Star Trek - USS Belknap

[Pheylan]

Well, I said that I would never do it. I resisted doing it. I forbid myself from doing it, but here I am......Building a Star Trek ship!

It's not that I don't like Star Trek, I love it! But as I've said in the past, I've only wanted to work on projects that are either rare or never been done before. However, when you hear the call of the polys one cannot help but answer.

So, I've decided to try my hand at this:



I know what you're thinking....what's so unique about that? It looks like the Enterprise's fraternal twin! And you are right. But, I chose it for two reasons. First I've always liked this ship every since I saw it, and second I don't think there are many examples of it. I've Googled only one or two 3D images of it so someone did a version sometime, but other than that nada. Can't find any further trace of it. So it meets my criteria of rarity.

Anywho, on to the wip!

Here is were I'm at so far......











The upper and lower bridge/sensor domes are just blocked in, I'm not sure if I will stick with the standard ball turret style phaser banks or go with something fancier, so they may be temporary. The saucer pylon has some errors so that will probably get re-built, but that's normal because everything you see has been re-built a minimum of 3-4 times already!

So yes, this is going to be slow going as I figure out how to build every little piece. I just hope I didn't bite off more than I can chew, LOL

BTW, I believe The Belknap design originated in the Ships of the Starfleet books by Mastercom Data Center and that Todd Guenther illustrated it. I'd like to get official OK to proceed with this just to make sure everyone is happy. So if anyone knows him and can let him know or tell me how to contact him, that would be great. In the meantime I will continue on with the more common parts.

Hope you will enjoy!

[Rigel]

It looks like a solid, good start Pheylan.

Strong is the call of Star Trek side of the force. Difficult to resist, it is.

[lonewriter]

I've seen that 2d image before somewhere, nice to see it getting built. Keep up the good job.

[Treybor]

SUBSCRIBED!!!
I built one of these a few years ago. I LOVE the design. One of my favorite non-cannon TMP ships.

[oldmangreg]

Reminds me of these that I did for it a long time ago.

[3D_CG]

coolnessssss yep yep

[Pheylan]

Thanks everyone. I hope to do this justice, it's certainly going to test my skills to the limit!

Now that I'm satisfied with the overall look of the tail end of the nacelle (it took three days of tweeking to get it right), its back to the saucer...I tend to jump around alot.

[starship]

Indeed, looks like a solid start. There aren´t to many cgi representations of her in the cgi world. Al least, not in high polly.
Therefore, there are plastic and styrene interpretations for her, like the one posted by Forbin (Payne) at Trekbbs this week.
Keep doing the great work Pheylan!

[Treybor]

I think I might have my old shipyards book with the specs for this. If I can find it i'll post some refs.

[Mikala]

Subbed as you always have fun threads to follow!

[Treybor]

Originally Posted by Treybor

I think I might have my old shipyards book with the specs for this. If I can find it i'll post some refs.

They are actually posted her in hi-res:
http://www.cygnus-x1.net/links/lcars...hip-design.php

[Pheylan]

Thanks for the comments.

@Starship, this is definately going to be a high poly model. I'm aiming for good looks (hopefully) rather than efficiency.

@Treybor, thanks. I'm using a lot of different sources to study from, so anything you have would be appreciated.

@Mikala, I hope to have some with this...if it doesn't get the better of me first.

I didn't have much time to work on it, but I did start on the impulse deflection crystal.



I should have more this weekend.

Edit: You beat me by two minutes Treybor, thanks.

[lexington1709]

Looking good. A great design... can't wait to see her in action. Count me in to keep a eye on this project!

[Treybor]

Originally Posted by Pheylan

@Treybor, thanks. I'm using a lot of different sources to study from, so anything you have would be appreciated.
Edit: You beat me by two minutes Treybor, thanks.

The power of Trey!!!!

edit: Should have said so earlier... looking good!

BTW:here are some renders of my build from a few years ago. Let me know if you need any assistance with textures.
belknap_renders.zip

[Rigel]

Looking at that last image you posted, I can't see any segmentation on the curves; very nice.

[Treybor]

BTW: Are you using subpatching or standard normals?

[Pheylan]

Originally Posted by lexington1709

Looking good. A great design... can't wait to see her in action. Count me in to keep a eye on this project!

Thanks. Yep, I love the design as well. Funny though. I've never fancied the Enterprise D because of the overall look of the ship with the lower nacelle arrangement, but somehow it feels natural with the Belknap.

