SciFi Ship Last Week

Carrying on from what I did in the first week, I started to add some smaller details to the ship.

I added some cannons on the top and bottom of the ship, of course this is because it would have to be used in combat, the cannons would also be used for sending out energy waves to move objects and a variety of other things.

I added detail on the bottom of the ship, such as a bit more shape and separation for the small cargo hold, and the landing thrusters.

On the back I put on two more panels, to help the engine by spreading energy over the ship, part of the key to flying in space. I also exttruded in under where the wings fold up to represent the channels where energy flows along.

After having a model I was happy with I laid out the UVs and took a snapshot for texture creation in Photoshop.

For the textures I wanted to go for a warn and stylized look, organizing the colours how they were in the concept art and seeing if they worked.

I created some worn writing for the side of the ship.

I made the main parts of the ship the debris would pass look scratched or warn, at first I though this looked quite cool and nice. I added some texture overlay in places to give some parts more detail.

However as I went through the various texture sheets and as I started to add the same effect to everything else to keep it consistent, it got over the top. I added the writing I created for the ship into the texture, however this did not really match the rest of it.

I realize that if this ship was in a game in would be very inefficient, using 5 texture sheets for the one model, and that it would have been a better idea to lay out the UVs and paint the texture in a way that only uses one sheet, without too much hassle.

Some parts of the textures, such as the wings, I did not think were too bad, however once I got the textures on the ship I found they did not really work. There are other methods that would have worked better for creating them and given a more professional result, however I am glad I have this method a try, I have learnt that you need a lot more care and a set consistent style that workd for the world and object.

My model I was happy with, mostly, the topology around the wing got messy, with use of triangles I could have cleaned this up. However if I want them to be able to fold up in a game, they should have been separate combined objects.

I tried a few different renders, I tried to add green lights but had trouble with it.

Overall, aside from some topology and the textures. I am happy with the final product and what I learned from doing it. I was also happy with the concept behind it.

I later made a brighter render so that the textures and shape are easier to see.