Bridge Commander Central
BC Forums => BC Modding => Topic started by: DJ Curtis on April 24, 2010, 01:22:18 PM
-
A few months back in Wiley's thread I said (kind of half-joking) that I'd build and Ambassador Class ship. Time to make good on that, I suppose. I started this last night. Trying to make it exceptionally smooth without going overboard on polygons. There are about 7000 polygons right now, but that will be reduced in places where they're not needed.
The Ambassador is just so classic Starfleet I had to do it. LC's version is getting pretty old now, even though it still looks fantastic. I know there have been a couple of versions released since then, but I always stuck to LC's version because it had a heavier feel to it. The newer ones have felt a bit too narrow in places for my taste, though it could just be my imagination. For this baby I want to give it a real heavy cruiser feel.
When it comes to HP time, I'll balance it right between Wiley's new Excelsiors (TNG era) and my Galaxy Class.
Hope you like it. :D
-
sweet :D
are you going to make both versions of the Ambassador?
-
sweet!!! :thumbsup:
are you going to make both versions of the Ambassador?
:dance :dance :yay: :yay: :dance :dance
yes TNG version also please (USS Ambassador NCC (or NX) 10521) :D
*moar cookeez*
-
Sweet, the Ambassador is my favorite ship, I would love to be on the beta test when ever you get to finishing it. I've been using the JLS Ambassador with my own altered hp to bring it to TNG specs, still needs tweaking, but close to where I like it. Are you going to use canon phaser coverage, or are you going to use the phasers they planned but never included on the show?
-
DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!
luv it :dance
-
That is amazing!
-
That's a smooth looking render.
-
great, we need a new one
-
Yeah so far only LC's nacelles seemed to be right - they look so massive :D
This one looks awesome so far (like always lol) have a cookie ;)
-
lol :eek Awesome :thumbsup: :bow: *cookied*
-
Actually three versions...the Enterprise-C...refitted version with extra light dome on the bottom of the saucer with red impulse engines..and a third variant with lowered pylons (Yamaguchi) variant.
-
Looks very good so far.
If you are looking to do a pack though, I have a couple of questions.
1. Any chance you would include a variant that has your own unqiue feel to it, similar to what you did when you made the USS Pegasus in your Galaxy pack?
2. Any chance of seeing the Andrew Probert version aswell?
-
Oh nice, I do look forward to a new Ambassador Class. And a post-Nemesis variant would be awesome. Your USS Pegasus is absolutely gorgeous so I'd bet a post-Nemesis Ambassador would be just as gorgeous.
-
question will be u modeling visible torpedo launchers on this old girl and how many will she have
-
great, we need a new one
Wait, what? We already have LC's and JLS' ambassador classes. Those are excellent works in and of themselves and no where near dated.
-
LC's is starting to show age, and JLS's doesn't have modeled torp tubes
-
So the lack of roughly 10-30 polygons merits an entire rebuild?
-
the reason i don't model it is because i don't model, but DJ's is looking great, and it is a new ship, more to choose from
-
guh not to sound like a moderator here but should this conversation really be going on here??
anyway.................. Nice work so far DJ :D
remember ya need any nitpicking just ask me xD
-
Nice.
For the record, LC's is not dated... period. It's too damn good to be dated.
Good to have quality options though.
-
Dated or not dated? That is the question...
I don't mind having more than one ship to choose from. Especially if DJ wants to make different variations to choose from. That is of course if he plans to make more variations lol.
-
Nice.
For the record, LC's is not dated... period. It's too damn good to be dated.
Good to have quality options though.
period.
-
While the LC looks good, I'm sure DJ will make it far prettier. So far I love everyone of his ships, they look like a touch above the rest. The JLS Amby looks better that the LC amby, but lacks a torpedo tube even though it has extra phaser strips (which I love) plus it is the Enterprise C variant, I would like to have the refit version though, and if DJ wants a post dominion war variant would be awesome
-
The Ambie never had modelled on torp tubes in the first place so in that respect, the JLS Ambie is quite canon. :P
-
The Ambie never had modelled on torp tubes in the first place so in that respect, the JLS Ambie is quite canon. :P
Only in that respect :P We added phasers arrays to make it actually fit within the era. And the fact is our unmodelled torp tube fired torps :P
DJ, what approach are you gonna take with that? Stupidly underpowered, strictly canon or within the era, "original intent"? Also, you planning a Yamaguchi variant?
-
IMO I think the fore tubes should be hidden behind the grill in the neck... kinda how DS9 had it's tubes hidden lol
I also gave DJ the link to ST-bilder they got plenty of LARGE pics of all the Ambasses.
-
has anyone ever seen WZs ambassador refit?
-
Hey, I'm not complaining if we get a new Ambassador pack :yay:, but I was always hoping DJ would do a Constitution Refit Class pack :D
-
I think the reason why the torp tubes weren't visible is because maybe it was a diplomatic idea... after all, the class of the ship is called ambassador. Perhaps the tubes had a launch door that hid them?... sort of like the a '67 RS Camaro headlights,how there was a false grill hidding them when they weren't being used.
-
has anyone ever seen WZs ambassador refit?
Not sure they ever have. You might want to post a few in game screenshots over on BCFiles of it just to let them know.
-
I think the reason why the torp tubes weren't visible is because maybe it was a diplomatic idea... after all, the class of the ship is called ambassador. Perhaps the tubes had a launch door that hid them?... sort of like the a '67 RS Camaro headlights,how there was a false grill hidding them when they weren't being used.
didn't I say that??
-
has anyone ever seen WZs ambassador refit?
Not sure they ever have. You might want to post a few in game screenshots over on BCFiles of it just to let them know.
have u forgotten the history between WZ and BCF?
Smacks Centurus with the Dawg Bone
Anyways here be a few perspective pics of her. She has been available for DL for quite some time
(http://www.demonrenegadestudios.com/downloads/fed/vanquisher_angle1.jpg)
(http://www.demonrenegadestudios.com/downloads/fed/vanquisher_angle2.jpg)
there are more views but dont want to bog down the thread DRS has moved heres the new link
http://www.demonrenegadestudios.com
-
ok guys this thread is really starting to go all over the place and lose its focus...
perhaps it might be best to hold off on further posting until DJ can come back to his thread and catch up...
so please let DJ have the next post after mine...
thx :)
-
Wow, lots going on. Sorry I didn't update sooner. We had my daughter's fifth birthday party last night, and then i was jamming with my band most of the afternoon today.
