Author Topic: WIP of TheUnknown - The Akula (mk II) (Read 115727 times)

X_TheUnknown_X · « **Reply #60 on:** July 18, 2009, 09:08:31 AM »

Well, the Kessok Carrier is now complete and, yes it has been submitted to BCFiles. However I suggest you don't download it for the time being. It seems I was a little hasty in uploading it and I've missed out several important files. I tried to cancel it, but it appears to have gone through anyway and I've been asking for it be be removed - but that has not happened. Finally, with all the bugs floating around on the filefront network I cannot log in to post a 1.1 version.

With that out of the way, I can reveal my next Kessok-related project: the Kessok Space Station

There are stations available for almost every major species on BCfiles except the Kessok, until now. It's taken me a while to sketch up a design I really liked but the one I've settled on will hopefully be a welcome addition to a growing Kessok fleet. As someone mentioned earlier during the retexturing of the Kessok Light, Kessok ships and materials are simmilar to that of Species 8472 and the Cardassians. The station design is simmilar to existing Kessok ships, the Species 8472 Terrasphere (or Biosphere?) and some Cardassion DS9-type elements.

Images removed

Shino Tenshi · « **Reply #61 on:** July 18, 2009, 09:50:09 AM »

I think the designs fits the Kessok perfectyl

Have a cookie ;)

Billz · « **Reply #62 on:** July 18, 2009, 09:56:28 AM »

You could upload the 1.1 kessok carrier to megaupload or rapidshare until FileFront gets fixed.

About the space station:
The dome on-top doesn't really look like it would fit the kessok in my opinion. I suggest something that doesnt look like Regula 1 and Starbase 12 mixed together.

JimmyB76 · « **Reply #63 on:** July 18, 2009, 02:51:53 PM »

oooh! i like where this is going!

*cookied*

Bones · « **Reply #64 on:** July 18, 2009, 05:21:37 PM »

oh boy that looks awesome, how about adding additional ring/pylon... ds9-like structure around the dome ??
cookie !

X_TheUnknown_X · « **Reply #65 on:** July 19, 2009, 09:50:38 AM »

On the suggestion that the station looks like a Regula 1 - Starbase 12 combo; I've altered the dome section and made the long struts at the bottom curved. Also, about adding another ring simmilar to DS9, I might add that at the top of the dome and add some cardassian-style pylons to allow ships to dock.

Images removed

Dalek · « **Reply #66 on:** July 19, 2009, 09:55:01 AM »

It's a Kessok Jellyfish!

But yeah, that looks quite cool.

Nebula · « **Reply #67 on:** July 19, 2009, 09:58:56 AM »

It's ok but....

I'd reverse those docking-pylons positions so they were leading away from the station.
I'd also have them a bit more level with the dome.

I think that may make it look interesting.

Shino Tenshi · « **Reply #68 on:** July 19, 2009, 11:01:16 AM »

I agree.

X_TheUnknown_X · « **Reply #69 on:** July 20, 2009, 06:11:55 AM »

Right, I've made some changes here. I've kept the inward's facing pylons and thickened them up a bit. Insead of them being docking pylons, I'll make them lead up to a smaller pod or dome. However there are now some smaller docking struts on the sides of the station.

Later I'll work on adding weapons ports and maybe a shuttle bay. I've also begun designing a Dry Dock Kitbash to accompany the station.

Finally, I can now log into BCFiles so I will try to get the faulty Kessok Carrier removed and a fully functional version uploaded.

Images removed

Shino Tenshi · « **Reply #70 on:** July 20, 2009, 07:56:16 AM »

I think it's too smooth. =/

X_TheUnknown_X · « **Reply #71 on:** July 20, 2009, 08:19:56 AM »

Well, that's probaly because I use Blender's SubSurf function when modelling - which smoothens it out using less verts. Thing is it smoothens it even more when rendering.

Also, the docking struts are taken from the Kessok Heavy, mostly. One thing I've noticed with the Kessok the designs are Thorny and Tendril-y, and prefer curved shapes leading to a sharp point - which is something I'm hopefully duplicating.

Either way, the smoothness issue can be easily sorted.

Starforce2 · « **Reply #72 on:** July 20, 2009, 02:28:17 PM »

get rid of that thingy top center that looks like something dirty. 8) or change the shape, it looks silly.

MarkyD · « **Reply #73 on:** July 21, 2009, 08:54:30 AM »

he shape of this, you have been very imaginative on ur ideas.

I would however refrain from using that "SubSurf function!"

Looking at it, it seems to do what maxers would call, "applying the meshsmooth modifier!" where as the computer looks at polygons, and will than add iterations to smooth out the shape. If this is for ingame, its better to shape them manually using other modifiers and then sorting out the smoothing groups.

This will help keep the poly count down, and will only prove to help improve your modelling skills. Good luck.

X_TheUnknown_X · « **Reply #74 on:** July 22, 2009, 06:45:59 AM »

Well, I've changed the SubSurf to a Bevel mesh modifier, and the total poly count has dropped significantly. Thanks for the advice. Also, I've added a Command Dome on the top, torpedo tubes similar to those on DS9 and phaser strips. Although, I know the Kessok don't seem to use phaser strips - but there was nothing else that I could get to look good. If anyone can think of something that would replace them - please suggest it.

Anyway, the Bevel has solved the smoothness issue, I hope; and the small pod on the top filters out the dodgy looking spike from earlier pictures :? . And on an unrelated note, I've realised that using Ambient Occlusion for model renders makes the pictures look more like 3ds Max renders. :lol:

Images removed

Dalek · « **Reply #75 on:** July 22, 2009, 07:16:10 AM »

Ooh, very nice, and much improved over the original.

MarkyD · « **Reply #76 on:** July 22, 2009, 07:23:22 AM »

Its really shaping up nicely. Good stuff

Nebula · « **Reply #77 on:** July 22, 2009, 09:55:27 AM »

hmm I bet you could make a few small towers on the rim for the phasers.

Very Nice

X_TheUnknown_X · « **Reply #78 on:** July 23, 2009, 01:19:00 PM »

Well, I think I'm about done on the model now. I've changed the phaser strips to phaser pods but I'm still not too sure on them (I've kept the stips just incase). I was also thinking about adding armour plating, but that would just ramp up the total poly count further. On the subject of mesh size: the total amount of faces so far is 6,684 with 6,358 vertices. However, most of those faces are squares - not triangles - and I'm not sure weather BC prefers triangles or if it's just considered good practice. Therefore the total face count could be over 12k after changing squares to triangles.

*gasp* With that out of the way, I'll start texturing soon as the mesh has already been unwrapped. Any of those extra details can easily be faked with textures. Also, about the size of the Station; let's face it, the Kessok don't do small. So it's about seven times the size of the Galaxy class. Not as big as the Feds' Mushroom station, but I always thought that its size was exaggerated.

Images Removed

Dalek · « **Reply #79 on:** July 23, 2009, 01:23:05 PM »

Wow, that is one big beasty.

News:

Author Topic: WIP of TheUnknown - The Akula (mk II) (Read 115727 times)