@maul2 (maul2) posted a new topic, subject "Fantasy AirShip". It read:

   So I've been “Hired” (It's a volunteer job but still) to edit ad do the visual effects for a local private film. It's a sort of fantasy fairy tale kind of story. And this is one of the airships that the Kingdom uses to get around.
    
    I started actually working on the model last Sunday evening (The 21st) and this is what I have so far. So by no means is it anywhere near finished. But seeing as it's nearing Christmas I'd give you all a sneak peek, and plus I think it's finished enough to get some C&C's.
    
    This is concept art that I did for it. (Excuse the photo, but my scanner can't get a good image from my notebook so yah.)
    
    p_00009.jpg600×800 133 KB
    
    And this is what I have thus far.
    
    Dec24-08pt1.jpg800×600
    
    Dec24-08pt2.jpg800×600
    
    Dec24-08pt3.jpg800×600
    
    So I'm throwing it open for C&C's, suggestions, anything you like.

After which, @Germanunkol (Germanunkol) added

    I'm not sure about the wings/fins on the design… just personal tastes, though. but I love the model… good work!!  
    Any updates on this?

To which @bib_thebuilder (bib_thebuilder) replied

    Hey maul2
    
    really cool model, I love the design. I have some suggestions what you could improve … maybe :o
    
    sorry for using your image, but a picture describes it easier. So in the front I think the decorativ “net” doesn't fit perfectly in the red marked area.
    
    I'm not sure about the decoration on the side aswell, it looks like some parts still stick out or at least don't fit perfectly to the hull (or was it on purpose?)
    
    for those “middle parts” … they look hardly strong enough to bear the weight of the ship attached to those spheres. Maybe you should try to make them bigger.
    
    Hope it helps, I'm looking fwd to see this getting finished,
    
    Greetz, Robert
    
    ### Attachments
    
    Dec24-08pt1_cr.jpg800×600 76.6 KB

After which, @maul2 (maul2) added

    Yah, the front decoration needs some fixing up, it's on my to-do list, it was really just something I was playing around with to see how it might look. Same for the vines, there are definitly some spots that need fixing.
    
    And as for the support, they already encompass over a third of the total length of the ship, I don't really want to make them much larger, plus I feel they could start to look a little ridiculous any larger than this, considering if this was life size they would probably be nearly 25 feet high. But I may try to make them a little thicker, no that I'm looking at them…again those were just sort of “sketched out” with detail and tweaking still to be done.
    
    But thanks for the tips. I'll keep it in mind while I'm working.

After which, @bib_thebuilder (bib_thebuilder) added

    maybe it would be enough to make them thicker towards the “end” of them, not the whole structure just the base.
    
    lookin' fwd to the next update

After which, @maul2 (maul2) added

    So update time…
    
    I havn't had a lot of time over the last couple days (working ugh :()…but I thought I'd post what I did get done…
    
    I've been focusing mainly of the wings but also added a Captains Cabin facing. (I don't need an actual interior so It just the outer wall.)
    
    So enjoy… (oh yah the textures was just me playing around seeng what it might look like, not permanent in any way)
    
    Comment away…

To which @dyf (dyf) replied

    hi maul,  
    nice going so far…  
    i think the side decorations look too stretchy… make that bit more relaxed and spread out…  
    the width of the ship looks too thin, but that might be because your screenshot is orthographic…  
    the side fins (?) look very straight, try to pull their centers further out.
    
    nice model, keep going

To which @maul2 (maul2) replied

    So I couldn't sleep so I thought I'd put a little more work into this tonight.
    
    Changed the main vines so they arn't so stretched out (Good call on that one dyf), added some deco to the main support beams. And was just playing around with how the cables are going to work.

So @DarkBlueArt (DarkBlueArt) replied

    Hello
    
    this looks really good! Very many details, very loveable. I also like the design of the ship. But one thing hurts my eye,… these hooks, where the balloons are connected with the ship. They look to smooth, too low on detail, and somehow wired because they are made of one piece (each). I can't imagine that a part like this could be made from one piece of iron.
    
    Keep on going!
    
    so long

So @BenDansie (BenDansie) replied

    Nice progress so far. Like the design too - fantasy airships are fun…  My main thought at the moment is regarding a sense of scale. In general, the hull is fine, but the balloon spheres and supports look a bit like they are from a toy because of a little lack of detail (thus far) but mainly because of some rounded edges. If you add another set of loops to the edges (Ctrl R) or sharpen the creases/edges (Shift E) then it should help. Bevels can do the trick on a lot of surfaces too if used well, usually smaller/thinner I find.

