[gyp5sy]

I've seen some out there, but this is my attempt....  Actually my first attempt at modeling.



As many die-hard fans (myself included) can see, it's a Hornet, straight from the Tiger's Claw.
Now, I just have to learn how to texture... (shudders)


This is from the Modelview program, so I've gotten it to convert to a .pof, but I'm stumped when it comes to making the thruster plumes and other "special" submodels.  I've taken a look at a tutorial that uses TS3.2, but since I'm using Max, I'm having some trouble translating it.  Can anyone point me in the direction of a good max tutorial for ship creation?

Now, to me, it looks like the cockpit is a little small, or the butt is really huge, but I followed the schematics closely.  I wanted to get the original down before I considered any modifications.

[Scooby_Doo]

Sweet 
Looks very nicely done. I did a hornet once... but no wheres as nice as this 

[takashi]

why did you convert using modelview? it sucks. use it for creating guns/eyepoints. use PCS to make thrusters/convert models.

[Unknown Target]

takashi, please...just...be quiet. You're 3/4th right n that statement, but please...hush.

Anyway, for once, he's right gyp5sy. Use PCS to add thruster plumes and whatnot...but since you're using Max, why not just use the converter plugin? It can be found at the top of this forum

EDIT: Oh, and almost forgot. Wicked looking ship.

[gyp5sy]

It is my understanding that there is no plugin for max 9.  So, I have to get the model in to truespace before conversion...  A pain, but max is soooo nice.  Thanks for the advice about PCS, I'll try that.

I have some really newb questions as I'm a novice to both ship creation AND max:
I was reading in some guide somewhere about attaching local lights to every submodel....  What is the max equivalent to this?
Should I just create the models in max then take care of all that stuff in TS?  I think it would be easier for me to do as much as possible in one application....

Input would be very welcome.  Thanks, guys!

[IceFire]

Very nicely done.  You even used the blueprints!  Very nice!  I'm secretly hoping you'll do a repeat with the Raptor and Rapier

This is a ship we'll definitely need some kind of gun convergence code.

[Wanderer]

Fixed gun convergence is possible just by adjusting the firepoint normals in the model file and adding 'gun convergence' to the flags in ships.tbl entry. Automatic system gun convergence is also possible and fully functional but for that you'll need to use scripting.

[gyp5sy]

Whew, one thing at a time.  I'm pretty well along the way to learning how to texture.  Hopefully I'll have some shots to show later this week.  As for gun convergence, I was thinking of having the convergence point be at the theoretical max range of the laser as spec'd in the blueprints.  Kinda gives it that old-school feel.  I believe that the fancy-schmancy aiming devices made their debut with the Rapier.  That and I'll save the scripting till I make the Hornet, Dralthi, Salthi and Tiger's Claw and THEN learn FREDDing when I get started on the first mission.

Not to fear, I'm hoping to do ALL the original WC ships, confed and Kiltrathi.... Someday.  The process is slow as I'm learning all this as I go.

[gevatter Lars]

Your Hornet looks way better then anything I have done when I started modeling...and maybe even now do.
Keep up this quality and I would love to see all the other ships done in the future.

[gyp5sy]

I've done some texturing, man, that stuff is hard!  I'm wondering if I just lack the patience.  Anyways, here are some pics.  I realize that I'm not done by a long shot, but I think it's no longer something I need to be ashamed about...



Note that I've redone the cockpit: it's now bigger and more along the lines of what I think the Hornet should be.



I think I just might come back to it after I get a little more experience and add some more detail work.

[takashi]

shorten up the guns. they look like they could snap off any minute

[Scooby_Doo]

shorten up the guns. they look like they could snap off any minute

Heresy!  Leave those guns long.  WC 1 had long big guns 


after looking at yours i really should take mine out of the garbage bin and redo the hull.

[Wanderer]

That looks awesome.

[Grizzly]

shorten up the guns. they look like they could snap off any minute

"One last thing, last day, knight managed to snap of one laser and scare all the board crew, we use ALS, Automatic Landing System, for a reason, pilots!"

They are supposed to.

[gyp5sy]

As with most first projects, I have decided that this model is an unparalleled piece of crap and probably can't be salvaged.  When I get my Bengal done, I'll look and see if any individual parts can be used to make Hornet 2.0. 

The list of things is too long and depressing to even go into at this juncture.  If I only knew then what I've learned since.... 

[Scooby_Doo]

HARDLY!

Should I really show some of my orignal stuff? Your eyes will BLEED! You actually painted the textures, I just copied and pasted a horrible panel job.


Say send the files here, I'll see if I can walk you through what you could do to really make it version 2.0 

[gyp5sy]

Unfortunately, I only have it in max 9 format.  One of many reasons why I need a re-work.  I can send you the .3ds and textures if you're really keen on taking a look, but, like I said, I think it would just be faster to re-do it.

Boy, things are swell after switching to max 8 so I could use the plugin.  That's some nice stuff!