WIP: USS MANTA former Codename Chip // Most recent update: 05-01-2010

[anazonda]

In a way you're abslouteley right.

The nacells are around 55% of the total length of the ship (without nacells), around 25% of it's height and 1/12'th it's width.

The general idea is that this would fulfill the role of the Akira Class or the Intrepid Class (yuk to the last one), in the same timeframe as The Century-class.
A high speed interceptor, able to pack a punch while still be quick enough to outrun enemies if out-gunned.

That is why the general design is focused on being thin and having that sleek look, rather than having heavy nacells.

So again, you're right... But I still think it matches the general idea.

Also the nacells look somewhat diffrent in 3d, than they do just on 2D images

[anazonda]

I finally got a name for the "Chip"...

I looked at the deflector area, and realized that the shape reminds of the front of a manta, so it seems that the name fits the ships.

This model will be known as the USS Manta from this day on... BTW: If i want to decide on a registry, where would i find the guidelines for that?

[deadthunder2_0]

any number in the 80 or 90 thousands

[anazonda]

Final update for today:

I've spend most of the day smoothing out details in the mesh, so it appears more smooth with just a few more polyes.

But I have also added a few details all over the ship.
When I decided on the name (USS Manta), I also decided that the ship should reflect that name, since it will become the class name too.
So I've focused on maintaining alot of reference to the Manta fish. You will see extrudes that will reflect the tail, and gills of the fish, while attempting to stay true to the standart Federation Layout.

Comments will be most welcome:

Forward Pulse phaser array. This will be the single pulse array on this ship and is intended to help thoose quick forward attack runs... It is also there to prevent people from adding Pulse Quantum torpedo arrays, since I don't belive in unlimited Quantums.


Far shot of the deflector and the "Gills".


Close up on the deflector:


Bow shot of the "Tail":


Close up on the Brigde

[086gf]

Right now the ship is at 7378 Polys, wich is waaaay to much... It is the nacells and the deflector area that make up for most of that, so ill have to slim that a little.

If you and a 0 after the eight then yes it actually would be way too much. You even have plenty of room to add more to smooth things out a bit. 7K is kindof on the lower end of the scale really, especially these days.

It looks good so far.

[anazonda]

If you and a 0 after the eight then yes it actually would be way too much. You even have plenty of room to add more to smooth things out a bit. 7K is kindof on the lower end of the scale really, especially these days.

I know. But as I've mentioned earlier, smoothing is not high on my priority list at the moment. I want the shape to be perfect first, then smoothing comes along. If a model is already at 10000 polys when you start smoothing, it will end up in a poly hell.

YOu do have a point thoug

[anazonda]

Ok... So i think im about ready to start putting clothes on this girl... I wanted to give you guys a chance to submit some input before i start.

If you have any suggestions to changes, now would be the time...

[RifleMan80]

Ok... So i think im about ready to start putting clothes on this girl... I wanted to give you guys a chance to submit some input before i start.

If you have any suggestions to changes, now would be the time...

The deflector dish looks a little similar to a Galaxy. Could you take that separation out an put in a small Galaxy deflector dish? That would be cool! Other than that man, She looks solid!

[anazonda]

Just saw... this would be an awfully weak ship without phasers

[majormagna]

I like this a lot, will definately download this!

I also don't like unlimited quantums; which is why I use the system on the Earth ships for the Stargate Pack (Pusle weapons with a high initial output, but with 0 recharge)

[RifleMan80]

Just saw... this would be an awfully weak ship without phasers

Well I didn't suggest Phasers because they instinctively are on every Starfleet vessel.
However, I noticed a lot of recent ships are lacking in Pulse Cannons. You could do like they did with the Achilles class and put 4 Pulse cannons on the front, and 4 cannons on port and starboard that fire upward. The Achilles is an excellent cruiser. This ship, I think, would benefit from the Achilles weapons layouts.

[anazonda]

... 4 Pulse cannons on the front, and 4 cannons on port and starboard that fire upward...

I did think of this a few days ago, but previous attemps from me to make other than forward fireing pulse weapons has been with little sucess (lets just say that each time they fire, they shoot the ship from the inside :S ).

So I dropped that idea... Also it dosen't completely apply with the head-on-attack-,-run-away-fast concept...

[RifleMan80]

... 4 Pulse cannons on the front, and 4 cannons on port and starboard that fire upward...

I did think of this a few days ago, but previous attemps from me to make other than forward fireing pulse weapons has been with little sucess (lets just say that each time they fire, they shoot the ship from the inside :S ).

So I dropped that idea... Also it dosen't completely apply with the head-on-attack-,-run-away-fast concept...

Ahh scratch that then. Then load her up with some Quantum Turrets and/or Photon turrets like on the KM Prometheus class.

[Bones]

... 4 Pulse cannons on the front, and 4 cannons on port and starboard that fire upward...

I did think of this a few days ago, but previous attemps from me to make other than forward fireing pulse weapons has been with little sucess (lets just say that each time they fire, they shoot the ship from the inside :S ).

So I dropped that idea... Also it dosen't completely apply with the head-on-attack-,-run-away-fast concept...

Ahh scratch that then. Then load her up with some Quantum Turrets and/or Photon turrets like on the KM Prometheus class.

Yeah Achilles side pulses were a bust (dual fire pulses doesn't do to much difference while quad, defiant like config does pack a punch )

[RifleMan80]

... 4 Pulse cannons on the front, and 4 cannons on port and starboard that fire upward...

I did think of this a few days ago, but previous attemps from me to make other than forward fireing pulse weapons has been with little sucess (lets just say that each time they fire, they shoot the ship from the inside :S ).

So I dropped that idea... Also it dosen't completely apply with the head-on-attack-,-run-away-fast concept...

Ahh scratch that then. Then load her up with some Quantum Turrets and/or Photon turrets like on the KM Prometheus class.

Yeah Achilles side pulses were a bust (dual fire pulses doesn't do to much difference while quad, defiant like config does pack a punch )

What is needed is a Quantum Phaser for this mother. Phasers with the kick if Quantum Torpedoes. Revolutionary it might be, if possible. However, with weaponry like that, not ship would be a match for it.

[Lionus]

Yeah, but wouldn't that be like pitting a Connie against Borg cube? As in "insta-boom" when the Borg cube locks on.. What's the fun in that?

[Dalek]

What is needed is a Quantum Phaser for this mother. Phasers with the kick if Quantum Torpedoes. Revolutionary it might be, if possible. However, with weaponry like that, not ship would be a match for it.

I originally had that on the Arcadia mk2.

[anazonda]

Almost forgot.... I got some new screenies for you:

I love this angle


From the left


Top view


Front view... Don't let the nacells on this pic fool ya, theyre not just squares... it is just because i can't get more shadows on the "Clay"


Rear view... This is what most enemies will be seeing if they outgun the ship... (EAT MY MANTA DUST)


Phaser strips on top of saucer, and that "clamp" that you always see on starfleet saucers.

[RifleMan80]

 She is sleek! Kinda like a flat shark. I have a good feeling about this beast.

[anazonda]

She is sleek! Kinda like a flat shark. I have a good feeling about this beast.

;)