Bridge Commander Central
BC Forums => BC Modding => Topic started by: Commander_One on June 12, 2008, 03:49:33 PM
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I've been working quite sometime now on a project involving my first release of the USS NOVA, (originally Lord Bile's with no hardpoints).
The Defiant/Pathfinder Project. I have worked many hours on this and I've finally decided to show the first screenshots of what I've came up with so far. We all know (most of us anyhow) that the Defiant class ship we all know and love today, did not start out in the form it was in when she was introduced at DS9. There are references everywhere about the original Nova class designs that was to be the Defiant Class Starship This ship represents what I believe ( and I do repeat, what "I" believe) was the original test bed ship for all the technology found in today's Defiant Class starship. She packs quite a punch for such a small ship, but remember, it was designed originally to fight the Borg.
Please give feedback on this idea, and what I've came up with so far. I have spent many hours on this ship on retexturing and rewriting hardpoints. I'm not the best at changing the model itself...because there are several smoothing errors that need attention. However, I feel the look and feel of this ship is well worth taking a look at.
I now present: The Defiant/Pathfinder Class: USS PATHFINDER - NX-72074
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I'm seeing a lot of smoothing errors, as you've already mentioned... they ought to be ironed out. I'm not too fond of the colors, either... purple was never much of a feddy thing to do, y'know? Cool ideas, though.
So, on the 'chore list', what I would suggest is:
a. Iron out the smoothing issues; this is the biggest nit-pick.
b. color scheme. Purple was never much of a feddy thing to do. For something like this, as an NX, I would suggest a yellowish/gold deflector, both primary and secondary. the warp coils ought to be a pale blueish-white rather than a pale purple; again, purple was never much of a fed thing... that's more the Dominion's area. I notice the hull is all sorts of shades of greens and purples... though very subtle. It's interesting, but again, not too feddy. Blues, greys, and whites, maybe. But purple... I'm not sure purple works.
Still! A good start. I actually kinda like the different hues on the hull... just doesn't work much for a fed ship, y'know? :3 This is all just my humble opinion, though. :] good work so far.
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it's only a retexture and its hard for you to rebuild the model, but hey, I like the textures.
lloking very nice :);)
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I'm seeing a lot of smoothing errors, as you've already mentioned... they ought to be ironed out. I'm not too fond of the colors, either... purple was never much of a feddy thing to do, y'know? Cool ideas, though.
So, on the 'chore list', what I would suggest is:
a. Iron out the smoothing issues; this is the biggest nit-pick.
b. color scheme. Purple was never much of a feddy thing to do. For something like this, as an NX, I would suggest a yellowish/gold deflector, both primary and secondary. the warp coils ought to be a pale blueish-white rather than a pale purple; again, purple was never much of a fed thing... that's more the Dominion's area. I notice the hull is all sorts of shades of greens and purples... though very subtle. It's interesting, but again, not too feddy. Blues, greys, and whites, maybe. But purple... I'm not sure purple works.
Still! A good start. I actually kinda like the different hues on the hull... just doesn't work much for a fed ship, y'know? :3 This is all just my humble opinion, though. :] good work so far.
The USS Relativity had a purple hue.
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If it's meant to be the first concept of the Defiant then it should have more of a Defiant(ish) colour scheme so people will associate it with a defiant. So, have similar texture warp naccelles (make it look like theres little holes in the side) and the same with the deflector. If it's the same/similar tech then it would be logical that they are the same colour (blue). The hull should look more armoured and have more greys/blacks in it. It's a good attempt though.
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I'm seeing a lot of smoothing errors, as you've already mentioned... they ought to be ironed out. I'm not too fond of the colors, either... purple was never much of a feddy thing to do, y'know? Cool ideas, though.
So, on the 'chore list', what I would suggest is:
a. Iron out the smoothing issues; this is the biggest nit-pick.
b. color scheme. Purple was never much of a feddy thing to do. For something like this, as an NX, I would suggest a yellowish/gold deflector, both primary and secondary. the warp coils ought to be a pale blueish-white rather than a pale purple; again, purple was never much of a fed thing... that's more the Dominion's area. I notice the hull is all sorts of shades of greens and purples... though very subtle. It's interesting, but again, not too feddy. Blues, greys, and whites, maybe. But purple... I'm not sure purple works.
