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BC Forums => BC Modding => Topic started by: Aeries on April 03, 2008, 02:58:23 PM

Title: Serenity Class (BIG Update & Second Rebuild 04/15/08)
Post by: Aeries on April 03, 2008, 02:58:23 PM
I had to take my mind off of a lot of sh*t last night, so I threw this together, to go along with the Mithra/Century era. Not the best, but not the worst, either. Early WIP. 10,023 polies at present, which'll vary as I proceed. Pics for your enjoyment/nitpicking. Oh, and yes, I'm well aware of the abundant smoothing issues. I'm trying to work them out as I go...

-Aeries.
Title: Re: Just a little something I put together last night.
Post by: Jay Crimson on April 03, 2008, 03:04:29 PM
I like it but it looks very similar to Rengar's Elysion. It's still a great ship, don't get me wrong, but when textured in perhaps a similar style the ships may be hard to seperate by overall shape. Still, thumbs up dude!
Title: Re: Just a little something I put together last night.
Post by: Shadowknight1 on April 03, 2008, 03:05:37 PM
Not a bad start, reminds me of another of DJ's ships, though I can't remember which one.  :P

Starships can look similar to each other.  :arms:
Title: Re: Just a little something I put together last night.
Post by: Mesh on April 03, 2008, 03:07:55 PM
Nicely done. This is put together in one night? Wow your good.
She's surprisingly flat for a ship with a big hull.
Title: Re: Just a little something I put together last night.
Post by: Adonis on April 03, 2008, 03:08:07 PM
Only thing I really don't like on her is the shape of the aft of the nacelles and the buzzard collectors. They alone make the ship look early TNG.
Title: Re: Just a little something I put together last night.
Post by: Aeries on April 03, 2008, 03:22:22 PM
Yeah, it does look a lot like the Elysion. Please keep in mind, too, that it's still an early wip, and Renger's work is by far superrior, so there will be more than plenty differences between the two. (that, and this ship is bigger. :P) Where textures are concerned, I'll aim to make it closer to the Mithra. Notice the subtle armor plating on the top hull? ;) I'm hoping that will make a big difference in appearance.

Warp nacelles are something I have a lot of trouble with; the Mithra's drove me up the bloody wall. I'll certainly take your advice, although I think I'll just build some fresh nacelles. These're tacky, and don't really flow well with the rest of the ship.

Also, expect this to be a lot less god-like than the Mithra. The Mithra was a battleship. This is a science vessel. Minimal armaments... whenever I get around to them.

Thanks, everyone!
~Aeries.
Title: Re: Just a little something I put together last night.
Post by: Shadowknight1 on April 03, 2008, 04:12:34 PM
Yay, science ship!  You don't see enough of these anymore.

Not that I can say much, my starship design has lots of weapons. >.>
Title: Re: Just a little something I put together last night.
Post by: intrepid90 on April 03, 2008, 04:49:18 PM
she fits perfectly in my new favorite timeline! :)
Title: Re: Just a little something I put together last night.
Post by: Aeries on April 03, 2008, 06:00:57 PM
New Nacelles. Thoughts/Opinions?  :)
Title: Re: A little something. (Update: New Nacelles 04/04/08)
Post by: yanlou on April 03, 2008, 06:26:13 PM
now there nice naccelles, 1 suggestion tho, may make the bussard area more rounded, not mch tho just enough to break up the angles
Title: Re: A little something. (Update: New Nacelles 04/04/08)
Post by: Nighthawk on April 03, 2008, 07:21:48 PM
I'd say you narrow the pylons. start wide, and narrow towards the nacelle. make it more smooth.
Title: Re: A little something. (Update: New Nacelles 04/04/08)
Post by: Starforce2 on April 03, 2008, 08:52:06 PM
the top view of the nacelles esp the bussard looks a bit like a crayon. Otherwise it's a good looking ship for something "just thrown together"
Title: Re: A little something. (Update: New Nacelles 04/04/08)
Post by: Aeries on April 03, 2008, 09:34:19 PM
Haha, thank you Starforce. I'll have a new update in a few minutes. :) I'm so proud; I never thought I'd be able to make something so quickly when the Mithra took so long... I guess it comes with the pre-learned skills? Haha, I think you'll all like what's in store for the next update.

Stay tuned!

~Aeries.
Title: Re: A little something. (Update: New Nacelles 04/04/08)
Post by: Darkthunder on April 03, 2008, 09:41:50 PM
If I may be blunt, i'd have to say you've used the "bevelling tool" a bit excessively to be honest. You got a lot of extra polies, where none are needed as it were. Not saying it's a bad design, just saying that a lot the details can be brought out in the textures, instead of the model.
Title: Re: A little something. (Update: New Nacelles 04/04/08)
Post by: Aeries on April 03, 2008, 10:00:38 PM
Good to be blunt.  :)

And yeah, I know... I use the bevelling tool a lot. Perhaps way too much, as you'll see in the update I'll be posting soon. Yes, the details can be brought out in textures, though so far as I've seen... it just doesn't quite look the same. This ship won't be quite as bad as the Mithra was, though, where bevelling is concerned... sucks, though... I didn't save a non-beveled variant. :(
Title: Re: A little something. (Update: New Nacelles 04/04/08)
Post by: Aeries on April 03, 2008, 10:36:28 PM
Another update.

So I'm grounded from using the Bevelling tool. Yeah. I mean, I like how the ship's come out and all... but I guess I have a tendancy to... "over-bevel". In any case, I didn't save a backup prior to adding all the details, so I'm just going to roll with what I have now. Here's some shots. this'll be the first ship I try to texture MYSELF, if all goes well. :)

Enjoy the pics. Or don't. Up to you.
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Update: Texturing Soon, I Hope... 04/03/08)
Post by: rengers on April 04, 2008, 09:08:23 AM
nice ship you have there, she will go perfectly with the Mythra :D

I really like how she looks, only thing i would recommend is to round down a bit the Pylons, they look a bit square.
And maybe you should think about to add some thrusters on the saucer too.

Have a cookie for the nice work so far :D
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Update: Texturing Soon, I Hope... 04/03/08)
Post by: Kirk on April 04, 2008, 10:52:28 AM
Looking good, though the saucer edges are a little "rough." Cookie for quick work and great results. :)
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Update: Texturing Soon, I Hope... 04/03/08)
Post by: Shadowknight1 on April 04, 2008, 11:11:46 AM
Nice little ship you have there. *waits for the inevitable "Little?" remark*

And maybe you should think about to add some thrusters on the saucer too.

Thrusters don't always need to be modelled on, those can be added in the textures later.
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Update: Texturing Soon, I Hope... 04/03/08)
Post by: Aeries on April 04, 2008, 11:16:23 AM
"Little?"  :arms:
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Update: Texturing Soon, I Hope... 04/03/08)
Post by: Sandtrooper on April 04, 2008, 05:06:00 PM
Serenity Now! Serenity Now!

OK, in my books, this would be classified as Extremely Good...the design seems to be original, the nacelles are great, what else do I say?
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Update: Texturing Soon, I Hope... 04/03/08)
Post by: lint on April 05, 2008, 03:44:49 AM
Serenity Now! Serenity Now!

OK, in my books, this would be classified as Extremely Good...the design seems to be original, the nacelles are great, what else do I say?

"Hoochie Mama! Hoochie Mama!"
 :lol:
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Update: Texturing Soon, I Hope... 04/03/08)
Post by: Aeries on April 09, 2008, 03:07:49 AM
Rebuilt the Serenity. I know some people really dislike the quad-nacelle configuration, but just take a peak, alright? If it looks TOO bad, I guess I can go with the standard two... but I dunno. The standard just isn't as appealing, imo. All I have left to do is clean it up and make the phasers. This ship is pretty well balanced, I think: two forward & aft torpedo launchers and she'll have decent phaser coverage. Overall, the Serenity Class will be rather average. Anyways, please take a boo and let me know what you guys think. Poly-wise, we're looking at roughly 16k right now. :) Note that the armor is there as I was trying to achieve a similar effect to what DJ had done with the Century. I'm not sure that I achieved this very well... But we'll see. :/

Pics:
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Re-built 04/09/08)
Post by: Weasel on April 09, 2008, 03:14:03 AM
I like it a lot more, but- I'm still not loving the bussards. Could I beg you, (perhaps with nude pictures) to try a different nacelle front-end? Or disregard this, as I am a total drunken mess at the moment.

blurb blurb
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Re-built 04/09/08)
Post by: Billz on April 09, 2008, 05:20:01 AM
Quad nacelles only looks good on the Prometheus. I'm sorry but thats my opinion.
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Re-built 04/09/08)
Post by: vipergb34 on April 09, 2008, 07:41:36 AM
I agree with Billz.
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Re-built 04/09/08)
Post by: Jeffery_Hawkins on April 09, 2008, 07:55:20 AM
I think they look great, If only you would put them in the same configuration as the Prommie. They look a little bit slapped on, you should rotate them a little bit.
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Re-built 04/09/08)
Post by: limey BSc. on April 09, 2008, 08:34:05 AM
What about making it like the Prometheus? Spread the nacelles apart a bit and split the ship up. Just a thought.
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Re-built 04/09/08)
Post by: Dawg81 on April 09, 2008, 08:55:47 AM
a promme successor i like that idea
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Re-built 04/09/08)
Post by: intrepid90 on April 09, 2008, 09:12:52 AM
What about making it like the Prometheus? Spread the nacelles apart a bit and split the ship up. Just a thought.
I agree with that, it would be a good idea.
and she would be a worthy successor of the prom :)
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Re-built 04/09/08)
Post by: Technerd89 on April 09, 2008, 10:05:23 AM
i kindof agree with the consensus here, i dislike the nacelle pylons. perhaps go with a promie-ish design, only with more curve, to follow the general scheme of ships in this new 24th century line
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Re-built 04/09/08)
Post by: Vortex on April 09, 2008, 12:16:32 PM
The Nacelles look cool. The "Belly" seems to come to far forward though IMO.
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Re-built 04/09/08)
Post by: AndrewJ on April 09, 2008, 12:31:51 PM
A Prommie Mk2 sounds awesome. !
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Re-built 04/09/08)
Post by: limey BSc. on April 09, 2008, 01:06:54 PM
Wow! I thought I was gonna get burnt alive for saying that :P!
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Re-built 04/09/08)
Post by: Aeries on April 09, 2008, 03:17:23 PM
Holy cr*p, I did NOT expect to get this many responses! :P Alright, I'll re-build the nacelle pylons and possibly even build a new set of nacelles... these ones have been bugging me lately... maybe I can tame Weasel's drunken rampaging! :D haha, kidding.

Stay tuned.

Edit: NOW the trick is gonna be figuring out how to split her into three sections... :/ I didn't originally build it to be split at all...
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Re-built 04/09/08)
Post by: Billz on April 09, 2008, 08:27:22 PM
I think you misunderstood me. 4 nacelles doesnt work for something like this on any stage. I suggest you keep it as the 2 nacelles version. Would do better I think.
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Re-built 04/09/08)
Post by: Shadowknight1 on April 09, 2008, 10:06:41 PM
I'm afraid I agree with Billz.
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Re-built 04/09/08)
Post by: vipergb34 on April 09, 2008, 10:35:19 PM
I agree with Billz too.
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Re-built 04/09/08)
Post by: Kirk on April 09, 2008, 10:45:19 PM
I disagree with you guys. A prometheus successor sounds like a good idea, however, Aeries, do whatever feels right to you.
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Re-built 04/09/08)
Post by: Asylum on April 10, 2008, 07:30:52 AM
I reckon you build both, go with what you think feels best, and then release two versions, cutting and pasting necelles to fit everyones appeal, overall i think it looks real nice atm  :D
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Re-built 04/09/08)
Post by: Aeries on April 10, 2008, 11:36:33 AM
Thanks, Asylum.

I WILL be building this into a sort of Prometheus Mk 2. I am not certain that I'll bother with the two-nacelle configuration, simply because it would just be another Century Class. For future reference, I'm trying to fill the gaps for 25th-Century ships, and so far we have the following, as I see it:

-Nova Replacement (Rengers; Theseus Class)
-Achillies Replacement (Aeries; Mithra Class)
-Intrepid Replacement (DJ Curtis, Vivance Class)
-Sovereign Replacement (DJ Curtis, Century Class)
-Akira Replacement (DJ Curtis, Raptor Class)
-Defiant Replacement (DJ Curtis, Valiant Class)
-Prometheus Replacement (Aeries, Serenity Class)
-etc, etc.

On another note, I haven't touched the Serenity since the last update; I'm hella busy with packing for my move, and I would have done something with her last night, but I got an ipod touch and... well, i was up playing with it until 4am, so... yeah. <3

And I just realized how terribly twistable my statement was... I need more coffee.

~Aeries.
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Re-built 04/09/08)
Post by: Vortex on April 10, 2008, 02:30:49 PM
Wasn't it the "Vivace" and not "Vivance"?

Looks like we're haveing a new century. :)

Awesome work though, and I hope you get this beastie to seperate. :D
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Re-built 04/09/08)
Post by: Kirk on April 10, 2008, 03:03:10 PM
Aeries, you are more addicted to coffee than Janeway ever will be.
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Re-built 04/09/08)
Post by: antagonist on April 11, 2008, 09:39:48 AM
Aeries, you are more addicted to coffee than Janeway ever will be.

I don't think that's possible, so Aeries should be assimilation proof :P

@Topic: Well, I think the ship has the potential to look good with Prommie style quad nacelles, but I'd have to see pics to make sure  :lol:
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Re-built 04/09/08)
Post by: Aeries on April 11, 2008, 07:46:52 PM
Note For Jimmy: When you have the time, please lock this thread. I've got a lot of life cr*p going on again and as such, i'm moving a hell of a lot sooner than I'd originally planned.

I'm leaving the Mithra thread open as Wiley's still got a lot of stuff to do with that yet. For the next while, Wiley's in charge of the Mithra... oh, and when i get back, you can all expect at least one more federation 25th century ship; I came across some old sketches while packing that gave me some awesome ideas. ;)

Thanks for everything,
-Aeries.

EDIT: Janeway's coffee addiction ain't got NOTHIN' on mine. You don't see her chugging several pots of coffee in one morning, now do you!? No. her coffee skills are noobish compared to my own. She is not one with the folgers.  :arms:
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Re-built 04/09/08)
Post by: antagonist on April 12, 2008, 04:20:41 AM
I hope all goes well for your move and you'll be back here sooner than you think you will. Also, cut back on your coffee consumption, lest the Borg really assimilate you :P
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Re-built 04/09/08)
Post by: JimmyB76 on April 12, 2008, 12:04:50 PM
Note For Jimmy: When you have the time, please lock this thread. I've got a lot of life cr*p going on again and as such, i'm moving a hell of a lot sooner than I'd originally planned.
no probs - lemme know when youd like it reopened :)
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Re-built 04/09/08)
Post by: JimmyB76 on April 15, 2008, 07:43:49 AM
thread reopened :)
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Re-built 04/09/08)
Post by: Aeries on April 15, 2008, 07:59:17 AM
Thanks, Jimmy!

Mmkay, so since my moving date's been changed, I've had a little time to re-construct the Serenity into something that could realistically separate into three sections. I've re-built her from SCRATCH, and I must say that I am pleased with the result. The best part is that I've added a lot more detail, yet kept the poly count relatively low (as in, 12k,  unoptimized.) So I'm pretty happy about that. :)

As you'll see, there are no warp nacelles or pylons yet; I'm still trying to think of a way to mount the pylons onto the hull what with it all separating and what not. On that note, I think I've found a way to please EVERYONE yet keep the same quad-nacelle configuration. Anyone watch Star Wars? If so, how about those X-Wing fighters and their 'splitting' wings? INSPIRATION! The warp nacelles and pylons will, in fact, split in half! The nacelles will be similar to the Mithra Class, with four bussard collectors, so when they split, there will be two collectors per nacelle and thus, it'll look just like the Prometheus, only hella sleeker! When they're together, it'll have that same, bad-arse Mithra look! I'm still trying to think of how I'll deal with mounting the pylons on the hull(s) in the first place, as well as how I'll do the main saucer nacelle, but it'll all come to me soon enough. It's like... 5 in the morning and I've been going at this all night. x_x; Also, there are some smoothing issues around the aft hull and top of the saucer... there are also some very obvious scaling issues goin' on with the phaser arrays. Meh, they're little issues. :P

So yes! Pics... please enjoy! C&C greatly appreciated. :)
Title: Re: Serenity Class (BIG Update & Second Rebuild 04/15/08)
Post by: eclipse74569 on April 15, 2008, 08:33:37 AM
Niiiice...:| I like it more now LOL
Title: Re: Serenity Class (BIG Update & Second Rebuild 04/15/08)
Post by: Technerd89 on April 15, 2008, 09:44:09 AM
great work. i really like those MVAM shots, really starting to get a feel for the ship. my only nitpick comes from the 3rd screenshot, i dislike how the saucer/dorsal section just comes to an abrupt end and is chopped off. perhaps you could find some way of smoothing it out a little, so that the ship still flows when its not seperated
Title: Re: Serenity Class (BIG Update & Second Rebuild 04/15/08)
Post by: limey BSc. on April 15, 2008, 10:11:27 AM
From the look of the third pic, am I right in assuming that its gonna extend along the secondary hull? Also, The deflector bit looks a little.....pointless, for lack of a better word. Could just be the lack of nacelles, but why not try just splitting it in 2?
Title: Re: Serenity Class (BIG Update & Second Rebuild 04/15/08)
Post by: Glenn on April 15, 2008, 10:53:55 AM
Very nice work Aeries, the design looks excellent and the your 3D modelling skills are coming on in leaps and bounds as well!!  :D

Weldone. :wink:
Title: Re: Serenity Class (BIG Update & Second Rebuild 04/15/08)
Post by: rengers on April 15, 2008, 12:01:49 PM
Very nice Aeries, I really like how it looks :D
Title: Re: Serenity Class (BIG Update & Second Rebuild 04/15/08)
Post by: El on April 15, 2008, 01:27:39 PM
From the look of the third pic, am I right in assuming that its gonna extend along the secondary hull? Also, The deflector bit looks a little.....pointless, for lack of a better word. Could just be the lack of nacelles, but why not try just splitting it in 2?

Agree with Limey here, without knowing the armament on this section, its uses seem somewhat limited and its a little small.

Maybe make it longer and give it its own set of nacelles, or just plit into 2 sections.
Title: Re: Serenity Class (BIG Update & Second Rebuild 04/15/08)
Post by: Shadowknight1 on April 15, 2008, 01:54:49 PM
I agree that it could use a little streamlining, but it definitely looks like a new age Prommie.  But where are the saucer nacelles going to be?
Title: Re: Serenity Class (BIG Update & Second Rebuild 04/15/08)
Post by: intrepid90 on April 15, 2008, 03:17:59 PM
I cant wait to see the warp nacelles, but its looking good even without, but I cant say perfect or not...becuase its still missing^^
Title: Re: Serenity Class (Re-built 04/09/08)
Post by: lint on April 15, 2008, 09:34:28 PM

 I think I've found a way to please EVERYONE


Around here, Impossible,  :lol:
Title: Re: Serenity Class (BIG Update & Second Rebuild 04/15/08)
Post by: jericho on April 16, 2008, 04:27:55 AM
That is a massive improvement, It shows that your putting allot of thought into it. nicely done.
Title: Re: Serenity Class (BIG Update & Second Rebuild 04/15/08)
Post by: dlanoDcM on April 16, 2008, 05:21:05 PM
Its too early to tell without nacelles and the rest of the ship, but atm im inclined to agree with the "only split it in 2" idea

But it still looks mighty impressive  :P
Title: Re: Serenity Class (BIG Update & Second Rebuild 04/15/08)
Post by: limey BSc. on April 16, 2008, 06:33:48 PM
but atm im inclined to agree with the "only split it in 2" idea

Wow, I'm on a roll :P!
Title: Re: Serenity Class (BIG Update & Second Rebuild 04/15/08)
Post by: Technerd89 on April 16, 2008, 10:48:26 PM
From the look of the third pic, am I right in assuming that its gonna extend along the secondary hull? Also, The deflector bit looks a little.....pointless, for lack of a better word. Could just be the lack of nacelles, but why not try just splitting it in 2?

Agree with Limey here, without knowing the armament on this section, its uses seem somewhat limited and its a little small.

Maybe make it longer and give it its own set of nacelles, or just plit into 2 sections.

eh, that would leave the entire nacelle setup on the one section, personally i think that would dwarf the saucer section to much when seperated. the deflector section appears to house a nasty forward launcher that could make it a viable combatant, added with some good phaser placement. IMO we should let aeries roll with his current idea and see where it goes