Topic: Some Milkshape WIPS.

[USS Mariner]

I want to show you what I've been working on...




I sneakily tricked Milkshape into making that saucer with 52 sectors (as it only allows cylinders and spheres to have up to 32 sectors, and I needed 36 minimum...,) making the saucer base some 3000+ polys total, but that's fine, because I like smooooth meshes. :p I also need to work on it to fix parts of my drawing anyway, so it's two projects in one!

The only part that worries me is that damned sec hull undercut, because I'm not sure that it'll work without some kind of boolean operation (which Milkshape doesn't do.) Anyhelp would be appreciated here, whether it's experience or an offer to boolean that curve for me, or a plugin that someone like Terradhynne might know about (hint hint .)

Here's the two guides that I used so far. I'll finish up the bottom and front views before I use them, and the back...I'll just wing. Also included is a rough picture of what it's going to look like.





This is a concept art of a "USS Enterprise NCC-?," made when the plot of ST6 was revolving about the "Starfleet Academy" theme. Basically, this would be the prior vessel to our beloved 1701, which would appear with younger (cheaper) versions of our classic crew during their academy days.

But, compare it to the NX-01 and 1701 and look what happens:



It's like a damn family reunion!

I'm am currently trying to model this little ship, which is actually quite neat. But, I ask, is there really a problem with having more Enterprises inbetween the NX-01 and the 1701? I honestly think Gene wouldn't have cared, as long as that ship could tell a good story.
Anyway, it's at 1528 polys now, and that'll jump to about 2000+ with the fininshed nacelles and an actual Impulse drive, but it'll be worth it I think. The original design has a mix of 50's Space Age and NX-01 Neo-Future, the perfect predecessor to 1701.




I'm thinking of this as an Academy Training ship, not necessarily the direct predecessor to the 1701, but that's because the pre-Federation Enterprise (whether it's an NX, CC, or some other class of your desire) was officially listed as "on duty" for many decades afterwards.

This Trainer-Class ("Wing Nine") ship is essentially a stripped down version of a starship, intended for 2-3 month cruises for seinor cadets, and is primarily done to strengthen leadership skills, teamwork, and the basic experince needed to run a starship. This ship, with a qualified Instructor (Lieutennant Commander,) onboard, carries out mini-missions and various scenarios, everything from combat with a superior vessel to simple cargo transport to emergency landing in case of damage or just to fool the bay guys.

I figure that, in the Late Era, some of these ships might find their way into pirate or civlian fleets, and they'd make slick little raiders if properly "refitted..."

Any other suggestions for backround? I'm starting to get ideas about a real SFA story, like Kirk and part of co. serving onboard two such ships in tandem, except that the other is commanded by none other than Finnegan...

[ModelsPlease]

Any other suggestions for backround? I'm starting to get ideas about a real SFA story, like Kirk and part of co. serving onboard two such ships in tandem, except that the other is commanded by none other than Finnegan...

We all know from ST II TWoK that Kirk was the only cadet to ever beat the Kobiyashi Maru scenario. Perhaps you can use this ATV as the ship that he did it on during his cadet training.

-MP

[USS Mariner]

Beginning the textures. I may or may not change the name, because ENTERPRISE just looks cool there. 







Child's play detail compared to Rod's stuff, but I like 'em so far.

[Mr_Tricorder]

This is looking really good!  I have some reservations about using the name Enterprise, but that's just my personal feelings on the matter and I'm not suggesting that you change anything.  Keep up the good work.

[Sandman3D]

Cool!! Could also be an in system police ship.

[Mr_Tricorder]

Cool!! Could also be an in system police ship.

I think that's a great idea.

[USS Mariner]

I can make a modified version with more standardized Starfleet parts later. That'd be fun.

My main arugment for having an Enterprise like this is that, although it's painted in Starfleet-ish markings, this is still a training vessel, owned and operated by Starfleet Academy, with technical help from the SCE whenever they need to have new systems introduced to cadets or whatever. It's painted like a normal Starfleet ship because cadets should become more familar with the markings and details of Starfleet ships for ID purposes. The reason for having the blue-white registry colors is that A.) It's what I think should adorn very early Starfleet ships and B.) It looks older to me visually.

[ModelsPlease]

Sweet, now this is really something new. It's coming along great!
-MP