WIP of TheUnknown - The Akula (mk II)

[Lionus]

The whats?

You didn't know? They were tight on resources so they had to get some parts from unofficial sources, like Ferengi.. 

[Bones]

You didn't know? They were tight on resources so they had to get some parts from unofficial sources, like Ferengi.. 

:uberlol:

I guess he's talking about the vents in front of nacelle right ?

[baz1701]

The only thing I'd point out is to slope the bottom of the grills.

[X_TheUnknown_X]

Why are the space acquisition sinks so high up on the front of the nacelles?

I guess he's talking about the vents in front of nacelle right ?

That was my first guess as well. But I'm not really clued up on the technical stuff.
If it is the front vents we're talking about, I did raise them up slightly because on the first picture I posted, they seemed to extend too far down the front of the nacelle. The revised version seemed better under visual inspection, but I'll probably extend them a little further now. And as Baz points out, I'll also slope and round off the grilles.

[X_TheUnknown_X]

More nacelle details, improved the bridge section and added the impulse engines. My work on the Akula's been a little slow this week, but I'll be starting the rest of the hull soon, so the ship should start to take shape.

(Thumbnailed image to save space on the page ;) )

[TheConstable6]

Massive like. A sweet little ship! 

[captain_obvious]

Who was it that made an akula maybe 1-2 years back? Was it you Unknown? I can't remember.
I do like that you're having a go though. 

I just wish I still had that custom cleaned up DW akula refit texture though.  The release version was a battle damaged version called Swiftsure and I managed to wrangle a cleaned up version for myself

[Lionus]

Yup, it was him.

[X_TheUnknown_X]

I just wish I still had that custom cleaned up DW akula refit texture though.

I might still have those old files lying around somewhere, but hopefully this new model will surpass my original. When I'm done with this, I might still be able to make you a custom USS Swiftsure variant ;) .

Speaking of the new model, while I didn't get must time to work on it this week, I have been able to make a start on the hulls:

However, I looks like I'm going to need to rethink the design of the impluse engine, as the top hull blocks out that blue dome at the front of the engine.

[mckinneyc]

Why not build the impluse engines into the plyon and split the crystal in half either side of it?

[Lionus]

I might still have those old files lying around somewhere, but hopefully this new model will surpass my original. When I'm done with this, I might still be able to make you a custom USS Swiftsure variant ;) .

I'd like me clean/Undamaged USS Mannerheim too, once you get that far. I will get nice screenies if I get the beta testers seat again ;) *wink wink, nudge nudge*

[Bones]

Now that's a proper Akula ! looking awesome so far !

[King Class Scout]

mabey I'll have a peek.  i betaed the oiginal, mabey the textures are clean in there...

[X_TheUnknown_X]

I'd like me clean/Undamaged USS Mannerheim too, once you get that far.

A better idea, perhaps: I could make a set of textures without the registries for anyone who wants to make their own variant. That shouldn't be too hard . But I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

[captain_obvious]

I might still have those old files lying around somewhere, but hopefully this new model will surpass my original. When I'm done with this, I might still be able to make you a custom USS Swiftsure variant ;) .

I recall winning a little competition you held regarding the name of your "beaten up" DW refit.
Love you though

Speaking of the new model, while I didn't get must time to work on it this week, I have been able to make a start on the hulls:

However, I looks like I'm going to need to rethink the design of the impluse engine, as the top hull blocks out that blue dome at the front of the engine.

What about moving the bottom of the pylon forwards towards the bridge module? Might need to shrink the bottom of the pylon slightly to fit though.

[X_TheUnknown_X]

Model's nearly complete, now. From here it just needs detail and then a clean-up. The only problem is that I've let the poly count run a little high this time - I'd estimate it will be around 18-20K faces when it's put into BC - so I might need to take an axe to some of the more detailed areas (the nacelles, mostly).
Anyway, here's some renders:

[Centurus]

The top pylon looks fine.  As for the impulse control dome, redesign it so that instead of one large control dome, there are two much smaller ones, one on each side of the top pylon.

As for the neck/bottom pylon, it looks a bit awkward as it is now.  Doesn't flow properly from the looks of it.

Everything else looks good so far.  I'm tempted to try and make my own Akula Class now.

[X_TheUnknown_X]

As for the impulse control dome, redesign it so that instead of one large control dome, there are two much smaller ones, one on each side of the top pylon.

Actually, that's how it is at the moment; there are two half-domes, one on either side of the top pylon. It's difficult to get it to look right, but on the Akula diagrams I have, there's no impulse dome at all.
I agree with you on the bottom pylon, though. But again, it's getting the shape to look 'right' that's tricky. I'm thinking about different ways to attach it to the lower nacelle.

[Captain_D]

The top pylon looks fine.  As for the impulse control dome, redesign it so that instead of one large control dome, there are two much smaller ones, one on each side of the top pylon.

As for the neck/bottom pylon, it looks a bit awkward as it is now.  Doesn't flow properly from the looks of it.,,,,,,,,,

Actually, that's how it is at the moment; there are two half-domes, one on either side of the top pylon. It's difficult to get it to look right, but on the Akula diagrams I have, there's no impulse dome at all.
I agree with you on the bottom pylon, though. But again, it's getting the shape to look 'right' that's tricky. I'm thinking about different ways to attach it to the lower nacelle.

I would have to agree with F9thCenturus on the domes. Would not only help the look of the design, would also look more functional than the half dome. Could look good on both sides of the upper pylon, the way it is on the Constellation's impulse engines for example, or on each side of the impulse engine on the upper part of the saucer.

To me what is off on the bottom pylon is the weapon pod area. It looks like it needs to be larger and maybe refined or re-worked in that area, could be the angle of the screenshot throwing me off.

Some ideas for your consideration. Doing a great job so far.

[Centurus]

Please, please, it's just plain Centurus.  I'm not with the 9th anymore, but I can't change my display name here on BCC, and I don't feel like making a new account.