Still! A good start. I actually kinda like the different hues on the hull... just doesn't work much for a fed ship, y'know? :3 This is all just my humble opinion, though. :] good work so far.
The USS Relativity had a purple hue.
The USS Relativity was also several generations ahead of the DS9 Era.
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Hmmm...I think I need to adjust the hue on my computer. At first I didn't understand why you said it was purple...but now that I am looking at it on a different computer, the blue definitely looks purple on this one, which was not my intention. I'll adjust it at first opportunity.
As far as the deflector being changed to a yellow hue, I'll do a version like that and see what it looks like.
thanks for the feedback so far.
~cmdr one
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Sorry to burst your bubble, but:
http://www.neutralzone.de/database/Federation/Other/Four-NacelledDefiantPathfinder.htm
The actual Defiant-Pathfinder has a 4-nacelle configuration, and the forward edge of the saucer is decidedly different from the Nova Class, and the Rhode Island refit. If you could get the proper modifications made to this model, as well as fixing the pre-existing smoothing issues, it would look great.
Also... imho, lose the purple hue :P
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The ship looks great but seems to be missing most of the torpedo tubes. The Defient pathfinder has 2 aft and 4 forward. Other than that the pics I've seen say it almost right.
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Sorry to burst your bubble, but:
http://www.neutralzone.de/database/Federation/Other/Four-NacelledDefiantPathfinder.htm
The actual Defiant-Pathfinder has a 4-nacelle configuration, and the forward edge of the saucer is decidedly different from the Nova Class, and the Rhode Island refit. If you could get the proper modifications made to this model, as well as fixing the pre-existing smoothing issues, it would look great.
Also... imho, lose the purple hue :P
Ummm...you didn't burst my bubble...to quote the web link you just posted....
"A modified four-engine version of the Defiant pathfinder spaceframe has proven successful in surpassing the 1,000 light-year/year efficiency barrier. "
That particular ship you mentioned was a modified version itself...not the actual defiant pathfinder. :arms:
http://www.neutralzone.de/database/Federation/Other/DefiantPathfinder.htm
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Under the circumstances, I would trust darkthunder's reference over the one you've posted any day... primarily because the one you've posted looks like a fan-made microsoft paint jobbie. I'd say go with the four nacelles. If you need help modelling, there's plenty of people here who could help.
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ehm, isnt it non-canon anyway??
and a double nacelled version looks more fed like than a 4 nacelled one
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Under the circumstances, I would trust darkthunder's reference over the one you've posted any day... primarily because the one you've posted looks like a fan-made microsoft paint jobbie. I'd say go with the four nacelles. If you need help modelling, there's plenty of people here who could help.
Ummm...nope, I think not. I am just not liking the idea of four nacelles. Especially on a ship this small.
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ehm, isnt it non-canon anyway??
and a double nacelled version looks more fed like than a 4 nacelled one
Prometheus, anyone?
Ummm...nope, I think not. I am just not liking the idea of four nacelles. Especially on a ship this small.
Well, up to you. :] I'm sure whatever you do will look cool, either way.
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Prometheus is bigger, oh, and Prometheus is a 6 nacelle ship. ;)
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Cheyenne?
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Prometheus is bigger, oh, and Prometheus is a 6 nacelle ship. ;)
I thought it was 5? The 4 main and one small one at the very top?
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I thought there were 6, 4 main and small top and bottom nacelle.
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There were two warp nacelles on each section. One on the top and bottom of the primary saucer, one on either side of the second (center) hull, and one on either side of the third (bottom) hull. That makes six.
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Oh right. Didn't know about the bottom one on the saucer section.
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the two less-noticed nacelles, now perhaps back on topic?
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Under the circumstances, I would trust darkthunder's reference over the one you've posted any day... primarily because the one you've posted looks like a fan-made microsoft paint jobbie. I'd say go with the four nacelles. If you need help modelling, there's plenty of people here who could help.
