My Cylons need some Playmates

[rjandron]

Just like the title says, since the Cylon Raider mesh is pretty much complete, I've started on a Colonial Viper. The shots below show the current state...there's a lot left to do, but this mesh is coming together very quickly.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-7/1044740/ViperWIP001a.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-7/1044740/ViperWIP002a.jpg

[jewels]

I don't think the "ray" down the midline has a lightning break in it, I think it's one piece. (as in if you were drawing it in 2-D it would only have 4 points.) Inset below the cockpit looks short, but I don't have any reference in front of me.

good start.

[Darrell Lawrence]

jewels, use my Viper views from the Gallery for referrence :D

[Titon]

Excellent work so far Rj.

;)

[Gemini1999]

I don't think the "ray" down the midline has a lightning break in it, I think it's one piece. (as in if you were drawing it in 2-D it would only have 4 points.)


Julie -

That panel line on the nose you are referring to isn't on the SFX models in TOS, but I always noticed it on the full size Vipers (as an inconsistency). The "lightning bolt" effect is correct if you're basing the render on the full size Vipers.

Bryan

[rjandron]

Bryan, Julie...from the photo references that I have, the panel lines on the studio scale FX models do have the lighting bolt effect, and it is quite prominent in the full-size viper mockup.

I'm working from the full-size blueprints of the viper, which contain several inconsistencies from the FX model--and I'm trying to blend the details of both to get a mesh that looks good both closeup and in distance shots.

[gmd3d]

looks cool Rj .. looking forward to its completion:thumbsup:

[TopGun]

Looking good so far, keep it up

[mikala]

Beautiful work on this Viper! More... please!

[gpdesigner]

This is a good start RJ, is there have you done anymore since mid July?
Santee

[rjandron]

Soryy guys, work's been keeping me pretty busy for the last month or so, and I haven't been able to get back to the Viper model. It is still slated for conclusion--as soon as real life allows.

[Titon]

Soryy guys, work's been keeping me pretty busy for the last month or so, and I haven't been able to get back to the Viper model. It is still slated for conclusion--as soon as real life allows.

God does that sound familier! I know how you feel RJ.

Keep us posted. Don't be a stranger.

;)

[rjandron]

I managed to get a little bit further on the Viper model today, mostly working on the engines section. Here are some shots:

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-7/1044740/viper001a.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-7/1044740/Viper002a.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-7/1044740/Viper003a.jpg

At this rate, she should be complete sometime in 2007 :rotf:

[Titon]

Awesome work RJ!

Top Notch!

ER i suggest you finish it by next week.

hehe.

:D

[gpdesigner]

OOOOO, now that's nice . . . . :D I love the detail in this.
Very clean, very very smooth. Dang too bad you only have a week to finish it
he he he :)

Santee

[mikala]

Very nice detailing!

[Gemini1999]

RJ -

Looks real good, but I got one critique - the engine intake openings look a bit big and more rounded than I remember.

http://www.hollywood-diecast.com/BSG%20colonial%20viper.jpg http://www.battlestarwiki.org/images/thumb/4/48/Bsg-viper-tos.jpg/180px-Bsg-viper-tos.jpg

Sorry, I'm just one of those nitpicky folks....

Good work though!

Best,
Bryan

[rjandron]

RJ -

Looks real good, but I got one critique - the engine intake openings look a bit big and more rounded than I remember.

Sorry, I'm just one of those nitpicky folks....

Good work though!

Best,
Bryan

No worries Bryan. That's why its in the WIP forum.

As you're aware, there were differences between the full-scale Viper mockup and the studio-scale FX model. Trying to build the viper on the full-size mockup results in **very** rounded intakes.

I'm trying to blend between the FX model and the full-size one. I'm working from the full-size blueprints, and trying to modify them so that the final model doesn't look too far off the model that we saw on screen.

One week, huh? We'll see... :D

[Master_M]

It could be done sooner. I probably couldn't get that far in 3000 :P

[rjandron]

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-7/1044740/Viperwings001a.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-7/1044740/Viperwings002a.jpg

I managed to get some modelling time in today and got a bit further on the mesh. As you can see, the cockpit canopy and stabilizors are roughed in and are being made ready for detailing.

[Sept17th]

Looking good...bet it would look real nice animated in a fan film.

[Titon]

Rj, your correct. The full scale viper and filming model were a bit different.

The intakes are always an issue but in the end if it looks good render it! :D

Not trying to steal your thread but you can see by my viper here that the intakes were made following the monogram kit. The rest of the viper is scaled from the full size mockup. I haven't went back and fixed that yet.

http://www.colonialfleets.com/titon/viper2.jpg

[Sept17th]

You really need to be working on my fan film too. :salute:

[Master_M]

See, i tried, and it dosen't look that similar. Then again, i'm only a beginner in 3-d.