Anyhow, the nacelles are built, and I added a number of details to the engineering hull. Now to answer some questions... lol.
Am I doing the variant?--> At this point, I am doing the Enterprise C. Whether that expands down the road depends on how busy my life is.
Am I modeling the torpedo tube?--> Yes, however in a fashion more akin to a Galaxy class starship, where it more or less just looks like a hole.
If I missed a major question, could you just quote it below.
It's funny, as I build this ship I'm really coming to appreciate its design. Despite being a little gaunt at times, it's actually pretty graceful.
Hope you guys like how she's shaping up. :)
-
I PMed you about it... and I do have a few nitpicks about those nacelles lol
-
Okay okay. Neb nagged me and i fixed the nacelles by flattening the tops and redoing that ribbed section.
Also, saucer work has begun.
-
Any ship of yours is worth a download. This is absolutely no exception. You get a cookie from me.
-
Thanks man.
Starting to take shape now. I love this thing. :angel Still plenty to go.
-
And just for fun...
-
Well, you did ask that major questions be reposted. :D
Looks very good so far.
If you are looking to do a pack though, I have a couple of questions.
1. Any chance you would include a variant that has your own unqiue feel to it, similar to what you did when you made the USS Pegasus in your Galaxy pack?
2. Any chance of seeing the Andrew Probert version aswell?
-
Question: Just how many slices are in that saucer?
-
Hmmm...very nice. :D Here's a question. Since you're doing the Ent-C, will you be doing a clean version and a beat-all-to-hell version?
-
Question: Just how many slices are in that saucer?
108 around the rim and phaser, but many fewer on the actual "face" of the saucer. I'll show you a wireframe later once I get some poly reduction done.
As to the version I'm doing, as I stated, I'm doing the Ent C for now. She will be clean.
-
I hope we get to see a DJ version of this ship too. :)
-
uh of what ship??
-
uh of what ship??
This one. I think he means one of his future refit versions, like the Pegasus variant.
-
oh IC
-
Right now I'm sort of leaning that way. The way I see it is that the Ambassador class is a big investment. Like the Excelsior Class, Starfleet isn't going to just do away with them because the Galaxy Class came along. By my way of thinking, once Starfleet had a sufficient run of Galaxy Class starships constructed and flying around, the Ambassadors probably would have been pulled in for a major refit. I might go that route.
-
Right now I'm sort of leaning that way. The way I see it is that the Ambassador class is a big investment. Like the Excelsior Class, Starfleet isn't going to just do away with them because the Galaxy Class came along. By my way of thinking, once Starfleet had a sufficient run of Galaxy Class starships constructed and flying around, the Ambassadors probably would have been pulled in for a major refit. I might go that route.
I'm not so sure myself. I mean, we rarely saw other Ambies on screen. Only 3 episodes on TNG and one of DS9, and never in overly important roles. That suggests (to me at least) that Starfleet never really widely deployed them.
Or perhaps that the production crew found it cheaper to use other thing :P
-
Any chance of seeing Andrew Probert's concept Ambassador if you are doing a pack?
I did ask on the last 2 pages but they both ended up quite close to the bottom of their pages so you may have missed the original question.
-
No. It's an almost entirely different ship, plus Wiley has already begun taking care of that ship anyway.
-
Wow great job, you are doing great. as i said- we need more options
-
No. It's an almost entirely different ship, plus Wiley has already begun taking care of that ship anyway.
Fair enough. Looks great so far.
-
Right now I'm sort of leaning that way. The way I see it is that the Ambassador class is a big investment. Like the Excelsior Class, Starfleet isn't going to just do away with them because the Galaxy Class came along. By my way of thinking, once Starfleet had a sufficient run of Galaxy Class starships constructed and flying around, the Ambassadors probably would have been pulled in for a major refit. I might go that route.
I'm not so sure myself. I mean, we rarely saw other Ambies on screen. Only 3 episodes on TNG and one of DS9, and never in overly important roles. That suggests (to me at least) that Starfleet never really widely deployed them.
Or perhaps that the production crew found it cheaper to use other thing :P
I'd say they were cheap. The same reason we didn't see any Refit Excelsiors during any of the battles, even though they made note in a previous episode that the USS Lakota was upgraded with more powerful phasers and quantum torpedoes. We didn't get to see any Sovereign class ships either, even though that would have been SWEET.
So I don't see any reason why we can't get an upgraded Ambassador Class. If you think about it, Starfleet lost quite a few ships during the war. It would make sense that they take older vessels and give them an upgrade to make up for their losses, while more modern ships are still being constructed.
And as always, DJ's work will be jaw-droppingly gorgeous so I can't wait to see more :)
-
They didn't show a sovereign because they wanted it to Movie only
-
Well as I see it The Ambies were built to replace the aging excellsior class, and to show case the new tech, I mean this is the first ship to have phaser strips and that style of warp nacelles. I mean at this point the excellsiors had to be pretty worn out with out a new ship to replace them. The were built to be bigger and handle all duties for SF. So when these ships came out, the Excelsiors were either refitted, or scrapped. I got this from when Picard mentioned the Stargazer was falling apart at the seams, doesn't speak for how advanced SF was. I figured they kept making them up till the start of the dominion war, probably haulted due to the need for smaller, easier to make combat vessels, the rest were probably refitted with type X phasers, stronger shields, and engines. I think they were used when a Galaxy or Sovergien class wasn't needed, but a diplomatic vessel with teeth was still needed
-
I'm not sure I buy into this idea that just because a new ship class comes into existence it means the one before it goes the way of the dinosaur. I think the Excelsior is the perfect example of how a well designed ship can find a great deal of life long after being commissioned. You gotta realize that the Excelsiors were from the 2280's and still in use for sure 90 years after that. That's a very long run. But consider that the modern USS Enterprise aircraft carrier CVN-65 was launched in the 1960 and is still in active service today. That's a 50 year old ship built with 20th century technology. I would think that in the future a starship would certainly last longer than 50 years.
