[Sandwich]

FYI, a circle is the largest enclosed area in the least border; this is even more dramatic with sphere - they have the highest surface-to-volume ratio that can be in 3D (not gonna even start with hyper-axes and quantum tunnelling dimensions). Ergo, the sphere is the most efficient shape to construct isolated environments, since you have the highest internal space for the least hull area.

And that's why there is a dome.

And Karma: what about UVMaps? I used em - you know how hard it is to properly texture a low-poly geosphere? I just hope I can get this converted in game with smoothing.

[J.F.K.]

Aaaaaawwwwwwwesome. I can't wait for you to finish this and render it with some nice bump-mapping and lighting.

[Bobboau]

hmmm.... this will look quite nice glow mapped in FSO

[Sandwich]

Originally posted by Bobboau
hmmm.... this will look quite nice glow mapped in FSO

I'm toying with replacing all of the hull textures on this thing with textures I make, simply because I want it to look different from standard GTVA appearance, as well as the fact that I'm semi-pleased with the way the textures I've made have come out so far. I'll leave the asteriod textures, but all the others I'll consider making from scratch.

I'll post pics as I go.

[Petrarch of the VBB]

Quite agree.

And what sort of weapons do you plan on giving it?

[Sandwich]

Originally posted by Petrarch of the VBB
And what sort of weapons do you plan on giving it?

None. It's a civvie/research installation. Besides, I don't want to have to waste polys on turrets.

[Petrarch of the VBB]

Well I mhope it has a strong defensive fleet then, to prevent pirate raids and such.

[FreeTerran]

I think a few turrets must the installation have.

[KARMA]

Originally posted by Sandwich


I'll leave the asteriod textures, but all the others I'll consider making from scratch.

I'll post pics as I go.

good:) and it seems you have some good starting skills(and texturer are always well welcomed). if you need tips/help/critics/suggestions just ring the bell:)
about the uvmaps, i said that because it seems like if the vertical lines are somehow distorted in certain points. It may be due to uvmaps or the texture
suggestion:
make a whole new sphere (16 edges if i counted right), apply a spheric uvmap (with lithunwrap if your truespace version doesn't have it) to the whole sphere
apply the texture with vertical repetitions=2 and the horizontal repetions you want (4 i think will be the best)
Cut the lower semisphere
Don't join your semisphere to the rest of the base: you can make it a destroyable subobject  , with it's own destroyed version   (do you remember in starshiptroopers the wrekage of the rodger young? when you can see the internal bridges in fire from the pieces of the ship? )

[Sandwich]

Originally posted by Free Terran
I think a few turrets must the installation have.

Nope, sorry. After I finalize it, I'll have no problem with releasing the MAX / COB if others really realy want to turret it, but I'm building this as a civvie station. It's as defended as your local 7-11 - the cops can get there in a few minutes in case of need (such as lack of beer at the station... ).

[FreeTerran]

But then they have a fighterbay ?

[Petrarch of the VBB]

Well I suppose scoundrels will have to be able to fly their customised light freighters into the place so they can sell their black market booty.

[Sandwich]

Originally posted by Free Terran
But then they have a fighterbay ?

Hangar bay.

[Sandwich]

*BUMPDATE*

Worked on it a bit more... I'm satisfied how it is now. Here's some pics:

Overall pic, really bright so you can see the details:



Closeup of the bottom hangar entrance, showing the central pillar running vertically through the middle:



Wireframe, showing the internal build, esp. the 3-tiered construction of the big internal hangar bay (pinkish color):



You can get the MAX file here: http://www.3dap.com/hlp/staff/sandwich/modeling/asteroid-installation-RC1.zip

Feel free to POF it.

[karajorma]

I'd be tempted to use darker asteroid textures so as to contrast the lights more.

But it's pretty damn good anyway

[Thor]

I'm just asking permission for use in ITHOV.

THat is a thing of beauty!   I know just the place for it to.

[KARMA]

[Nico]

very nice

[Sandwich]

EDIT: New pics and MAX file download on previous page, in case anyone missed it.

Originally posted by Thor
I'm just asking permission for use in ITHOV.

THat is a thing of beauty!   I know just the place for it to.

Of course, but someone will have to POF it first. Once it's POFed I'll release it for the game, obviously.

[Knight Templar]

if you gave it a gold dome, it'd be just like that uber-sinagouge(?) in Jerusalem. It's even got the giant rock in it.