a little high.

Yeah, the dish is actually on back order... the original ship date was Tuesday.

 

[NickInABox]

THE NACELLES! D: THEY'RE SO HUUUGE!

 

[MadMan1701A]

If by huge, you mean awesome, then yes.

Updates tonight, hopefully...

 

[GilmourD]

Following like you're the Pied Piper.

 

[MadMan1701A]

Thanks.

Not a whole lot to show, but I want to keep the thread alive....

Just some tweaking, and I finally had to add some color to those Nacelle Domes... they were bugging me.

More updates later...

 

[MadMan1701A]

Hey, everybody... got a question.

Does anyone have access to, or know where I can find screencaps from the vessel simulator thing from the Bluray set? I didn't know about it until this morning... I bought the movie on DVD, and it doesn't have the thing.

Thanks, guys...

 

[Johnnymuffintop]

Here's a few, got 'em off Trekmovie.
http://img.trekmovie.com/images/merchandise/st09blu_sim_5.jpg
http://img.trekmovie.com/images/merchandise/st09blu_sim_7.jpg
http://img.trekmovie.com/images/merchandise/st09blu_sim_6.jpg