Firefly's Serenity

Sean Kennedy · August 1st, 2004, 09:28 PM

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:

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

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:

and here's my latest test renders:

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

August 2nd, 2004, 03:38 PM

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

Excellent!

Sean Kennedy · August 2nd, 2004, 04:59 PM

Thanks Makotokat!

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

Sean Kennedy · August 3rd, 2004, 09:18 PM

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...

skyhawk223 · August 4th, 2004, 06:46 AM

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

Sean Kennedy · August 9th, 2004, 01:00 PM

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...

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:

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

Another example is the Starboard access hatch:

The Port side has a ladder but no hatch:

Also, the live set had some exterior handholds that the CG model did not--note the live pic:

and the same area in CG:

Some other details I have to complete:
The shuttle coves:

and the landing gear:

Sean Kennedy · August 10th, 2004, 12:38 PM

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

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.

Darrell Lawrence · August 10th, 2004, 01:11 PM

You like them ruff challenges, dontcha?

Sean Kennedy · August 10th, 2004, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warrior

You like them ruff challenges, dontcha?

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

August 10th, 2004, 08:43 PM

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?

Sean Kennedy · August 10th, 2004, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomas7g

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?

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

Sean Kennedy · August 10th, 2004, 11:22 PM

OK.... Corrected a bunch of stuff.

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:

Darrell Lawrence · August 11th, 2004, 08:15 AM

Looking sweet!

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

Sean Kennedy · August 11th, 2004, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warrior

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!

General Phoenix · August 11th, 2004, 08:15 PM

*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!

Sean Kennedy · August 12th, 2004, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by General Phoenix

*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!

Got to get it done first....

More details added to the crew dome:

And my first Radiosity test image:

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.

Darrell Lawrence · August 12th, 2004, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Kennedy

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

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

Sean Kennedy · August 12th, 2004, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warrior

...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...?

Sorry... had a Marty Feldman moment.....

p.s. Cargile · August 13th, 2004, 09:07 AM

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

August 13th, 2004, 09:29 AM

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

Sean Kennedy · August 13th, 2004, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by p.s. Cargile

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

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".

Thomas P · August 13th, 2004, 03:28 PM

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!

Sean Kennedy · August 13th, 2004, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomas P

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!

Sean Kennedy · August 14th, 2004, 01:41 PM

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

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

Darrell Lawrence · August 14th, 2004, 03:46 PM

....braggart

*ducks*

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

Sean Kennedy · August 16th, 2004, 12:09 AM

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

Updates:

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....

August 16th, 2004, 05:24 PM

Damn that's a sweet little mesh!

Sean Kennedy · August 16th, 2004, 11:31 PM

Update!!

Started playing with textures tonight!

Sean Kennedy · August 18th, 2004, 02:34 AM

More late night updates:

Thomas P · August 18th, 2004, 10:31 AM

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!