FarShot's WIPs - The fire in which we burn...

[deadthunder2_0]

UPDATE:  Some of you know of my peculiar educational situation:  I attend a residential high school, so the computers I have access to have blocks that prevent me from installing programs, so I can't use 3ds Max for the better part of two weeks.  Thus, last semester I only was able to put out one project.

This semester, I found a nice portable version of Gmax that runs straight off of a flash drive.  Thus, I can model on the school computers.  I found a lengthy conversion process that goes from .gmax to .md3 to .3ds to importing into 3ds Max, which I've tested, so on weekends I can afterwards UV map the models I work on.

And so, I should be able to get a decent amount of work done, and with spring break, hopefully I can finish this project.

What project you ask?

The Vendetta.  Model is around 2/3rds to 3/4ths done.  Feast your eyes.

install the max nif importer/exporter to gmax, then you can export directly into nif!

[FarShot]

install the max nif importer/exporter to gmax, then you can export directly into nif!

Gmax doesn't have all the modelling tools I like though, so I'd finish it up in Max anyways.

By the way, already I'm back at school, enjoying myself.  Yay.

[086gf]

Its a good start so far.

[FarShot]

25th century Sovereign refit? (WIP)

Quantum slipstream drive, Eclipse-class grade weaponry, Intrepid-class like maneuverability, four extra decks in the saucer to up crew count to Galaxy-class like levels, and an expanded secondary hull and deflector dish for her new and improved capabilities.

[Darkthunder]

Looks good.

[JamesTiberiusKirk]

25th century Sovereign refit? (WIP)

Quantum slipstream drive, Eclipse-class grade weaponry, Intrepid-class like maneuverability, four extra decks in the saucer to up crew count to Galaxy-class like levels, and an expanded secondary hull and deflector dish for her new and improved capabilities.

that looks quite reasonable!

[Vedic]

What Colours her Deflector?

[FarShot]

What Colours her Deflector?

It'll have the circular golden dish as before, but since it's bigger, it'll have a blue outside part, kind of like the Intrepid class.  I'll also try to incorporate something DJ Eclipse-like since this is a 25th century refit.

EDIT:  Got an update.

[Nihilus]

It'll have the circular golden dish as before, but since it's bigger, it'll have a blue outside part, kind of like the Intrepid class.  I'll also try to incorporate something DJ Eclipse-like since this is a 25th century refit.

EDIT:  Got an update.

That's a good looking upgrade.  I would love to see this one come to fruition.  Shoot, she'd make a good 1701-F.

[Darkthunder]

That's a good looking upgrade.  I would love to see this one come to fruition.  Shoot, she'd make a good 1701-F.

Technically we already have a fan-created Enterprise-F (Century Class) ;)

Nevertheless, the more the merrier. One thing to consider, is the difference between the TOS Enterprise, and the TMP Enterprise, and how both ships were still technically "Constitution Class". If you keep the hull lines relatively similar, and the size of the ships relatively similar, you can do alot more to make it more "futuristic" looking. Thou I must say, you've done a pretty good job already. Personally, I thought the previous nacelles were "good enough" but the new design looks good too. You gonna make a 3D model of it too, or is this mostly "concept art" for the time being?

[FarShot]

I love the idea of refitting the Sovereign so it has bigger crew capacity so much that even if it takes the rest of my life I'm going to make a model of her.  I'd like to start from a base so that I don't have to model the Sovereign class then add on, and if I recall correctly, CG's permissions allow that.

People who don't like the Sovereign usually say its because she's so warlike and also because she's smaller than the Galaxy class.  Shouldn't the Enterprise keep getting bigger?  So the main purpose of this refit is so that she's like the next generation of Federation flagship and fills the explorer role more.

Now, this refit follows the DJ Curtis continuity, so there's no chance of her bearing the name Enterprise, unless we go with this idea I've been playing around with - around 2390, the Enterprise E was refitted to these specs, but that would make her a late 24th century refit.

[Darkthunder]

To be honest, I really don't see a need that every next-gen Enterprise needs to be bigger than the previous one. Unless you wanna eventually end up with ships having city-sized crews in the thousands, with both officers, enlisted and civilians, and thus making it a very tempting target for enemy ships.

The Sovereign Refit should remain "relatively" equal size to it's standard version, but ofcourse certain additions can be made, such as increasing the saucer height, or extending the stardrive area (both of which you've done). Also, consider that removal of certain "warlike" features, would result in increased usable space aboard ship, without necessarily expanding the ships size.

[Nihilus]

Personally I've always liked the fact that she was Warlike.  To me the Constitution was Warlike, specifically the 1701-A.  Considering the fact she existed when the Federation and Klingon Empire were constantly on the brink of war, it made sense to me.  That, and she had no families on board.  As for the Sovereign's size she might not be as big compared to the Galaxy generally, but she is indeed longer.

Maybe you could incorporate some of John Eave's Sovereign Refit design into yours?  I particularly like the additions he made to the engineering section and think they would work really well on your design as well.  This way his design could be like the first Refit in the late 24th century and yours is the second and final refit in the 25th century, before DJ's Century takes over her role.

[FarShot]

The only striking differences in that pic look to be that acute angle in the secondary hull and a change in the contour of the area around the deflector.  As I recall, the most obvious change was supposed to be the color of the ship, making her look more metallic like the Constitution refit.

I'll see if I can get in that angle.  Should spice up the look of her.

EDIT - Other changes that make her less warship-y and more exploratory:
-aft facing launchers have been reduced to one rapid fire torpedo turret directly below the aft shuttlebay
-forward facing launchers have been reduced to two rapid fire torpedo turrets directly fore of the new captain's yacht assembly
-aft dorsal saucer phasers have been reduced from four to two strips
-plating has been changed to something in between DJ Century and DJ Eclipse
-black plating has been toned down and features more windows

Oh, one more thing.  Never was comfortable with how the impulse engines looked like they were angled outwards.  New engines installed that are like the Aventine class impulse engines.

[Nihilus]

I don't know if you have any more plans for the Bussard Collectors or not but I have a suggestion.  Really, it's kind of similar to DJ's Century now that I think about it, but this or something like it, would be good IMO.  This is just a suggestion though, you can do what ever you think looks good

[FarShot]

Yeah, I have a potential derivative that looks just like that.  I've been playing with the idea, don't you worry. ;)

Oh, another thing, like all my designs lately she features impulse engines at the nacelle/pylon junctions.

[deadthunder2_0]

Why not make this as a test bed for the Century. The USS Rhinoceros was refitted to 20 century tech!
Sounds like a good idea

[FarShot]

Why not make this as a test bed for the Century. The USS Rhinoceros was refitted to 20 century tech!
Sounds like a good idea

Possibly.

New bussards, thanks Nihilus.

[Nihilus]

Possibly.

New bussards, thanks Nihilus.

Anytime.  She's looking good 

[FarShot]

Comparisons.  First is a silhouette to silhouette comparison, the other an outline overlay.