[Galemp]

I really like the empty rib cages, especially since that front part is already split down the middle. I think it would definitely fit with the Rakshasa. Try filling it with a few cables connecting the turrets; just make splines with end vertices at all the turret hardpoints, then loft it with an octagon.

[Commander Zane]

This is going pretty quick and very nice at that.

[Luis Dias]

I really like the empty rib cages, especially since that front part is already split down the middle. I think it would definitely fit with the Rakshasa. Try filling it with a few cables connecting the turrets; just make splines with end vertices at all the turret hardpoints, then loft it with an octagon.

Yes, I had thought of something like that, but I fear that if I do exactly as you say, it will end up like a Xmas tree. I'll leave those details for the "endgame", though. I'm still learning a few tricks, and I want to learn something different to make the rear part of the Rak like I want to. It will take some time only to learn.

Meanwhile I'm working on the "neck", and it's still not working  . Don't worry I'll get it eventually.

To anyone concerned with the polys, I'm doing a "low-poly" approach. I don't know if I'll make some mesh smoothings (which will increase the number) at some particular points, but anyways, the polycount is 3k right now. I'll try to keep the beast under 20k in the end.

[attachment deleted by Tolwyn]

[StrayFender]

nice one luis dias, nice one   




....I wanted to learn modelling, but....i suck....so the only thing i can do is to send cheers and graphic problem messages! =S

[Droid803]

Those things on the neck look a little too "regular" for the Rakshasa...
Maybe having weirder angles would look better?

[colecampbell666]

Yeah, while it looks nice it`s not Shivan.

[Thaeris]

A jagged scale-like pattern might actually fill in that area very well. You might consider overlapping the following "scale" with the one before it. Same concept, different pattern.

-Thaeris

[Luis Dias]

Something like this?

[attachment deleted by Tolwyn]

[colecampbell666]

Less pronounced, less regular. Look at the SB Taurvi WIP.

[Luis Dias]

Less pronounced, less regular. Look at the SB Taurvi WIP.

I seeeee. Hmmmm.... How da hell am I gonna do that? 

[Commander Zane]

Ugh, I hope you're not referring to the CLUSTER**** of triangles that are supposed to make up the missile banks...

[Kolgena]

I vote to keep it as is right now. It looks Shivan enough to me now. Actually, that part there looks very much like the Mara. Suitable, seeing as they're both next-gen (at least encountered as next-gen) shivan craft.

Although, those neck details as is are going to be lost in the game. No one will really notice plain tiling. If I recall correctly, there's an AAA beam situated on the left side of the cruiser, so if you build a structure around that, you might get something interesting.

[Commander Zane]

Only on the ventral spike near the aft section houses an AAA beam.

[Aardwolf]

What about something like on the neck of the HTL Ravana?

I like the look tho...

[c914]

I think that you could model that part as it is in textures.

[Rhymes]

Yeah, Normal mapping FTW.

[Raven2001]

Greebling asside, I think the neck is too straight. sure it was straight in the low poly model, but that's because they couldn't waist any polys. About the greebles, perhaps you are trying to introduce the wrong kind of design element? Try having a neck made of horizontal\longitudinal beams\greebles that connect the head to the abdomen.

For tubes, since you are using Max, the best way to do them is to draw a spline, and then make the spline renderable in the viewport. Tweak the number of sides. Once you are happy with the shape, convert the spline to editable poly.

Also, don't worry too much about the triangle orientations yet

[Luis Dias]

Greebling asside, I think the neck is too straight. sure it was straight in the low poly model, but that's because they couldn't waist any polys. About the greebles, perhaps you are trying to introduce the wrong kind of design element? Try having a neck made of horizontal\longitudinal beams\greebles that connect the head to the abdomen.

For tubes, since you are using Max, the best way to do them is to draw a spline, and then make the spline renderable in the viewport. Tweak the number of sides. Once you are happy with the shape, convert the spline to editable poly.

Also, don't worry too much about the triangle orientations yet

Too many ideas float in my head around that neck, so I'll leave it alone for the moment (until I decide). Many options are on the table. Either structural triangular beams (seems funny but a little off character, see the quick sketch below), or shivan-like polygonal greebles, or more organic stuff, although because there's too much of that already, I was trying to get a more mechanical feel.

I'm doing the rear ribs part. I'm adopting a whole another modelling technique, which may cause me to go slower (I don't know, I'm still experimenting...)

[attachment deleted by Tolwyn]

[Raven2001]

Well what I had in mind was something like this, but obviously geometrically (warning: fast paintover)

Also, don't fall in the error of mistaking mechanical with very straight lines. Something is mechanical as long as it has a structural racional order.

[attachment deleted by Tolwyn]

[Luis Dias]

I love it!  

One of those ribs can also extend to the lower arm in the rear, while the rest merges softly with the rest. That also gives me ideas on the back. Yes, that's my favorite idea so far, tonight I'll give it a try. Thanks!