The Nadesico A

Bryan K · 3 Apr 2022, 03:43

Some minor tweaking and detail left and the forward nacelles are done.

Bryan K · 3 Apr 2022, 07:50

Details completed. I'm happy with it.

I had to fiddle with the vertex lines, swapping one point to point for the reverse to flip the triangles and smoothing out other faces as best as possible.

Also had to make the rear section with the holes a unique component as the other three quarter sections do not have those holes. Drew the holes with Tools on Surface, then indented push/push with Joint Push/Pull tool.

HornOxx · 3 Apr 2022, 12:17

Bryan, these kind of procedural stories are your brand here and I love them!

Bryan K · 3 Apr 2022, 18:49

Again, not much to look at, but the details are tough on this one.

Rounded the leading face of the crest/ridge. This took days to figure out because it's narrow at the top and wide at the bottom AND the profile has a slight curve. WHEW!

Changed the nose detail. There were several different versions, but this was the most common one used.

Now for the issue that will NOT be fixed. The outer edges of all the main shapes have a slight beveled/rounded edge to them. This will not be included. I cannot be done on this model due to many of the faces having 3 vertex points. I will still do edge breaks where possible.

The reason for the 3 vertices on a single point is the old "twisted trapezoid" shape so many designers like to use. Take a trapezoid, then slightly twist one edge. This causes triangle faces to be created to fill in the outline with a face. This prevents ANY type of "follow me" or edge modifications without a ridiculous number of more lines and connecting vertices. Which of course, makes the model bigger and does not guarantee a better look at the smaller scales.

So I'm skipping it unless absolutely necessary. It should still look good. After all, this is a hybrid model to begin with and will make the fifth version in existence.

Bryan K · 3 Apr 2022, 18:59

@l i am said:

I generally am not so interested in anything other than Architecture or Landscape. But I am looking forward to seeing the progress on this project

Thanks L i am! Sorry I didn't reply earlier. I was busy with my new job and my spring time allergies have been kicking my but. Sorry I missed your post.

Bryan K · 3 Apr 2022, 19:02

Not much to look at but I had to narrow the top crest/ridge and then adjust each section to curve smoothly. I scaled the top rectangle and then used the move tool to adjust each vertices intersection to flow into the lower wider sections. (remember, I'm using components so I only have to do one to get the other three to match. This model now has 8 quarter panels. 4 for the front section and 4 for the rear)

I also had to narrow the very back faces as well and make them more square.

Tedious, but I have to get the proportions perfect before I commit to the phase of push out of the sides or I'll be push/pulling vertices for ages later on. (update: which I ended up doing anyway)

Still more tweaking before I do the side push out.

Bryan K · 3 Apr 2022, 19:06

Thanks HornOxx! It was something I picked up from previous members years ago and it helped me to improve my modeling ability, so I do it hoping it helps others.

Gah! Almost one month to make just this section. To be fair, I have a new job, and my pollen allergies have been bad as well, so there is that.

On to the next section!

Rich O Brien · 3 Apr 2022, 19:55

Its a real shame there's so little reference for this craft.

So far its been a pleasure to follow.

Bryan K · 3 Apr 2022, 21:05

Thanks Rich!

The shapes of this are so deceptive. I thought it would be easier, especially after you helped with those great kit references.

This one is going to take a while. I bit off a lot here.

Bryan K · 7 Apr 2022, 01:36

Forward nacelle support pylons. Just rough in place holder for now until I model the main lower hull.

Bryan K · 7 Apr 2022, 01:50

Port and starboard. The thing in the middle is just a temp measuring block.

ely862me · 7 Apr 2022, 12:26

It looks great. You should add more geometry in order to loose the jagged edge look.
If you want you can send me the model I will give it a try.

Bryan K · 8 Apr 2022, 06:32

Thanks Ellsei!

My computer will not handle more geometry. It is not powerful enough. The model is going to be pretty complex as it is when completed and I already have concerns about it becoming unwieldy on my computer.

The other issue is that the shapes themselves are of the "imaginary" variety. Looks good as a drawing but does not work in real life. Hence, the actual scaled model kit went with straight lines for all edges.

This model is a hybrid of slightly curved and straight edges. I'm trying to get as close as possible to the anime drawing. So there are going to be compromises.

I'll post the skp model file when I'm done to anyone who would like to have it.

Cheers and thanks again.

L i am · 8 Apr 2022, 06:48

@bryan k said:

@l i am said:

I generally am not so interested in anything other than Architecture or Landscape. But I am looking forward to seeing the progress on this project

Thanks L i am! Sorry I didn't reply earlier. I was busy with my new job and my spring time allergies have been kicking my but. Sorry I missed your post.

Am always looking in on your progress, "new job" does that mean a new computer is on the cards?
Have you been on the raylectron forum? It looks like v5 is almost ready.........and I think it has planets which should make you very happy

Bryan K · 8 Apr 2022, 06:54

@l i am said:

@bryan k said:

@l i am said:

I generally am not so interested in anything other than Architecture or Landscape. But I am looking forward to seeing the progress on this project

Thanks L i am! Sorry I didn't reply earlier. I was busy with my new job and my spring time allergies have been kicking my but. Sorry I missed your post.

Am always looking in on your progress, "new job" does that mean a new computer is on the cards?
Have you been on the raylectron forum? It looks like v5 is almost ready.........and I think it has planets which should make you very happy

I hope to have a new computer by the end of the year. If the contract lasts long enough.

Yes! I saw the Raylectron update! I'm excited about it. I'm supposed to be testing the new Raylectron v5, but been too busy. I did a test render with it prior to public release (see main gallery "Testing Raylectron's new clouds feature") and I'm very excited to starting testing this final version, but just too dang busy. I barely have time to work on this model.

And my pollen allergies... gah! Really slowing me down.

Bryan K · 10 Apr 2022, 04:10

First off, DO NOT FOLLOW THIS BLOCK OUT OF THE MAIN HULL.

Just roughing in the main hull. I have to stop here and check my references. There is very, very little visible reference on the main hull, so I'm going to have to fake it... a lot. This will take... some time.

My technique to "faking it" is to find one reference shape that I know is correct and build/scale from that to the general dimensions.

Same process as previous. Push/pull cross-profile shape and scale to side/bottom profiles. Use four components. Top left/right and bottom left/right. The top and bottom on the main hull do not mirror. Totally different shapes.

What fun!

ely862me · 10 Apr 2022, 10:08

I am not sure this level of modeling will make your computer lag. Just use components wherever you can and go easy on hd textures and you should be fine.
Keep up!

Bryan K · 10 Apr 2022, 19:02

I have an 11 year old, i5 laptop with only 500MB (yes, MB) of GPU RAM and 16GB of main RAM.

There are no more hardware or firmware updates available for it.

Mike Amos · 11 Apr 2022, 10:49

I know what you mean about laptops, I have an XP machine with (From memory, ) 2mb of memory but it has a Linux partition and still works occasionally.

We have come a long way from the first computer I had, a ZX80 with .25k memory and no hdd.

ely862me · 11 Apr 2022, 19:34

@bryan k said:

I have an 11 year old, i5 laptop with only 500MB (yes, MB) of GPU RAM and 16GB of main RAM.

There are no more hardware or firmware updates available for it.

Ha-ha, are you kidding me! You should be more than fine! I really thought you have a dinosaur!
If you don't have an ssd, buy one. It will boost you up considerably. Otherwise you're good to handle higher poly count models!

The only thing that matters in Sketchup is core speed.
My system is about 10 years old too!