I thought you'd all like to know that I have completed building a model of the TOS bridge using Google's Sketchup program, and will be making it available for download from their website within the next few weeks.
I wanted to create this model because over the last few years, it seemed that the Tech forum was always in the middle of an annual "Which way does the bridge face" discussion, and I thought "Wouldn't it be great if there was an available 3D model that everyone could use when such a discussion occurs?" Now that the model is completed, and that Sketchup is available for both Windows and Mac, most everyone will have the chance to use it as a tool for their own use (Which is why I'm posting here rather than the Art forum).
I based the model primarily off of the McMaster bridge blueprints. Sketchup allows you to import images into the workspace, which gave me the opportunity to "trace" over his blueprints when creating various components. I also based the model off of various images from Matt Jefferies, mostly using soundstage drawings that have been made available on the 'net over the years. And thanks to Mgagen's evidence that the bridge viewer wedge was 40 degrees, I was able to build the wedges using the correct 35.5 degree angles.
In addition to these technical drawings, I used screengrabs that are available from Trekcore for editing various things that were not well documented elsewhere, such as shapes, colors, details, etc. Since many things changed from season to season, I took artistic license on some components. For example, I combined the Season 1 helm panel with the Season 2/3 pop-up viewer.
A number of choices I made were somewhat arbitrary. Two that come to mind are the thicknesses of both the bridge consoles and the turboshaft wall. For the consoles, I decided that at the thinnest part, when looking from the side, the back wall was 12-inches thick. As for the turboshaft wall, I decided to use a 4-inch thick wall. The reason I highlight these decisions is because I thought they might directly impact the placement of the 3D bridge inside a 3D model of the bridge shell. As you'll see later, these decisions were not an issue.
Finally a number of things were modeled using the ol' Mark I Eyeball, so I make no pretenses that this model is an accurate representation of the TOS bridge (For that, you gotta check out this guy's work). In fact, as the name implies, this is a sketch of a 3D model, and I ask that you approach it as such.
The great thing about this endeavor is that it doesn't really matter if it's accurate, because once I upload it to Google's 3D Warehouse, you will be able to download it and modify it as you see fit. If you feel I made an error, you can correct it. If you don't like a texture I used, you can replace it. If you disagree with my choices, you can modify it. Unlike many other items that are posted here at the TrekBBS, I will be giving you an opportunity to improve on my model – which should keep the bitching and moaning to a minimum!
In my next major post, I will provide you with my analysis on exactly where the bridge sits within the saucer dome and which way it faces. Until then, here are some images of the work in progress and the final product. Enjoy!
Racer_X
*******************
My first test:
Semi-completed command console:
Getting ready to make the bridge stations:
A work in progress:
Two bridges:
Inside of turboshaft, with turbolift removed:
Bridge overview closeup:
Stepping out onto the bridge:
Looking to the left:
Looking to the right:
A classic view:
I wanted to create this model because over the last few years, it seemed that the Tech forum was always in the middle of an annual "Which way does the bridge face" discussion, and I thought "Wouldn't it be great if there was an available 3D model that everyone could use when such a discussion occurs?" Now that the model is completed, and that Sketchup is available for both Windows and Mac, most everyone will have the chance to use it as a tool for their own use (Which is why I'm posting here rather than the Art forum).
I based the model primarily off of the McMaster bridge blueprints. Sketchup allows you to import images into the workspace, which gave me the opportunity to "trace" over his blueprints when creating various components. I also based the model off of various images from Matt Jefferies, mostly using soundstage drawings that have been made available on the 'net over the years. And thanks to Mgagen's evidence that the bridge viewer wedge was 40 degrees, I was able to build the wedges using the correct 35.5 degree angles.
In addition to these technical drawings, I used screengrabs that are available from Trekcore for editing various things that were not well documented elsewhere, such as shapes, colors, details, etc. Since many things changed from season to season, I took artistic license on some components. For example, I combined the Season 1 helm panel with the Season 2/3 pop-up viewer.
A number of choices I made were somewhat arbitrary. Two that come to mind are the thicknesses of both the bridge consoles and the turboshaft wall. For the consoles, I decided that at the thinnest part, when looking from the side, the back wall was 12-inches thick. As for the turboshaft wall, I decided to use a 4-inch thick wall. The reason I highlight these decisions is because I thought they might directly impact the placement of the 3D bridge inside a 3D model of the bridge shell. As you'll see later, these decisions were not an issue.
Finally a number of things were modeled using the ol' Mark I Eyeball, so I make no pretenses that this model is an accurate representation of the TOS bridge (For that, you gotta check out this guy's work). In fact, as the name implies, this is a sketch of a 3D model, and I ask that you approach it as such.
The great thing about this endeavor is that it doesn't really matter if it's accurate, because once I upload it to Google's 3D Warehouse, you will be able to download it and modify it as you see fit. If you feel I made an error, you can correct it. If you don't like a texture I used, you can replace it. If you disagree with my choices, you can modify it. Unlike many other items that are posted here at the TrekBBS, I will be giving you an opportunity to improve on my model – which should keep the bitching and moaning to a minimum!
In my next major post, I will provide you with my analysis on exactly where the bridge sits within the saucer dome and which way it faces. Until then, here are some images of the work in progress and the final product. Enjoy!
Racer_X
*******************
My first test:
Semi-completed command console:
Getting ready to make the bridge stations:
A work in progress:
Two bridges:
Inside of turboshaft, with turbolift removed:
Bridge overview closeup:
Stepping out onto the bridge:
Looking to the left:
Looking to the right:
A classic view:
