|
|
August MMC Challenge- the Arilyn Flynn
About Truespace Archives
These pages are a copy of the official truespace forums prior to their removal somewhere around 2011.
They are retained here for archive purposes only.
August MMC Challenge- the Arilyn Flynn // Monthly Modeling Contest
Post by Michael Billard // Aug 13, 2007, 7:18am
|
Michael Billard
Total Posts: 125
|
When I was in college, one of my favorite Dungeons and Dragons game settings was called Spelljammer. Think D&D in space with organic space ships. Several years ago when I first started learning trueSpace, I worked on a spacecraft known as the Man-O-War. I never figured out how to do the wings until very recently. I decided to revisit the project and build a new hull based upon the deck plans instead of inconsistent artistic drawings. Spelljammer was notorious for having statistics blocks that didn't match their drawings, so I had an opportunity to build everything consistently to scale.
I decided to take a break from the YF-19 (there are story problems with the game behind it) and rebuild the Flynn-class Man-O-War. This is a work in progress. I still have much to learn about trueSpace but I've gotten better than when I built the first version of the Arilyn Flynn. The neat thing is, I can do full-color deck plans with the new model too, like what you'd get out of a D&D adventure or Dungeon magazine article.
Software
trueSpace 7.51 (w/v-ray 1.52 if I learn to use it in time) for modelling & rendering
Photoshop CS3 for texture maps
Area Volume for accurate volume calculations. This is a custom application I wrote using Microsoft Game Studio Express to calculate the area and volume of a solid 3D mesh. I found that MeshSize 2 didn't work well in TS 7.51, so I did some research and learned how to calculate a mesh's volume and area. Ideally I'd do this in TS and have it auto-update as I fleshed out the mesh, but I don't know how to use the TS scripting engine yet. By my calculations, the Arilyn Flynn is 60.17 spatial tons (where one ton is 1,350 cubic feet using the fan-made ship design system that greatly improved official construction rules).
These WIP images are 640 x 480 but the final render will be 800 x 600.
http://www.spellflight.com/images/Wip1.jpg
http://www.spellflight.com/images/Wip2.jpg
http://www.spellflight.com/images/Wip3.jpg
http://www.spellflight.com/images/Wip4.jpg
http://www.spellflight.com/images/Wip5.jpg
http://www.spellflight.com/images/Wip6.jpg |
Post by Jack Edwards // Aug 13, 2007, 7:41am
|
Jack Edwards
Total Posts: 4062
|
Cool project! I remember playing Spelljammer when it came to the PC. ;)
Adding you to the contest page now.
-Jack. |
Post by Michael Billard // Aug 13, 2007, 6:58pm
|
Michael Billard
Total Posts: 125
|
I added the front railing tonight (built like the one in my previous design) and messed with the UV mapping on the wings. One thing I find is the UV mapping goes weird and twisted. Not sure why.
http://www.spellflight.com/images/Wip7.jpg |
Post by Michael Billard // Aug 18, 2007, 1:50pm
|
Michael Billard
Total Posts: 125
|
Today I finished up my staircase, built a ladder, and installed the cargo hatch. The hatch is really cool, you can teleport cargo to the hatch below.
This is done in 800x600.
http://www.spellflight.com/images/Wip8.jpg |
Post by Steinie // Aug 19, 2007, 8:35am
|
Steinie
Total Posts: 3667
|
Keep it going, very cool ship! It reminds me of a large wasp and this one I see has lots of stingers!:cool: |
Post by Michael Billard // Aug 19, 2007, 11:40am
|
Michael Billard
Total Posts: 125
|
Gold trim, windows, and new mid-body connector piece:
http://www.spellflight.com/images/Wip10.jpg
http://www.spellflight.com/images/Wip11.jpg
http://www.spellflight.com/images/Wip12.jpg
http://www.spellflight.com/images/Wip13.jpg |
Post by Michael Billard // Aug 19, 2007, 12:00pm
|
Michael Billard
Total Posts: 125
|
Here's the closest to windows I could figure out. The mesh is hollow, but you can't really see inside. I wonder if there are tutorials on how to make windows...
http://www.spellflight.com/images/Wip14.jpg |
Post by Michael Billard // Aug 19, 2007, 3:38pm
|
Michael Billard
Total Posts: 125
|
..And finally for the weekend, my first foray into using lights:
http://www.spellflight.com/images/Wip17.jpg
What I don't get is why when using local lights with volumetric effect on and shadow casting, the decks are still dark. I had to turn off shadow casting to get the decks to look nice |
Post by Michael Billard // Aug 22, 2007, 8:57pm
|
Michael Billard
Total Posts: 125
|
OK! Given the time available this is what I came up with. With the exception of the wing bracing, she's done. I'm rather proud of what I accomplished in the time I had. I learned a lot. I'll hopefully finish her up over the weekend.
http://www.spellflight.com/images/FlynnBeauty.jpg
http://www.spellflight.com/images/FlynnFront.jpg
http://www.spellflight.com/images/FlynnSide.jpg |
Post by Steinie // Aug 23, 2007, 1:19am
|
Steinie
Total Posts: 3667
|
Boy Michael you really made this shine from what you started with! Great Job! |
Post by Jack Edwards // Aug 23, 2007, 7:22am
|
Jack Edwards
Total Posts: 4062
|
I agree with Steinie. This is really great work. Definitely the most detailed model in thin challenge. I'm rooting for you to win this one. :) |
Post by Michael Billard // Aug 23, 2007, 5:51pm
|
Michael Billard
Total Posts: 125
|
Thanks! Even if I don't win, it was a good experience to learn more about TS and improve my skills, which is something I've tried to do for years. |
Post by W!ZARD // Aug 24, 2007, 1:43am
|
W!ZARD
Total Posts: 2603
|
Well I voted for Jacks more traditionalist approach but it was a tight decision - the thing I like about your space ship is it is so totally different to anything I've seen before - and given that spaceships can look any shape at all I think that's a remarkable acheivement - well done Michael.
Re the challenge being a good learning experience - yeah mate you got that right! |
|
