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Kenny_Z
April 19th, 2002, 12:20 AM
I've been at this a few days now.

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/01.jpg
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/02.jpg

Using Nico's technique for the underside
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/03.jpg
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/04.jpg

Would you believe not one boolean?
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/05.jpg
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/06.jpg

Kenny_Z
April 19th, 2002, 11:54 AM
Worked on smoothing out the cut out on the front of the secondary.

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/07.jpg
Yes, I see that smoothing error but I have to get to work :P

mercutiojb
April 19th, 2002, 12:19 PM
Great! I love this ship :D

Kenny_Z
April 25th, 2002, 10:10 AM
As suggested by Nico I played with the vertex some and I thought I managed to get out that odd area but looking at it today I think I just made it worse.

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/08.jpg

Fëanor
April 25th, 2002, 11:09 AM
Looken good Kenny :)

Nimrod
April 25th, 2002, 11:12 AM
Yah! Great start there!

Kenny_Z
April 25th, 2002, 11:35 AM
Thanks :)

Nico gave me alot of help and I think I finally got rid of that error.

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/10.jpg

Kenny_Z
May 2nd, 2002, 11:29 AM
I think I've solved it.

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/11.jpg

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/12.jpg

I'm going to work on smoothing the transition between the deflector housing and the underside later tonight but for now I'm pretty happy with the result.

Basically what I did was loft out the housing in the position I wanted it. I used a circle spline in the position I wanted the housing to go as a guide. I shaped the housing the way I wanted it and then cloned it. I used the clone without the curved shape like a cookie cutter to give me the outline on the underside in the exact position I needed it to be (boolean refine...see, boolean is good for something ;)) and then just started to build the polys between the housing and the underside. That was more efficent that trying to weld vertex and it didn't increase the polycount by any noticable amount.

Nimrod
May 2nd, 2002, 11:36 AM
Lookin' good! :)

Trooper
May 2nd, 2002, 09:09 PM
Please release this :)

Kenny_Z
May 2nd, 2002, 09:38 PM
This one'll be public release Troop, just like my Nx was :)

Kenny_Z
May 3rd, 2002, 12:10 AM
Just some minor work done. I've got some interesting plans for this area.

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/13.jpg
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/14.jpg

I kinda like the way there's that edge around the deflector housing. I think I may leave it like that.

Trek
May 3rd, 2002, 12:50 AM
Nice mesh mesh kenny!

It'll be interesting to see what you do with that through-deck shuttle bay entrance at the front.

Kenny_Z
May 3rd, 2002, 10:03 AM
Is that what that is? I was gonna put Tenforward there...ok...now to rethink my idea ;)

Fëanor
May 3rd, 2002, 01:22 PM
LOL! yea, that's the forward set of door's for the through deck hanger :P

Akira class are Battlecruiser/Starfighter Carriers ;) through deck shuttlebay and 15 torp launchers to boot!

JasonA
May 6th, 2002, 08:29 AM
lol, guess better to find out now, then when you're 99.9% done :)

Hope its not too late to ask, but how did you solve the face/smoothing errors on the cut out section in the front near your deflector dish? Just wondering, it could help me on a few smoothing errors of my own.

Your model looks like its gonna be really well done! I loook forward to more updates on this beauty:)

JasonA

Kenny_Z
May 23rd, 2002, 11:32 PM
I used the show normals feature to correct those smoothing errors I had.

I think I finally figured out alot of Nico's new tutorial.

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/16.jpg

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/17.jpg

Nimrod
May 24th, 2002, 01:20 AM
Ooooh, I love these nacelles! :)

EBOLII
June 2nd, 2002, 06:36 AM
aaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnnnndddddddddd theeeeeeeeeeeeeeennnnnnnnnnn?

Kenny_Z
June 2nd, 2002, 01:55 PM
lol....and then a girl showed up that was so incredibly beautiful and sexy that she grabbed kenny's complete attention and pulled him away from his beloved 3dmax program for hours on end ;)

I've done a little more on the nacelle and fixed some major errors. I'll post some updates when I get home :)

Kenny_Z
June 3rd, 2002, 12:14 AM
hehe...closest thing to an update that I've got...

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/18.jpg

SeanP
June 4th, 2002, 02:30 PM
Looks good so far Kenny, but... WOULD YOU HURRY THE HELL UP ALREADY!!!!!!! :D :D :D :D :D

Kenny_Z
June 20th, 2002, 09:45 PM
Hmmm...I'm guessing the answer was no ;)

Nacelle update:
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/20.jpg

Saucer update:
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/21.jpg
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/22.jpg

The saucer is being a pain because I have to clean up every shapemerge.

Kenny_Z
June 22nd, 2002, 10:50 PM
Minor updates:

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/23.jpg

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/24.jpg

jingram_98
June 23rd, 2002, 10:49 AM
That looks f**king deadly Kenny. Nice work. Where is this tutorial by Nico?

Kenny_Z
June 24th, 2002, 12:38 AM
It's in german (asuming you don't speak it) but if you know a little about max you should be able to figure out some of the stuff :)

http://www.uni-jena.de/~p8weni/Vorcha/Vorcha-Nacelle-main.html

Kenny_Z
June 26th, 2002, 12:16 AM
Houston...we have semi-decent catamarans ;)

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/25.jpg

Ignore the fact they look like they're hovering over the hull. For now they have no underside to them.

