Bridge shots for my upcoming Galactica project(s)

[martok2112]

Here are some bridge shots. I'd like to invite your opinions on which bridge I should use. You see, I have my own ideas going on here as far as what to use for which, but I'd like to know which bridge you prefer for my first project.

I'm planning on using the brighter bridge for "Galactica: The Last Battlestar" if it should turn out that my first project is popular enough. The darker, more classic bridge I was planning to use for "Galactica: The Exodus Continues".

But again, lemme know what you think, please? :)

Anyhoo, here are some bridge shots from my latest construction. The bridge is by no means complete. I still have some wall consoles to put up. Been kinda busy musically lately, so my time with this project was a little more limited.
Grey walled.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/martok2112/CGI%20Galactica%20fanfilm%20project/Galacticabridge001.jpg
Colored the walls a little bit to make it look more like the series.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/martok2112/CGI%20Galactica%20fanfilm%20project/Galacticabridge001a.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/martok2112/CGI%20Galactica%20fanfilm%20project/Galacticabridge002.jpg

[martok2112]

Some more angles:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/martok2112/CGI%20Galactica%20fanfilm%20project/Galacticabridge003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/martok2112/CGI%20Galactica%20fanfilm%20project/Galacticabridge003a.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/martok2112/CGI%20Galactica%20fanfilm%20project/Galacticabridge004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/martok2112/CGI%20Galactica%20fanfilm%20project/Galacticabridge005.jpg

[martok2112]

Two of the lovelies Galactica could not possibly survive without....

Ahhh....the lovely Athena :)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/martok2112/CGI%20Galactica%20fanfilm%20project/Galacticabridge006.jpg
And the lovely Rigel :)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/martok2112/CGI%20Galactica%20fanfilm%20project/Galacticabridge009.jpg

Helm and Weapons station: (no...these guys are NOT lovelies...LOL!)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/martok2112/CGI%20Galactica%20fanfilm%20project/Galacticabridge010.jpg
For the above pic, I kinda borrowed an idea from Star Wars. If you've seen previous pics of my Viper cockpit, the shuttle cockpit, and now the Galactica helm station, you'll notice that the flight stick/thrust module layout is pretty much the same...the only thing missing in the Galactica bridge configuration is the actual cockpit console I used for the Vipers and shuttle. The idea being that Incom T-16 Skyhoppers and Incom T-65 X-wings had the same basic flight control layout...this made it easier for even bush pilots to fly an X-wing. Same principle here...sort of. The response is obviously different between a Viper, a shuttle, and a capital ship like a battlestar...however, if pressed to it, a Viper pilot could fly a battlestar, and a battlestar helmsman could do basic flight maneuvers on a Viper (if he had to flee to safety, and a Viper was all that was around.) An implausible situation, I know...but, my philosophy is...it is better to possess knowledge you don't need than to need it and not have such knowledge. :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/martok2112/CGI%20Galactica%20fanfilm%20project/Galacticabridge011.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/martok2112/CGI%20Galactica%20fanfilm%20project/Galacticabridge012.jpg

[martok2112]

And here are some bridge shots from the kits I used from iClone/Reallusion's stores...the one I plan to use for "The Last Battlestar":
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/martok2112/CGI%20Galactica%20fanfilm%20project/Bridge001.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/martok2112/CGI%20Galactica%20fanfilm%20project/Bridge005a.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/martok2112/CGI%20Galactica%20fanfilm%20project/Bridge003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/martok2112/CGI%20Galactica%20fanfilm%20project/Bridge002.jpg
In red alert mode:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/martok2112/CGI%20Galactica%20fanfilm%20project/Bridge009a.jpg

[gmd3d]

I think you should run with your own ideas too . there are some good ideas in there
:)

[maudib]

Both concepts are very nice. I think the brighter one look too "trekish". I never like the trek styling ( looks to "pretty") for a military ship. Maybe increase the size of the main viewing window to span the entire forward section? That is what I am planning for my big B bridge scenes.

[martok2112]

I agree, maudib, that the brighter bridge set does look a bit Trekkish, at least for the original series and its continuation. The reason I was thinking of using it for "The Last Battlestar" (which is my own retelling of the Holocaust and the Exodus) was because in this story, the Galactica is the brand new ship of the line, the most advanced battlestar ever made. :) She still looks like the original Big G, but she's got a lot of advancements over the older battlestars (which in my story look like the ones from the recent series).

