[bigchunk1]

Ok, I converted the model to quads and added a smoothing modifier. Kind of confusing since blender seems to render using triangles anyways.




What's the next thing to do?

[bobbtmann]

I would make your smoothing groups before you add any modifiers. I think you'd do it using edge creases. Fixing up your smoothing groups can go a long way towards making your ship look good, and it doesn't take much time at all.

[FreeSpaceFreak]

I would make your smoothing groups before you add any modifiers. I think you'd do it using edge creases. Fixing up your smoothing groups can go a long way towards making your ship look good, and it doesn't take much time at all.

For Blender, that means to 'Set smooth' your model, add an edgesplit modifier and in editmode, Ctrl-E -> Mark Sharp edges that you would like to be sharp. If you see that too many edges are sharp after adding the modifier, increase the 'Split angle' or just disable 'From edge angle' altogether in the modifier.

[bigchunk1]

I don't know what the word 'smoothgroups' means, in fact the word is quite scary to me. Thanks for the translation FSF. It turned out to be much more understandable than I initially anticipated. I implemented the edgesplit modifier and I think it looks better. I also refined the front and the overall geometry.






Are we ready for the next step or have I missed something?

[Droid803]

It still doesn't look smoothed yo'.
I still see dem facets.

[bigchunk1]

Facets? I don't know what that means!

I guess I don't get what I am supposed to be doing then.

[Droid803]

thx fsf

[Trivial Psychic]

OK.  From what I remember from the movie, the ID4 raider doesn't have anhedral wings.  The underside of the ship should be convex rather than concave.  Unless of course, this is some different class.

[bigchunk1]

Ok, so Zacam and Droid803 just set me straight on IRC. Apparently I was never using smoothing until now.







@TrivialPsychic
You're right. Actually the lowest points of the ship are the weapon mounts (which I have yet to model and add on) while the underbelly is mostly flat. Hard to get a sense of the thing with all those crafty curves.

[Trivial Psychic]

Well, you could always say that this is a newer variant.

[rhettro]

It's getting there, a marked improvement over your first model.

[bigchunk1]

Where did my teacher go? 

Ok, well it might be time to go renegade. Here's what I'm think is the next step:
Reshape the sides a little further up so that the bottom is not concave.
Add more detail to the top section, perhaps even that circular 'eyelike' piece along the side of the top?
Perhaps create an engine object to be added to the back part.
I'll probably end up doing these things in the next few days or so as time allows.

[bigchunk1]

Aah watch out its got weapons!





I think the next thing is adding an engine object to the back.

[bobbtmann]

That looks a lot better.

 You could try adjusting the silhouette a bit to make it feel more high poly. I personally find that what really makes or breaks a model is the silhouette. For instance, I usually sacrifice polys on the finicky details glued onto the surface, and add a few more polys to, say, a cylindrical shape. That way at an angle you can see that the circular shape is indeed circular, and not an octagon or whatever.

[bigchunk1]

Should I start to think about UV mapping?

[bobbtmann]

Sure. It looks like you're in a good place, ready to texture. I would, however, try detaching those vanes at the back and cleaning up the surrounding geometry. I might help with the smoothing issues, and it won't make UVing any more difficult. Might even be easier.

[starlord]

Looks nice! I think there are a few differences with the movie cockpit though...

[bigchunk1]

I need help texturing. 

[Droid803]

Yeah uh, don't texture using ms paint.

[bigchunk1]

I would never do such a thing!  This is paint.net