@Zix (Zix) replied

    very nice dude
    
    awsome

To which @maul2 (maul2) replied

    Thanks for the comments guys.
    
    @DarkBlueArt: Well I was trying to go with a very natural flowing sort of look for the entire kingdom, and that flows into thier designs as well, so thats why it looks like that. As for being made of one piece of “steel”, I don't really think that it would be built that, probably much more like the hull with a substructure and then skin over top. And as for the rounded edges, like I said earlier, thats really the basic style of this ship/kingdom. So I don't think I'll be changing that, but I will be adding details eventually.
    
    @Zix: Thank you, thank you very much.
    
    @BenDansie: Like I (think :/) I said earlier, alot of this (Especially the supports and balloons) are still the basic sketch I did to layout the ship. Unlike the hull I havn't gotten to add details and such to them yet.

After which, @maul2 (maul2) added

    Small update…
    
    -Finished adding support wires  
    -Started detailing balloons  
    -Added kingdoms “crest” to balloon support hubs
    
    I've also started working on the castle for this same movie. It will eventually be part of the major establishing shot of the kingdom. Any tips of doing a major vista (It'll be a shot of the castle, castle grounds in the backgound, the port city that reside beside it, and the harbour/part of the ocean, plus the mountains and farmlands in distance.) would be hugely helpful. So far I know the stuff way in the back, the mountains and stuff wil be a painting, but other than that I have little clue. I'm probably going to have to incorporate some kind of system like Zordan did for his BWC entry. But any tips would be great. Anyways, I'm off to sleep…

Then @Jeepster (Jeepster) said

    that's an awesome design there, good modeling too!  
    maybe the balloon things could use a bit more detail, perhaps some rivets or filigree?

Then @johansrk (johansrk) said

    very cool. keep it up man

@maul2 (maul2) replied

    Not really an update, more of a test. Just playing around with textures, this is the colour scheme I've settled on. I've really only done anything with the balloons, so thats why the rest looks like crap.
    
    But mostly looking for comments on color for this post.
    
    (PS: I did a little bit of stuff to the balloons and other…)

To which @Dudebot13 (Dudebot13) replied

    Looking very good!! Colors look good for only a test! The green doesn't suit me well though. And the wood texture and specularity don't look right either.

So @maul2 (maul2) replied

    Well I mean all these colors were quite literally just thrown on. the only ones I did ANYTHING to was the balloons. As for the green…I've been getting that from a lot of people…but since this kingdom is very organic, shall we say, and peaceful. And as this is a fantasy film I wanted to bring that accross in their architectural design. So thats why the ship is very curvy and the vines and stuff (This will all be mirrored on the Castle as well) and I thought the green would be nice cause you know green=nature. And I don't want to throw like an iron or copper of something on there cause thats like Steampunk style which I don't want. I don't know maybe a silver or something, whatta think?

After which, @lordcooper (lordcooper) added

    Balloon textures are cool.
    
    Personally I'd like to see a righter wood texture (maybe pine or something) and possibly if you replaced the green with a deep red?

To which @maul2 (maul2) replied

    Yah I will definitly be replacing the wood texture…thats a guarantee, whether I'll do UV or an image I'm not sure.(Any thoughts?) And Deep red…I never thought about that, I'll have to give it a shot.
    
    The balloons: Yah I'm actualy really happy with how they look for 5 mins of playing around.

Then @maul2 (maul2) said

    Better?

So @Jeepster (Jeepster) replied

    much better!!!

Then @lordcooper (lordcooper) said

    Jeepster:
    
    > much better!!!
    
    Quoted For Truth

So @maul2 (maul2) replied

    Lol, thanks guys.
    
    So I've been kinda out of it for the last couple days (actual paid work has sorta been getting in the way…  )
    
    Anyways…I havn't really had any time to work. But I've been trying to get a list of some things to add for detail. So far I have:
    
    -The netting (The stuff people climb up to get to the balloons) it's in the drawing  
    -Some form of access hatch to the lower decks, I was thinking of adding a door or staircase to the inside of the major support pieces to lead down…just to add something so it's not just a plain surface with no use  
    -Access to the storage area, probably very similar to an actual ship (With a big open area on the deck, covered with grating…)  
    -And some kind of control panel behind the wheel (Probabaly something large and curved…)  
    -Lamps  
    -Random loops of rope on the railings  
    -Ladders  
    -pegs to attach rigging to  
    -a flag (not sure where I would attach it but i'll throw it in here)  
    -anchor w/ chain  
    -tow lines/tie down lines (Like think rope used to tie the ship to the ground when docking, like a blimp)  
    -And a floral deco (like the vines) encircling a crest with the kingdoms ensignia, covering the back
    
    Other than that I'm not sure what else to add…any one have any thoughts? Just exterior things, I'm not going to be modelling any of the interior.
    