Given all the resources that go into constructing a ship as massive as an Ambassador Class starship, I think Starfleet would have to find something majorly wrong with the class to think them obsolete. Surely they are built to be upgraded in many non-visible ways. To my way of thinking, the Ambassador class would probably get a major refit around 2380 (60 years after being first launched) for the final 20 years of it's usable life.
-
I forgot to add, we didn't see it really cause they didn't computer model it, I remember reading a long time ago they choose to use "well known" trek ships like the Galaxy, Excelsior, and Miranda to CG cause back then, CG was very expensive so they could only afford to do a couple ships. By the end of the series is when we start to see the sabre and the steam runner. Because the Amby appeared a few times, it wasn't very remembered, so didn't get thought of when they were CGing ships. Remember the Intepid class (can't remember its name) that was in DS9 appeared about the same time the started using the CG Voyager more instead of the real physical model they had.
This is most based off a article I read once years ago, and some stuff I filled in, so take it as it is
BTW I can't wait for you to finish this amby, it looks great so far, I hope through your busy life you find time not just the Ent C model, but a TNG model, and a dominion war/PDW refit. This ship is by far I want to see the most
-
To my way of thinking, the Ambassador class would probably get a major refit around 2380 (60 years after being first launched) for the final 20 years of it's usable life.
I'd assume more around 2370-71, with the emergence of the Dominion threat (makes more sense to me), but aside from that I'd be inclined to agree with everything else you said. The previous ship class doesn't go away, cut back (or in most cases stop) production sure, but not retire.
Anyways getting back to the topic, your Ambassador is shaping up very nicely and I can't wait to see more. I'm a big fan of your Galaxy class, although with my system being a little older I keep it limited to my non-NFX 2 install, but that doesn't mean I like it any less. :)
-
one of the old guides pegs the Excelsior class having come off the production line for a CENTURY ,which is longer than all but a couple of automotive manufacturers have existed. I wonder if the descendants of either Studebaker or Mercedes-Benz run the fleet yards where the excell's are assembled :P the excell's were just too handy.
another good example is the old connies. Bone's Sobieski is based on the premise that starfleet ran short of even excells and Mirandas for the War, and dug out some connie 2's and refit them to fill in the gap. the fact is that if starfleet actually kept some connies in stock, just in case, proves how tough the mk II's were (especially after Scotty had tweaked the crap out of the design as Captian of engineering)
i agree, though, that the amby's were probably just overlooked in production. they might have been just intended as a one-shot (or, like the actual excelsior model, too altered/damaged to bother with). if i remember my ship history right, ambies should have got their "mark II" overhaul sometime in the fifties, if there were any left after the Klingon mess :P
either way, when DJ starts on a model, you know your gonna get something good looking.
-
Great to see you doing this, alway been a fan of your work. Looks like it is coming along very well indeed. the engines look great. Good to hear Wiley's doing the Probert design, you know that will bee great too.
In my hollow dome I call a mind in it's imagination,,:P
I think that we are talking about space here,, The Alpha Quadrant alone would have plenty of room for all kind of classes of starships.
I could see Ambassadors being part of the classes that were doing a lot of long range exploration missions, that may have been far out when the dominion war was happening. The closer ships would have been refitted for such a scenario. Also resources would have been shifted to newer designs for the war effort and older designs would have been put "on the back burner" until needed to be produced again. When you are at war, your gonna pump out the designs suited for war before you get older designs unless things get bad, then you would mout quantum launchers on anything that could fight. The BC storyline would be a good explanation for the Sovereign Class not being seen as well.
Nuff that rant,,back to reality,, :facepalm:
Cant wait to see the texturing for this baby. Keep up the good work
-
This is kinda off topic..and its prolly gonna be flagged...but i agree with Captain_D on most points except about the Sovereign..everything about the Sovereign Class pegs it as an 'Enhanced Deterence Explorer'..meaning its designed for combat but is also rigged with state of the art technology for deep space exploration missions.....buuuut back on topic..this Ambassador is looking fantastic a true work of art again by DJ..keep it up big man!!!!!!
-
Thanks Captain_D. Glad you like my work.
As you guys can see, the modeling stage is nearly done. Pretty much just have to do some detail work behind the saucer and maybe add a couple other things here and there. Need to do some poly reduction as well.
Also... For the textures... I was thinking that LC's model and textures are so well done that I would try to make this ship a little unique. I think many of us know that the Ambassador model from the show was a rush job and not exactly as intended. I was thinking of doing the hull texture with the well established blue overtones, but instead of doing the overly crowded shield grid, I would do a grid and aztec style more similar to the excel/galaxy/connie classes.
Thoughts?
-
I added thrusters to the saucer.
-
I think your texture ideas would be great. Since this ship is supposed to bridge the gap between the Connie/Excelsior era of Starfleet and TNG represented by the Galaxy Class, the textures should have details and features that are a mixed of both.
Most Ambassador models I've seen have always lacked a good aztec pattern, something I do want to see rectified.
-
I'm going to make the biggest under statement in the whole history of under statements.
But boy are you good. Just wished my meshes were so clean with they level of detail.
-
I'm going to make the biggest under statement in the whole history of under statements.
But boy are you good. Just wished my meshes were so clean with they level of detail.
practise. be glad you dont have my dis-ability. its horrible to teach me modeling. i just dont get it :hithead:
awesome dj. i can hardly wait to see the textures!
-
This is great DJ LOL and I agree, but if I may suggest something. Make the aztec subtle kinda like Wiley's conny pack (for example). I think that would look great :).
Otherwise, excellent :D
-
Looks great DJ...but one small, tiny detail....the lower sensor dome of the Enterprise-C and other early Ambassadors was simply round..it didn't have the little outcroppings like whats on the Excelsior...that detail wasn't added until the refit for the Yamaguchi...see this article http://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/articles/ambassador.htm for more details...but otherwise absolutely superb!!!
-
Just as beautiful as tiptop's ambassador.
Good job! =D
-
Looks great DJ...but one small, tiny detail....the lower sensor dome of the Enterprise-C and other early Ambassadors was simply round..it didn't have the little outcroppings like whats on the Excelsior...that detail wasn't added until the refit for the Yamaguchi...see this article http://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/articles/ambassador.htm for more details...but otherwise absolutely superb!!!
good find.
-
Thanks for that. I think I prefer the the Yamaguchi version of the dome anyhow. I've decided on a name for the first Ambassador release of mine anyhow. It will be the USS Argonaut.
-
why not merge the 2 variants into one IMO also i wasnt found of the varaint fantail with that excelsior style shuttlebay underneath
-
Me neither. I think that addition really cheapens the design. Makes a very unique ship look like a kitbash.
-
eh never really minded that addon
-
As a matter of fact, I think the lower sensor dome is the only change I like about the Yamaguchi variant. I really don't like the deflector on it.
-
Also... For the textures... I was thinking that LC's model and textures are so well done that I would try to make this ship a little unique. I think many of us know that the Ambassador model from the show was a rush job and not exactly as intended. I was thinking of doing the hull texture with the well established blue overtones, but instead of doing the overly crowded shield grid, I would do a grid and aztec style more similar to the excel/galaxy/connie classes.
Thoughts?
I'd be interested in seeing how that turns out, keep it up DJ.
-
Thanks for that. I think I prefer the the Yamaguchi version of the dome anyhow. I've decided on a name for the first Ambassador release of mine anyhow. It will be the USS Argonaut.
I agree DJ i like the Yamaguchi sensor dome too..but as you had said this would be the Enterprise-C, i figured you would want to make it as cannon as possible...but its your ship...you make it how you like my friend LOL
-
Textures in progress.
-
Am I correct in assuming that you're making a single registry texture for this DJ??? (That's exactly how it looks to me, and I must say GREAT :D:D:D)
-
The overall look of the ship looks great to me so far. That link was a good find.
Like the idea on the Aztec, will give it a detailed look that the Ambassador always needed IMHO. What you've done so far looks nice, but a little too much toward the Galaxy side to me. Might be the size of it, a little bit large.
besides that, :thumbsup:
-
<3
-
sweet textures as usual DJ but i noticed something wonky about the window just to the right and above of the 7 in the main reg
-
sweet textures as usual DJ but i noticed something wonky about the window just to the right and above of the 7 in the main reg
That's why I assumed that there would be a separate ID texture LOL
-
That was just a mapping error. It doesn't have a separate ID texture.
Update. Worked on the bottom and rim of the saucer. Phasers also textured.
Do you guys think I should take some additional creative liberty and maybe add some more escape pods to the outer areas of the bottom saucer?
-
No I'd keep this number.
-
Looks pretty sweet so far. Are you going to model the ridges on the neck, or are you just going to use textures?
uploaded image... ex-astris-scientia.org does not allow for hotlinking... - jb76
-
I think maybe another 5 or 10 escape pods on the underside of the saucer would be good. No more than that though.
-
actually, I agree...it looks like it needs a couple more E-pods, for some reason
-
It looks gorgeous, though I can't say I'm sold on the Aztec colours. The original Ambie colouring was blue/grey - I know you're going for a median point between excelsior and Galaxy, but I think it wouldn't hurt to maintain the Ambie's rather unique colour pallette - while at the same time maintaining your redesigned hull patterns to better reflect her place in history...
-
I agree with Bren on the color scheme..but I also think that the escape pods are too small..they seem to be, according to the picture posted by Nihilus, about 2.5 to 2.7 times the height of the windows...thats why it seems like there should be more cuz how you have them now are a little on the small size...i mean im no modeling or texturing expert...how ever I am pretty good at scaling my ships to each other..but the Galaxy and Ambassador escape pods seem to be close to the same make and model.... can't wait to see more DJ
-
the ambass is smaller than the galaxy and the escape pods are cubes I think large enough for 10 to 15 people...
-
That was just a mapping error. It doesn't have a separate ID texture.
Update. Worked on the bottom and rim of the saucer. Phasers also textured.
Do you guys think I should take some additional creative liberty and maybe add some more escape pods to the outer areas of the bottom saucer?
*mr burns voice* excellent...something else for me to cut up and make an ID with :P (like I did with your galaxy LOL)
Looking good DJ :) Liking the Aztec. But are you still going to use the blue rings etc?
-
I tried adding the blue rings and it looked okay. I might yet do that. As to sticking with the original blue scheme, I can do that really easily, and will.
I'll also increase the size of the escape pods a bit. Blame my schematics. There are no good original "Rick Sterbach" kind of schematics for the Ambie, they all seem to be fan made. :(
Updates this afternoon.
-
After seeing the bottom of the saucer textured as well, I agree with the other guys, it was the color scheme of the hull instead of the sizing of the tiles that was going heavy on the galaxy side. A few more escape pods around the rim would fill in the empty look it has around the edge. Like the detail you've put on them as well.
She is looking great so far.
-
Looks pretty sweet so far. Are you going to model the ridges on the neck, or are you just going to use textures?
Textures seem to do the trick. They're pretty shallow. Also, aztec has been given a blue tint instead of green.
-
:yay: :thumbsup:
-
The neck looks great, like the docking port. To me, the shade of blue on the aztec looks a little overpowering to the grey on the saucer section, a lot of heavy contrast. maybe tone the blue down into more of a greyish blue. or a tone of blue on the grey that would complement it more. just my opinion, :)
-
That's partly due to the bright lighting scheme I'm using. In the game under different lighting, the ship invariable looks a bit different.
-
I was sort of wondering if it may be the way the model was lit, because the neck looked right color wise. thanks for that. Just trying to be helpful.
-
No prob man. I appreciate the input.
What do you guys think?
-
She looks WAY better with an aztec pattern than she ever did without it. That shade of Blue is perfect too, I can't wait to see in game screens. If you wanted to make a post-Nemesis variant, you could just recolor the hull to be more Sovereign like, Tan/Dark Gray, without doing any other changes to the ship. It would be as if she were upgraded with Ablative Armor that way. Increase the Phaser strength a little bit and add Quantum Torpedoes.
That's my two cents lol :D
-
I would have to concur with Nihilus.
And a Post-Nemesis variant of the Ambassador Class would be a cool thing to see. Something to go alongside your Pegasus :)
-
I agree as well..shaping up well...and i like the size of the escape pods now..much closer to the studio model
-
has to agree with the above... also post Nem Ambass of course would have a modified deflector.
btw I IMed you a link DJ so ya might want to login to see it.
-
Man, that is beautiful now, the rings have tied it all together :thumbsup:. the one in the show should have looked that good.
-
If there is a Post Dom refit Ambassador made, and I say if cause not sure if DJ would make it, I would imagine that, along with the modified deflector suggestion, that perhaps a modified warp nacelle design also be included, kinda like the slight nacelle modification that DJ made for that 2395 Galaxy Refit of his. Nothing major, small but noticeable.
-
Oh, textures look very sharp. Question: Did you add the additional escape pods? I'm too lazy today to compare. I spent 8 hours at a marketing seminar so the last thing I wanna do is think hard. :-D
-
no he just made em larger
-
on o PDW refit, you'd think it would have more impulse engines (like galaxy saucer)
-
If there is a Post Dom refit Ambassador made, and I say if cause not sure if DJ would make it, I would imagine that, along with the modified deflector suggestion, that perhaps a modified warp nacelle design also be included, kinda like the slight nacelle modification that DJ made for that 2395 Galaxy Refit of his. Nothing major, small but noticeable.
If I were to design a Post-Dominion Ambassador, I would add dual Torpedo launchers below, for and aft, the Deflector Dish ala Sovereign Class. I did notice however that there appears to be no visible aft Torpedo Launcher on the original model. Perhaps they can go on each side of the Impulse Engine, regardless of Dominion Refit or not?
(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a235/ChargerSRT8/Star%20Trek/Ambassador_Refit.jpg)
-
Ideas for PDW version are welcome, but no guarantees of seeing it soon.
Update...
Gotta say, mapping out a cylindrical engineering hull is a huge pain in the arse. :hithead: However, the main stuff is don and the deflector is textured. Also texture the front of the interhull and adjusted the color of the ribbing to better match the rest of the ship.
-
Looks great DJ nice work.
-
Thanks Mayhem. Good to see you around. :D
Nacelles are in progress. I took some artistic liberty with them and added some hull lines.
-
Just WOW :bow: :bow: :eek
-
Just went on BCFiles. Didn't realize LC's Ambassador is 6 years old. I thought it came out around 2007. Nevermind. :)
-
OMG now i feel old, i can remember having chats over msn with him about it.
-
Very nice buddy. Good to see you're still in town and building flying art. :]
-
eh AWESOME :D but you still forgot the 4 docking ports on the nacelles lol
also this is the link I wanted to give over IM
http://drexfiles.wordpress.com/2009/02/01/enterprise-c-pictorial-deluxe/
-
Thanks Neb. I'm going to texture the docking ports on. And thanks for the link. Good stuff in there.
-
This leaves me speechless :eek The best Ambassador ever !
Hey DJ, any chance to have red hull lines on saucer registry level (like on Excelsior or Miranda) ?
geez I forgot about cookie ... again :facepalm: :funny
-
Don't know about the red lines Bones, but maybe.
Anyhoo, pretty much the only thing left to texture is the bridge module, and I'm going to do a little of my own detailing in the undercut as well as a few other places. ALSO STILL HAVE TO TEXTURE ON THE NACELLE DOCKING PORTS. (you catch that, Neb?) :funny
I think this ship will have set my construction time record for mesh start to texture finish.
Also, as far as HP is concerned, I'm basically going to take the various strengths from my Galaxy Class and make the Ambassador 75% of those values. Any other suggestions?
-
SWEEEET! Will you be looking for Beta testers? Because I'm definitely willing to take her out and see how she handles, taking some high resolution in-game screenshots at the same time.
-
Wow, that's a very smooth mesh! I can't see a single sharp edge at all. I'm sure she'll be loads of fun to roll around the quadrant in. :D
-
I think this ship will have set my construction time record for mesh start to texture finish.
That would be true indeed, you've earned the title of our miracle-worker :D
-
Will some windows be lit up? :P
-
Will some windows be lit up? :P
no, starfleet is saving energy :funny
-
Will some windows be lit up? :P
no, starfleet is saving energy :funny
Warp cores don't come cheap you know. lol
Yes, it's always the last thing i do.
-
Will some windows be lit up? :P
no, starfleet is saving energy :funny
Warp cores don't come cheap you know. lol
Yes, it's always the last thing i do.
Remind the captain to pay the light bill next time :funny
Great Job as always DJ :)
-
haha this is looking awesome :D
-
You never cease to amaze, DJ. :dance
-
Excellent work.
-
wasent the alberta faster?
I think this ship will have set my construction time record for mesh start to texture finish.
That would be true indeed, you've earned the title of our miracle-worker :D
-
Thanks for all the compliments, guys. She's all done, ready to be ported and HP'd. Glows and specular textures are done. Oh yeah, and I turned on some windows. ;)
Best of all? Only two 2048x2048 textures are used on this baby. :D She'll look good and run like a charm.
Beauty shots...
-
Just fantastic. Can't say enough about this one, This is as awesome as you can get. It's an Ambassador PLUS. :D
The lights are on, he has tricked this ship out so much they have heavy tint on 'em :funny
-
this ship would actually be the best to try coords nif/texture edit now that I think about it...
-
Also, as far as HP is concerned, I'm basically going to take the various strengths from my Galaxy Class and make the Ambassador 75% of those values. Any other suggestions?
I would imagine a Amby that served in the war and post war would be brought up to TNG spec Galaxy class ships with Type 10 phasers and similar strenght shields, depends on the period of ST your shooting for though
I would love to beta this also, I could make a free for all for my P81 Amby, my lint amby, and my JLS amby. DJ your waaaay to good
-
i just crapped myself.
nice job :bow:
-
Beautiful ship.
Great work.
-
Okay guys. It's done. HP, tactical icons, plugin, all of it.
-
Okay guys. It's done. HP, tactical icons, plugin, all of it.
I think thats the fastest I've ever seen a ship go from concept to complete ever, especially of this quaility, you truely are a master at this :bow:
-
oooooo... when do we get a taste?
-
DJ your talents seem endless!
From your own 25th Century and then TMP designs to great canon designs you hit the mark each time!
The BC community has a lot to thank you for.
Three cheers for DJ! :thumbsup:
-
ooh nice job
-
:eek :bow: cookied
-
Great job there DJ, that has to be a record, especially for you.
-
whats the final poly count? :bow:
-
Amazing...absolutly amazing!
-
The only real reason I would use this as opposed to the other excellent models out there is the aztecing and speculars on the hull. Every other Ambassador out there looks plastic but this looks real.
-
I have to agree with Barihawk here, I will SO download this ambie due to the realisticness of it (I've always loved LC's, but well, she was lacking the aztec pattern we've loved and enjoyed for years :P)
-
Now that it's done, I'm willing to beta her. Excellent work. *cookie* :thumbsup:
-
Now that it's done, I'm willing to beta her. Excellent work. *cookie* :thumbsup:
same here
-
All I can say is if your not a 3D graphic artist in Civilian life then you sir are a wasted talent to the professional CGI world
-
Thanks Baz, but I'm pretty sure I make a lot more money doing what I do. :) Besides, I'm not a half bad teacher, either. I think, anyway.
Bah, ship's are the only thing I can make anyway. ;P
I'm going to try and have this ship, as well as the USS Abante and USS Edmonton packed up to send to beta testers on Friday. I'll get in touch with Starforce and work towards a release this coming Sunday for all three ships.
As for beta testing, I have some people in mind and I'll contact you soon to see if you're available. :)
-
Hey DJ any chance of getting the standard Ambassador lower sensor dome and an NCC-1701-C registry, as you did originally intend?
-
Gonna leave it for now.
However, a late 2370's refit is underway... :)
-
Excellent...can't wait for that ! :yay:
-
Gonna leave it for now.
However, a late 2370's refit is underway... :)
I wish I had a 1/4 of your skill, awesome I am so looking forward to this
-
Gonna leave it for now.
However, a late 2370's refit is underway... :)
Most Exciting that refit would correspond to the outbreak of hostilities between fed and klink just prior to the Dom War
-
Screenshots from beta-testing.. :dance
-
Ok, here's the refit.
The USS Republic. Put in dry dock after taking extensive damage at the 2nd Battle of Chintoka. As a large but old battlecruiser, the Republic spent two years in dock without repair. After that time, Starfleet selected it as the first ship to be part of an Ambassador class modernization program. With Galaxy class starships getting priority upgrades, the Republic was refitted with refurbished Type X phaser array emitters and torpedo launchers from the USS Galaxy, including two small new arrays near the aft shuttlebay. An entirely new deflector dish was installed. Adapted from the Sun Tzu Class, it was selected for its ability to create extremely powerful deflector fields and highly penetrative sensor beams.
Single reactor impulse engines were added to each nacelle pylon, and the pylons themselves were shortened along the Z axis to accommodate the ship's new, sleeker warp field. This, along with a new top speed of warp 9.7, came as a result of new, reshaped warp coils. Overall engine height was adjusted to match the new coils, though a new field emitter ring had to be installed around the circumference of each nacelle. In addition, each nacelle was capped by a new, high compression bussard collector.
An enlarged bridge deck made space for additional subprocessing cores and storage compartments.
Non visible enhancements include included a high capacity shield grid, faster turbolifts, new bioneural circuitry and holodecks.
-
Nice!
-
I like it :dance I hope she is bit more agile than the original.
-
:thumbsup:
-
I like it :dance I hope she is bit more agile than the original.
It will be, thanks to additional impulse engines.
-
Good to hear.
-
I like it! Although to be honest, I'm not too sure on the phasers on the side of the shuttlebay; thinking from a tactical standpoint, the positioning makes it look like the beams could be blocked significantly by the nacelles and pylons.
Maybe instead of having them on the "wall" they could be placed on the "floor" (for lack of better words, hope it makes sense lol :idk: ), facing up. For additional coverage, having a pair facing downward on the underside would help.
Anyways I hope I'm not coming off as overly critical. You have a pretty awesome Ambassador and I guarantee I'll love it weather you move those phasers or leave 'em. :D
-
I like it, I like it alot, but its missing something I think, maybe take the blue hull areas from the original Amby but make it a dark gray? I think it needs some color depth thats all, but I love everything else about it, I can not wait for this one. Oh it maybe late, but what about phaser arrays on top of the naccelles like the galaxy refits, I dunno if it would look good (looks good in my mind, but sometimes it never coverts to reality right lol)
-
i hate to admit it but those twin phaser arrays on the aft suhttlebay are in the worst position. Perhaps an array that follows the curve of the hull and perhaps an aft torp launcher
-
I love it! I can't wait to get my hands on the both of them. I would still add Torpedo Launchers IMO, but I'm not a modeler so I don't know how easy/hard that is lol. Nonetheless, she is a beauty.
-
Yeah not sure about the position of those arrays. Maybe Venture/Galaxy X style on top of the nacelles would look better?
-
wonderful ship though here are a few things I noticed on the HP and other....
1. on my screen the ship textures seemed a little washed out but that's my fault I think just need to fool with my monitor a little lol...
2. the ship could use a little up in maneuverability and the phaser arcs could be lots better....
I based these findings off a long 20 AWESOME min battle with the KM 1.0 Ambassador.
Everything else worked like a charm.
-
Thanks for the report, neb.
Ship is about 80% the maneuverability of a Galaxy Class. Phaser arcs are also intentionally somewhat limited to reflect the layout arrays on the ship. Makes for fun battles though, eh?
-
not completely lol... I seriously think they need to be expanded just a little....
-
Bah.. Learn to use full thrusters. :P ;) Helps a lot.
-
not every BC has thrusters lol :P
-
Great work DJ :thumbsup: the aztec designs are a definite difference in over-all appearance and sets her apart from the other nice looking ambie's out there, the refit too looks just as stunning! Brilliant work man, the only thing I notice out of place are those two phaser strips on either side of the shuttle bay, I realize their for aft phasers and that in this era demands it but having glance at the possible firing arc seems like it's going to blow both naccelles out of the sky. Also, it looks as though the new deflector dish(for the refit)looks pretty elaborate and needs a little bit more touch-up(maybe add more blue glowing parts or increase the hue level on some areas?)anyways remarkable work DJ. :)
-
Ok i think i might have to dust off my copy of bc. DJ love it.
-
I loved that you lowered the warp nacelles! Makes a huge difference in streamlining the over all design.
