Here's my start on a Colonial Viper...

martok2112 · June 20th, 2009, 11:48 PM

Hi, folks....

I'm getting ready to start on an ambitious new fanfilm project....all CGI...based on one of my fanfictions (Battlestar Galactica: Dark Exodus)...

I am using a 3D character animation and modeling program called iClone 3 PRO, from Reallusion. I discovered this program because it came as an add in special edition with Magix Movie Edit Pro 15. This program is surprisingly powerful, and relatively cheap.

I started working on characters and ships....

UPDATE:

Here's what I did in just a few short hours with iClone 3 PRO....my as yet to be completed Colonial Viper....fins and engine nacelles....

Pretty frackin' nifty eh?

gmd3d · June 21st, 2009, 05:55 AM

Great start Steve..

gmd3d · June 21st, 2009, 05:57 AM

I should say welcome to the club

martok2112 · June 22nd, 2009, 12:02 PM

Thanks, again, Taranis.

Right now, my Viper's not going to look quite as smooth as I'd hoped in the nose section. (No digital lathe to work with for the shapes.) Still, for a first attempt, I think this Viper's gonna turn out alright.

I have just put most of the nose section together, and the engine/intake/wing assembly....so far, it is at least looking recognizable as a Colonial Viper.

I've been saving multiple times with great frequency, and with separate stages, in case I need to go back and retrace my steps in the process.

gmd3d · June 22nd, 2009, 12:20 PM

Lets see where your at.
some images may help us..

martok2112 · June 23rd, 2009, 07:22 AM

Well folks, here it is, final assembly on my first attempt at building a CGI Colonial Viper. After running into a couple of limitations imposed with iClone 3 PRO, I had to cut a few corners....but, I've also learned a lot on how to streamline my next attempt....and hopefully the Viper will look a little better.

For now, here's some shots of my 1st CG model....the famous Colonial Viper:

This started out strong, but ended up looking like a frackin' LEGO model at the end....thankfully, I still have some component pieces that actually turned out good, and will use them in a more refined attempt at building a Viper.

A rather dynamic shot of what turned out to be a pretty un-dynamic looking craft...LOL!

A profile shot:

What? Who's that in the cockpit? Why....why it's Captain Starbuck!!! But why's he flying without his helmet? Oh, yeah, I haven't made one for him yet! LOL!

Parting shot....LOL!

I actually meant to put some extra detail on the rear wall between the turbos.....I will on my next attempt.

Heh, btw, I did a test animation....just for my own purposes, to see if the Viper would react the way I thought it would when I had it flown by a character. It did....but it flew real slow....that's 'coz I'm still learning the animation part of iClone as well.

I'm also going to make a copy of this Viper into a very small Viper for use in scenes that call for large numbers of ships to be on screen.

gmd3d · June 23rd, 2009, 01:12 PM

very nice for your first go .. I never tried to build a Viper yet.. perhaps one day

keep going

EF-52 · June 25th, 2009, 12:49 PM

good start,
Im only starting out with lightwave myself, I think its better to start out with building & animating your own simple models rather than bash your head against a wall trying to build a massive polygon monster.

gmd3d · June 25th, 2009, 02:33 PM

What version of lightwave are you using ??

good to have a new LW user around too

martok2112 · June 25th, 2009, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EF-52

good start,
Im only starting out with lightwave myself, I think its better to start out with building & animating your own simple models rather than bash your head against a wall trying to build a massive polygon monster.

I quite agree. That's why the first couple of things I built were very simplistic, non-detailed props. A blaster, and a holster for it.

I will have more pictures posted soon of the redo I'm doing for the Colonial Viper...and it's coming along MUCH nicer...then again, it's still in the early stages, like the last time.