ThomasB
June 26th, 2002, 10:44 AM
Heythere dude, looking awesome! I loved you NX-01 mesh and I'm sure this one will be just as good... I've really seen your skills improve these years... Very cool!

Kenny_Z
June 27th, 2002, 12:26 AM
Thanks Thomas :D

Here's a close up of the windows...I'd get closer but I've still got some smoothing problems to work on ;)
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/26.jpg

Slightly wider and taller
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/27.jpg

I'm thinking I can estimate the polycount of this ship to get into the 100,000 to the 150,000 range. Depends on how detailed I make the catamarans.

SeanP
June 27th, 2002, 07:37 AM
It's looking pretty damned good so far Kenny!

Zanith
June 27th, 2002, 04:01 PM
I have never been a big fan of the Akira class design, myself, but I must say that you are doing an awesome job so far. And it is good you are doing a version three, so over time you can see how your skills are improving from version to version. I would think it is something that is ideal for your portfolio and is good to show off, eh?

Kenny_Z
June 28th, 2002, 11:00 AM
lol...does that mean you want to see my other meshes? I'll see what I can do about scratching up my other two meshes.

Thanks for the comments but I've decided that there's just too much wrong with the saucer (and cats maybe) to keep going with what I have. The nacelles and underside are staying on new model but the saucer has got to go. This is my progress to date on it. Sunday I'll start the new saucer and see if I can do things right this time ;)

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/28.jpg

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/29.jpg

Zanith
June 30th, 2002, 12:54 AM
The detail level is very nice. However, I really do agree that the saucer is not holding the right length. The width is almost correct. Could you, correct me for my stupidity sense I lack 3D rendering skills, stretch the saucer forward or does it need to be completely rebuilt?

Kenny_Z
June 30th, 2002, 11:10 PM
If I just stretched the saucer then all my merges in it would get stretched and distorted as well. It was just easier to start over.

Here's a shot of the underside of the new saucer. I found a much much better set of blueprints to work from. I did an overlay from one set to the other and it was way off :\
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/30.jpg

Upper Saucer:
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/31.jpg

Perspective with whole mesh:
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/32.jpg

Here's a wireframe of my soon to be replaced catamarans. They've got way too many useless polys and odd angles. That and I completely forgot that little concave area right where the pylons would be...thanks to Nico pointing for pointing that out
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/33.jpg

Bogdan
July 1st, 2002, 12:37 AM
Hold on! Your shape is wrong! You will have to start over again! :D he he kidding
Shall we expect to see this one in “Nemesis”?

Zanith
July 1st, 2002, 01:50 AM
Now that looks very nice! Very nice indeed!

Kenny_Z
July 8th, 2002, 10:30 PM
After several catamarans later...I've made another hidious one...Still not sure if I'm keeping it or not. I would have done the underside but this minor case of food poisoning isn't helping me focus :|

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/34.jpg

Zanith
July 9th, 2002, 01:31 AM
Looks a little tall, eh? The center of the saucer, I mean.

Kenny_Z
July 19th, 2002, 12:48 AM
I think that's the render, the saucer is the same height as the old one.

Ok, I think I've finally got one worth showing off. With any luck this is the last freaking time I do this. If I'm not satisfied with this the next time I open the model I'm going to put it aside and work on another less trekified project until I feel like messing with it again.

I do want to finish it but I'm probably going to need a break from it before I can.

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/35.jpg

Kenny_Z
July 21st, 2002, 10:59 PM
I liked the cats so I kept them and I'm working on the rest :)

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/37.jpg

newadventures
July 22nd, 2002, 06:09 AM
The new pylons aren't bad, it's just that I don't remember them being that way ... :) IIRC they're flatter. But nobody said you had to stay true to the model - who knows, maybe this is a refit or a variant...

Anyway, forget what I said and keep up the good work! I can't wait to see how you're doing the deflector dish! If you want to make it a real refit, you could use an Enterprise-E dish instead of the original. I'm sure that would look just as good.

mercutiojb
July 22nd, 2002, 10:07 AM
This just makes me think more and more that the designers for Enterprise just got lazy. I mean, could thing look ANY more like an Akira? :D

Proximo
July 22nd, 2002, 01:06 PM
Well... yes, actually. :devil:

mercutiojb
July 22nd, 2002, 08:40 PM
Well, not MUCH more :)

SeanP
July 23rd, 2002, 07:44 AM
Looking good Kenny!
Mind you I'll probably be dead before you finish this thing! :D :p :D :p :D

Kenny_Z
July 23rd, 2002, 10:24 PM
Very funny :P

It's slow going but I think I like the weapons pod.

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/38.jpg

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/39.jpg

Zanith
July 24th, 2002, 02:41 AM
Don't worry Kenny, I am a slow worker too. I have less reason for it, considering I am only doing 2D work. But still, slow work means more time to notice and work on details . . . Heh. I support ya, man!

