Apparently the original thread for this project has expired so I am starting a new one.
Most of you should remember the Kiaga, a brilliant original design by Aridas Sofia:
I was sufficiently inspired by the design that I decided to tackle it as a 3D modeling project. Here are a couple of the most recent WIP images from the last time I worked on it:
Over the past few days, I've been trying to revv things up a little by revisiting some old, unfinished projects like my modified TOS Enterprise and, of course, the Kiaga. The Grandeur is still my priority but I'm starting to have strange dreams about the shape of her warp nacelles so I figured it was time for a little break.
I did a bit of modeling and texturing work on the Kiaga over the weekend. I also converted it for use with the Mental Ray renderer, switching over to Architecture & Design materials, adjusting the light sources, exposure control, etc. Here's a short list of other changes and additions:
Most of you should remember the Kiaga, a brilliant original design by Aridas Sofia:
I was sufficiently inspired by the design that I decided to tackle it as a 3D modeling project. Here are a couple of the most recent WIP images from the last time I worked on it:
Over the past few days, I've been trying to revv things up a little by revisiting some old, unfinished projects like my modified TOS Enterprise and, of course, the Kiaga. The Grandeur is still my priority but I'm starting to have strange dreams about the shape of her warp nacelles so I figured it was time for a little break.
I did a bit of modeling and texturing work on the Kiaga over the weekend. I also converted it for use with the Mental Ray renderer, switching over to Architecture & Design materials, adjusting the light sources, exposure control, etc. Here's a short list of other changes and additions:
- I made the hull material darker per some earlier design notes from Aridas and added a "sensor scattering/absorbing" surface texture.
- I finally got around to fully modeling and texturing the bussard collectors, including "bulbs," spinning blades, a reflective back plate, and a dome with an A&D Frosted Glass material for that oh-so-important diffuse translucency effect. Looks decent at this point but I might tweak it further.
- I re-worked the impulse engines a bit, again per Aridas' design notes, making the circular apertures on either side the actual thrust ports while the rectangular grid between them is now a softly glowing heat dissapator.
- On my own initiative, I altered the nacelles slightly, reworking the four fins into TOS-style intercoolers complete with diamond patterned grills.
