[Raven2001]

IMO you're rushing it. There's still some areas that could use some more poly detail: main engine, underside of the head etc

[BrotherBryon]

Yeah, I'm playing around with a few ideas in those areas but I haven't liked the results thus far. The current textures leave little inspiration for those spots that can't be handled by normal mapping. I am however open to suggestions.

[BrotherBryon]

Added some detail to the main engines and the head. I'm still not happy with the head. What do you all think?


By brotherbryon at 2008-10-06

[Hellstryker]

The head definately needs work
Edit: The two little thrusters on the main engine pod in the back are bothering me... they seem kind of out of place. Are they there in the retail poseidon?

[Raven2001]

Getting much better Watch that upmost engine too

[Galemp]

Hey, I think I know what you can do with the underside of the head!

Loading ramp. Like the Imperial Shuttle, from Star Wars. Have a big ramp that drops down so passengers and freight can be loaded on board.
At least, that's what the texturing should imply. Notice that the Hermes and the Ursa have doors on them so passengers and crew can board.

[Droid803]

Hey, I think I know what you can do with the underside of the head!

Loading ramp. Like the Imperial Shuttle, from Star Wars. Have a big ramp that drops down so passengers and freight can be loaded on board.
At least, that's what the texturing should imply. Notice that the Hermes and the Ursa have doors on them so passengers and crew can board.

* Droid803 agrees.

[BrotherBryon]

I really didn't like how the head was shaping up, so I scraped it and started over. I'm already further along in the rebuild than I was before. Amazing how fast things go once the basic shape feels right. Good suggestion about the loading ramp but I'm not sure it would go to well with this model. The legs would need to retract or fold in order to make it practical. Before I read your suggestion I had already added a recessed docking ring to the underside of the head. Quick question, just how much detail should I add to this thing? 

[Hellstryker]

Knock yourself out. 8000-9000 polies max. I mean, most of it CAN be done with normal maps, but still, the satis has 8k polies IIRC

[BrotherBryon]

I just checked the retail thruster and the small ones do exist, just in a slightly different configuration. The lager thrusters are on the bottom with the smaller thrusters on top. Should I change my model to match or do you all like it better this way?

Not sure how it translates to pollys but I'm approaching 1800 faces in sketch-up.

[Hellstryker]

Faces in sketchup are entirely differant. They're triangulated on export. I expect it's around 8000 polies now myself, but you can't be sure until you export it. The fact is that it doesn't really need much more detail. Also, I like the changed engines.

[Raven2001]

Yes keep the engines as they are... you don't have to stick 100% to the original

[Rodo]

I don't know if any of you will be in favour of this but ... well

Now looking at the model I would really love to se some long and thin aerials coming out from the back, right between the lateral thrusters, I mean one for each side of course, but I don't quite know if that is possible or even acceptable with the cannon thing.

Looking forward to see this model finished, always thought this was one of the most beautiful ships in the retail game.

[BrotherBryon]

Did some tweaking on the engines, kept the configuration for the main engine but made the small thrusters larger and added additional thrusters to the engine pods as they are in retail. Rebuilt the head from scratch and added detailing to it and a few other places. I think the view ports are a little big and could use some adjustment but other than that its shaping up rather well. This thread is getting a little pic heavy, should I remove some of the older pics or leave it as?


By brotherbryon at 2008-10-08


By brotherbryon at 2008-10-08


By brotherbryon at 2008-10-08

[Droid803]

Very nice!
As for the number of pictures, its fine. They're not all on one page, after all.

[Mongoose]

I like that new front end; it looks nice and bulky.

[Galemp]

I'm reminded of the Icarus ship from the original Alien. The new front is wonderful.

For those smaller thrusters you've added, they're smaller so you can reduce the number of sides yet again. You can get away with 12 or 16 sides on those. Those skinny little bevels you have on the very edge of the back of the thrusters are also probably adding about 400 quads just by themselves.

[Raven2001]

We almost have a winner here

Now its the arms that look under-detailed in comparison with the rest

[BrotherBryon]

Thanks for all the feed back. I've made adjustments to the size of the view port. All the thrusters have been reduced to 16 sides already but I'll try to make the smaller ones 12 sided this evening. For the bevels are you talking about the lip around the outer edge? Not sure what else to do with the arms as they have to have a flat surface for the turrets, besides I kind of like the solid look they have now. I think I'm over the poly budget right now but will not be able to tell were I stand until its converted. Any one know a quick way of finding out?

[Ziame]

It's great man! Keep up the good work, I like it very much!