round or oval shape

[Shazam!]

Round.

Any other shape looks as though the designers are being forced into having a saucer section even if they don't want it.

Also, there has to be a clearly definable 'neck'. This modern trend of sleek starships sucks ass.

 

[Relayer1]

Also, there has to be a clearly definable 'neck'. This modern trend of sleek starships sucks ass.

Structurally, necks don't make sense.

 

[Ghrakh]

I would like to see an edited version of the D with a rounded saucer just to confirm it, but I like the round design.

Well, the D looks "round" in most shots (from the front or side), only really revealing the oval from looking down or up at it. I think a circlular saucer on the D would throw it off, making it look either too narrow from the front or too long from the side.

Also, there has to be a clearly definable 'neck'. This modern trend of sleek starships sucks ass.

Structurally, necks don't make sense.

Perhaps, but they look graceful. I'll bet they're a whole lot more difficult to design as well.

 

[BillJ]

Depends on the secondary hull attached to it.

 

[zar]

What if you switch them?

Original with oval

E with circle

 

[BillJ]

What if you switch them?

Original with oval

E with circle

Hideous.

 

[Tora Ziyal]

Well, the D looks "round" in most shots (from the front or side), only really revealing the oval from looking down or up at it.

So true. I didn't realize until recently that the D saucer wasn't round! I still think it's the most graceful of the ships, so my answer has to be... oval.

 

[sojourner]

Also, there has to be a clearly definable 'neck'. This modern trend of sleek starships sucks ass.

Structurally, necks don't make sense.

Make sense compared to what? fictional ship based on fictional warp dynamics. Who's to say what makes sense?

 

[Ghrakh]

Well, the D looks "round" in most shots (from the front or side), only really revealing the oval from looking down or up at it.

So true. I didn't realize until recently that the D saucer wasn't round! I still think it's the most graceful of the ships, so my answer has to be... oval.

Yeah, same here. The oval meant from side shots it appeared different widths depending on the angle, so in turning movements it maintained visual balance but also made it dynamic. Probert's a master of design form, and to think he did it without 3d software...