Awesome work.

mercutiojb
July 24th, 2002, 10:23 AM
Oh, and by the way, I love this ship, and the work you are doing on it!

Kenny_Z
July 24th, 2002, 11:39 PM
Thanks :)

Got the bridge and the impulse engines set. Also tinkered with the pod a little. It needs work.

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/40.jpg

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/41.jpg

Eh...I just noticed...ignore that odd shadow and the fact the bridge is half way floating...it's late :P

SeanP
July 25th, 2002, 07:34 AM
Looking good Kenny!

Kenny_Z
August 10th, 2002, 01:13 AM
*dusts off the thread...*

Been awhile...

lifeboats...
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/42.jpg

Now for another looooong lull in updates ;)

mercutiojb
August 10th, 2002, 04:26 PM
Doh! Come on man, have a heart!

Zanith
August 10th, 2002, 06:30 PM
Heh Heh Heh . . . . He'll make a hole for a new heart for ya . . . With 15 torpedo launchers. LOL!!

seanr
August 10th, 2002, 07:37 PM
LOL

Looks nice, but, er, um, couldya maybe do some more? ;);););););)

JasonA
August 10th, 2002, 08:16 PM
looks good kenny:) I wonder tho if the lifeboats are extruded a bit too far, they seem awfully thick.. well being devil's advocate :)

yeah I hope you come back to this man. Get your girlfriend into 3d and she can help too.

:devil:

Zanith
August 10th, 2002, 08:41 PM
Heh Heh Heh . . . He might have his escape pods be the 'ready to run like hell edition'. With a stick inside of the pod saying 'Sit down, shut up, strap in, and move on!' Heh Heh

Kenny_Z
August 18th, 2002, 11:22 PM
Hehe, I doubt Becky'd be too interested in 3d...she just likes to pester the MCGI guys and make them insanely jealous of me ;)

Wanna know a secret? the mesh is actually finished but I'm slowly releasing wip pics one by one...we're on 43...there's seven thousand more to go...*insert manic evil laughter here* I'll skip them all and release the mesh if you pay me....One Billion Dollars...

Anyway, not really much...but it's progress :P

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/43.jpg

I can't wait to start on the top of the saucer...I have many plans ;D

Kenny_Z
August 20th, 2002, 12:44 AM
Two updates in two days? Astounding ;)

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/44.jpg

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/temp/akirav3/45.jpg

Zanith
August 20th, 2002, 12:50 AM
If you are quiet you can hear her growling, waiting to be finished and unleash hell on some unexpecting baddies.

moovok
August 20th, 2002, 03:51 PM
*dribbles*

EBOLII
October 6th, 2002, 11:38 AM
Hey KennyZ this is your official FORGET me NOT! post!.......

we want update we want update we want update

EBOLII
October 6th, 2002, 11:38 AM
ooop double post sweet!....flaw in the system flaw in the system!

Edited by EBOLII...becouse he be an idiot sometimes and posts twice....dummy

Kenny_Z
October 7th, 2002, 12:07 AM
*picks up a rifle and shoots this thread between the eyes...*

I'm through with starships for awhile. I do hope I'll complete it one day but not before I finish a few other projects first.

seanr
October 7th, 2002, 06:38 AM
SHAME ON YOU!! How dare you string us along in this fashion, and taunt us like that! :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

Seriously, though, one question: "WHY???"
I can't believe your just going to drop it like that. If you aren't going to finish it, please give it to someone who will, this mesh is to good to be left unfinished for ANY period of time.

Zanith
October 9th, 2002, 10:06 AM
OH THAT IS WRONG!!! Someone reverse time, applu a micro black hole and save the thread, STAT!

Kenny_Z
October 9th, 2002, 11:37 AM
ok ok...geez...you think I killed someone ;)

I'll finish the akira while I'm working on this project http://www.3dgladiators.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17454

Here...have a cookie while you wait :oreo:

:D

Kenny_Z
November 29th, 2003, 11:10 PM
Resurrected:

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/16.jpg

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/18.jpg

Get all the WIP images so far here http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/

Edit - Wrong bridge pic

seanr
November 29th, 2003, 11:43 PM
Looking great! 'Bout darned time you got back to it! :D:D:D:D:D

Kenny_Z
December 3rd, 2003, 10:55 PM
hehehe, yes it is.

A little work done. I've still got to mess with some smoothing settings.

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/19.jpg

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/20.jpg

Kenny_Z
December 9th, 2003, 11:26 PM
Had a terrible flu, finally getting back on track.

Added some color to show off the top a little
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/21.jpg

Shuttlebay coming along nicely
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/22.jpg

Kenny_Z
December 11th, 2003, 12:22 AM
Reworking some current details next to the bridge.
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/23.jpg

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/24.jpg

Started on the underside.
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/25.jpg

seanr
December 11th, 2003, 06:27 AM
What's up with the thing that sticks out between the shuttlebay doors in this picture?

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/23.jpg

It looks like there's a nasty mesh error in there.

Kenny_Z
December 11th, 2003, 10:04 AM
Actually Seanr that was an old attempt at a bay that I hid and forgot about. When I went and unhid everything I forgot it was there. I noticed it after I posted these pics but was too tired to correct it.

