[Omniscaper]

I'm almost done with LOD1 of the Galactica. It has a sane 5000 polygon mesh. This was modelled via splines, hopefully an approach that will allow for easy mesh reduction via spline subdivisions.

The mesh is not yet optimized. There are still wasted polygons on flat planes.

Once optimized, the ribs will be modelled next.

[Deepblue]

Cool.

So when are you going to finish the Viper. (aka give it a nice cockpit, fix the textures, etc.)(alternatively you could let me play around with it )

[Omniscaper]

SO MUCH on my plate!!!!

[Deepblue]

"alternatively you could let me play with it "

[Roanoke]

What is spline modeling ? I'm only familiar with box and poly modeling (which I prefer).

[Anaz]

spline modeling is moving around curves to create the form of your model.

[Omniscaper]

Spline modelling...

Modeling with curves (controlled by bezier control handles). The advantages of this method, allows a person to make a low polygon model, but allows for the computer to account for curve data which can automatically create smoother/higher mesh detail  by increasing subdivisions dynamically (following the curves you make).

[IceFire]

Is this also known as nurbs or is that different?

[Omniscaper]

Nurbs, is similiar but instead of single curves, you deal with patches.

There are only 229 splines in the screenshots. Everything else are subdivisions composing the 5000 polygons.

Splines are abstract mathematical vectors which guides the formation and curvature of the absolute polygon mesh.

Did that make sense? I know I'd be confused.

[Nuke]

and you call yourself a novice, bah!dont call yourself that you make the rest of us look bad

[Omniscaper]

People who actually take 3d modelling courses, puts my skills to shame. I've been following this form of graphics  since 1998, first using VERY CRUDE 3d programs and progressing 3dsmax. 3dsmax is the easiest 3d modeling package out there IMHO. Its quite easy to get into but a ***** in time consumption.

Spline modelling is no different than working with Adobe Illustrator, with an added 3rd dimension.

[Omniscaper]

Found this interesting comparison between the old and new Galactica. After seeing, I'm further convinced that the Galactica is not a new ship, but a heavilly overhauled and refitted vessel.

[IceFire]

Yeah I was just reading the BSG Miniseries magazine that I got as a present once.  It has some good stuff on the CGI.  The artist that designed it understood that it had to harken back to the original design but he also wanted it to look like a real fortress in space...but 40 years old too.

It does have that look.

I'd be interested to know if the other Battlestars, the ones lost in the fighting, looked different or not.  Was there one design that was used over and over...new on the inside, similar or virtually identical on the ouside?

[Liberator]

Originally posted by Omniscaper
3dsmax is the easiest 3d modeling package out there...

I take offense at this statement, I have never been able to make heads nor tails out of it.

[Taristin]

Well, consider yourself offended, because it's easy as hell.

[Liberator]

Maybe it's because the only tutorials I can find are designed for someone that has a modicum of knowledge in the arena already.  I just load the builtin tutorials, mess around for 45 mins and don't remember a thing.

I need something that is for a complete, n00b level, doesn't know a polygon from a hole in his head novice.  I wish I could afford some damn books, I don't do well with online learning.

[Singh]

start with DoGA first, that's all I can recommend.

But definately dont start with TS.

The damn buttons are all over hte place, you cant find a thing, and the damn models stays in the centre of the view no matter how much you try to move it somewhere different!

[Swamp_Thing]

Originally posted by Singh
start with DoGA first, that's all I can recommend.

But definately dont start with TS.

The damn buttons are all over hte place, you cant find a thing, and the damn models stays in the centre of the view no matter how much you try to move it somewhere different!

Uh? That´s a good one! News to me, and i´ve been using it for a bit now.


PS: You need to click on the "object move" icon. That allows you to move objects about.

[StratComm]

Truespace's interface is only marginally better than your typical Battlecruiser game (insert DS references here); designed by drunken monkeys and completely counterintuitive.  That said, Truespace's interface can be dealt with, though only with lots of patience.  Oh yeah, and it's navigation system sucks balls.

[Singh]

If I'm ever going to model, its either through DoGA of i can...'acquire' 3DSMax soon......