WIP of TheUnknown - The Akula (mk II)

[X_TheUnknown_X]

Where on Earth did you find that little gem, Baz  ? That'll come in handy though, the only complete shots I have of the model are the underside shot from ST:VI and the renders Mr Wilde posted on SFM.
Speaking of renders, heres one of mine with some more detail (I'm already prefering it to my mk1 version)

[baz1701]

it was from it a wrap catalogue.

Good sauce of reference for unlite models.

edit looking good

[Captain_D]

Man, that is some awesome detail you are putting on there.

Nice.

[Nihilus]

Wow, the detail is amazing.  This is going to be very good 

[Lurok91]

Having seen the  original stock base again in Baz's recent TMP Connie pics and video (*shudder*  - beautiful Connie model flying into major suck*** base, lol)  this new base definitely needed  

[baz1701]

I'll back that up luroks statment one thing we desperatly need, unfortunatly most modders like to build big ass fighting ships so the support models don't really get a looking.

This is definatly a long over due update.

[X_TheUnknown_X]

Thanks for the support so far everyone , I promise not to dissapoint.
I've been finding enough time lately to add some more detail to the dome section (and got the basic interior set up for modeling). Here's another render of the top section: details are in place, I've got those bio-dome things in - I'll add antennae there later.

[FarShot]

Those doors feel too wide, but otherwise really awesome.

[Nihilus]

Those doors feel too wide, but otherwise really awesome.

Well, maybe aesthetically they look too wide, but I believe they're done that way on purpose since we have to fit Galaxy Class sized ships in there lol.  Most references only show Excelsiors and Constitutions going in and out and they always look like there is never enough room for a Galaxy Class.

[metalnick]

Awesomeness. I'm looking forward to Stealing the Enterprise from that badboy! 

[X_TheUnknown_X]

Those doors feel too wide, but otherwise really awesome.

The doors are correct to reference, but I've shortened them slightly becuase I, too, felt they were a little off.

Well, maybe aesthetically they look too wide, but I believe they're done that way on purpose since we have to fit Galaxy Class sized ships in there lol.  Most references only show Excelsiors and Constitutions going in and out and they always look like there is never enough room for a Galaxy Class.

I've read that the spacedock's designer hated it when they just painted the Enterprise-D over the ST:3 shot in TNG, because the base would have to be made 4x bigger to accomodate - he designed a docking system under the dome for the E-D, but it was never carried on.

Anyway, I've made some more progress with the model, most of it is finished now - it's just a case of adding details to the mesh before the arduous process of UV Unwrapping. Below is a view of the outside as it stands now, and one of the rough interior.

[baz1701]

looking good so far

[Captain_D]

Like the detail on the interior docking ports, the indentions around the top. All shaping up nicely.

[X_TheUnknown_X]

looking good so far

Thanks, Baz  . Yours is coming along great, too.

I've got the exterior model pretty much complete now, there's a few more changes I'll make after the mesh modifiers are applied, but this is how it's going to stay now (unless anyone sees any errors). Next, I'll be spending my time cleaning up the mesh and UV unwrapping this beast (), so until then, heres a view of how she( /he/it :wtf ) is looking. At the moment, it's standing at a solid 9,000 polys - which translates to about 17-19K when converted to triangles - that's a lot, but then there'll only be one in place at a time...

[Morgan]

Very nice work there!

[DJ Curtis]

That looks excellent.  I especially appreciate the work you've put into the spires on top and bottom.

[Bren]

This is going to look amazingly badass when textured. You gonna texture the blue tint on? In the films, it looked blue under the light of our sun, even though the model is grey. Up to you.

[Saquist]

The doors are correct to reference, but I've shortened them slightly becuase I, too, felt they were a little off.
I've read that the spacedock's designer hated it when they just painted the Enterprise-D over the ST:3 shot in TNG, because the base would have to be made 4x bigger to accomodate - he designed a docking system under the dome for the E-D, but it was never carried on.

Anyway, I've made some more progress with the model, most of it is finished now - it's just a case of adding details to the mesh before the arduous process of UV Unwrapping. Below is a view of the outside as it stands now, and one of the rough interior.

It's excellent. 
I've been doing my own study of the Dock and this fits Robert Wilde's pictures nearly exactly from the towers on north and south.
I would add that the Main doors look a snudge too wide.  And from what I've seen the four shuttle docks are equal size that lie between  main Dock Doors.
And don't forget the shuttlebays on the inner rim  of the Top Dock.

[Nebula]

BC can never have enough stations. Good work Unknown!

*also learning lots of neat things here about the Ent-D issue*

[Dawg81]

indeed nebula im most curious about this exterior docking extensions for the larger class ships. has there been any design for it drawn up?