Kenny_Z
December 11th, 2003, 07:01 PM
More underside:
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/26.jpg

Kenny_Z
December 11th, 2003, 11:24 PM
Standard progress beauty shot. Actually, I made it to check the lines and really liked it ;)
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/27.jpg

Warp Grills:
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/28.jpg

Not sure I like this first set of catamaran details.
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/29.jpg

Kenny_Z
December 13th, 2003, 01:07 AM
At the moment I could use some help. I've been messing with the catamarans and have done this:
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/32.jpg

Now, do you like the one on the left or the right?

I thought I liked the all over smooth look but that sharp angle has an interesting look and I think I prefer it.

Btw, I love wip images sometimes more than 3d images so I made these: http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/30.jpg

My favorite...
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/31.jpg

Proximo
December 13th, 2003, 06:31 AM
The sharpie is visually more interesting. Got my vote. :)

Kenny_Z
December 13th, 2003, 10:54 PM
Got the shape I wanted:
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/33.jpg

Very small update, I spent tonight trying to work out the catamaran details. These are a pain.

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/34.jpg

Kenny_Z
December 14th, 2003, 11:53 PM
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/35.jpg

Now begins the very tedious job of adding windows to the catamarans...

Kenny_Z
December 15th, 2003, 11:29 PM
I've been working on the windows...a lot.

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/36.jpg

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/37.jpg

And a standard progress shot cause I got bored.
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/38.jpg

General Phoenix
December 16th, 2003, 01:34 AM
She looks great so far - I envy your patience in working on those windows. :)

Kenny_Z
December 17th, 2003, 12:32 AM
Hehehe, thanks...it's definately trying at times ;)

Working on the saucer windows tonight. I've worked out an easy way to do it but I've screwed up on the angle of a few windows in my testing phase. I'm going to have to redo these few tomorrow night.

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/39.jpg

Kenny_Z
December 17th, 2003, 12:58 AM
Almost forgot, how close can you get to the windows?

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/40.jpg

Kenny_Z
December 18th, 2003, 12:03 AM
Another night's work and all I managed to do was remake the windows it took me all last night to make. Oh well, at least they aren't crooked this time.

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/41.jpg

Kenny_Z
December 18th, 2003, 11:04 PM
The windows...the windows...I've got to stop for the night, I'm going insane :\

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/42.jpg

Yes, I know sanity is highly overrated but I kinda need it for awhile longer ;)

Sean Kennedy
December 19th, 2003, 03:20 PM
WHOA!:wtf: :stunned: :shock: :nuts: :wtf: :shock: :drool:

Very sweet on the detail!


How many polygons are we talking about now.....?

Kenny_Z
December 19th, 2003, 10:10 PM
Thanks :)

Only a handful more windows have been done. I've got an early day tomorrow.

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/43.jpg

It's up to 77112 polys as of this image.

Resistance
December 20th, 2003, 01:41 AM
Looks good... Man its been a long time since I posted a reply..

Kenny_Z
December 22nd, 2003, 12:42 AM
Ugh...finally...almost all the top windows are complete...no more windows...

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/44.jpg

Kenny_Z
December 23rd, 2003, 11:15 PM
Here's a wireframe shot of a set of windows. I highlighted all the edges so you can see what they really look like.
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/47.jpg

I spent tonight on the catamarans and while I've still got some smoothing trouble I repaired a major flaw in them (and a wavey edge to fix) I've fixed the major shape. I don't know why but I didn't slant the rear of the catamarans, I practically sliced a chunk out of what was suppose to be there, it's what caused that sharp angle in the transition. I ripped out some polys and created others to fix the problem.

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/48.jpg

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/46.jpg

Kenny_Z
December 24th, 2003, 11:33 PM
Here's the progress on the catamarans. I didn't have to rebuild them after all ;)

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/50.jpg

Kenny_Z
December 25th, 2003, 10:26 PM
Returning to the pod. It's so nice and easy to work on. It's perfect work after window hell.

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/51.jpg

I messed some with the impulse engines as well. I don't know if I'm happy with them. Anyone have any ideas?

General Phoenix
December 25th, 2003, 10:47 PM
I think if you make the impulse engines smaller, perhaps ending them just before the angle in the catamaran, it will look much better.

Kenny_Z
December 26th, 2003, 10:06 PM
After alot of advice I've decided to go with the traditional akira impulse set up. It looks so empty back there. I'll have to come up with something to fill the void.

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/52.jpg

Proximo
December 27th, 2003, 04:41 AM
How about some windows?

Kenny_Z
December 27th, 2003, 08:57 PM
I thought about that but I can't find a reason for them to be there, especially a spot as dangerous as the impulse drive.

Working on the pod.

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/53.jpg

Kenny_Z
December 30th, 2003, 01:01 AM
The windows on the outside of the catamarans are finished. Added more to the pod and replaced some place holder torpedo tubes on the pod.

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/54.jpg

Check out what I found today...Akira v1, made so long ago...
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/v1.jpg

Proximo
December 30th, 2003, 05:20 AM
What about an external maintenance hatch of some kind? Surely they might need to go out and fix thingsnow and then...