Thanks for your honest thoughts on that. I'll see what I can do about the viewport size. :)

[Punisher454]

If you want a larger view port ,you could go with something like this, the original RMQ concept for the bridge? Too bad this design just wasnt practical for a 1978 tv set.

[martok2112]

Indeed...the RMQ design could go quite well with my bridge set up. I don't think it would take me long to rebuild the perimeter of the bridge to accommodate that view port. :) All the control panels and such are now set pieces that I can just place when ready.

I think I need to redo the command dais anyway. As Jewels pointed out on a different forum, the hand rails for the command dais are a wee bit too high.

[gmd3d]

Indeed...the RMQ design could go quite well with my bridge set up. I don't think it would take me long to rebuild the perimeter of the bridge to accommodate that view port. :) All the control panels and such are now set pieces that I can just place when ready.

I think I need to redo the command dais anyway. As Jewels pointed out on a different forum, the hand rails for the command dais are a wee bit too high.

its a good idea ,,,,, the hand rail was high but i thought that was like i do ..... work in stages trying new things and seen what fits and adjust as needed :)

[martok2112]

I added in some pre-fab Reallusion props to try and bring the bridge a little more to life. I think it worked out well.
Rigel's work row, I added some upper paneling to more mimic the look of the series. These are basically clones of wall control panels I have set up at various sizes throughout the bridge. Also added in some corridor hull from Reallusion, and added a greeble wall made from Blender.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/martok2112/CGI%20Galactica%20fanfilm%20project/Galacticabridge013.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/martok2112/CGI%20Galactica%20fanfilm%20project/Galacticabridge014.jpg
Below is where the starmap would go. I am awaiting permission from one artist to use his map on the wall...but until then, this is the public image for the starmap wall
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/martok2112/CGI%20Galactica%20fanfilm%20project/Galacticabridge015a.jpg

[Matador]

Nice work... Your characters look really good.

That's my weakness... Making people.

Everything looks nice... What program are you using?

[martok2112]

Thank you, Matador. :) :salute:

To make the bridge perimeter and some of the equipment (as well as my ships) I'm using Blender. Then I have to convert them for use in iClone using another app called 3DEXChange.

The characters and other elements are made in iClone, which is my animation app.

[CBSG4ever]

Hey Steve!
I like all of your different "visions" of the Bridge. I am partial to the Flight Opps being "recessed" below the main view screen, but that's just me. Have you applied that layout to the "brighter, newer" bridge version yet? Might be interesting to see.
I will say this. I kinda like the chairs. They look quite comfortable. :D
Keep up the great work Steve. :salute:

[martok2112]

Hey Steve!
I like all of your different "visions" of the Bridge. I am partial to the Flight Opps being "recessed" below the main view screen, but that's just me. Have you applied that layout to the "brighter, newer" bridge version yet? Might be interesting to see.
I will say this. I kinda like the chairs. They look quite comfortable. :D
Keep up the great work Steve. :salute:

Thanks, Steve (we Steve's have great taste, don't we? LOL!)
Anyhoo....the bridge layout for the new Galactica (my new Galactica) didn't quite have the "work pit" feel of the original, and I think I'll keep it that way. I do agree with some that the look is a bit nu-Trek'ish, but I rather like it like that. It reflects the "newness" of the classic Galactica design that is in my story/retelling of "Galactica: The Last Battlestar" :) :salute:

[martok2112]

I darkened up the bridge just a smidge. I think it makes the control surfaces stand out a little more. I also brightened some of the screens.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/martok2112/CGI%20Galactica%20fanfilm%20project/Galacticabridge016.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/martok2112/CGI%20Galactica%20fanfilm%20project/Galacticabridge017.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/martok2112/CGI%20Galactica%20fanfilm%20project/Galacticabridge018.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/martok2112/CGI%20Galactica%20fanfilm%20project/Galacticabridge019.jpg

[martok2112]

And the bridge on Red Alert.
I dropped the main lighting and added two red director's lights. I think this looks pretty sharp.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/martok2112/CGI%20Galactica%20fanfilm%20project/Galacticabridge020.jpg

The big catch to all of this is, I might still have too many virtual actors in the scene for iClone to handle when it comes to actual shooting of a scene. I might have to do some tricky angling, and then some "second unit" footage (so to speak) to video other members of the bridge, to try and make it look more populated. But, given that well over half of the bridge is Blender made, iClone might (for whatever reason) cut me some slack.

[gmd3d]

looks good ...... is it a problem when controlling the movements of the characters

[Matador]

Very nice work.

[martok2112]

Thanks, guys. :)
Actually, Taranis, the problem is in having several high-poly characters in the scene at once. Controlling them is not really a probleem...it's just the processing.

[Aussie Warrior]

Very cool stuff, I hope it continues to go well

[Andromeda]

I like this, well done nice work so far, for me the darker moodier bridge works.
you did well with the chairs, looks more the part.
after seeing this i need to re-look at my bridge, I'm not sure i like mine anymore :P: seriously tho, nice work, animate! :salute:

[Andromeda]

I recognize that mixer ;)

[martok2112]

I recognize that mixer ;)

LOL! I figured someone probably would. In order to try and reduce polygon rates, yeah, I cheated, and just textured on some real-world "control" looking images. :)

And on the helmsman's status display, I put on a status report that might sound familiar to sci-fi buffs, if they ever get a clear shot of reading it. :D

[Andromeda]

It's a good idea actually,
Ive got two mixers here I could use as control panels of some
sort, knobs and sliders on keyboards to. good thinking :)

[martok2112]

Thanks. :)
And thanks for the earlier kind words too....you and everybody. :salute:

And ya know, it's not unprecedented to use those kinds of device textures as controllers. In Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, they were using slider/mixer boards for the helm as well. LOL! :)

I also managed to get a test shot of bridge activity animation ready, and wow...did it turn out nice. Will post very very shortly.

[Aussie Warrior]

So how is the bridge coming along now?

[martok2112]

the bridge has come along quite nicely.

Here's a video demo....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/martok2112/CGI%20Galactica%20fanfilm%20project/th_BusyonGalactica002.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v474/martok2112/CGI%20Galactica%20fanfilm%20project/?action=view&current=BusyonGalactica002.mp4)

[Aussie Warrior]

Now that is one awesome video demo

[martok2112]

Thank you, most kindly, Aussie. :)

[CBSG4ever]

DUDE! That demo clip rocks, Steve! Me likes. :D
Keep up the awesome work. :salute:

[martok2112]

Most kind. Thank you, Steve. :)
I'm going to try and see if I can link the bridge to the corridors I built, which I linked tp the council chamber. Wouldn't it be neat to see a couple characters walk straight from the bridge to the council chamber? :)

[martok2112]

Alas. and alack, I could not link my bridge/corridor set to the council chambers....just too much for iClone to handle. So, I'll just have to rely on the corridors as a set for trick photography to transition from one set to another on the Big G.

But hey, it's what I call "neo-old-school"....using low tech means working around high-tech limitations to achieve a sophisticated end. :)

[Aussie Warrior]

I'm sure whatever you come up with will do what you envision quite nicely, no doubt many of us are envious that you have a bridge and council chambers and many ship areas, I certainly am envious when I see a new video it helps me think how can I do better with my amateur BSG film in pictures abilities.

[martok2112]

We can all learn from each other, mate. :)

Right now, I am working on the Command Module for my Colonial Destroyer. The command module will house the bridge, CiC, turbovator, and Commander's Stateroom. It's lookin' pretty good too. :)

[Aussie Warrior]

Sounds like an exciting project, hope we get to see bits of it soon.

[martok2112]

I've finished the command modules for both the destroyer and just now the Galactica. The Galactica command module is probably the LARGEST set I've built yet. I am getting ready to make a guided tour video (hosted by the lovely Athena) of the Galactica command module. As with the destroyer, the Galactica command module has the bridge (a big set already), the Combat Information Center, the Commander's Stateroom, the council chambers, and a turbolift, all connected by corridors.

The corridors I had to build in Blender because for some reason, iClone can't seem to handle great quantities of its own DLC set pieces. The bridge itself is largely Blender made, with a few iClone set pieces thrown in for good measure.

[Senmut]

Does every woman in here have a rack like Dolly Parton???
;)

[auditor]

New here. Your project looks really good. Doing some great work there.

just wondering if you can render the charectors in separated renders and combine them after. Might speed things up.

[martok2112]

HA HA....that cracked me up, Senmut. :)
Actually, I do need to work de-Lara Croftify them, and give them various builds. I've been so busy with set and ship design, and their boobs were staring me in the face all the time.....or .....wuz I starin' at them? :yikes:


Thanks, auditor, for the kind words. And welcome to the Colonial Fleets. :salute:
And yes, actually, I can shoot the characters separately, and combine them via chroma-keying. That's how I did my initial bridge shot. :) Since the characters are relatively high-poly, I can usually only shoot anywhere from three to five characters at once, depending on other poly-count conditions with the surrounding props and sets.