Voy. update

Made a small start yesterday:

Here is a list of changes that will probably make it to the final version:

• Define the superstructure/spine a bit more (Slightly more pronounced lines)
• Replace the nacelles with new versions that are quantum slipstream capable. (Approx 30% longer on the rear end.)
• Adjust the variable warp field geometry system.
• Replace the bridge module, with a more streamlined one.
• Add a thin (5 centimeter) layer of armor over parts of the hull that could benefit from the protection
• Replace the current main deflector.
• Add a (sliding or transparent) cover over the auxiliary deflector.
• Enlarge the rear bay door/bay interior, to fix Delta Flyer dilemma.
• Repaint the ship in a more porcelain white.
• Upgrade to Sovereign style escape pods or a modernized "square" version.
• Upgrade sensor strips with integrated quantum slipstream sensors.

Possible other changes:

• Swap out of phaserbanks and torpedo launchers for new types.
• Replacement of the Aeroshuttle with an Aventine inspired weapon system or another craft.
• Planetary landing system might be overhauled entirely.

Voyager news

After positive feedback from Rick Sternbach, I decided to push forward with the Voyager "Full Circle" refit.

I will, somewhere in September, start on this. Right now I'm just brainstorming on how to update the 16 year old design in a natural way. I'm calling this an update, but what I really have to do is start from scratch.

The ship probably saw a major refit after it returned from the Delta Quadrant, so that does leave some room for changes. I do have some ideas, but I want to be careful not to take them too far...

Slide

Before I bought a real couch, I ofcourse got inspired to try one myself. I did a 60 minute concept that I called the "Slide" The back can slide fully forward so you can sit on the other side of the couch. Most ideal for people who want to divide a room.

Wallpaper

Someone asked for the background that I used for my iMac concept.

Here it is! :-) 

Edit: I always forget that it’s getting reduced to 1600xsomething. Updated to its normal size: 1920x1080.

Project Schedule up to January 2011

So much dry text today.....zzzzz
Anyway what is coming up:

Full Circle/Voyager fleet:
Working on the 3 Merian class ships. (More work in progress images of the protoship soon...)
Working on the 2 Vesta class ships. (I'm thinking about giving these a different paint scheme to keep them apart from eachother and the Aventine.)

Hopefully getting Voyager's TV mesh soon for study. If time permits I want to remodel her to show refitted area's. After coming back to Earth, the ship probably was taken apart and reconstructed with upgraded technology. Maybe some new deflector parts, new escape pods, slightly longer nacelles that would improve the ability to make the slipstream jump etc. Nothing too extreme, but a slight facelift to bring it back in 2010 again. Sounds like a great idea btw: Voyager Phase II, but this time less Treknobabble and more real solutions. Some new faces, some old? :) Anyway im wandering off....

If the above is done it will be close to December, I will continue with the other ships of the fleet in January. Also somewhere between October/December I have to move from my current house to a new house, so that will be stressy too, but I will manage.

Canceling Aventine MKII

last week I decided to cancel the second version of the Aventine. For an upcoming situation I really needed an Aventine model and I needed it quick. Finishing the MKII in such a short time wasnt an option and a "repaint" of the first model, while taking a lot of time too, would be the only right course of action. I'm extremely happy that I did, maybe my desire for "perfection" in the shape of a second version was a mistake from the start.

The first and now only Aventine model (I deleted MKII entirely, I dont want to reuse it.) was made with different software and used incompatible materials that my new renderer wont render. So I had to do the job I feared to do for all those months: Go over all 2035 parts, and assign new ID's and materials to them. It has taken me 2 days to get it all done, in the end it was actually easier then I imagined. I also fixed numerous tiny errors along the way and added "rooms" behind the 1000+ windows. (The larger panorama windows actually have an interior as well now.)

Right now she is again "in the dock" to further optimize materials, textures, file size etc. This is needed because I really want to animate the ship soon.

I promise to have a set of high resolution rendered orthographic views somewhere at the end of October. I cant get this done any earlier because my time the next few months will be extremely limited.

I'm happy, CBS is happy (I think...) and a certain writer is for sure happy. I dont think he was too enthousiastic about a second version, and maybe he was right all the time!

SOTL2011

Time for a long overdue update.

First of all thanks a lot for the feedback I got on my Ships of the Line 2011 calendar image! Always great!

Doug also asked me to do an animation of the ringship. I knew that with the calender settings animation would not be an option. The rendertime is very high due to the reflective materials used. However my new machine, the smaller resolution and some adaption in the lights made it possible. It was my first serious animation ever, but it was fun to do, so it wont be my last. Also it is featured in Doug's video blog on StarTrek.com. That is a part of a dream coming true! :)

I now have taken a crash course into animation, so I hope to show some improvement the next time I'm featured.

Anyway onto to some other news!