Post by: the-isz on April 06, 2010, 08:27:40 PM
Just for fun I wanted the ability to actually "see" the ship creations I was making in Aurora, so I began to create a series of 3d models of each component.
The idea was to create something that is essentially a "snap together", where I can plug modules onto a generic (modularized) hull. Google Sketch Up provided the best tool for that. Right now I've got a little over 30 components modeled (though not yet skinned). Sizes of each are based on generic specs (size 1 vs 100, etc.). I realize that as the tech increases, the sizes change, but this at least gives me something to visualize.
Here's a link of what I've got so far:
http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0Bw5JUGj ... ist&num=50 (http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0Bw5JUGjr-yEDYTgyY2I0MzEtMjMxNy00NjEwLTllMzMtOTU4YWE1ZmQzZjll&sort=name&layout=list&num=50)
Once I have the complete set (most of the industrial/civilian items are done - now on to weapons), I'll post the Sketch Up document so people can use/change/add to them.
Enjoy!
Post by: Beersatron on April 06, 2010, 08:38:03 PM
Post by: AndonSage on April 06, 2010, 08:44:45 PM
That is SO FRIKKIN' COOL!
Post by: welchbloke on April 07, 2010, 09:57:56 AM
Post by: Steve Walmsley on April 08, 2010, 08:46:40 AM
Steve
Post by: the-isz on April 08, 2010, 10:14:09 AM
It's kind of along the lines of Galactic Civilizations. They have a nice interface that allows you "build" your own ships, though in theirs its mostly cosmetic. They don't have near as many functional components as you do.
The plan, once I'm done, is to open up the Sketch Up file to players here so they can take it and run with it for their own game.
Post by: Beersatron on April 08, 2010, 12:05:59 PM
Probably not a biggie, easy enough to abstract the armor into any shape you desire and still use the Aurora logic.
Post by: Steve Walmsley on April 08, 2010, 12:11:01 PM
Quote from: "Beersatron"
Oh, just had a thought: I think Steve has mentioned before that he regards the ships as being spherical, due to the way he codes the behavior of armor. Or am I remember incorrectly?The assumed spherical shape of ships is just for ease of calculations such as armour area and volume. For gameplay purposes, the more imagintive shape the better
Probably not a biggie, easy enough to abstract the armor into any shape you desire and still use the Aurora logic.
, as long as players accept the fact that different shapes won't have any game impact.Steve
Post by: waresky on April 08, 2010, 12:22:19 PM
Quote from: "the-isz"
First post, so to begin I'll say I'm loving Aurora. Takes me back to my Harpoon days.Cof cof...cof...Argh!...3d..cof...SLUUUURP..Yuuuummy!...ARF ARF Bauuuu!!!
Just for fun I wanted the ability to actually "see" the ship creations I was making in Aurora, so I began to create a series of 3d models of each component.
The idea was to create something that is essentially a "snap together", where I can plug modules onto a generic (modularized) hull. Google Sketch Up provided the best tool for that. Right now I've got a little over 30 components modeled (though not yet skinned). Sizes of each are based on generic specs (size 1 vs 100, etc.). I realize that as the tech increases, the sizes change, but this at least gives me something to visualize.
Here's a link of what I've got so far:
http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0Bw5JUGj ... ist&num=50 (http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0Bw5JUGjr-yEDYTgyY2I0MzEtMjMxNy00NjEwLTllMzMtOTU4YWE1ZmQzZjll&sort=name&layout=list&num=50)
Once I have the complete set (most of the industrial/civilian items are done - now on to weapons), I'll post the Sketch Up document so people can use/change/add to them.
Enjoy!
Ehm..return to "Normal Waresky Mode On"
AWESOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOME!!!
*griiiin
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh..God..if ONLY Steve can USE them..
sigh...am become hungry..sigh...(O_O 3d!!!! GUYS...THREE D!!)
Post by: The Shadow on April 08, 2010, 12:23:21 PM
Quote from: "Steve Walmsley"
The assumed spherical shape of ships is just for ease of calculations such as armour area and volume. For gameplay purposes, the more imagintive shape the better
Spherical shape is actually good design for spacecraft built in orbit. Minimizes the surface area.
I'd expect it to be used more often by commercial designs than warships, though.
Post by: the-isz on April 08, 2010, 01:37:45 PM
This weekend I'll start working on the various weapons and other items. From my list, I've got around 16 more items to create. Then skinning.
More when I have it....
Post by: Decimator on April 08, 2010, 04:54:57 PM
Quote from: "The Shadow"
Quote from: "Steve Walmsley"The assumed spherical shape of ships is just for ease of calculations such as armour area and volume. For gameplay purposes, the more imagintive shape the better
Spherical shape is actually good design for spacecraft built in orbit. Minimizes the surface area.
