The New Fleet?

[Aeronnaex]

Hi All! I'm new to TrekBBS, but have been a lifelong Star Trek fan. I'm starting this thread because I'm VERY interested in design and particularly where everyone wants to see the design language go from here. The TNG/VOY design language featured twin nacelles with glowing red bussard collectors and glowing blue warp coils pretty consistently. So with a new show ahead, does everyone want to see a continuation of that design language or do we want to see them change things up?

Personally, I want big changes. Of course, I really like the design of the Defiant but for some reason I can't see an entire fleet with a similar design style. It doesn't capture the majesty of the "tall designs" like the TMP Constitution. And yet, as my wife has pointed out for years (and echoed by Justin Lin), the thin neck and nacelles of that design are huge vulnerabilities. So for those who want a big change in design, how far do you want to push it? What design elements do we need for the next 50 years of Trek?

Of course this thread is better with pictures, right? So here's my contribution:

This design is one I initially created about 5 years ago. I've tweaked it since, leading to the image above which is about a year old. When I decided to create a 3D model (relearning 20 year old modeling skills in the process), I found myself moving to something drastically different and liking a fresh approach more and more. Unfortunately this latest iteration (v4) is still just a collection of disjointed sketches, but at some point I hope to have a 3D model.

Hmmmmm......a longer winded post than I'd like, but don't let it deter you . C'mon - let's talk about new directions!

 

[Albertese]

I don't actually see the image... perhaps it's not formatted correctly?

But yeah, in principle, I'm sure a new design direction could be welcome. I wouldn't want it too stale, but also I would want it to fit comfortably with what's come before.

--Alex

 

[sojourner]

Can we get a view of the ship with the cloaking device disengaged?

 

[B.J.]

I can see the image by right-clicking > View image. But if you're wanting big changes, the picture doesn't really reflect that. It looks very much like a combination of the Ent-E and Ent-A to me.

But I do agree that I would like to see a "tall ship" again.

 

[Mytran]

Here is Aeronnaex's picture from a more conventional hosting source:

Interesting design, although a little unclear in places - are those twin dorsals I see? :-D

 

[Aeronnaex]

Here is Aeronnaex's picture from a more conventional hosting source:

Interesting design, although a little unclear in places - are those twin dorsals I see? :-D

Thanks for posting this! I don't do a lot of image hosting, and thought AT&T would work.....live and learn.

 

[Aeronnaex]

Here is Aeronnaex's picture from a more conventional hosting source:

Interesting design, although a little unclear in places - are those twin dorsals I see? :-D

oh yeah - twin dorsals. It's not the clearest thing to see, which is why I wanted to do a 3-D model. The secondary hull was proving to be REALLY tough to get right. If you look at the bottom view, I originally thought it would look better wider at the front and tapering aft......but looking at it in 3D it started looking weird instead of graceful. That started me redesigning it.......hmmm....no wonder I'm up to v4.

What do you think about the plasma bussard collectors and the warp engine detail?

 

[Mytran]

What do you think about the plasma bussard collectors and the warp engine detail?

The plasma arc lightning effect? Very reminiscent of the TOS design (hence a win in my book!). Having something "dangerous" constantly going on in the nacelles helps to convey the amount of power being utilised in a starship, and something I really miss from later designs.

With the glowing coming from behind the front vents, the final product could suggest something like a bunch of tech only partially covered (ie not sealed like the E-D nacelles); certainly an interesting new visual direction to pursue.

BTW, are those additional impulse engines either side of the main shuttlebay?

 

[Aeronnaex]

BTW, are those additional impulse engines either side of the main shuttlebay?

Yes, although I'm torn about positioning them in front of the bussard collectors. I subsequent revisions they're not there. In fact, the saucer isn't even round as the design has evolved, which has made it much harder to balance in terms of proportions.

Also, the "dangerous" look of the plasma is exactly what I was going for. Too many times the TNG bussard collectors just looked like lights.