-
Great job on the refit. Technically the phasers at the shuttle bay do look like you would have a bad accident on the engines if you had to fire them, but looks wise they look great where they are.
I also agree with the deflector dish. I think it would look better if you beveled it in like the other ambassadors except the tan part, leave it as it is or make that part a bit smaller. Not like the TV refit. That one sort of reminds me of a weird nipple, :eek never did like it. Could do it like the galaxy and have that a dish that is inside the beveled part.
She looks great whatever you decide :thumbsup:
-
more pics on the refit
great job best ambassador ive ever seen :thumbsup:
-
Thanks for the report, neb.
Ship is about 80% the maneuverability of a Galaxy Class. Phaser arcs are also intentionally somewhat limited to reflect the layout arrays on the ship. Makes for fun battles though, eh?
I thought they said it could have flown circles around the Galaxy class in "Yesterday's Enterprise" maybe I need to re-watch it and check.
-
I thought they said it could have flown circles around the Galaxy class in "Yesterday's Enterprise" maybe I need to re-watch it and check.
I think you're thinking of a line from "Relics" referring to the Jenolan being able to fly circles around the Enterprise at sublight speeds.
-
Yep. It's from Relics.
-
I just rewatched Yesterday's Enterprise, your right.
-
I don't think we should take Geordi's line in Relics at face value. Any smaller, lighter ship is of course going to be more agile than a Galaxy class starship I think Geordi was trying to make Scotty feel better.
DJ I would make the older version of the ship slower due to the older impulse and thruster designs then make the post Dominon version either the same as your Galaxy or slightly more agile due to the ship being slightly smaller.
-
Thanks for the report, neb.
Ship is about 80% the maneuverability of a Galaxy Class. Phaser arcs are also intentionally somewhat limited to reflect the layout arrays on the ship. Makes for fun battles though, eh?
For give me if i'm wrong, but should it not be fliped? Since the ship is smaller than a galaxy class should it not be like 10 to 20 % faster?
-
Thanks for the report, neb.
Ship is about 80% the maneuverability of a Galaxy Class. Phaser arcs are also intentionally somewhat limited to reflect the layout arrays on the ship. Makes for fun battles though, eh?
For give me if i'm wrong, but should it not be fliped? Since the ship is smaller than a galaxy class should it not be like 10 to 20 % faster?
also concider thats its a bit older ;)
-
I have some old Star Trek the Next Generation fact cards about ships. The one for the Ambassador states, "it was discovered that due to its increased mass over previous ship designs, a compact spacetime driver coil would be needed for the impulse engines in addition to the one used for the warp engines."
I don't know what that means since it's all fabricated tech talk, but it would seem like the Ambassador should be a bit slow since it was such a large ship for its time, much larger than the Excelsior. On the other hand, the Galaxy was known for being very maneuverable for a ship of its size.
Of course, in all the DS9 large space battles, we don't notice much of a difference in speed. All ships seem to move at the relative speed to each other, one of the most notable in my memory is that of the Yamaguchi/Belleraphon/Saratoga task group at the Battle of Wolf 359.
(http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080915020807/memoryalpha/en/images/0/01/USS_Bellerphon_-_USS_Yamaguchi%2C_aft.jpg)
-
notice the shortened port pylon on the Yamaguchi in relation to the starboard...the port nacelle sits lower than the starboard nacelle does...on drex files you can see the studio model and for some reason they shortened one pylon but forgot to shorten the other before they filmed the model for the Wolf 359 battle in 'Emissary'. Crazy how the effects guys can be so lazy... why shorten one pylon if you aren't going to shorten the other LOL
-
Remember though, it's not all about canon when you're scripting for a game. Playability and balance also play a role.
-
notice the shortened port pylon on the Yamaguchi in relation to the starboard...the port nacelle sits lower than the starboard nacelle does...on drex files you can see the studio model and for some reason they shortened one pylon but forgot to shorten the other before they filmed the model for the Wolf 359 battle in 'Emissary'. Crazy how the effects guys can be so lazy... why shorten one pylon if you aren't going to shorten the other LOL
That was made for the Excalibur but they ran out of time to complete the change.
-
I definitely agree about balance of gameplay. As we all know, being "cannon" to the story lines isn't exactly cannon in Trek (or Sci-Fi in general) anymore anyway. As long as it is not too far off the mark, and I have fun, it doesn't bother me.
That is why in my opinion BC has stayed so long, all the diversity we get from you guys on this game, cannon and otherwise. :D
-
Well, it made PotD. :dance
-
I definitely agree about balance of gameplay. As we all know, being "cannon" to the story lines isn't exactly cannon in Trek (or Sci-Fi in general) anymore anyway. As long as it is not too far off the mark, and I have fun, it doesn't bother me.
That is why in my opinion BC has stayed so long, all the diversity we get from you guys on this game, cannon and otherwise. :D
There are only two n's in canon. ;)
-
canon- what is shown in the show, or endorsed by Paramount
cannon-a weapon employed on the Defiant class warship that fires a short burst of phaser energy
-
Not again with the cannon/canon argument? Easy mistake to make. :P
-
DJ is usually spot on with his HPing so lets wait and see. After all they it can be adjusted to suit your own tastes.
-
Saary Gies. Eye Cant Spel guud,,,,,, :P
:D Just kidding guys. Should have known better. Thanks for the correction.
I agree on the HP. Be glad to see some new pics of the refit.
-
Nice work there mate, she looks fab.
-
Thanks man. Glad to see you back. Hope the tour went well.
Just so you guys all know, beta testing is finished and I think this will be my first flawless release. lol.
I've got everything zipped up at home, (at work right now) and I'll upload to BCFiles tonight.
-
SWEEEEEEEEEET!!! :yay: DJ, you sir, deserve 10,000 cookies...only problem is I can't give them to you in one day :P
-
i think he has the highest cookie count than anyone on the boards BTW another fine job DJ maybe next u could do the wolf 359 ships lol :funny
-
or a Sovereign
-
Or Finish his Nebula....:P
Either way, I can't wait to see this one in game :)
-
Or Finish his Nebula....:P
Either way, I can't wait to see this one in game :)
OOH soo true
-
Actually, I handed off my Nebula work to LC for Excalibur. I just could not figure out how to connect the secondary hull to the saucer. Not so much a lack of skill as a lack of not knowing what it should look like. Plus, My time was and is just too intermittent for what Excal needs, so it was better to let him finish it off.
