Battlestar Galactica Viper MkII - Part 5 Cockpit and External movie

Couple of movie clips showing the 3D models of the Colonial Viper MkII.

Battlestar Galactica Viper MkII - part 4 Cockpit

Yesterday's and today's lunch time was spent added a 3D model of the cockpit to the Viper MkII.

The first photos and images I had found on the internet gave more than enough to work with. I started the bear bones of the cockpit layout and then later that night, I settled down to watch a few BSG episodes. I then noticed that the centre panel was different from the prop photos I had from the Viper in the first series. After a little bit of digging on the internet, I found out that centre panel had changed a few times. Long and short of it, I'm sticking with the first version :)

I've also added detail to the centre engine as well. This is a best guess, as Zoic 3D model in the series, prop photos and drawings conflict with each other. So I've gone with the best guess approach. 

Battlestar Galactica Viper MkII - Part 3 Details

The basic 3D model is now complete for the Viper MkII and I've moved to the next phase of adding details to the model. I've added the refuel/Plasma details along the sides of the forward fuselage, started to and details on the aft engine sections, and added details to the side engines. I've also tweaked the main fuselage material to look better.

I was going to do the cockpit but the drawings I have don't match the production set cockpit. I'll come back tot he cockpit later and create it basic upon the production model

A good yet limited resource I have found is the drawing and photo on galactiguise.com. I wish I could get my hand on copies of the blueprints...

Just going off topic, I have 5 favourite fictional spacecraft, which I can't, and never will have an outright favourite. These are: 

• Viper MKII from the 2003 series.
• The original Viper from the original series.
• UD-4L Cheyenne dropship from Aliens.
• SA-23E Mitchell-Hyundyne Starfury from Bablyon 5.
• Eagle Transporter from Space: 1999.

Battlestar Galactica Viper MkII

It's been a long time since I've looked at this project. I've added details to the engine nozzle on the 3D model of the Viper MkII. Also, I've reworked the wings to have the wing tip pods and improved the general shape. 

Next, I'll look at the cockpit and canopy

North American Aviation X-15 - 3D model of X-15 Pilot

I can create planes, spacecraft and cars and other object, however I'm crap at creating 3D models of 'natural' objects such as humans, animals, trees. It just something that I've struggled with, even drawing them. Guess I don't have the 'natural' draw gene.

However, I've created a *very* basic 3D model of a pilot for the X-15 project. Details such as harness and hands need to be added. Hands could be important ;)

I've also managed to model the Vertical Stabliser pedals in the cockpit, based upon two photos. They are very crude, however it's better than nothing and I'll refine the shape at a later date.

UD-4L Cheyenne Dropship from Aliens, available for download :)

I've uploaded a basic 3D Model of the UD-4L Cheyenne Dropship to my Downloadable Resources page. It's in Wings3D format, which is a free application and can be downloaded from www.wings3d.com.

It is not an exact 3D model, and I've omitted a lot of detail components.

North American Aviation X-15A-2 -Texture space (part 3)

My next problem is I would like to use the existing texture file of the X-15 for the X-15A-2. However I have to add a extra section to the main fuselage. I don't want to re-create or make a new texture file, I just need to alter it.

Draft Texture file

It's a bit like a jigsaw, without the finished picture. I think, for now, I'll move the Wings over to the left and move the landing gear and small details over the the right. However I can take out the other Aircraft number out

North American Aviation X-15A-2 - External Tanks (part 2a)

A 360° movie of the External Tanks for the X-15A-2 3D Model. It would be great if I could add the full 3D model in an embedded browser viewer so you can all rotate,  pan and zoom.

North American Aviation X-15A-2 - External Tanks (part 2)

The riveting process on the X-15 is taking a lot longer then I expected. Meanwhile in the paint booth (Texturing), I've completed the first texture graphic for the 3D Models of the external tanks for the North American Aviation X-15A-2.

I've identified a possible two other 'paint schemes' for the external tanks. Please can anyone else confirm that there are 3 paint schemes or more: The paint schemes I know of are the 'test tanks' (above), the external tanks without the 'colourful' markings (plain metal)  and the one below.

Thanks in advance for any help you provide. :)

North American Aviation X-15 - Riveting

I've now got to a stage were I'm happy with the 3D model and texture of the X-15. Now for the 'Devil in the detail' part, adding the rivets and other surface details. When I've added all these on the texture file, as a separate layer, I'll create the Bump/Normal Map to give an added effect to the 3D model.

I've been looking for a way I can easily add the rivets and surface details on to the texture file. The best way I have found so far, is to use Inkscape to add lines where the rivets are, then change the style of the line to dotted. Then import the texture file in Wings3D, check it, and then return to Inkscape to make any changes and re import if required. So I've been swapping between Inkscape and Wings3D all morning. Multi Monitors are very useful. think I get two large widescreens monitor after this is done!

Buran / OK-GLI (BTS-02) 3D Model - Part 6

Amazing what you can do with 2 lunch breaks. I've copied the Buran 'Standard' 3D Model and created the OK-GLI (BTS-02) "Buran aerodynamic analogue" 3D Model. The Nose Landing Gear was a bit of a challenger and in the end, I just modified the existing landing gear to suit.

Still some tweak sand modification to do, but it's almost there.

Buran 3D Model - Part 5

[Russian mode on]
Comrades! The Superior Soviet draft 3D model of the Буран is complete! Let us rejoice on the American's Independence Day.
[Russian mode off]

Seriously, Happy 4th of July to you all across the Atlantic pond, and where ever you all are.

Even though there are some tweaks to the external 3D model to be done, I'm quite please with with the Soviet Orbiter Buran. I'm also tempted to do the OK-GLI (BTS-02) "Buran aerodynamic analogue" version too.

Directly comparing the 3D Models of the Soviet Orbiter to the US Orbiter is quite interesting to see something that looks very similar, but to have to have all the minor differences that your wouldn't notice until you compare them when they are next to each other. Which is better? neither IMHO. Both are as good as each other :)

...and before you ask, I don't know if it's going to be in a future simulator ;)

Buran 3D Model - Part 4

Main landing gear completed for the Buran 3D Model. Once again, I'm not going to add all of the details.

Next, landing gear bays.

Buran 3D Model - Part 3

Nose landing gear completed. I was tempted to added more details, but or my purposes, this is sufficient for the 3D Model of Buran.

The drawings and diagrams I'm working with gives me enough information to create a detailed 3D model, however, my 3D model doesn't compare to this one at Buran.ru. The link was supplied by DaveS in my previous blog entry. Thanks DaveS :)