Kenny_Z
December 30th, 2003, 10:19 AM
That a good idea. I'll work on that :)

EBOLII
December 30th, 2003, 10:27 AM
That catamaran looks superb thus far!

Kenny_Z
December 30th, 2003, 11:25 PM
Thanks :)

Not much of an update. Eight more windows and the topside windows are complete. I'm way too bored with windows to do them tonight. Still working on that hatch idea.

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/55.jpg

Kenny_Z
December 31st, 2003, 11:36 PM
Had a thought...here's what that turned into...

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/56.jpg

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/57.jpg

Michael_T
January 4th, 2004, 11:28 PM
OOOhhh... workbee launchbays!!!

Kenny_Z
January 7th, 2004, 01:00 AM
hehehe, well, that's changing. Probably into a more streamlined launch bay. Maybe smaller.

Got the inner cat windows done and some of the detailing on the struts. I've almost completed the topside detail. I've also detailed the end of the catamarans.

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/60.jpg
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/61.jpg

Kenny_Z
January 11th, 2004, 12:13 AM
Ack...the forums shrank since yesterday...

Last night's updates...started the underside.
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/62.jpg

I was playing with the Akira's little older brother last night.
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/64.jpg

Here's the side torp launcher by request.
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/65.jpg

And the forward fighter bay with doors partially open.
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/66.jpg

General Phoenix
January 11th, 2004, 05:47 PM
Sweet! Will you be working on the fighters after the Akira is done?

skyhawk223
January 12th, 2004, 06:14 AM
Fighters? Now this I have to see.

Kenny_Z
January 13th, 2004, 08:39 PM
Actually, i hadn't planned on building any fighters for this in the near future. I've got one more ship to do in the trek universe, my all time favorite design and then I've got an original universe ship lined up. After that, new fighters ;)

Kenny_Z
January 14th, 2004, 11:13 PM
Thanks to Seanr's suggestion I've rounded the edge of the bridge mount. Also started to fix that mess at the front of the catamarans.

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/67.jpg

Stu
January 15th, 2004, 08:39 AM
:drool: Excellent work! All of you who do CGI modeling keep getting better with ever new model. bravo on the detailing.

Stu

Kenny_Z
January 15th, 2004, 11:40 PM
No real work done tonight. One of the SFM guys requested gi render, since I hadn't done one in years I had to re-teach myself. I'm not so sure I did that great a job.

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/68.jpg

What do you think?

Kenny_Z
January 20th, 2004, 12:42 AM
Finally got back to work. Started on the underside saucer windows. I'm not so sure about the deflector housing...I may have to alter or remodel it.

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/70.jpg

Kenny_Z
January 21st, 2004, 12:31 AM
Finally, the last of the painfully annoying style windows. I think that completes the underside details for now. Probably moving on to the catamarans tomorrow.

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/71.jpg

Kenny_Z
January 28th, 2004, 01:06 AM
Well...i found that I didn't like the secondary anymore so I deleted it. I'm starting over. Finally, it doesn't look pregnant.

Prelim design layout:
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/73.jpg

How does it look? Yeah, I see that weird set of smoothing errors on the piece of underside armor. I wonder how that happened :\

Kenny_Z
February 1st, 2004, 12:46 AM
Here's yet another remake. I deleted and started over and this one is definately better than the last. Thankfully that bulge I put on both those secondaries didn't belong there and I didn't notice that ridge along the edge of the secondary.

I'm too tired to fool with those errors on the tips so just ignore them for now.

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/75.jpg


http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/76.jpg

Kenny_Z
February 2nd, 2004, 12:58 AM
I deleted it again ;) The polycount was way too high in that other one for such low detail. This one is much more efficent.

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/77.jpg

I don't know how that lip around the deflector area got there but I definately like it.

General Phoenix
February 3rd, 2004, 11:57 PM
Keep it comin' Kenny!

Hey, that sounds funny out loud...

Bogdan
February 5th, 2004, 10:28 AM
its been a wihile since i was here... you made great progress kenny...

Kenny_Z
February 5th, 2004, 10:05 PM
Thanks :)

I fixed the deflector and blunted the bottom. How's this? Oh yeah, once again ignore the smoothing problems...

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/78.jpg

Kenny_Z
February 6th, 2004, 12:40 AM
Little more detailing done. Ignore the mesh errors, I just sliced it up, I haven't cleaned it yet.

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/79.jpg

Melvin the Dork
February 7th, 2004, 10:57 PM
Very, very nice. You have done incredable work with this...the only thing I would say is that the nacelle pylons look a bit to thin...they don't look wrong, I think the ones on the Akira look a bit to slender as well. I dunno, its probably just me.

Kenny_Z
February 8th, 2004, 11:10 PM
They might be. I haven't really worked on the pylons yet.

I've completed some prelim detailing on the secondary.
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/81.jpg

Kenny_Z
February 17th, 2004, 12:45 AM
Finally got back to work. I've been putting this off because I can't do anymore to the Akira until I model the underside windows and I REALLY hate modeling these windows. I think I'd rather gnaw my arm off. The worst part was I already did the entire top row before I realized they ran right up into the saucer underside. Normally windows are fun but these aren't really a challenge...just boring.