Originally Posted by Rigel

Looking at that last image you posted, I can't see any segmentation on the curves; very nice.

Thanks. There is a little bumpiness along the rim if you look closely, but you have to squint to see it.

Originally Posted by Treybor

BTW: Are you using subpatching or standard normals?

I used splines and subpatching to make the pylon, a spline curve drawn in LWCAD to lathe the saucer, and so far the nacelle is just a tapered cylinder.

Oh, for some reason I could not open the file you uploaded. Feel free to post any image in the thread you like. I would love to see it as does everyone else, I'm sure.

And yes, when the time comes, I will definately seek your help in textureing this bad boy.

Edit: BTW, for those interested, I'm mostly working in modo with a little help from Lightwave.

[Treybor]

Originally Posted by Pheylan

Oh, for some reason I could not open the file you uploaded. Feel free to post any image in the thread you like. I would love to see it as does everyone else, I'm sure.

And yes, when the time comes, I will definately seek your help in textureing this bad boy. .

Here you go...

[Pheylan]

Originally Posted by Treybor

Here you go...

Wow, thanks Treybor! Your version looks fantastic and it definately helps seeing the finished project in 3d. I can get a better feel for how its supposed to look.

Unfortunately the down side is that I really have my work cut out for me now!!!!!!

Update:

My version of the Trentis Reaction Control System. I'm not sure if I'll keep those dark line thinggy's next to the domes. Theyre just something I added to fill those areas, but may be a bit to much. Will chew on it awhile........

[Rigel]

The detail strips are hard to see except in extreme closeup. Overall, everything looks very nice.

[bmckain]

Very well done so far.

[Pheylan]

Originally Posted by Rigel

The detail strips are hard to see except in extreme closeup. Overall, everything looks very nice.

Thanks. Yes I know they are hard to see, but I set out to build this so that you can get in close at any part of the ship for some interesting over the shoulder POV shots. Besides, I'm mainly doing this just for the fun and challenge of modelling it, so I might as well go all out on it.

Originally Posted by bmckain

Very well done so far.

Thanks Bob.

Hopefully one day, If I finish this, it would be great to see my ship flying in formation next to your Enterprise.

Well, I went back and finished off the main parts of the nacelle tail section. I'm pretty happy with it. Just have to add the last little nurnies, but that I can save for a later time.



Also, I increased the size of the RCS vents and domes so now they look a little beefier.

[Treybor]

Wow! You're going all out on the details. This will put my old mesh to shame. Cool!

[Rigel]

Originally Posted by Pheylan

Besides, I'm mainly doing this just for the fun and challenge of modelling it, so I might as well go all out on it.

Heck yeah! It's not like I've never gone overboard on details.

I love the detailing you did on the blue fin on the nacelle.

[starship]

Originally Posted by Rigel

Heck yeah! It's not like I've never gone overboard on details.

I love the detailing you did on the blue fin on the nacelle.

I love too, but I believe this level of details all around will turn her in a polly monster. Anyway.... I love monsters. At least, these ones.

[Pheylan]

Thanks all.

Small update. It's not much but I chose a lousy time to start a WIP, especially one this complex. Been very busy this past week. And every time I think some part is going to be simple to build, it turns out to be a lot harder than I expected.....at least for me!

Also, it doesn't help that I am extremely picky about things like this!

So...I did the outboard Power Stage Magnatomic Flux Chiller (No, I didn't make that up. I read it in the Starship Design book).



Anyway, things will start easing up a bit soon so hopefully by the next update, I'll have a lot more to show.

[Rigel]

Looks good!

Having owned the original technical manual, I know you didn't make that up. The original nacelle had parts like Space Energy/Matter Sink (Acquisition), Space Energy/Matter Sink (Reintegration), first, second and third stage intercoolers etc. The first one is what people commonly call the bussard these days.

[Mikala]

The Power Stage Magnatomic Flux Chiller is right beside the Ultranomic subcutaneous Barcardi Breezer?

[Rigel]

Never keep your breezers beside your flux chillers. Unless you like popsicles!

[Pheylan]

Originally Posted by Mikala

The Power Stage Magnatomic Flux Chiller is right beside the Ultranomic subcutaneous Barcardi Breezer?

You know, now that I think about it, that does sound like a futuristic beach party drink. I think I would like to try one.