Bridge Commander Central

Recreational Forums => Art Forum => Topic started by: Side 3 on May 02, 2010, 02:07:58 PM

Title: Modelling question
Post by: Side 3 on May 02, 2010, 02:07:58 PM
I've always been curious exactly how you guys tackle triangular saucer sections like the Prometheus and the Intrepid. I've always wanted to take a stab at it but never have been able to get it right.

Like: Do you build the front half and rear halves separately? Perhaps build a rough cylinder shape, and extrude upwards towards the bridge? Any tips would be wonderful, and thanks in advance! :yay:

I have modelled the Constitution, and a few other random things, but the shapes of the aforementioned ships saucers are just frustrating!
Title: Re: Modelling question
Post by: Vladko1 on May 02, 2010, 02:22:41 PM
I think you shod firstly make a planar bottom of the saucer, using plane with several vertexes on it. Make the shape and after that, you are on it :P
Title: Re: Modelling question
Post by: DJ Curtis on May 02, 2010, 03:30:41 PM
Splinecage.  Shape it out with splines and then use the surface modifier.

So in other words, I would make a spline in the shape of the saucer (from the top), and then I would use FFD modifers to resize/shape the splines as I built the saucer up and down the z axis.
Title: Re: Modelling question
Post by: Side 3 on May 02, 2010, 04:10:32 PM
Thank you both, I'll give both methods a try and see how it goes!  :)