detailed cruiser model WIP

[skynet3020]

I've been lurking around a bit and decided to post.
This is a model I've worked on before but decided to strip it down and modify the basic shape a bit, then completely redo the details. I'm trying to keep the polygon count reasonable - we'll see what happens in the end - probably around 1M. I'm looking for any feedback you might have.
This isn't tied to any story lines - it's just something I've worked on as a hobby. It's designed to be a cruiser.

Clicking on any of the images brings up a larger version.

Here's what the main hull looks like without the details filled in yet. There are a couple of small areas I filled in but basically it's empty right now. The major turrets and basic hangars are in place though.





The first section I detailed is the command/bridge structure:




I also detailed the engines and surrounding area:




And a closeup of some of the detail:


I'm currently working on the ventral hangar. I'll post some renders once it's finished up.

[Frank Hipper]

Very nice.

[Eternal_Freedom]

Very nice indeed. You said it's not from any storyline, but I would assume (from the shape/style) that it's a Star Wars design. Looks very strong and well-built but those engines look plenty powerful as well. Dead on for a cruiser methinks.

[skynet3020]

I'm definitely inspired by Star Wars designs as I think they look very functional and are my favorite ships. I can only hope to give that same impression. This isn't as clean as some of the classics but I also want to keep it unique.

[Eternal_Freedom]

It certainly would not look out of place in SW.

[Grahf: Seeker Of Power]

I would suggest putting the large guns on the ventral surface so they can superfire. They would benefit from a much better firing arc.

[skynet3020]

Are you referring to moving the huge guns on the sides near the back or moving the ventral turrets forward? The latter makes more sense to me. Perhaps I'll have to remove or rework the stub in the center of that ventral forward protrusion to further improve the available arc in that location.

[Grahf: Seeker Of Power]

Im talking about the big guns on the side.

[skynet3020]

Those guns actually have pretty good arcs being a distance from the bulk of the ship. Assuming the barrels can go "down" a bit relative to the turret bodies they can superfire forward, up, and down. If They were moved to the ventral hull they would have better coverage on that side of the ship but no ability to fire up leaving coverage a bit thin up there. Another reason I can think of to move them though is they are vulnerable sticking out there - a target of choice for smaller ships. There's also a good place on the dorsal hull for them which would allow superfiring on that side. Another option is to scrap the huge guns altogether and put several smaller guns in, giving them all a good forward arc as well as coverage elsewhere.

[Lord Revan]

Those guns actually have pretty good arcs being a distance from the bulk of the ship. Assuming the barrels can go "down" a bit relative to the turret bodies they can superfire forward, up, and down. If They were moved to the ventral hull they would have better coverage on that side of the ship but no ability to fire up leaving coverage a bit thin up there. Another reason I can think of to move them though is they are vulnerable sticking out there - a target of choice for smaller ships. There's also a good place on the dorsal hull for them which would allow superfiring on that side. Another option is to scrap the huge guns altogether and put several smaller guns in, giving them all a good forward arc as well as coverage elsewhere.

tbh personally I'd scrap the huge guns and what others had said move them to the ventral surface (if you're worried about shooting straight "up" just make the guns capable of 90 degree elevation), oh and do rememeber there's no absolute "up" or "down" in space so no matter where you stick your guns they'll be a target for other ships.

[skynet3020]

That's where I'm leaning - perhaps add some smaller ones to both the dorsal and ventral surfaces with overlapping forward coverage. In this arrangement there would still be good coverage in all 6 directions (whatever they're called from the ship's orientation relative to its surroundings) with some decreased aft coverage. That leaves a space to put something else (ideas?) on those extrusions near the back. Perhaps I can just "wing" it out a bit and put some junk in there, or perhaps some kind of docking area/equipment.

[skynet3020]

I reworked the sides of the ship a bit to eliminate some messy angles. I also repositioned the main guns somewhat, eliminating the huge ones on the sides and rearranging/increasing the ventral guns. Smaller ones will be added in other areas later.


The main time consumer lately has been detailing the area around the ventral hangar which I'm happy with now.


Here's a closeup looking aft into the hangar area.

[skynet3020]

I assume the major gun placement is OK, or are there improvements to be made here before I start detailing around them?
I added details to the forward quarter. Placed several smaller guns along the way (all can super-fire forward) and added details to the main gun.

[Mr Bean]

They are nicely staggered with good clear lines of fire. Not sure I love the platforms as those break the ship lines up a lot but their placement is good for coverage purposes.

[skynet3020]

I'll probably redo the platforms for the large guns - just have them there now mainly as a placeholder. It's actually tempting to completely remodel the guns themselves - it's sort of an old crappy mesh I've used for years and I cam probably make something better now.

[skynet3020]

I have finished much of the ventral details. I reworked the big gun down there a bit to blend with its surroundings. The aft section is still bare but I'll save that for last. The total poly count is just over 580k - on track for somewhere between 1 and 1.5M. Next I will detail more of the dorsal surface, starting with those bug guns.


Starboard side, with brightness turned up a bit to emphasize details:

[Crossroads Inc.]

Very Very nice.. Even Fractalsponge would be proud of that detail.
I still love the fact that it looks so "Unlike" a Starwars ship, it is unique creative and different, BUT, it still looks like it would easily be at Home in the StarWars Universe.

[skynet3020]

I'm glad to hear it still comes off as unique. I certainly added more Star Wars elements after the initial design.

Fractal's stuff is easily an order of magnitude more finely-detailed. Jaw-droopingly impressive too. At this point I'm aiming for a much lower polygon count and simpler project. I don't think I'm ready to handle 10-20M polys.

[Skywalker_T-65]

Even so, this is darn impressive. Great work.

[skynet3020]

More of the dorsal details are done. Hopefully I can get some quality time in the next couple of weeks and finish the mesh off. Then I'll need to do some cleanup and object grouping to make it easier to work with.

[KomradKing]

Wow. I am blown away by the level of detail you have put into that ship. Especially just as a hobby. I've seen a lot of ships in games and movies that don't even come close!

[skynet3020]

I managed to get the file size down to 55MB from 240MB - much easier to handle now. Exact same polygons just grouped differently with modifiers collapsed.
The final poly count turned out a bit lower than originally predicted - only 770339 (almost entirely quads, a few tris too - no ngons).

the most recently completed work:



some other views:








And with that I'll probably conclude my work on this model besides renderings. Thanks for the feedback on weapon placement - I think the model turned out better because of those changes.