I'd expect it to be used more often by commercial designs than warships, though.
Why would it be used less by military designs? Spherical means the lowest edit:highest mass for surface area, which means armor is more efficient.
Post by: The Shadow on April 08, 2010, 05:04:18 PM
Quote from: "Decimator"
Why would it be used less by military designs? Spherical means the lowest mass for surface area, which means armor is more efficient.
Very true, but I suspect that some large weapon systems may force a more linear shape. Aurora doesn't yet have anything like a Traveller spinal mount that I know of, but even so.
Post by: UnLimiTeD on April 08, 2010, 07:13:57 PM
It would also be a lot easier to build and maintain.
Also, you don't need as big a jumpgate.
Of course it's way more fragile or uses more material, but it has it's advantages.
Post by: the-isz on April 09, 2010, 11:10:18 AM
http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0Bw5JUGj ... YTZi&hl=en (http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0Bw5JUGjr-yEDZmRhNzYyMGYtMWY3NC00MTlhLThkODAtZDhhNGIwYTM5YTZi&hl=en)
Post by: the-isz on April 09, 2010, 11:15:50 PM
Here's the components I added for this test ship:
2 lasers with turrets
2 fire controls
4 power plants
2 active search sensors
1 EM detection sensor
4 engines
1 bridge
2 fuel tanks
1 maintenance storage bay
1 crew quarters
1 maintenance module
Here's the result:
http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0Bw5JUGj ... Y2U1&hl=en (http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0Bw5JUGjr-yEDMGQ4MzFkYzItZjIwZS00MmQ5LTk1ZTQtNWU1ZjFjNjcwY2U1&hl=en)
Gotta love Sketch Up. Once I had all the components picked out, took about 15 minutes to snap them in place and arrange them.
Don't judge my component mix.
This was just to see if it would actually work and how it would look.
Post by: The Shadow on April 09, 2010, 11:29:48 PM
Post by: Beersatron on April 09, 2010, 11:33:04 PM
Bit like an Hyperion
Have you given any though about interconnecting wiring between modules, access passages and then actual crew corridors? Reckon it would be easy enough to just say that all of that is built into each component with connectors at standard locations that have a universal mating system - or something along those lines.
Post by: Journier on April 10, 2010, 12:43:45 AM
Post by: the-isz on April 10, 2010, 09:21:56 AM
Yeah, right now it's a bit abstract in that there are common access ports leading from the individual components, into the modularized hull. So the hull is mostly for wiring/life support conduits, plus crew transport within the ship.
It'll be up to the individual player to design how "realistic" they want the model to be. Like right now, I've got the 2 fire controls on one side of the hull. Probably not a good idea.
Once I get this thing done and released, it'll be cool to see what people do with it to make their models more functionally accurate...plus look pretty. First things first, I wanted to make sure it was actually going to work. Have to make some tweaks. One problem I found was that tapering the bottom of components causes problems when trying to "snap" them to the hull easily. The fuel tank and the engines both have tapered bottoms, so I'll have to play with that later.
One thing that surprised me is the size of the weapons with turrets. When you compare them to the size of a component such as the Bridge, you find out just how massive those weapons are.
Post by: the-isz on April 15, 2010, 07:49:34 PM
https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0Bw5JUG ... ist&num=50 (https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0Bw5JUGjr-yEDYWZiOTNhYzEtNzdiMi00ZDI5LTg5NDAtZjgzNjJkNjkyN2Zh&sort=name&layout=list&num=50)
Post by: Andrew on April 16, 2010, 10:08:56 AM
Post by: Tophat on May 20, 2010, 10:36:25 PM
Post by: the-isz on May 21, 2010, 11:58:15 AM
Had to take a break for a couple weeks as I was on another project.
Yesterday I finished the military and civilian engine models. All I have left is the commercial and military jump drive models, then "skin" all the models. I'm going to keep that very simple so that people can modify colors/textures easily.
Once I get the 2 models done, I'll post another image update.
Post by: Tophat on May 24, 2010, 07:48:34 PM
Post by: Aldaris on May 25, 2010, 09:50:22 AM
Post by: the-isz on May 25, 2010, 10:22:39 PM
Here's a link to the latest screenshot of all the models.
http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0Bw5JUGjr-yEDZGUxMTcwZmQtNjJmNC00YmVlLWExZmItN2Q5ZTIzYzZlYmEx&hl=en
Next step, which should go pretty quick: skinning. Once that's done, I'll upload it to Google Docs. Week maybe? Perhaps less if I can spend a few hours this weekend.
Post by: Beersatron on May 25, 2010, 11:35:57 PM
One thing I noticed and I may be wrong, but shouldn't the Hangar Deck be larger than the Boat Bay?