Glad you like it so far, EF.

gmd3d · June 26th, 2009, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martok2112

I will have more pictures posted soon of the redo I'm doing for the Colonial Viper...and it's coming along MUCH nicer...then again, it's still in the early stages, like the last time.

your going to find that redoing is compulsory in CGI .. you just cannot help it as you find a new approach to building a model/mesh. even designs that look simple can mess with your head . but don't give up.

martok2112 · June 26th, 2009, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taranis

your going to find that redoing is compulsory in CGI .. you just cannot help it as you find a new approach to building a model/mesh. even designs that look simple can mess with your head . but don't give up.

Never give up....never surrender....especially to the machine!

EF-52 · June 27th, 2009, 01:07 PM

Im using lightwave 9.6.
I bought it to motivate myself to learn how to model in 3D.
Unfortunately with real life getting in the way I don't have the time at the moment to really sink my teeth into it.

Personally I find it easier to use than some of the other packages i tried but
I know a lot of people don't like the interface.

martok2112 · June 27th, 2009, 07:18 PM

Oh, believe me, at one point I wanted to get Lightwave.....and I may still someday....for it's definitely a very killer app.....but for now, iClone 3.2 PRO definitely serves my purposes.

gmd3d · June 30th, 2009, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EF-52

Im using lightwave 9.6.
I bought it to motivate myself to learn how to model in 3D.
Unfortunately with real life getting in the way I don't have the time at the moment to really sink my teeth into it.

Personally I find it easier to use than some of the other packages i tried but
I know a lot of people don't like the interface.

I have used Lightwave for a few years. after starting out with Truespace3.2
but I never modeled with it

When I got Lightwave3d I never looked back.

Steve the best advantage for lightwave is that amount of models/meshes there are around. from BSG and beyond .
but you doing a bang up job with the program you have.

martok2112 · June 30th, 2009, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taranis

I have used Lightwave for a few years. after starting out with Truespace3.2
but I never modeled with it

When I got Lightwave3d I never looked back.

Steve the best advantage for lightwave is that amount of models/meshes there are around. from BSG and beyond .
but you doing a bang up job with the program you have.

Most kind, mate.

Thank you!

Athene · June 30th, 2009, 03:16 PM

Those models are really good!

martok2112 · July 1st, 2009, 06:17 AM

Thanks, Athene.

UPDATE:
Well folks, here it is, my first video test of my new construction of the Colonial Viper. The model itself even turned out FAR better than my first attempt.

I did an animation test with it, and it turned out pretty good for a first effort, but I know I can get it better. Right now, I just wanted to see if I could get this baby in motion. Once I learn the ins and outs of the animation process on iClone 3.2 PRO, I'll get 'er lookin' good.

For now, here's my progress.....hope ya' like

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOETVN-zX94

martok2112 · July 2nd, 2009, 10:52 AM

And now.....some pilotless Viper launches. Some are classic angled launches...others emulate the new series...and a couple are angles I thought would be neat to see.

The launch tube took about two hours to construct. I also applied a neat particle effect that emulates the classic "turbo boost" mode from the original series.

Enjoy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oofs0FCYUk

ernie90125 · July 2nd, 2009, 11:32 AM

I'm impressed with how your animation skills have developed.

I'd say look again at the nose of the Viper, it just seems to be a black hole, rather then the sleek nose end of the Viper. Also, the shape of the Viper in the launch sequence looks very thin. Like its been on a diet ! I'd look at widening it a bit.

You realise that if you keep this up, I'm going to have to start slavedriving you for an animation or ten for battlestarfanfilms.com

martok2112 · July 2nd, 2009, 03:39 PM

Thanks, Ernie.

HA HA! Actually the Viper is deliberately skinnier in the Z axis....unfortunately, I kinda sorta had to do that....probably nothing a little frame stretching wouldn't cure, but yeah, she does look a wee bit anorexic, eh?

And I'd love to contribute to battlestarfanfilms.com again. That's why I'm doing these tests to build up my skillz so I can do "Dark Exodus", "Reciprocity", and "Galactica: The Last Battlestar".