Dissecting the image - from picture to model

[Patron Zero]

.....Yeah, windows on a space ship (that travels between planets using constant acceleration) makes as much sense as screen doors on a submarine......

A pet peeve of mine concerning starship design 'evolving' from wet navy submarines, siting view-ports on a starship have their need-purpose but retractable hatches (iris or otherwise) would be a necessity to maintain hull pressure integrity.

Nicely coming along Navanod, anxiously awaiting further development.

 

[iron warrior]

Could someone PLEASE make this forum accessible to non members already?! I would love to post a link to this thread on some 3d modelling sites I frequent that have people into making 3d ships but not into traveller and hence aren't members here.

Failing that, could I talk the OP into posting this on www.scifi-meshes.com ? This would be great for their tutorial forum.

 

[navanod]

Yeah, I could probably do that if you think there'd be some interest.

 

[navanod]

I think I've got the fighter down to something I like. It's a little different, but pretty close to the original. I'm fairly happy with it, given some of the weird geometry in the picture. Another day or two of detail work and I think the whole works will be ready for paint.

 

[far-trader]

Looks pretty spot on to me

 

[Yavin_Prime]

Wow that looks great, you guys are doing an amzing job of taking a simple hand drawn picture and turning it into a model with detailed measurements. Keep it up I can't wait to see the ship in all its glory.

 

[iron warrior]

Yeah, I could probably do that if you think there'd be some interest.

Brother, there'd DEFINITELY be some interest in this on www.scifi-meshes.com, it's a whole site just for SF modeling and art, not a game site.

I think you could be a contributing member of their community, and learn a few things as well.

As for those you you who want 3d traveller ships but can't make them, you might be able to talk some people over there into making them for you for the hell of it, they make 3d models for a hobby and many enjoy challenges.

 

[FreeTrav]

I've been following this thread with interest and appreciation; it's fun and fascinating. Please, navanod, when you're satisfied with the outcome, condense it all (including selected renders and diagrams) into an article for Freelance Traveller - I think that would make the issue that it appeared in a 'best-seller'!

 

[navanod]

I'm back - sorta.

Lots of stuff has been in progress the last few weeks, which accounts for the quiet on my part. But, this project is still in the works and moving forward, and should get it's own Technical Manual (#3 in all likelyhood). I backtracked some, mostly due to Tom's second pic of the Warsprite, and am in the process of working a few things out.

The major change made was making the aft section modular - it works out to just about 300 tons. I also added the fighter shown in his second pic 'cause I like it

I'm working out the deckplans and details as I go, and also reworking all of this into an article for Free Traveller ASAP.

 

[AcidCLean]

Do the world a favor and get this design to a 3D printer ASAP.

 

[badruk]

That model is looking good, cant wait until we see a shot of it amongst the stars...

Regarding the comments about the windows being a structural flaw, that is assuming they are made of easily shatterable material such as glass. Perhaps with the advanced manufacturing processes of the Imperium they could use a transparent bonded superdense? It could be transparent to a limited range of the visible spectrum to allowing the crew to see out, while being opaque to the rest of the electromagnetic spectrum to block radiation, lasers, etc. This would also explain the transparent domes on larger ships, such as the Azhanti High Lightning.

If it is a troop ship, the passengers would be more used to being on a world's surface, on deployment under an open sky. Perhaps the window would be good for moral, to stop the occupants feeling claustrophobic on long hauls. The last thing you need is stressed out troops.

 

[navanod]

Arise from the dead, Warsprite!

Well, it's been a long while since this thread saw any activity, and a long while since I've had a chance to work on this project. So, I decided to pull it out and start tinkering. This is where I sit currently, with most of the ship roughed out along with 2 types of fighters and 2 flavors of mission modules (the hangar one is the one with the open door; the other is enclosed for various other uses). Just thought I'd let everyone know this ship isn't completely dead yet, and I do still plan to eventually put out a Technical Manual for it when it's completed.

 

[Gray Pennell]

wow I wish I could do this. They are just the way I picture flat sphere ships. I have chosen that design characteristic for my bad guy pocket empire fleet, but I could never do this.

 

[HiverLord]

wow I wish I could do this. They are just the way I picture flat sphere ships.

Agreed.
Fantastic work so far. Can't wait for the rest.

 

[77topaz]

wow I wish I could do this. They are just the way I picture flat sphere ships. I have chosen that design characteristic for my bad guy pocket empire fleet, but I could never do this.

The K'kree have what could be described as "flat sphere" ships - pictures of those are also available on the Internet, on the Traveller Gallery website (I think).

 

[Ulsyus]

Nav, did you ever get around to finishing this project, or is it still on the backburner being tinkered with every couple of months?

 

[GypsyComet]

Everything you're talking about, aka deconstructing the picture, I did over ten year ago!

I think I have hand sketches from the early 90s, though mine never got much past that. I was too busy doing the same thing to the TI/TJ, the ship from the Shattered Ships ad in Challenge, and random artwork from OMNI.

 

[Ulsyus]

Not wanting to muck up any of the outstanding work you've done...

In the original illustration we see what appears to be an airlock door forward of the side turret and off to the edge/side of the vessel from a turret on top of the ship.

Is this a complete door on the upper half of the vessel? If so, the thing would be two complete decks, changing the perspective (mental, not graphical) of how big it is, wouldn't it?