[BFG] - Designing new ship types - 3d printing madness

[Malika]

Remember my old boarding pods? I've updated the design a bit...


The way I see it these are used to board enemy ships. Whilst the shuttles are also capable of doing this, the boarding pods emit some sort of 'counter field' that allow them to penetrate the enemy's Distortion Engine's field (since normally matter is turned into energy by these things).

[marell le fou]

If ever you feel motivated for creating some Thugs for X-Wing game, i would be much interested.

[Malika]

First of all, look who just became available at my Bits Blitz shop on Shapeways:
Dropships

Assault Boats

And yes, I'm selling them in packs of 100! 

As for the Star Wars suggestion. Do you have a picture of it? I can only find pics of those pork looking creatures when searching for Star Wars Thugs.

[marell le fou]

When i was a child playing on the video game x-wing (flight simulator), those tugs where mautention small crafts. Mainly for transporting stuff and help build or repair big combat ships.

They would be a fun addition to the actual x-wing game, that already have plenty of fighters, to represent civilan targets. It could allow more scenarios like "destroy the thugs" for a camp and defend them for the other one, etc.

[Malika]

What scale are those Star Wars miniatures in? What are the dimensions?

In the meantime, I've as good as finished the 'Hammerhead' blockade runner:

[Malika]

Started on something of a distraction: transport ships. These lack the Distortion Engines the larger ships have, so they are dependent on stuff like cruisers. However, their main advantage is that they can enter a planet's atmosphere without completely disintegrating it due to the Distortion Engine's field, making the perfect craft to supply the vast Ecoria hive cities.





Plan is to have a few variants of these, primarily some different types of containers. Another wish is to make a bunch of smaller ones. Maybe this is just me unconsciously trying to postpone the redesigning of the modular cruiser kit...

Oh yeah, to give you an idea of scale:

The middle ship, which I had already printed is 37mm long. The blockade runner (on the right) is about 42mm long, whilst the transport ship, once complete will be around 52mm.

[marell le fou]

Really nice. I think it's important to print eveything you draw. Feeling is far better with real models.

About X)Wing minis, a x-Wing is 4 cm approx.

[Malika]

True, but printing is expensive, especially when I only make less than €500 a month (the depressing reality of a freelancer). Sadly enough I don't know anyone with a hi-res printer that I can freely use whenever I want (or in return for labour), so I can only print sporadically. If I have some sort of budget I'd love to print all the stuff just to see how they feel. Hopefully the shuttles and assault craft will sell...

[Gun_wun]

Really nice work bro.  I really like your transport ship.  You're making me want to jump ship and play with digital sculpting too...................

[Malika]

Thanks a lot! By the way, I've got a little something (I think you might have an idea what) for you to Orkify. PM me your contact info if you'd be interested!

In the meantime I continued working on the ship. Thing is that I'm in a bit of doubt at the moment. I also made a slightly shorter version of the transport ship, I'm kinda digging it since it looks sturdier. Which one do you guys think looks better?

[Malika]

Updated the design once again. Removed the turrets, added a bridge (!!!). I know...quite a thing coming from me. The reasoning is two-fold: (a) since these craft are meant to also travel to a planet's surface, they would need something more meant for '2d flight', meaning they work more as aquatic ships in a way. (b) this more 'conventional' thing might make the ships more compatible with other games, but also add a certain crudeness to it which I kinda like. These are supposed to be simply work horse kinda ships, not the sophisticated military gear such as the previous escorts and cruisers.



Need to add some more details to the tanks and then this one is good to go. I noticed that I could also add other stuff to be transported, the back of the ship is basically the 'ship', with the cargo just being a removeable attachment (at least in the background, not sure if I want this to be a multipart kit). I am pondering a bit about another type of transporter, more meant for colonisation, able to carry a few 300x300x300 meter cubes... (hint hint hint...)

[Lex]

Create the "TUG" as a seperate part and have different "container" configurations?

Also consider making a "tug" version that has a seperate drive unit which would be at the "end" of the train....?!

[Malika]

I was thinking of doing the containers modular, would mean that the transporter carrying 3 tanks would consist of 4 different parts (1) back/engine part, (2) 'connector tank', basically the tank that's connected to the back of the ship, (3) middle 'neutral' tank, and (4) front tank. Of course this could easily allow you to make ships with two tanks, but also larger ones with 4, 5 or 6. But with the longer ones a balance thing might become a problem, unless you put the base elsewhere. But it would allow for easier modification of cargo, meaning I could simply make different connectors. Not a bad idea in itself actually!

The only major problem with the tanks would be how to make the connector and still have it easy to cast without undercuts. I've got a feeling it would be easier to have single piece ships with different load outs. Besides, I've got a feeling most people would either make ships with 2 or 3 tanks anyway if they have the option. 4 or more and you've got balance issues (not only physical balance, but also aesthetically), and the single tank looks a bit too tiny. But I need to think a bit more on this...

[Malika]

Got a feeling the ship is almost finished. I'm sticking to a single piece model for now due to easy castability. However, I've got two models now: one transport ship with two tanks, and another one with three.






All the ship needs now is some additional detailing here and there.

[marell le fou]

It could be fun to build this ship to receive a magnet piece at beginning and rear of the "wagons", to be able to construct it with various wagons, options and size.

It would include the idea that you do build several wagons of course, but the idea is seductive.