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

[Malika]

Continued tweaking the existing ship designs, and revived a really old design.

About two years ago I worked on this:


Today it has evolved into something that could match the rest of the designs I've made:


The ships still need a whole lot of work, but the idea is basically they are a more heavily armed, but less armoured versions of my 'normal' corvettes.

All ships are the same size (40mm long):


And now there are three weapon configurations instead of two:

Lances:


Weapon batteries:


Carriers:


The original ships (ones in the back) are as good as done, little tweaking here and there. The sleeker (front) ships need some more work though, (A) to match the aesthetic of the other ships better and (B) to make each a bit more unique.

[Malika]

Been working on the frigate sized craft some more. It's becoming more 'techy' than 'ornate' looking, combining my two favourite ship designs (BFG and Homeworld). Kinda curious to see where this'll go...

[Geep]

Nice job. Personally I prefer the over-the-top ornate look of BFG, but it still looks like it'd fit in well enough.

All of your previous photos seem to have been lost? Or is that just an issue unique to me?

[Malika]

I too love the over the top ornate look that BFG has. However, I've been trying to keep the general 'shape' of BFG whilst giving it a more techy or utilitarian look. But I think if you'd slab an Imperial Eagle on the prow and add a few ornate details here and there you'd get something very ornate. Basically imagine what would happen if you'd unleash EagleWarrior on these ships.

As for the previous picture, that's all my fault. I changed the url in photobucket, but you can still find the pics here.

[Malika]

I'm having a bit of trouble. If I were to print/cast this ship, it should be able to be used as a 'count-as' ship. I've just got no clue as what this ship could be used as since its weaponry doesn't seem to match the rules. Does anybody have suggestions for this?

[Geep]

It's pretty easy to throw ship rules together for BFG, but it would be more popular if it fit with something current. Is there any chance of making the weapons as interchangeable modules?

I know a fair few Imperial ships can swap the heavily armoured prow for torpedo launchers- don't know if that helps?

[Malika]

Keep in mind that it's frigate sized. I've had a few options in mind:
-Falchion Escort (just have to ignore/remove the broadside weapons)
-Gladius Class Frigate (have to ignore/remove the broadside weapons and remove the torpedoes)
-Havoc Class Frigate (have to ignore/remove the broadside weapons and remove the torpedoes)
-Apostate Class Heavy Raider (it's a Chaos ship)
-Infidel Class Raider (ignore/remove the broadside, but it's a Chaos ship)

As for making the weapons interchangeable, the ship is probably too small to do that, considering it's a 50mm long frigate.

[Geep]

Ignoring the broadsides seems perfectly reasonable. People could always plug those holes, or those of the torpedo tubes, with plastic rod anyway (acting as antenna arrays, or similar).

[Malika]

That's a pretty good idea actually!

Continued working on the escort ships, considering their size I'm still not sure whether I should make their broadside weapons modular (basically the weapons battery option you currently see, and the launch bays option).

Now we've got the Frigate and and the newly added Destroyer (formerly Corvette). The Destroyer's length will be slightly decreased (3mm at most), will still need to figure out how exactly. The Destroyer will also need some torpedo tubes...

Oh yeah, and I need to start thinking about adding an actual bridge to the ship...

[Malika]

Ok ok ok, I made the frigates multipart!

Then I've added some 'base components' to the gunships, and updated the fighter designs.

[Malika]

Update on the fighter craft.

[Malika]

Been doing some work on the frigates. They are as good as done, maybe a bit of tweaking on the bridge, but beyond that the craft are ready. Next up would be to do some work on the Destroyers (maybe make them modular too), followed by some transport ships.

I'd also like to redo the boarding pods a bit. Speaking of ordnance, I'm not sure if the heavy assault craft need to be enlarged somewhat, the fighter seems rather big compared to it at the moment.

And another thing: I've just ordered some test-prints of one frigate and some ordnance. Kinda to get the feel of the models, and to see whether Shapeways' new material is any good...

[Ole]

Man this last frigates of yours are sexy as hell!

[Malika]

Been tweaking them a bit...

[Malika]

I've also started working on the Destroyers whilst adding more details to the Frigates...