Modeling from schematics in Hexagon

patience55 · August 2012

I've got a couple of tutorials published with modeling tips in using Hexagon. The example I've been using is one of the ST bridges.

http://www.cygnus-x1.net/links/lcars/mcmaster-uss-enterprise-bridge-blueprints.php

Hexagon does not require large images for references so I'd suggest resizing the choice down before placing them on the grid.

Edit: --- tutorials pulled ... getting real tired of that spammer and the speed problems

edit: Here's a link to a page with a link to an image of the plaque for this bridge, and a couple of others. n.b. that not all of these designs were actually used.
http://sulu.jp/modules/sulu/index.php?content_id=3&ml_lang=en

Morpheon · August 2012

Cool, thanks. I'll give it a look.

patience55 · August 2012

Great source for space photos.

Do not hold your breath in a vacuum!

For the ambitious ... http://www.cygnus-x1.net/links/lcars/star-trek-blueprints.php
Has the deck by deck plans. Be forewarned, this is not a weekend project! One person has been at it for over 5 years, another over 2.

The next tutorial segment will cover putting a roof on the bridge. Pics are in the editing room.

A few details to note. Not all schematics on the same item are precisely 'the same'. Not all of them are 100% possibly with reality checks. So now and then "management decisions" have to be made. AFAIK, normally one tends to go with information actually displayed in the movies and television series. However TOS shows were created a long time ago now and this is not always advisable. No the bridge would not really have stage lights and cameras on display for example.

My 2 cents on Bridge roofs. Why would one put the bridge on the top of the ship only to cover it over with solid metals and artificial lighting?! Sky roofs! Good golly, what a view of space! Sitting in a clear glass [but way stronger - hmm - transparent aluminum? - worked for whales!] type structure with a panorama view of space is AWESOME.

Anyway ... after the roof is done one can start working on the control panels etc so reference images will be needed.
http://www.cygnus-x1.net/links/lcars/mcmaster-uss-enterprise-bridge-blueprints.php for some schematics

Now there's an easy way to do the control panel layouts and a hard way ... as the easy way means easier for texturing, that's the method I'll be illustrating. The end result will be about as high res as one can possible make them IF so desired. This is not aimed for gaming where putting the textures for the entire bridge on 1 sheet is okay.
You will also need to use an image editor; one that can rotate and resize selections.

Update: Here are a few more links for those interested.
Having found a few better references on some points, I'll be redoing some of the bridge so there's no tutorial this week however I expect to have several days available next week for modeling so hopefully we'll have something then.

http://www.strekschematics.utvinternet.com/bridgeplans/bridgeplans.html

http://www.strekschematics.utvinternet.com/bridgeplans/bridgeplans2.html

http://www.strekschematics.utvinternet.com/bridgeplans/bridgeplans3.html

http://www.utopiaplanitia.info/ent1701bridge.html

http://www.cygnus-x1.net/links/lcars/uss-enterprise-space-cruiser.php

http://www.startrekdesktopwallpaper.com/new_wallpaper/Star_Trek_Enterprise_NCC1701_In_Space_freecomputerdesktopwallpaper_1600.shtml for a good view of the ship including bridge area

http://drexfiles.wordpress.com/2009/10/11/1701-cutaway/

patience55 · August 2012

This is the draft start ;-)

For those wishing to have the bridge fitting inside a ship, the concept is to have all your plans ready and test all the draft models that they'll fit together. I'm not doing that as my system can't handle it but a general start is presented here. I've numbered the images 'cause they seldom load in the correct order and hopefully everything is self explanatory. The model starts here were done with line extractions off of circles.

patience55 · August 2012

Part 3 is still a WIP for modeling/texturing the consoles.

'til then.

If it's important, make sure the parts will fit ;-)

Edit: here are a few more links of interest for this topic.

http://startrekauction.blogspot.ca/2012_07_01_archive.html Bridge panel of the ship

http://memory-beta.wikia.com/wiki/Earth-Romulan_War Oft' used Neutral Zone map

http://www.startrekpropauthority.com/2008/05/star-trek-original-series-control.html some reference images

Edit/Update. It's done! :-) Just have to proof read it tomorrow and post it! Lots of "how to do" things in Hexagon tips; also another approach for modeling from Point A ... and yes, we've got Buttons! [okay, they're pictures but still ...]

patience55 · August 2012

tutorials pulled.

btw - while I did manage to finished the floor nicely in Hexagon; thinking to release it, tested it first of course. Why it does this 'at the last step' I do not know ... D/S utterly destroyed the floor. Flipped normals or something which like, why? and why at the last?

I did remember in time that the computer is not to blame for these programs not communicating too all fired well so the window is still in the wall ;-)

So ... watch the floor of this bridge plan. D/S isn't too keen on it.

patience55 · August 2012

Found a vehicle that travels through space [think calling it a ship would be a stretch] that 'even I can make', yes!

Very basic ... it's a box. Make the corners into triangles, apply and rearrange the uvmaps as required. Export out the .obj file. Make texture images and save those to your folder under 'textures' in the 'Runtime' folder. Import the .obj file into D/S or Poser, apply the new textures, and save out your new prop "Lifeboat" :-)

The inside would be a box inside the outside box.

Have fun.

http://8of5.blogspot.ca/2011/11/build-enterprise-issue-by-issue.html

Scroll down to the 'Lifeboat' and click on the images to get much larger pictures.

Here's some more on the Lifeboat in real D.
http://8of5.blogspot.ca/2011/11/peak-inside-that-new-part-work-that.html

For the rest of the Lifeboat pics check this page:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Star-Trek-TNG-Enterprise-D-Lifeboat-Collection-ORIGINAL-Sketches-Schematics-/370558221239