Funny, I think this Ambie is only my second canon ship.
-
It is indeed DJ. And this is just as pretty as the Galaxy. Cookie incoming!
-
Funny, I think this Ambie is only my second canon ship.
And it's very well done. :]
-
Funny, I think this Ambie is only my second canon ship.
And it's very well done. :]
That it is. :)
-
Actually, I handed off my Nebula work to LC for Excalibur. I just could not figure out how to connect the secondary hull to the saucer. Not so much a lack of skill as a lack of not knowing what it should look like. Plus, My time was and is just too intermittent for what Excal needs, so it was better to let him finish it off.
Funny, I think this Ambie is only my second canon ship.
well we got all the auction pics of it now.. if you ever wanted to start it up again and finish it as your own you got plenty of shots of the neck to choose from.
-
Actually, I handed off my Nebula work to LC for Excalibur. I just could not figure out how to connect the secondary hull to the saucer. Not so much a lack of skill as a lack of not knowing what it should look like. Plus, My time was and is just too intermittent for what Excal needs, so it was better to let him finish it off.
Funny, I think this Ambie is only my second canon ship.
I'd say you're the master on all things Post-Nemesis. I mean the Century-Class, for example, is absolutely gorgeous and looks as if she could fit in right after the Sovereign canon wise. So I wouldn't say a lack of Canon ships is a bad thing.
Now, if you wanted to make more Canon ships, I'd suggest maybe an Akira. I'm sure you could do an AWESOME job making a new Akira Class. Then again Awesome is a word applied to all your work, but still. A new Akira would be nice :D
-
Whatever you decide to do, I'm sure it will be uber-awesome. Fire the cookie-torpedo! :evil:
-
I agree with all. I've never been disappointed with anything you have come up with yet. :thumbsup:
Would love to see what you could come up with for the Klingon Empire myself, from the show's or otherwise
-
it's official, DJ wins at everything...... forever.
-
Hey Dj, one suggestion on the Ambassador Refit. I think it would look better if you would make the end of those bussards more round. Look at this:
Of course its just a suggestion.
-
I still can't wait till this is uploaded...sheesh....I'm dying of anxiety LOL
-
Hey Dj, one suggestion on the Ambassador Refit. I think it would look better if you would make the end of those bussards more round. Look at this:
Of course its just a suggestion.
I think they look great as they are. Seems more inline with a Galaxy's, especially since this is a refit...it makes sense.
-
Sumbitted to BCFiles.
-
It's out.
-
Great work DJ, with one small exception. When I decided to bring out your refit Ambie, I noticed something with the speculars. Screenshot follows.
-
I also noticed something with the saucer's damage textures. Intentional or not it looks pretty damn cool! See photo to understand what I'm talking about.
-
as far as the damage issue, delete the vox files... that will fix that...
-
Actually dude I kinda like it like that. Like the saucer hull plates have been blown away, you know? :thumbsup:
-
Deleting the vox won't do it. I should have added a ring of polys in that one. I fixed it in the Republic. It doesn't do that.
-
Great work DJ, with one small exception. When I decided to bring out your refit Ambie, I noticed something with the speculars. Screenshot follows.
is it me or do i see 2 starfleet deltas in this pic?
-
Great work DJ, with one small exception. When I decided to bring out your refit Ambie, I noticed something with the speculars. Screenshot follows.
is it me or do i see 2 starfleet deltas in this pic?
It's not just you, that was the whole reason for the pic actually. That's only in certain lighting when the spec maps are highlighted.
-
Nicely done. I always believed that the Ambassador was a prime candidate for modernization, and that the 'Yamaguchi' retrofit wasn't a particularly convincing evolution (an Excelsior cargo bay slapped onto the stardrive recess? Really?). With STO striking another tally into the 'Crappy Trek Games' column, it looks as if I'll be exercising the new rig's GPU with a fresh install of BC.
-
please don't bring STO(I actually like it, its changed quite a lot since day one *is shot*) into this lol and I really don't mind that excel like section on the Ambass. I find I like both the canon version and DJ's about equally.
-
What can I say, other than I am extremely impressed. Color me jealous about the amount of detail on the ship, and it being only 7K polies. Seems I've got a lot to learn about how to model as much in detail, without going poly overboard.
Beautiful model DJ.
-
I'm just a big'ol Enterprise C fan which is why I'm happy DJ elected not to use the odd yellow disk in the middle of the deflector from the
Yamaguchi variant. :yay:
Also, I don't want to veer off topic too much, but I'd play STO if it had a lower monthly fee. Playing too many MMOROPG's adds up. :wtf
Despite the initial low reviews of STO, being able to customize your own ship is something that has not been offered by other games.
-
What can I say, other than I am extremely impressed. Color me jealous about the amount of detail on the ship, and it being only 7K polies. Seems I've got a lot to learn about how to model as much in detail, without going poly overboard.
Beautiful model DJ.
Brex...this model is a little over 32k polies....LOL well 32,182 triangles...according to MS3D...where in the blue heavens did you get 7 from? oh well..no biggie i suppose...and DJ Spectacular work!!!!! I just wish i could poly reduce this badboy and still have it look good for my Armada 2 game LOLOL guess im gonna have to wait for that Core2Duo machine im gonna build and that wonderful 1gig PCIE video card LOL
-
where in the blue heavens did you get 7 from?
he got it from the first post.... I'm sure this ship is around 15k......
-
32,204
Could have reduced it, definitely, without loss of quality. Just didn't feel like it, tbh. Laziness.
-
where in the blue heavens did you get 7 from?
To be accurate, DJ said it was around 7k polies at the time those images on the first post was posted. As DJ has clarified, the end result ended up being 32,204 polygons :P
-
32,204
Could have reduced it, definitely, without loss of quality. Just didn't feel like it, tbh. Laziness.
Thanks for clarifying DJ. Still gorgeous though.
-
I have enjoyed these Ambassadors greatly. You have done an exceptional job DJ, Thanks for the effort as always :thumbsup: