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

[Malika]

I imagine a higher quality print would bring out most of the finer details too. Obviously no harm in making the details more pronounced, especially if it means you can use a cheaper print and make the product cheaper. Of course the higher quality print would be advisable for making your master for casting.


Gotta say, looking fine; can't wait to see some paint on it!

I know a higher quality print would bring out the finer details, it's not that you can't see the 0.25mm stuff, it's just that they will disappear after a layer of paint. I will still use a more expensive printing service (need the models in HTM140) to ensure that the design is still smooth. Problem with Shapeways' print is that they either maintain printlines or have a very grainy/brittle texture, which doesn't look good. I want the models to be super tight/smooth.

[Malika]

In the meantime I've started working some more on the battleship. It now has 48 torpedo tubes and 36 turrets! It will still get 20 larger turrets, launch bays, additional small turrets (like the 36 that are on there now) and a potential super weapon on the front.

[Malika]

The boarding pods are ready! I slightly tweaked the previous picture (rotated it 45 degrees for example), since there were some difficulties with preparing it for printing. It's a tiny bugger, about 6.5mm long, 4mm high, and 4mm wide.

Front view:


Back view:

[Malika]

Been doing some more work on the battleship, added the big turrets. Do note that the hull will still need a lot of work to make it all work. I've tried to stick to the original concept art as much as possible, but it can become a bit of a challenge, especially since I want both the ability to fire all turrets in the same direction (depending on which side of the hull you are of course), but not have the heights of the different segments differ too much. Hence, I moved the second components' turrets on the diagonal panels, and added some extra levels to heighten up the turrets on the components closest to the Distortion Engine so they won't hit the turrets on the front if firing forwards.

[Malika]

Been pondering a bit about bombers, I wouldn't imagine it would 'drop' bombs, makes no sense in zero gravity. But then again, the whole concept of a dogfight in space makes no sense either...

Fighter craft, or rather drones, would be launched from the ship, either with some sort of railgun, or even teleport. Maybe some sort of total conversion field/engine to ensure it can keep on going in a dogfight? But even so, a fighter would make very little sense considering the vast distances it would have to travel. Perhaps their role should be different, purely to provide cover for the boarding pods as the soldiers board the enemy ship. Maybe something more akin to the Sentinels from the Matrix?

[Dieithryn]

Great looking work, wondering how you found the shapeway material. I know you said that it didn't pick up the details but have you tried painting it and if so how did that go?

[Malika]

Great looking work, wondering how you found the shapeway material. I know you said that it didn't pick up the details but have you tried painting it and if so how did that go?

The texture of the material is very rough/britle. It isn't smooth. Now that can be fixed with a slightly thicker than normal layer of paint, but that would really ruin the details.

I want the model to just be tight, smooth and profesional looking, the same quality you would get from your normal plastic or resin (not FW) kits. Which is why I need to get the master printed by another company, and then get the models cast.

[Malika]

This project has been quite for too long!

The battleship is currently on hold, will look into it again when I have more time. The turret component of the cruiser (the one with 20 turrets on it) will need serious updating considering what I've learnt from the printed model.

I've tweaked the cruiser a tiny bit. And what's that in the background?

[Malika]

Tweaked the design of the station a bit. It still needs some work to get the silhouette ready, then it's details.

One major challenge in the design is to keep the price of it rather normal. First test (hollowed out) left it at €160 for the cheapest material at Shapeways, which makes no sense. Meaning I've had to resize it a bit (as seen in the current pic).

[Malika]

Considering the castability of my models, I never even considered this for my original Legion ship, assuming if it could be printed, it could be cast, not considering all the undercuts.

So now I have this awesome ship design, but it might be a challenge to cast easily. Which means it's tweaking time! Since the first print I've slightly updated the design, and now this process will continue. Undercuts and such will be removed, whilst maintaining the model's original aesthetic. Let the challenge begin!

[Malika]

In the meantime I made a scale picture of the Legion ships I've got so far:


And yes, that little fellow is the latest addition to the Legion family...

[Islacrusez]

Nuh-uh, you don't get to tease us like that! Spill! 

[Malika]

Ok, ok, ok! 

Another WIP shot:


There are some details I still want to add to it, the launch bays on the side will be reworked to match the one on the cruiser.

[Malika]

Legion battlegroup (will come up with a more corporate, less war sounding title)



As you can see the escort is finished (for now), which means I'll be making some test prints at Shapeways in the coming days.

[Malika]

Look what Malika just ordered to test print...



Special thanks to Armand for helping me out with the stl file.