Author Topic: Merian-Class and Mogai-Type Warbird (Read 17163 times)

aaron067 · « **Reply #160 on:** July 21, 2011, 12:59:47 AM »

This'll probably be the last update I make for about a week. I have an out-of-town work conference, and I've got some major coding that I have to work out to see if MVAM with three pieces is even a possibility in Sins of a Solar Empire. Recombining two halves of a vessel wasn't something even conceived of for the game and, for a long time, was thought to be impossible. But, I was able to figure that out with a fairly elegant (if complex) solution, so I'm hopeful I can do the same thing with three pieces. The result of that work will determine whether I go with two or three separate vessels here. If I'm successful, my current plan is for the third ship to be a small fighter-type vessel that makes up or detatches from the front tip of the lower saucer rim where the yacht currently sits.

In the meantime, here are some images with all of the appropriate seams welded so you have a better idea of the final version of the ship. I've also replaced phaser strips on the sections that have been reconstructed, and all the impulse engines are "finalized"... for now, at least.

Captain_D · « **Reply #161 on:** July 21, 2011, 04:40:36 AM »

She looks fantastic. Love the impulse on the pylons. Very nice detail on all so far.

After viewing the new pics, I would suggest angling the ends of the impulse engines on the saucer the same as on the pylons, I think they would fit the contour of the groove you made on the saucer nicely.

aaron067 · « **Reply #162 on:** July 21, 2011, 10:21:18 AM »

Thanks!

I took a few minutes to experiment with changing the angle of the saucer engines, and I think you could be on to something. I'll have to find just the right angle that strikes a balance between fitting with the cutouts and fitting with the separation plane, though.

FarShot · « **Reply #163 on:** July 21, 2011, 09:33:09 PM »

I just had a thought. If you sloped the cutout so that it slopes up as it goes from the port/starboard side to the inward side, a side effect would be that the angle of the cutout would be less dramatic. Thus that would help you balance those two angles you were referring to better.

EDIT: I whipped up a demo model really quickly to clarify what I was thinking. Since you were trying to get the engine angle to be a compromise between the cutout and the aft engine angle, why not alter the cutout angle this way to achieve that balance?

aaron067 · « **Reply #164 on:** July 21, 2011, 11:20:54 PM »

Thanks for the effort! Unfortunately, the current angle of the cutout already slopes up at the exact same rate as the engine itself. Had it been a level cut across the mesh, the cutout would have jutted much further out (been there, done that).

With that said, I might need to adjust the height of the engine itself to create a steeper slope. Everything's a possibility at the moment.

aaron067 · « **Reply #165 on:** October 07, 2011, 06:22:25 PM »

Just to prove that I haven't fallen off the face of the planet, here's a little teaser of what I've been working on in the very small bit of free time I've had since school began.

007bashir · « **Reply #166 on:** October 07, 2011, 06:48:56 PM »

i like it. But please those nacelle grilles to a more blueish teint.

Nexxus21 · « **Reply #167 on:** October 07, 2011, 07:14:53 PM »

I like the nacelle colors just the way they are a nice change....

flarespire · « **Reply #168 on:** October 07, 2011, 07:18:43 PM »

i say leave em as is, they go with the ship, and it has that "new proto type" look to it

King Class Scout · « **Reply #169 on:** October 07, 2011, 07:46:41 PM »

who knows. it may use Borg Transwarp/Slipstream deriviation components

I musta missed this thread, 'cause I've never seen this development before.

Shadowknight1 · « **Reply #170 on:** October 07, 2011, 08:33:57 PM »

I really like the coloration on that ship.

FarShot · « **Reply #171 on:** October 07, 2011, 09:05:41 PM »

Looking great Aaron.

Captain_D · « **Reply #172 on:** October 07, 2011, 09:33:46 PM »

Very nice job on her so far.

Bones · « **Reply #173 on:** October 10, 2011, 11:29:58 AM »

Do like it ! awesome design, awesome color scheme, can't wait to see it finished. Have a cookie

aaron067 · « **Reply #174 on:** October 10, 2011, 11:58:20 PM »

Thanks for all the compliments regarding the color scheme! It's obviously a derivation of the Vesta-class design philosophy, but I wanted it to have a darker, more aggressive appearance given the nature of the ship's mission goals. Unfortunately, I'm have trouble finding just the right hull armor design for the secondary hull. Once I have that figured out I should have more updates.

I'm not married to the nacelle plasma vent color; however, I like it very much the way it is right now. I'll experiment with a slightly bluer shade, but the greenish hue lends itself to slipstream technology much better in my opinion.

newhalo123 · « **Reply #175 on:** October 11, 2011, 04:31:16 PM »

Quote from: Lionus on July 20, 2011, 11:21:23 AM

I have a feeling that Klingons would appreciate this ship, as it reminds me of a dagger or short sword..

That, my friend, I totally, 100%, agree with.

And.... THIS. SHIP. IS. SPARTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

But in all seriousness, this ship is one of THE BEST ships i have ever seen!
Keep it up!!! ;)

EDIT:
And, the nacelles, are looking PERFECT!!! I absolutely LOVE this ship!

EDIT #2: SLIPSTREAM???? WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

MarkyD · « **Reply #176 on:** October 14, 2011, 10:04:51 AM »

Nice work, looks sharp

aaron067 · « **Reply #177 on:** October 16, 2011, 10:18:14 PM »

Just an initial thought for an alternative paint scheme to better match the refit Vesta-class coloration.

Shadowknight1 · « **Reply #178 on:** October 17, 2011, 02:00:15 AM »

Hmmm...if you do that, you might use that for an NCC-designate ship and keep the darker scheme for the NX prototype.

aaron067 · « **Reply #179 on:** October 17, 2011, 11:36:08 PM »

Funny that you should mention that. The new color scheme Mark came up with for the Vesta-class is specifically for the NCC version. The Vesta and Aventine both began with the black, blue, and gray, but his plan was to refit the Aventine to have just blue and gray.

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Author Topic: Merian-Class and Mogai-Type Warbird (Read 17163 times)