Post by: the-isz on May 26, 2010, 07:21:01 AM
Thanks for catching it! I'll switch things around.
Post by: the-isz on May 26, 2010, 03:20:09 PM
I've also uploaded a few screenshots of all the components from different angles. If anyone sees anything else involving size issues (keep in mind I'm not going exact, it was more a ratio based on the differences), let me know.
Here's the screens:
http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0Bw5JUGj ... MjI4&hl=en (http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0Bw5JUGjr-yEDMjdhMGRlYzItMmZmMS00NGRkLWIzZWUtOTM0NjQ3ODEzMjI4&hl=en)
http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0Bw5JUGj ... NWMx&hl=en (http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0Bw5JUGjr-yEDNzllOTdlZWQtNDQ5Yi00ZjU3LTk1YWEtMzYwMDkyYWFjNWMx&hl=en)
http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0Bw5JUGj ... NTY5&hl=en (http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0Bw5JUGjr-yEDMGUzY2FlYmMtOGM4MS00ZmY3LWFkMDgtZTY1NTJlOWU4NTY5&hl=en)
Post by: the-isz on May 26, 2010, 10:46:27 PM
The ship I picked was from here:
http://aurora.pentarch.org/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=1788
And is the first one: the Cymru Class Battleship
(hope you don't mind Welchblock!)
Here are the components - and keep in mind this isn't exact, but was as close to the number of components I could get using a test game. So here's the inventory of stuff:
10 missile launchers
5 magazines
6 lasers (no turret)
4 CIWS
1 power plant
1 missile file control
2 fire control
6 shields
16 military engines
1 EM sensor
16 fuel storage
17 engineering spaces
1 flag bridge
1 bridge
11 crew quarters
1 active sensor
1 thermal sensor
2 damage controls
And here is the ship model based on that:
#1 (a view of the massive missile launcher platfom)
http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0Bw5JUGjr-yEDOWE2NzhiYWYtNTJhOS00ZDZmLWE0OTEtMmRjZDVjZTJkNWE2&hl=en
#2 (view of the engines)
http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0Bw5JUGjr-yEDMGM3YmM3Y2UtMWE2Yy00YmI5LThmN2QtMzQxZTQ5MzE5YWJj&hl=en
#3 (view of the laser platform)
http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0Bw5JUGjr-yEDMTQzOTA2M2UtYTI3YS00ZmEzLWFiMGMtY2U2NDQ3MmZlMmQ4&hl=en
Not a ship I would want to run into in a dark alley.
Post by: Beersatron on May 27, 2010, 12:23:35 AM
In my minds eye, everything should be symmetrical but deep down I know that symmetry doesn't mean all that much when in space
What are the 'wings', engineering spaces on one side and fuel on the other? Could you have them layered on the 'spine' to make it thicker and have stubbier wings instead?
Post by: welchbloke on May 27, 2010, 06:12:38 AM
Quote from: "the-isz"
OK, had a little fun tonight. I picked a ship out of the Aurora Ship Design forum and then built it using the components in Sketchup.Mind? I don't mind I'm flattered :)[/quote]
The ship I picked was from here:
http://aurora.pentarch.org/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=1788
And is the first one: the Cymru Class Battleship
(hope you don't mind Welchbloke!)
Definately not a ship to run into in a dark alley - as several star swarms and precursors have discovered :D
Post by: the-isz on May 27, 2010, 10:47:22 AM
Quote from: "Beersatron"
Looking good!
In my minds eye, everything should be symmetrical but deep down I know that symmetry doesn't mean all that much when in space
What are the 'wings', engineering spaces on one side and fuel on the other? Could you have them layered on the 'spine' to make it thicker and have stubbier wings instead?
The wing on the starboard side is the missile launchers (10 racks in all - 2 side-by-side stacked 5 deep), plus 2 CIWS systems on the top and bottom and 3 missile magazines on the back.
The port side wing are the 6 lasers (not turreted), plus the 6 shield and 2 CIWS systems.
Using Google Sketchup, you can pretty much "snap" them together in any configuration, so going with a central spine and stacking is an option. Going completely vertical is option. The sky's the limit. Took me about 1 hour to snap it all together in the way I wanted. Once you figure out the basics of how to snap things together in Sketchup so that components line up properly, the rest is easy.
Post by: Aldaris on May 27, 2010, 12:37:43 PM
Post by: the-isz on May 27, 2010, 10:43:51 PM
Quote from: "Aldaris"
Would you mind uploading the components you have so far somewhere? I'd love to model some of the ships in my current campaign, I don't mind the lack of textures.
Yeah, I suddenly had a thought today that most people are going to want to skin their models themselves anyway, so I'll post the link in a new thread so that it doesn't get buried.