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/82.jpg

Btw, the hearts around the name up there really frighten me...

Kenny_Z
February 18th, 2004, 12:49 AM
I think after I get these windows done and before I move to the catamaran underside I think I'll fix those really sharp edges on some of those armor plates.

I'm about halfway through the windows now. I'm debating on the way the windows slant. It seemed odd at first but it's actually kinda interesting now.

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/83.jpg

Front angle...I think I spotted a mesh error in this one...
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/84.jpg

Kenny_Z
February 19th, 2004, 05:54 PM
Finished the windows thankfully. Also refined some of the edges on the underside panels.

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/85.jpg

Kenny_Z
September 17th, 2006, 09:31 PM
Back from the dead....

Hey everyone! I couldn't leave this mesh in the mothballs so, coming at you from 2004...my Akira, version 3. I'm determined to get this ship completed. As the guys at MCGI and SFM know I can go a week or two in between updates. Work and life tend to get in the way...as well as my city of heroes addiction ;)

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/akirav3/49.jpg

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/akirav3/60.jpg

Nurbz
September 17th, 2006, 10:05 PM
Good lord! That is gorgeous! I was just about to head off to bed when I noticed your post, "Akira" caught my eye so I had to take a peek.

Awesome indeed. I have not read this thread in its entirety but there is something familiar here - "Kenny_Z". Did you model the NX-01 a couple of years ago? I recognize the name.

The Akira spent little time on screen yet the ship has become a fan favorite for so many. Kenny, outstanding!

Of to bed I go...........

evil_genius_180
September 17th, 2006, 10:29 PM
Dude, your meshes rock. I always get great joy out of seeing them. This is very precisely modeled and textured, I love it.

And, yes, Nurbz, Kenny did that outstanding NX-01 (the first precise one I'd seen) a few years ago. He's a Trek master. :D

Guyver
September 18th, 2006, 04:22 AM
This is soooo impressive.

Kenny_Z
September 18th, 2006, 10:03 PM
Wow, thanks for the response :) I don't know about the trek master title, but I'll gladly steal it and hide it away ;)

Yeah, the Nx was my baby for a time. This mesh was actually started shortly after I finished the Nx. Life stepped in the way and I lost interest. I recently picked it back up and decided to branch out again from my humble little home at MCGI.

The jaggedness of that ring on the secondary has been bugging me for awhile. I tried to fix it but it just wasn't happenning. I deleted it and made a new one. Then the jaggedness of the upper ring started to bug me...I deleted it too. I did recreate them both though :)

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/akirav3/62.jpg

Adding the windows to the new section...they take awhile...
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/akirav3/63.jpg
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/akirav3/64.jpg

evil_genius_180
September 18th, 2006, 10:17 PM
Looks great, but something about the texture mapping on the lower section near the rear of the saucer is bugging me. The panels don't seem to follow the contours of the hull.

Nurbz
September 18th, 2006, 11:32 PM
Looks great, but something about the texture mapping on the lower section near the rear of the saucer is bugging me. The panels don't seem to follow the contours of the hull.

I do not, apparently, notice the mapping problem that you have isolated. But then again I need glasses and you probably have a better 'cg' eye than I do.....far better I would bet.

morganzacd5p
September 18th, 2006, 11:39 PM
You Nurbz, have reminded me once again why this is my favorite ship.

Kenny_Z
September 19th, 2006, 09:31 PM
I see what you mean on the secondary hull. I'm not sure how to fix that yet. It has a lot to do with the type of texture mapping applied.

Very little work tonight. Mostly I focused on the bussard textures. I really don't like these at all now I that I step back and take a look.

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/akirav3/65.jpg
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/akirav3/66.jpg

Here's some views I usually make when I want to step back. Since this update is kinda sparce I included these. The nacelles seem kinda big from the side view to me. Think they are?

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/akirav3/67.jpg
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/akirav3/68.jpg
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/akirav3/69.jpg
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/akirav3/70.jpg

Nurbz
September 20th, 2006, 12:10 AM
You Nurbz, have reminded me once again why this is my favorite ship.

I'm quite glad that I have rekindled your interest. :biggrin:

Now, if I can just remember what I was going to add to my previous post, last night. I received a phone call and became distracted and hit 'submit' a bit too prematurely. There was something about the mapping, that I was going to expound upon, then I went brainless. I just can't multitask like I used to. Eh, it will come back to me in a couple of days.

Yes sir, that ship is one of my favs as well. I do not recall the name behind the original design, someone from ILM as I recall?

evil_genius_180
September 20th, 2006, 12:11 AM
It certainly looks great, I'm just extra picky about Star Trek stuff. :D

Either way, it's one of the most accurate Akiras I've seen.

Kenny_Z
September 20th, 2006, 08:50 PM
I can't remember who was the original designer of this ship...I'm honestly not into trek as much as I used to be.

Here's that side view I forgot to post that really needs to be seen to get the question in my last post.

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/akirav3/71.jpg

evil_genius_180
September 20th, 2006, 09:52 PM
Alex Jaeger designed the Akira. The nacelles look like they're the right size. I'm looking at pics of the actual filming CGI model and it looks pretty damn close.