    Well I don't work for a bit now so hopefully I can get some work done…working around school that is…wish me luck!

Then @psytr0ll (psytr0ll) said

    oh my god that looks great, especially I like your use of violet on the ship, that makes it more fantasy-like and really fits!!!  
    2 crits : the wood material around the baloons is a bit glossy (dunno which renderer u used) , more spec shading maybe. Also the golden screws on the violet applications creat way too much contrast.  
    But all in all : thumbs up !!!

After which, @Ronson2k9 (Ronson2k9) added

    That's really quite cool. It looks like something you could fly.
    
    Just a few thoughts. You may want something to give it propulsion though? Don't know if small props on outriggers (Ala Zeppelin) or a larger prop on the back? Perhaps on the ‘Buckle' areas of the balloons would be a good spot for outriggers?
    
    The ‘Wings' you have could flap too to give it propulsion? Then you would need something like the wings on a Hydroplane for control. Jabba's Barge SW ROTJ.

@endersbean3k1 (endersbean3k1) replied

    I must say, I like this ship very much. Reminds me of some Terry Brooks novels (although those airships are significantly different, the feel is somehow similar).
    
    Very nice look you've got going there.

To which @maul2 (maul2) replied

    Thanks guys. Sorry it's taken so long to respond, this one kinda got lost in the pages while I was working with the castle…
    
    For the “wood” material its actually supposed to be a sort of brown/rusty metal type material. And I just use BI renderer.
    
    For propulsion, I don't think I will…one because I have no clue where I would add it…and 2 because I really want to keep the feel of a sailing ship in the air. But I'll think about it.
    
    And thanks. I've never actually read any of Terry Brooks novels…but thanks for the comment.

To which @yavorh (yavorh) replied

    Wow, keep it up!

@3sie_3wiel (3sie 3wiel) replied

    Wow wow WOW! Very well done! I love the style of your model…saw the castle as well…

Then @Sidcom (Sidcom) said

    Nice!
    
    I'd change the front though… I like the netting, but where it get's solid it looks too straight.  
    I'd like to think that it still might go in water, so that would be obstrucive, i guess.  
    Same with the wings…  
    But i guess that's more a matter of taste … :rolleyes:

To which @mercurystudio (mercurystudio) replied

    C-R-A-P! the only pic thats showin for me is bib's on the first page, i wish i could see it. Based on the pic i CAN see, tho, i thnik a white/blue color scheme would be purty sweet

@maul2 (maul2) replied

    Hey everybody!!!
    
    I've decided to retake up this project in my off minutes (All 5 of them!) between school and homework. I really wanted to change some stuff as I never really got it to where I wanted it to be. So on with the update.
    
    The first (and only) thing I've done so far is rigged/animated the wings. This is something I always wanted to have, but never had the time. But I finally sat down and figured it out, and Tada.
    
    I have uploaded a quick little video of the wings unfolding.
    
    http://www.vimeo.com/6784172
    
    I am also working on a new fuselage concept. This one is alright but very plain. So I will hopefully be doing a complete remake of most of it, namely to just up the badassery of the thing. 
    
    If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

@kram1032 (kram1032) replied

    The animation is nice, though it feels… undynamic   
    I mean, it might actually have the right average speed, but I think, based on inertial mass, it should start way slower but therefore be faster in the end and stop quite abrupt at the final state…

To which @maul2 (maul2) replied

    Oh yah. The animation was just a test of the rig, to make sure everything folded up nicely and all the techy stuff like that.
    
    But I'll definitely keep it in mind when I get to the actual animation.

After which, @danlei (danlei) added

    Very nice! I'm making an animation which also has airships and a castle so I'm looking foward to your version. So far you've done a fantastic job. I need to make mine better too now

So @maul2 (maul2) replied

    Thanks man!
    
    I'll definitely keep an eye out for your stuff!
    
    Unfortunately no update yet, classes have been killing me.

So @danlei (danlei) replied

    I'm jealous… I want to study at Vancouver too…

@maul2 (maul2) replied

    Hehe, yah it's pretty sweet!

To which @maul2 (maul2) replied

    I finally have something to show!! After a couple days of intense research I have finally put some ideas to paper. It's not much, just a quick sketch of an idea for the main body. Will definitely change over the course of the project. (I have included a quick rough measurement just to give some idea of the size I'm thinking.
    
    (1 Story= ~10ft)
    
    Keep an eye out for more updates!

To which @danlei (danlei) replied

    Sometimes it's good to change the course of the project. Just try not to change it too often or you'll never get finished =) I really like the design in the sketch and for what I've seen, you'll add lot's of nice details to the model. Keep us updated =)

Then @maul2 (maul2) said

    YAY!! Update!! Just working on some rough sketches to get a basic idea of the body down. I have labeled for your convenience.
    
    And a little explanation to explain my insanity. I'll preface this by saying, I am envisioning this as the grandest ship in the entire fleet, not a warship persay, however it will be armed. But as much more of the Titanic of this world (Without the epic tragedy), a luxery liner. I am still debating whether I want to have this a royal ship or as a civilian cruise ship. I am leaning towards a Royal ship, to be used for royal diplomatic missions and the grandest of events or even for exploratory expeditions. Anyways, onto the technical stuff.
    
    Firstly the body will have characteristics very similar with classic sailing ships (Spanish Galleons, Caravels, Ships of the Line etc. etc.) This will extend to rigging and the body design. However there will be certain elements that would/could not have been built at that time. Including the extremely large balcony sections on the back of the ship. The section near the front of the ship (Where I had the measurement in the earlier sketch) will become a library/lookout point/lounge. (Reference: http://www.spellcaster.com/tomkidd/Naviga2.jpg) I will be adding the sails very similar as to what I have on the current Airship. But they will come later. Also on the very back of the ship there is a nice large balcony open to the air.
    
    Onto the Balloons. They will be very similar to what I currently have, just a different shape. The balloons will have metal bands wrapped around it which will constrain the balloon. On top of the balloon, there will be largish lookout points for crew members to use for repairs, special events, lookout point during trips etc. Then on top of the large balloon will be attached a small balloon which has been added to offset the weight of the back of the ship. (There will most likely be a more permanent lookout position on top of here. Sort of an Airships Crows Nest.) The entire thing will be hooked together with classic block and tackle systems.
    
    At this point I'm just getting absolutely giddy* just designing this thing. Who knows If I'll actually ever get to building it, but it's a hell of a lot of fun designing something like this.
    
    *Yes I am literally getting giddy, I'll be sitting there sketching something out, and just burst into a fit of giggles. It's ridiculously fun!! Everyone should try it at some point!
    
    Anyways I think I've talked for long enough. Keep an eye out for more updates.

So @danlei (danlei) replied

    I like spanish galleons… this should be interesting =)

Then @maul2 (maul2) said

    Establishing scale relationships.

To which @Darkangael (Darkangael) replied

    I'm very impressed with this Airship. would love to know how you did the texture work.

@maul2 (maul2) replied

    Darkangael:
    
    > I'm very impressed with this Airship. would love to know how you did the texture work.
    
    Excuse me as I silently sit here and laugh to myself…reason being…I personality am exceedingly ashamed of nearly all the texture work done on this one. The one exception being the balloons (But I mean, all those are are just an image with the translucency value turned WAY up). The rest is just grabbing a random image and throwing it on there. I was in a hurry when I was textureing and just needed something to give it some color (As it would be just in the background for what I was doing with it, at the time.)
    
    So yah thats the story behind the textures. Although if I do get to the texturing part of this Airship, I'll be putting in A LOT more effort and work. UV's, custom paint jobs, Normal Maps, etc etc.

Then @Darkangael (Darkangael) said

    lol figures you texture about like me so far then been trying to learn to do it but am only occasionally successful…

To which @maul2 (maul2) replied

    Yah it's definitely a tough thing to do well. After a while you get a bit of a sense for it. But I still need a LOT of practice in all my textured work. But you know, as with everything, try and try again.

@Darkangael (Darkangael) replied

    Yeah I suppose so lol would still like to see how you did the balloons =) heh and you can go look at my model too if you like my first nearly completed model, and the only one i kept so far.

After which, @maul2 (maul2) added

    You got it! This file includes the texture, with a basic lighting/camera set-up. Just hit F12 to take a look.
    
    Make sure the image is in the same directory as the file.
    
    ### Attachments
    
    BalloonTexture.blend (233 KB)

Then @Darkangael (Darkangael) said

    Thank you very much hun =) really appreciate it =)


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