There are lots of pics going round like that of lots of ships, but he's right, the actual defiant pathfinder only had 2 nacelles.
This is a cool lookin idea though, would be better if you could model in those 2 torp launchers where the secondary deflector is, but one step at a time eh?? 8)
edit: Actually after some investigation that "fan-made paint jobbie" was in the DS9 TM! Good job i kept a copy somewhere ;)
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There are two forward torp launchers along with two pulse weapon launchers, but they're not on the Secondary hull. They're on front of the saucer section. (There's an aft torp launcher and a pulse weapon launcher as well).
I have changed the deflector to a yellow color just to see what it would look like as suggested. I'm not sure if I prefer the blue or the yellow. What are your alls thoughts?
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I prefered the blue one personally, it seemed more... natural to the ships design, the yellow makes it look far too much like a Nova. Nice work so far however
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agreed. blue is better.
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Yeah... blue.
Just no purple, kay? xD
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blue it is for me.
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Why don't you mix it?
Let's say blue backgroun with yellow on it or something
8)
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Or a TMP-esque blue at warp, yellow at impulse deal.
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Or a TMP-esque blue at warp, yellow at impulse deal.
Kinda like how the Voyager models outriggers fold up? Sounds like it can work to me.
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Why don't you mix it?
Let's say blue backgroun with yellow on it or something
8)
Dude, your sig... from Ergo Proxy. That character ROCKS! :D beautiful sig.
Or a TMP-esque blue at warp, yellow at impulse deal.
hey, that could work... so long as both deflectors are the same color(s), then it could actually look really good. :]
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Why don't you mix it?
Let's say blue backgroun with yellow on it or something
8)
Dude, your sig... from Ergo Proxy. That character ROCKS! :D beautiful sig.
Or a TMP-esque blue at warp, yellow at impulse deal.
hey, that could work... so long as both deflectors are the same color(s), then it could actually look really good. :]
Hmmm...I need to brush up on F-tech scripting for that one... 8) I do agree that both deflectors need to be the same color, for sure.
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I hope you mean using the Adonis TMP Warp Flash? ;)
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Okay people. I've not posted on this in forever...but it's definitely not because I've not been working on the project, that's for sure. I have updated some textures and also added some phaser strips on the pylons. The big surprise is that I 've also been working on a bridge to go hand in hand with this baby. Thanks to Mark for allowing me to use the Holo-defiant bridge by 3rd Era, I am almost ready to release both the ship and the bridge. It will not overwrite any other mod you have. Both will be stand alone mods for your enjoyment. Here are a few screen shots. Please give your comments and suggestions if you have any. Thanks and Live long and prosper!
Commander One
:P
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That's a pretty neat looking bridge retexture. Well done.
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Ya, I too like that Bridge retexture, and it is a Bridge you could have on a Nova, the Sovy bridge just don't look right for a Nova.
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It wasn't a Sovvie bridge, it was a cross between an Intrepid and a Prometheus.
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It wasn't a Sovvie bridge, it was a cross between an Intrepid and a Prometheus.
one quick explanation, limey I was meaning when one is playing the game, Sovie bridge is defaulr, and it just looks wrong.
Now We return you to your regularly scheduled topic.
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Geez, looking good man, cookie from me. Tad upset about losing the purple as it gave me the real testbed impression, but hey! Bridge looks fantastic, the colours just work brilliantly. ;)
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Very cool bridge! I like it a lot. Just one little nit-pick: The lights you've textured onto the forward ceiling may need a little tweaking imo; they're rather dark so maybe brightening them up a bit would be beneficial. :) And two, maybe try to do them a little higher-res or something? They do seem a little blurry... Otherwise, I really like this. Keep up the good work buddy! :]
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Very cool bridge! I like it a lot. Just one little nit-pick: The lights you've textured onto the forward ceiling may need a little tweaking imo; they're rather dark so maybe brightening them up a bit would be beneficial. :) And two, maybe try to do them a little higher-res or something? They do seem a little blurry... Otherwise, I really like this. Keep up the good work buddy! :]
Now that you've mentioned it, I'll look into those lights. Thanks for pointing them out. I really hadn't paid much attention to those. :shock:
Thanks for the comments and suggestions, I do appreciate any insight for sure. Here are a couple more close ups of some LCARS displays, and another dorsal view of the ship.