Nurbz
September 21st, 2006, 11:51 PM
It certainly looks great, I'm just extra picky about Star Trek stuff. :D

Either way, it's one of the most accurate Akiras I've seen.

"I'm just extra picky about Star Trek stuff." We're in the same boat...welcome aboard!

Kenny, the scale of the nacelles looks good from my vantage point. I just opened up my copy of the July 1999 issue of STAR TREK: The Magazine, which featured a behind the scenes article covering the design of the Akira. I do not have the most perfect 'eye' in the world but your work is so damn close to what I see in the article, very impressive. That's one hell of an effort.

evil_genius_180
September 21st, 2006, 11:57 PM
Yes!! Trekkies unite!! :D

I was looking at that same magazine article and checking the sizes of the nacelles when I last posted. :)

morganzacd5p
September 21st, 2006, 11:58 PM
Hmmmm... Maybe its just me but it looks as if the underside of the saucer is too thick. Other then that, great work.

Lee
September 22nd, 2006, 06:50 AM
Looks pretty good, nice work.

Kenny_Z
September 22nd, 2006, 10:55 PM
I think you're right about the secondary hull. I'm pretty happy with how it works with the rest of the mesh at the moment. If I do change it I'll be sure to give an updated side view.

I did some work on the nacelles after all, tapering them a bit to match the rest of the ship. Also worked on those bussards that I didn't like. I think I like this version alot more.

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/akirav3/72.jpg
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/akirav3/73.jpg

Lee
September 22nd, 2006, 10:57 PM
it looks good. i like the second render better....:)

Kenny_Z
November 15th, 2006, 08:50 PM
Sorry about the long delay between updates. At least this time it wasn't two years ;) I don't know how you would seperate this ship into decks. Closest thing you could do was render a 5 view and overlay deck maps.

Got some minor texture tweaks done and some detail modelling.

Window test:
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/akirav3/75.jpg

Name and number:
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/akirav3/76.jpg

Got those little pipey looking things on the struts:
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/akirav3/77.jpg

Lighting test:
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/akirav3/78.jpg

evil_genius_180
November 15th, 2006, 09:18 PM
Looks fantastic. I like that window test, but I love those lighting shots where we can see your awesome textures and the effects of your specular settings.

Guyver
November 16th, 2006, 08:24 AM
you deserve a /bow.

That is soooo bad ass. :drool:

gmd3d
November 16th, 2006, 08:44 AM
Beautiful work .. anything trek is cool

evil_genius_180
November 16th, 2006, 10:19 AM
Are you sure about that? I can think of a few things that made me go WTF? :lol:

Sean Kennedy
November 16th, 2006, 11:22 AM
Sweet looking ship! Very Nice!

gmd3d
November 16th, 2006, 12:05 PM
Are you sure about that? I can think of a few things that made me go WTF? :lol:
oK oK . POINT TAKEN , but I was overwhelmed by Kenny_z work

morganzacd5p
November 16th, 2006, 12:39 PM
Love the model... But something about the name paint job buggs me. Not sure what yet. Maybe the font

Kenny_Z
November 16th, 2006, 09:04 PM
It's the font and the blue outline. Seanr pointed me to the correct fonts and many of SFM told me a red outline would be better than the blue. They've swayed me.

Thanks everyone for the nice comments. I think this is the first time someone has actually called my textures awesome. Usually that's the worst part of any of my models.

morganzacd5p
November 16th, 2006, 09:59 PM
I think this is the first time someone has actually called my textures awesome. Usually that's the worst part of any of my models.

(shivers )Ugh... Mine too. If I had the time a processing power, Id model each pannel.

evil_genius_180
November 16th, 2006, 10:44 PM
It's the font and the blue outline. Seanr pointed me to the correct fonts and many of SFM told me a red outline would be better than the blue. They've swayed me.

Thanks everyone for the nice comments. I think this is the first time someone has actually called my textures awesome. Usually that's the worst part of any of my models.

Hmmm, didn't even notice the font. And that's odd, since I'm usually anal retentive about stuff like that. :lol:

But, fortunately SeanR got you on track with that. I think the thing that makes your textures really pop is the specular settings. It really gives the ship that trek feeling. That's one reason they look cool. Plus, with your superbly modeled details, that simple paneling pattern really works.

Kenny_Z
November 19th, 2006, 08:16 PM
New insignia thanks to Seanr's font suggestions.

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/akirav3/79.jpg

http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/akirav3/80.jpg


Shuttlebay shot:
http://www.kservers.net/wipimages/akirav3/81.jpg

morganzacd5p
November 19th, 2006, 08:38 PM
Much better... Looking great.

Kenny_Z
January 27th, 2008, 12:39 AM
Necropost from beyond the grave here but it's legit because I've FINALLY got some updates. Anyone even remember me? :D

My longest running mesh is finally finished...I think.

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/akirav3/01.jpg
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/akirav3/02.jpg
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/akirav3/03.jpg
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/akirav3/04.jpg
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/akirav3/05.jpg
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/akirav3/06.jpg
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/akirav3/07.jpg

I got it into my head to work on her today and I finally finished about 2am. By today's standards I feel she's weak. I started this mesh...3 years back, longer? Wow, judging by the first post of this thread, 6 years ago. College, a new career, and one fun Chevy Nova restoration took priority.

