Firefly's Serenity
 

Got a little side tracked this weekend....I know you are all waiting for me to finish the Viper MK2,

http://www.3dgladiators.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=20971

but I got egged into starting this monster project: Firefly's Sereinity transport vessel. The series only lasted 14 episodes as it had to compete with the World Series and "Survivor" re-runs, but it was the best written sci-fi program I've seen in a long time. If you get the chance, buy or rent the DVD set. VERY COOL STUFF! For all of you who missed the show, here is a beauty shot of the original ship from the series:

http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-306619_tn.jpg
this was a pro-mo shot. There are some small physical differences between this image and the final model used in the show.


And the progress of my model
http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-227509_tn.jpg

http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-242686_tn.jpg


http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-306650_tn.jpg

http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-306675_tn.jpg

http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-326324_tn.jpg

http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-331934_tn.jpg

http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-331966_tn.jpg

it took me all afternoon to do the aft "leg" structure. I did it with splines, but I still think it's not quite right. I think I may remodel it.... what do you guys think? this is an image of the original computer model:

http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-413330_tn.jpg

and here's my latest test renders:
http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-413147_tn.jpg

http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-413215_tn.jpg

the more I look at it.... the more I think I will re-do it.....hmmm... any thoughts?

Damn that's fine work......

Excellent!

Thanks Makotokat!

I rebuilt the legs this morning using a multiple rail extrusion. I think they look lots better and more accurate:

http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-490835_tn.jpg

Ok guys. this is most likely the last update for a week as I have to go out of town for five days---so enjoy... :D

http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-592989_tn.jpg

Quite a juicy tidbit you've left us with. Have fun.

During my trip, I was able to model on eveninings when I couldn't sleep....

I was trying to get to sleep last night but was to tense from driving all day, so I moved the mesh back to my desktop system and rendered some test images...

http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004/08/09-38219_tn.jpg

http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004/08/09-38255_tn.jpg



A minor issue with the Serenity is that it's not symetrical. The primary structure is--but the details like windows, hatches, antenna, and solar panels are not. Also, the plating and bump mapping are not symetrical that was a little unexpected, but it gives the feeling the ship was cobbled together out of spare parts.

To give an example of what I'm talking about:)

Here is a view of the crew mess dome--Note the asymerical positions of the windows and the access hatch:

http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004/08/09-81165_tn.jpg

Also the plating and the hull details are not uniformly asymetrical.



Another example is the Starboard access hatch:
http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004/08/09-81226_tn.jpg

The Port side has a ladder but no hatch:
http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004/08/09-81247_tn.jpg

Also, the live set had some exterior handholds that the CG model did not--note the live pic:
http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004/08/09-81278_tn.jpg

and the same area in CG:
http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004/08/09-81296_tn.jpg


Some other details I have to complete:
The shuttle coves:
http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004/08/09-81320_tn.jpg

and the landing gear:
http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004/08/09-81337_tn.jpg

http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004/08/09-81353_tn.jpg

Well, I got to work on the neck details and the cargo hold last night.

http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-122009_tn.jpg

http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-122050_tn.jpg

I was checking out the mod and as it turns out some of the polygons in beveled and smooth-shifted sections are missing (or flipped) --so some of the mesh is see through and allows light through.

I will have to go over the hull section by section and correct these. :(

I was able to work on it a bit this morning before work and found some of them but not all.

http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-165020_tn.jpg

http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-165037_tn.jpg

You like them ruff challenges, dontcha? ;)

what's the point of doing CG if it's not challenging? :wtf:

I just love this ship.

Your mesh is amazing!

I was wondering....now that you know the fly so well you might be able to answer....how on earth does the engine manage to do a 180 with that hydraulic piston like thing attached to it?

