Considering my own Bridge Project...

[Villain]

Greetings, everybody.

So, after seeing all the amazing work put into bridges, and eagerly anticipating the Danube Bridge (Seriously, Newman, that is just looking amazing, I can't put it into accurate words that wouldn't get me in trouble), and after picking up modelling finally, I've been inspired to attempt joining the handful of bridge builders.

I'm currently working on a portfolio for a 3d design academy, and figured not only would it be a great addition to the portfolio, but could be practical as well. I realise that it's an extremely difficult process, but this is part of the reason I want to attempt it, too. I'm confident I can at least get the model done, but I'm only a hack pencil pusher in terms of texturing (And don't have a copy of Photoshop), and the scripting seems like it would be beneficial to learn or at least try to.

I do have Milkshape (1.8.2) and Lightwave 6.something, and obviously I have Bridge Commander and the SDK (I've been screwing with Hardpointing an old Ringdrive model I found on BCFiles, pretty happy with it). I've just grabbed every tutorial I could, preparing for a long night of reading.

Now, I warn you all, I'm not amazing like the other modellers in the community, but that's what the courses I'm trying to get into are for, aren't they? :lol: But... I have no clue exactly what I want to make! I'm thinking something non-trek, as there aren't all that many bridges for other scifi (Or even just as a placeholder kinda thing). Anybody got some suggestions that I can take inspiration from in building my own module?

tl;dr: A extremely determined noob wants to try his hand at Bridge Modding, but can't think of what exactly he wants to make.

I thank you all in advance for any suggestions or tips, and hope I don't disappoint with this project!


(Image attached is part of a model I'm working on, to show that I am actually trying to model.)

[cpthooker]

If you want the bridge to go in BC then you will need 3d studio Max. But I am interested in what you come up with

[newman]

It's quite possible to switch models from LW to max. You'll need max 3 for the final export, tho. First things first - you'll need to properly model, texture and light a bridge before these technical issues even become a prob.
So, what to do, non Trek that hasn't been done so far?
Here are a few suggestions;
 - BSG fan? Galactica, Pegasus, and Valkyrie CIC were all seen on the show. Galactica is probably your best bet, most refs.
 - 2001/2010? Disovery One? Leonov? Not so useful in game, but extremely cool in my book.
 - Red Dwarf, Starbug
 - Firefly class cockpit (Serenity)
 - Millenium Falcon (been contemplating this one; would be cool to build the entire interior, then use walkfx to walk around it)
 - Imperial Class Star Destroyer Bridge

Pretty sure I'm missing a lot here. But those are off the top of my head under 'would be cool' category.
Anyway, whichever way you go, good luck!

 

[Excal_Luke]

meh, why does Newman get all the attention ... lol, j/k,

Anywho, i think teh millenium falcon would be uber cool
tis about time we had something other than star trek to play with

Looking forward to seeing what you can do

[Aeries]

i would ADORE seeing the Galactica CIC!!

[DJ Curtis]

textures you can make using your 3d program.

[bsilver2988]

If you do galactica i can definitely get on board and help you with textures.  I've got tons of ideas for em.

[cpthooker]

*hint* make grace park in the galactica bridge and I am sold  :lol:

[blaXXer]

Tutorial: UVW mapping for beginners

Tutorial: Lightmapping for dummies - everybody can do it!

[newman]

*hint* make grace park in the galactica bridge and I am sold  :lol:

Dude, you're AMAZING. In all my travels, I have never encountered such a single-minded individual ;)
j/k

[blaXXer]

must be the name -.-

lol, j/k ;)

[cpthooker]

Well as you probably have guessed Hooker is my real surname.

*hint* make grace park in the galactica bridge and I am sold  :lol:

Dude, you're AMAZING. In all my travels, I have never encountered such a single-minded individual ;)
j/k

Thanks, I always thought I was unique

[Villain]

It's quite possible to switch models from LW to max. You'll need max 3 for the final export, tho. First things first - you'll need to properly model, texture and light a bridge before these technical issues even become a prob.

Already working on getting ahold of 3DSMax 3, so that's one thing down!

- BSG fan? Galactica, Pegasus, and Valkyrie CIC were all seen on the show. Galactica is probably your best bet, most refs.

Huge fan of the Reinvisioned series, actually! I had always wanted to make something simple like a Viper cockpit or even a Raptors interior. Definately something I'll be looking in to.

- 2001/2010? Disovery One? Leonov? Not so useful in game, but extremely cool in my book.

Great books and movies, was always hoping somebody would make them for Orbiter, as I've got the 2001 addons.

- Red Dwarf, Starbug

Enough said, really.? :lol:

- Firefly class cockpit (Serenity)

As much as I'd love to try, something about the window angles worries me about visibility in BC. Which, actually, I have a question to any bridge modders related to this...