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since this is the pathfinder for, lets face it, a warship, am i the only one who finds things like 1 impulse engine entirely too amusing a weakspot?
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since this is the pathfinder for, lets face it, a warship, am i the only one who finds things like 1 impulse engine entirely too amusing a weakspot?
You have a point, but you'll have to ask the guy who designed it why he only put one, :king
However, there are several Starfleet ships out there that just has one impulse engine.
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hands down a cool bridge, but if you want to use something accurate, shouldn't it be a Voyager-style bridge instead of a Defiant?
at least, the Equinox's was a mixed redress of the Voyager and Prometheus.
or was it the Promethus a "clean" version of the Equinox? can't remember which one aired up first.
as for the ship, just one impulse engine wouldn't be that a weak spot. you still have manouvering thrusters. wouldn't go past 1/16 C, but would do.
if Picard can steer the 4$$ of a Galaxy class with two thrusters, then it's possible. :lol:
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Keep in mind Bridge Modules are usually interchangable, and as this is a testbed for the Defiant, having a similar layout kinda makes sense.
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Keep in mind Bridge Modules are usually interchangable, and as this is a testbed for the Defiant, having a similar layout kinda makes sense.
That is precisely why I am using the Defiant Bridge. :P
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Actually, the Prommie bridge looks more like the Ent-A bridge than the Equinox bridge... Equinox was more like Voyagers.
Back to this mod, it looks awesome!!
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i must admit, im inclined to agree with Nighthawk...
since BC doesnt have a Nova bridge, i think the closest resembling one would be a Prommie bridge or maybe an Intrepid bridge; personally i would have thought of using either of those bridges rather than a Defiant bridge for this ship... but thats just my own personal opinion...
that being said, USS Prime also has a point...
i guess having seen the Equinox and the Defiant bridges in the shows, i guess it is a little tougher personally to think of a Defiant bridge for this ship, even if this ship is like the "first" design for the Defiant...
in either event, Commander_One, the bridge retexture is really awesome! very nice work! hopefully youll be doing more bridge retextures in the future! we can never have enough bridge retextures, i always say :)
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Theoretically, an updated Galaxy (If you'd even still have them in service by then) Could be refitted with a Sovereign Module. Sure, it may look kinda outta place, but at the time of the Defiant, the Prommie was still top secret, right? I'd assume the Bridge Module was exclusive at that point (If it was even built).
I can't stress enough how much the colours fit the Defiant bridge though, really did a brilliant job, and I'm with Jimmy on more bridge retextures. ;) This'll definitely be what I use for the Alita though, as well as the Pathfinder when we can get ahold of it. :D
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Sure, it may look kinda outta place, but at the time of the Defiant, the Prommie was still top secret, right? I'd assume the Bridge Module was exclusive at that point (If it was even built).
true; but i only suggested the Prommie bridge because BC doesnt have an actual Nova bridge, and the Prommie is prolly the closest we can get... except maybe the Intrepid since i think it was around the same time-frame; but Prommie is closer i think to the actual Nova bridge...
I can't stress enough how much the colours fit the Defiant bridge though, really did a brilliant job
oh absolutely - hopefully we'll see more bridge retextures! the LCARS look so well done and i really do like their color scheme! i sure do wish i could do LCARS as nice as those! it would be really cool to see other bridges in the same color scheme (LCARS and overall bridge) :)
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Those are very good arguments for using the Intrepid and/or Prometheus bridge modules for the Defiant/Pathfinder. However...I just seem to like the feel of this bridge when I'm playing the game. I will look into doing more retextures in the future for other bridges (with permissions of course). I've enjoyed working on this one the past few months. Thanks for your compliments.
Aeries: I have worked on those lights you mentioned. Here are some screenies. What do you all think of the new texture?
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much better! :)
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Absolutely stunning! Have a cookie, mate!
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do you want a cookie Huh Huh Huh, here ya go.
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Are you trying to make those look like lights, or the light cast by lights embedded in the ceiling?