:D

If I figure it right the piston and bracket detaches when the engine pivots to 90+ degrees

OK.... Corrected a bunch of stuff. :D
The primary hull is now 80% complete.
I still need to finish the shuttles and shuttle coves, the crew dome details, the rest of the anttennas and solar panels, the landing gear, the forward cargo door, and misc. other details

here are the latest renders:
http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-205023_tn.jpg

http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-205141_tn.jpg

http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-205176_tn.jpg

Looking sweet! :)

As for my earlier comment, it was a compliment on your fine modeling skills!

Yes! I have been bestowed with Sean-Like-Powers!

*shakes his head and kneels before Sean*

I'd be truly honored if you'd consider hosting this in the File Center. But even if you don't, I hope you'll render plenty of pics of her for the Gallery! :D

Got to get it done first.... :naughty:

More details added to the crew dome:
http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-295881_tn.jpg

And my first Radiosity test image:
http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-295914_tn.jpg

I still have to model:

the shuttles (approx. 4 hours)
the bridge interior (approx. 4 hours)
the cargo hold (approx. 1 hour)
the mess hall interior (approx. 3 hours)
the forward antenna arrays (approx. 1 hour)
the rest of the solar panels (approx. 1 hour)
the shuttle extender arms (approx. 1 hour)
the landing gear (approx. 1-2 hour)

That's about 1 week of modeling on evenings and all day Saturday--once that's done I can start texturing.

...ummm I think I just created a monster!

Frankenstien: Igor...

Igor: No... no... It's EYE-gor.

Frankenstien: Well they told me it was Igor.

Igor: Well they were wrong weren't they...?

:bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash:
Sorry... had a Marty Feldman moment.....

I've never seen the show. Are those jet engines on the sides?

They would be more along the lines of the Manovering Thrusters and Atmos Engines..With the main Engine being the arse end of the ship..


Very Nice :)


Ryoken

Yeah.... the wing engines are Atmospheric VTOL jets, that convert to rocket propulsion thrusters in space. They are primarilly used to maneuver the ship in atmosphere, and rotate to give vertical landing capability.

All around the hull are these circular black indentations. Those are the Reaction Control Thrusters that are used to rotate the ship in the zero-G space environment.

at the back end of the ship is the main interplanetary fusion drive, which folds open and glows bright yellow--hence the name of the show "firefly".

I really liked that short lived show and anticipate the movie. This is a heck of a project and is another excellent example of your modelling skill! Just plain awesome!

Thanks Thomas! You approval means alot to me! :bounce:

ok.. now that I have the time off from work.... whew!

UPDATE!
Added:
>forward antenna arrays (port and stbd)
>Solar panels
>Shuttles
>cargo bay door
>underside cargo drop hatch
>running lights

http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-515893_tn.jpg

Items left to complete:
modify the dome plating slightly (30 minutes)
the shuttle wings (approx. 2 hours)
the bridge interior (approx. 4 hours)
the cargo hold (approx. 1 hour)
the mess hall interior (approx. 3 hours)
the shuttle extender arms (approx. 1 hour)
the landing gear (approx. 1-2 hour)
anything else I missed

....braggart :D :D :D

*ducks*

....so.... ummm... you happen to check out the DeSanto Viper I made? ;)

Yes I did... even left a comment or two....:D

Updates:

http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-639865_tn.jpg

http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-639895_tn.jpg

http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-639929_tn.jpg

http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-639966_tn.jpg

http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-639997_tn.jpg

Items left to complete:
the shuttle wings (approx. 1/2 hour left)
the bridge interior (approx. 1 hour left)
the cargo hold (approx. 1 hour)
the landing gear (approx. 1-2 hour)

anything else I missed....

Damn that's a sweet little mesh!

:D

Update!!

Started playing with textures tonight!

http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-724240_tn.jpg

More late night updates:

http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-821396_tn.jpg

http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-821432_tn.jpg

http://www.lwg3d.com/upload/wip/2004...-821465_tn.jpg

Brings a tear to my eye! Gets better and better with every post.

And, BTW, I can't believe that no one has rated this yet - A big 5 from me anyway!