- Millenium Falcon (been contemplating this one; would be cool to build the entire interior, then use walkfx to walk around it)

That's something I didn't consider, completely slipped my mind, but would be a very awesome project.

- Imperial Class Star Destroyer Bridge

I've always wanted to have a similar setup on my own personal bridge, actually. Something about the multi-levelled bridges just makes me drool.

meh, why does Newman get all the attention ... lol, j/k,

I would've mentioned 3rd Era, but I figured it goes without saying.? ;)


So, while I was meant to be sleeping and reading my Python for beginners book last night (And after watching Crimson Tide, again...), I had the urge to play around with some shapes and see if anything sprung to mind. I didn't put much detail if any into it, as I was just playing around with layouts and such. But now, after the suggestions, I still can't decide... Maybe if I were to just mix elements from all of them... Think I could get away with it?

Oh! Which reminds me about my question! I don't recall the Galactica having a viewscreen, and Submarines sure as heck don't... Is it possible to put the Viewscreen elsewhere? Like, say, have solid walling in place of where the Viewscreen would usually be, and instead have it projecting onto a monitor adajacent to a chair or something? Images attached might explain it better, but I was thinking of maybe having a console on the left side of the chair with a faily decent sized screen (Think around the 22/26 inch real world equivalent) on it, displaying the targeted ship/space.

My thoughts are, everybody at their station will be receiving data from their console, and will be referencing from that, and a giant screen or window at the front is just an Occupational Health and Safety violation. So would it be possible to have that smaller screen acting as the viewscreen? If so, how would I go about this?

Thanks again all for any and all help, and for your interest!

Images attached are the result from last nights... Whatever you want to call it.



EDIT: I forgot to ask: Is it possible to not actually add the bridge characters visually, but say, be able to click a different console and get their response and menu, much like a ships AI? I have an idea that would require this, but would much rather keep details quiet until I figure out if I can actually do any of this stuff...

[newman]

As I understand it, the way viewscreen works in BC is the following; it's a simple plane upon which the engine projects the live image. This plane is typically placed behind a hole in the wall, thus simulating trek bridge setups. I don't see why it couldn't be smaller, or "encased" in a monitor casing or something, right in the middle of a bridge tho.

[Villain]

As I understand it, the way viewscreen works in BC is the following; it's a simple plane upon which the engine projects the live image. This plane is typically placed behind a hole in the wall, thus simulating trek bridge setups. I don't see why it couldn't be smaller, or "encased" in a monitor casing or something, right in the middle of a bridge tho.

Well, one work-around I was considering was that perhaps have the actual viewscreen a fair distance away, until I realised BC doesn't seem to handle Depth of Field like that... I do know (Thanks to following JLS' Stargate stuff) that there can only be one viewscreen, which hampers a second plan I had, too.. But! Thank you for the tip, if not, I can always just tear a hole in the front... =/

[limey BSc.]

I think it was decided that there can be nothing behind the veiwscreen plane as well.

[Villain]

I think it was decided that there can be nothing behind the veiwscreen plane as well.

Well that's just great... If I were to continue working with one console acting as the viewscreen, to try out if it would work.. Would I need to start from that point again if it didn't?

[pano27]

if I were looking for a bridge outside the norm in one word- GALACTICA!!!!!!

the BSG ship pack is just awesome with the whole colonial fleet, it is a shame the CIC was never done. It was started once I remeber but it just fizzled out. People get busy, work, school, family.

It would be nice to see it though. 

[Villain]

Okay, so... I haven't been around for a week, and probably won't be around this week either. Things are picking up, which always seems to be the case when I get involved in anything Trek related.  :argh:

I'm not giving up, definately not. But I'm spending every spare moment (About 5 minutes of each day) reading up on the basics of Python and the other tutorials I have handy. I've decided I'm going to keep working on the model when I have the chance, or possibly scrap this one and go with something that's a more Galactica feel (Though for personal reasons, I don't want to have my first bridge project a full rebuild of the Galactica CIC, or any bridge for that matter. I can always do that when I've got a better idea, or if I can even get through this first bridge.)

I'm going to try my hand at something a wee bit smaller first, just to get a better feel of BC while I study. But I swear that I'm not giving up! BC needs more people capable of bridge modding, no offense meant to anybody, but I understand that it's hard work, and with real life and all, things can be slowed down, or even temporarily stopped, which is another reason I want to pick it up, to help.

So, I'll post updates when there's something decent done, just don't give up on me yet!



EDIT: If anybody can give me tips or something on the building process (Other than what's already written or... Well.. Someone I can contact when I'm stuck), send me a PM and I'll give you my MSN, I'm on quite frequently, gotta love mobile phones these days. :lol: I'd be very appreciative.