As with all of my previous meshes, she'll be a public release soon

Bogdan
January 27th, 2008, 02:01 AM
well... i waited for her... she may be outdated but i will put it in good use anyway :D :D

Kenny_Z
January 29th, 2008, 10:18 PM
Thanks for waiting Bogdan ;)

While correcting some errors, I remembered what extras I had built into this ship.

Corrected Deflector - It had a dim blue light. I added some glow effects.
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/akirav3/09.jpg

Gave the bussards some glows and fixed the nacelle vents.
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/akirav3/10.jpg

Then I remembered I had front hanger bays...
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/akirav3/11.jpg
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/akirav3/12.jpg

And rear bays...
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/akirav3/13.jpg
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/akirav3/14.jpg

evil_genius_180
January 30th, 2008, 10:32 AM
Necropost from beyond the grave here but it's legit because I've FINALLY got some updates. Anyone even remember me? :D

Of course we remember you. You make all those cool ST meshes, right. ;) It's good to see you finally putting a "finished" stamp on this beauty.

By today's standards I feel she's weak. I started this mesh...3 years back, longer? Wow, judging by the first post of this thread, 6 years ago. College, a new career, and one fun Chevy Nova restoration took priority.

I'm gonna have to disagree with the statement that she's weak. Are you a professional 3D artist? She's not any worse than what other amateurs are doing and better than what most of us are doing today. Plus, the fact that you started it 6 years ago just boggles the mind. (now, if you're a pro, she might be kinda weak :tongue:)

Did you happen to take any snapshots of that Nova restoration project? I don't know about anybody else, but that sounds cool to me. I'd love to see some pics, if you have any. We don't have an "off topic" area, but the General Discussions forum would seem to fit something like that. (or just go ahead and stick 'em in this thread.)

As with all of my previous meshes, she'll be a public release soon

You're the best. Will she be in just .max format or will there be others?

Kenny_Z
January 30th, 2008, 04:32 PM
I dropped a thread in General Discussion with the Nova (and pics of my other cars). Don't ask a car guy to show off, we'll do it ;) http://www.3dgladiators.net/forums/showthread.php?p=251401#post251401

I see these other meshes online and I feel the Akira is a inferior to them. She is old but these new artists are turning out works I could only dream of creating. I'm very impressed and I love seeing that these artists are only growing in ability. Makes me not regret retiring from the scene ;)

She's originally be released in max r3.1 format. Everyone has free reign to convert and I'll be glad to host all conversions made.

skyhawk223
January 30th, 2008, 06:26 PM
Most excellent work, Kenny. I like the detail in the shuttle bay interior.

evil_genius_180
January 30th, 2008, 08:30 PM
I dropped a thread in General Discussion with the Nova (and pics of my other cars). Don't ask a car guy to show off, we'll do it ;)

I'm glad you did. I went there first thing. :biggrin:

mikala
February 5th, 2008, 05:00 PM
This is to me anyway your best mesh yet.
Thanks for sharing the build history with us.

neo6
February 7th, 2008, 11:56 AM
Its excellent, a couple of questions for you, if you dont mind?

Which 3d program do you use?
How do you do your aztecing texture?
Do you just boolean cut out the windows?

Kenny_Z
February 8th, 2008, 08:42 PM
I use 3dMax.

I actually generated a 400 by 400 map using paint and lots of different sized and shaped rectangles overlapping. I then use a spherical map to tile and layer many of these different 'panels'.

I shape merge the windows into the hull. On the Akira it was easier because each of those plates on the hull is a seperate shape. I duplicated the saucer, shapemerged in the panel, deleted everything I didn't need, and finally extruded and beveled until I was happy. After that I shapemerged in the window shape and cleaned up the lines by welding vertex together.

Thanks for the compliment. It's probably the most detailed complete mesh I've built yet :D

Moebius
February 21st, 2008, 04:42 AM
Beautiful work!

Cheers! — Möe

Sekhem
March 20th, 2008, 09:08 AM
Impresive. Thanks for all the interim pics. It's awesome to see the process as the model evolves.

Agent Wills
March 23rd, 2008, 11:51 PM
I must say that's the best Akira I've seen in a loooonng time!
Beautiful Texturing!
Great work, and pats on backs for sticking at it for so long!

dutzu
April 4th, 2008, 12:41 PM
At first I thought the akira had too much bulge under the saucer and that was the only thing I could find wrong, but then I looked at pictures on google of her and it's exactly like that. So it's perfect, I admire the talent U guys have.

Masahiro2270
May 3rd, 2008, 03:28 PM
Looking Great!

RLOwens
May 8th, 2008, 01:12 PM
Wow, that is nice. Though, I have to admit I'm an anime fan and when I saw Akira and then a ship... I was totally lost. Lol.

dusty abell
May 15th, 2008, 01:49 PM
i need to take a look at nico's tutorial myself if this is what i can learn to do.... looks great so far!

dv8_fx
May 23rd, 2008, 01:25 AM
Lost for words here..... almost like a looooong mini tute.

Was this ever released?