[madmikeee]

So what kinda mileage you get outta one of those?

:D :thumbsup:

[video567]

man that mesh is looking very nice and clean great work

[rjandron]

Got the back end done today, including some of the detailing on the engines. The wings were also rebuilt--again. Laser cannons were also finished today. I still have to rework the canopy and finish the rear landing gear door details.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-7/1044740/Viper101a.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-7/1044740/Viper102a.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-7/1044740/Viper103a.jpg

Next steps after finishing the landing gear doors, are to start cutting and smooth-shifting the raised panels on the hull and wings.

Titon, did you actually cut in the panel lines on your ship or is that a bump map?

[Darrell Lawrence]

Are you referring to my Viper? If so, the lines are modeled in.

http://www.colonialfleets.com/gallery/categories.php?cat_id=2

[rjandron]

Thanks Warrior. I was actually referring to Titon's example that he posted earlier in this thread.

I'm assuming that you used a drill and smooth-shift approach on the panel lines for yours?

Your Viper is certainly outstanding, and I would love to see it animated. Any immediate plans for that?

[Titon]

All details on the viper were modeled, no maps.

Excellant work by the way!

:)

[rjandron]

The latest update:

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-7/1044740/Viper104a.jpg

Spent my modelling time today scribing in panel lines on the wings and top stabilizer. Tomorrow, we start scribing panel lines on the engines and fuselage. After that, she should be ready to start texturing.

[mikala]

Looking very nice!

[Titon]

Looking great RJ!

:)

[Sept17th]

Very sweet, I was doing my Sunday TOS viewing tonight here 20 hours ahead in Korea. The Lost Warrior with many scenes of the full size mock up...you got it man. I look forward to some animation of Cylons firing on Vipers...I need that scene.

[rjandron]

Jon, I'm working on it!!! :salute:

I managed to finish scribing in panel lines today, and the Viper is now at the stage where texturing can begin. Details like landing gear, cockpit interiors, retractable ladder, etc. can be added at a later date without disrupting the textures, and in the meantime, animation can begin.

Here are some renders of the latest progress...

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-7/1044740/Viper108a.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-7/1044740/Viper107a.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-7/1044740/Viper106a.jpg

This next shot was rendered before today's work, but it gives a rough size comparison of the Viper and Raider.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-7/1044740/Viper105a.jpg

[mikala]

Love the shot of the two ships together. They really show each other off!

[gpdesigner]

wow RJ, this is some awesome stuff man . . . .
The detail on the viper is top notch . . . . . you kept pretty faithful to the original design. Thats cool, I am not really sure what the original looked like to the T but from what I have seen, youre iper is spot on. :D
Santee

[Nezhdan]

Egads that is an amazing ammount of detail. Very professional work.

[Senmut]

The Raider looks like a hungry predator.

[LadyImmortal]

Can i comment just how awesome your pictures are? I am sooo impressed and in awe. I really love how you guys are able to show us the work as it progresses! Incredible :)

[rjandron]

Thanks again for the comments everyone. I hope to have some more updates posted later this weekend.

[Tabitha]

Im jealous... if I had even a tiny fraction of your talent Id be... talented

tabbi

[Lt. Merak]

Very nice I have always loved the vipers.

[TheViperMan]

Oh my ! I cant wait to get my hands on that ! hehe.. Good work on the Vipers !

[rjandron]

It's about time for an update. I'm right in the middle of texturing the mesh, giving her a very weathered appearance. I still have the nose and a bunch of smaller items to deal with.

Anyhow, thought that the fleets might like to see the progress...

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-7/1044740/Vipertextures001.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-7/1044740/Vipertextures002.jpg

I'm looking forwards to seeing her fly in the 14th Colony fanfilm.

[ernie90125]

This is an incredible piece of work. I'm really looking forwards to seeing her in the 14th Colony.

I browsed your public profile to see if you had a link to a website with any fanfilms on ? I couldn't find any such link, but I was wondering if you have made any, even non-BSG, so we can see your meshs in full action ?

I liked the couple of test sequences I've seen, will you make a test sequence of featuring this viper ? This is really really great work....

[TwoBrainedCylon]

RJ,

This is a really nice job. Have you checked to see if you get a pixelization problem with this weathering?

Sandy

[rjandron]

Ernie, there will be test sequences done, as I can get to them. I still have a ways to go on texturing, though. Once we get ahead on some of the 14th Colony stuff, I'll pull out some of my older animations.

Sandy, I haven't seen any issues with pixelization as yet, but I haven't really put the Viper through her paces with animation. I really don't anticipate a problem though.

[ernie90125]

Best of luck RJ......and looking forwards to seeing some of your older animations....but if the 14th Colony will happening in 2007 isn't that a long wait !!!! I'm sure they'll be worth it....