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Are you trying to make those look like lights, or the light cast by lights embedded in the ceiling?
Not really functioning lights persay, but more like back lit ambient lighting. 8)
Thanks for the cookies!! Where those nutmeg? lol
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I'm just trying to get a feel for where the light source is because right now, I can't seem to find a plausible source.
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I'm just trying to get a feel for where the light source is because right now, I can't seem to find a plausible source.
They're backlit panels :wink:
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Ohhh, I kinda see what you mean... hmm... Okay, well second [small] nit-pick for your benefit; They seem to be off-center. :) Not trying to be a pain, just want this to be the best it can be for you. :]
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They're backlit panels :wink:
I see now. You're going to have a really hard time pulling that off with just textures.
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Bridge looks great 8)
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The ship looks great but seems to be missing most of the torpedo tubes. The Defient pathfinder has 2 aft and 4 forward. Other than that the pics I've seen say it almost right.
Jus one thing,what about phaser cannons??? :?
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The ship looks great but seems to be missing most of the torpedo tubes. The Defient pathfinder has 2 aft and 4 forward. Other than that the pics I've seen say it almost right.
Jus one thing,what about phaser cannons??? :?
This ship will be equipped with an aft torpedo launcher, 1 aft pulse phaser launcher, 2 fwd torpedo lauchers, and 2 fwd pulse phaser launchers. It will carry two prototype torps. :)
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I'm getting very close to a release on both ship and bridge, I've done beta testing on a new install and also added slipstream technology as well. Once I get the forward tractor beam to line up with the emitter, It'll be ready. The MPE isn't helping me much as of yet with that one, but I'll figure it out. Did some work on the Dome lighting as well on the bridge.
here's a couple of screenies:
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Eeeeh! Looking forward to it!
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I've been working on some specular maps and have a couple version to show. Which one, if either do you all like better:
Map1 version or Map 2 version.
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Map 1 looks way better
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1, however, may I derail your current work a bit? If JLS give permission, I think their nova would be a far superior mesh to work with as your pictures showcase some rather hideous mesh errors.
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1, however, may I derail your current work a bit? If JLS give permission, I think their nova would be a far superior mesh to work with as your pictures showcase some rather hideous mesh errors.
That is true about the mesh errors on the LB Nova, for which I have been using for this mod and the previous Nova that I released with HP's a couple years ago. I plan on going ahead with this one since I've put a lot of time into it. I agree with you, the JLS mesh is a beauty and could definitely be a future update given their permission is granted at some point. Thanks for the comments...I will go ahead with Map 1 theme for the speculars. It definitely gives it a "racing" feel to it.
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This is a nice little boat, what weapon options are added onto it? Since it's an updated ship and a small one, I was thinking Micro Quantums, small sortie of them and a regular torpedos.
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This is a nice little boat, what weapon options are added onto it? Since it's an updated ship and a small one, I was thinking Micro Quantums, small sortie of them and a regular torpedos.
This ship was a prototype used to test systems eventually used on the Defiant. There's not really much information on exactly what was used or going to be used on this ship, so I did take some liberties on what I felt could have been on it. It was designed with intent to fight the Borg threat after the incident in the episode Q-who? TNG under the watchful eye of Benjamin Sisko himself. This ship has a cloaking device, ablative armour, 2 types experimental plasma torpedoes (blue and red) and a photonic burst pulse phasers fore and aft. I've increased phaser arcs to 360 degree coverage...and added four banks where there werent' any on the warp pylons...there won't be any blind spots on this baby ;)
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Oooo, pretty torpedoes
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Oooo, pretty torpedoes
I second that. :D
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Oooo, pretty torpedoes
I second that. :D
Third. Good work. :)
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I've released the Ship to BC Files and the bridge will follow very soon. I've had some computer problems and lost a few specular map targas on the ship, so they're not as detailed as the one's shown here. Main texture files are still the same and the speculars that I'm used where older backup versions and still look okay.
hope you enjoy!
:P
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since the ship has been released, i will go ahead and lock this thread...
Commander_One, please post a new thread with a download link in the BC Downloads forum... and if ever youd need this thread reopened, please lemme know...
thx :)