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

[Malika]

I'd love to try something like that, the only thing that's kinda stopping me from doing so at the moment is the undercut that'll be there, which could make casting a bit tricky (and/or damage the mould eventually).

However, the idea of having a very modular kit is too cool not to at least try. So let me ponder a bit more on that...

[Malika]

So I decided to try out modular...

Some pics:



Here are the four parts needed to make a three tank ship. Two of the tanks are identical, the front one is a unique piece. It looks too cool to ditch, at least in my humble opinion. In the meantime I could try to come up with other components that fit as 'carriages' in between the tanks.

The second pic shows how the tanks are connected to one another.

[Malika]

By the way, I've put my old escorts up on Shapeways for those interested in getting some ships: LINK.

[marell le fou]

Here, you have a very more sympathetic model. I really think the modulable option is appealing.

Like you said, you now "just have to" add some more and fully compatible wagons.

Quick ideas :

- A squared one for stuff, as you already have a round one.
- One with long tubes packed.
- An armored one, to protect VIPs. Not necessarily with weapons.
- One with a relay for motorisation or extra lateral engines
- One with a turret of course.

[Malika]

I've been tweaking my existing escorts, let me know what you think!

[marell le fou]

i think they are nice

The first on the left has a round portion in the middle. It could be possible to turn it into a skull or something prooch. It makes me think of it, anyway.

[Malika]

The one in the back/left is still having a lot of work done. The round bits on the sides might be less prominent, especially since it will have some large forward pointing wing mounted batteries...

[marell le fou]

The skull aspect could be fine i think... It's up to you of course.

[fracas]

Very impressed
Love the modular cruiser
And the escorts

[Malika]

Continued with the ships. The one in the back/left has been given some larger guns, enabling it to actually give out a punch in combat, making it akin to a corvette version of a Sword/Gladius Frigate I guess? The guns need a bit of extra work, and then it's just adding some final details here and there.

The ship on the right/front has been modified as well. Brought back the torpedo tubes, removed the guns at the back and put them at the front. The whole bridge/tower part still needs to be made. I'm also tempted to make some sort of turret/cannon on the top of the hull, not sure yet though..


In the meanwhile I also started working on a light cruiser. The "body" with the bridge and engines still need to be added, as are the weapon systems and the rest.

[Malika]

Continued with the ships. The one in the back/left has been given some larger guns, enabling it to actually give out a punch in combat, making it akin to a corvette version of a Sword/Gladius Frigate I guess? The guns need a bit of extra work, and then it's just adding some final details here and there.

The ship on the right/front has been modified as well. Brought back the torpedo tubes, removed the guns at the back and put them at the front. The whole bridge/tower part still needs to be made. I'm also tempted to make some sort of turret/cannon on the top of the hull, not sure yet though..


In the meanwhile I also started working on a light cruiser. The "body" with the bridge and engines still need to be added, as are the weapon systems and the rest.

[Malika]

Continuing with the Light Cruiser:

[Malika]

Been working on the ships some more. The escort with the removed big guns will be some sort of fast ship. Very lightly armed, but able to move really fast (maybe even with some sort of stealth thing). Mainly used for invasions and boarding actions, it is capable of transporting elite units fast and quietly.

The one with the missing bridge part (basically the other ship) is a heavier escort. A relatively slower ship, but able to give quite the punch due to its torpedos and plasma cannons (lances?).



I've also been busy updating the light cruiser. Some of the small gun turrets have been removed, it felt a bit too much. However, I did add something else to compensate that...

[Malika]

Revisited my transport ship. Altered the design of the "ship" component a bit (including adding a few tiny turrest), as well as created a variant cargo component. Idea is that the ship is a two part kit, allowing you to add different kinds of cargo to it.


Also continued working on the escort craft, I've started detailing the wings:

[Malika]

Another update on the escorts:





I've been tweaking the bridge components of the two ships, as well as some minor things here and there.

Shapeways just came out with some good news, seems we can now print out stuff in wax which, if I understand it correctly, will be pretty amazing. None of those nasty printlines, just a clean, smooth model that's ready to be cast! However, I've tried doing a test print, but for some reason Shapeways keeps telling me the model isn't suitable for printing in that material, which is odd since it follows all the parameters. Guess I'll have to contact Shapeways about it.

Luckily for me though, Shapeways is still testing the material, so it might improve in the coming months, enabling me to finish up the designs!