Heya guys, MoI's learning curve has been very gentle with me, and I have made numerous handy things for rapid prototyping. Hooray for MoI!

But this interesting spaceship defies my modest ability. I'm currently stuck on the tip, which is circled in red. Can anybody offer some strategies? Unfortunately, this is the only picture of this particular ship.

The artwork was done by Jackie Southerland for the Starfire game system http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starfire_(strategy_game).

Many thanks in advance for your attention in this matter.

Need it be more complex than revolving a shape?
Hard to tell what you actually are looking at in the drawing.

Brian

Interesting project.

I had a quick play, but the first attempt was not too good. Will try to find some time later to try again.

Hey Manz, that's actually really good. Can you attach the construction curves or offer some advice?

The piece in question will be a 1cm-long piece of a miniature spaceship developed via 3D printer. At this level of resolution your result is what I'm looking for.

If I can recreate it, sweeping some panel lines will be easy.

Sorry, I did not keep the construction lines. I have attached the model if that helps.

Thanks Manz, it did help somewhat, but I'm curious as to the steps you took. I'm attaching my attempt at recreating, which involves 3 curves lofted together, then a sweep with scale at the end.

However, your model has a desirable 'bulging' effect in the lofted area, and I'm not sure how to round off the end of the sweep. How did you accomplish those things?

The main body is from blends.

The end/tip is from a rail revolve.

Then blend the 2 parts together.

This is maybe another way, now that I understand the shape required.
Still a bit rough, just to show the idea.

Do an array of the first shape (3), then add the bigger shape.

Brian

Hi Manz,

Thanks a lot for this little construction guide, really interresting !

I'm just not understanding your first step, Manz. Is this what you mean by construction lines?

Is the number and 'type' of control points on a given line important for blending? None of my blend experiments ever do anything.

The end curves are the construction lines, there is no need to create curves between them.


So first you will have:-



On the right is a circle split into 6 sections, on the left, 6 circles trimmed with each other.

-----------------------------------

You then select the curves and extrude them






you then need to delete or hide the curves so you can select the edges of the extruded surfaces:



Then blend those surface edges.



Once all done, You can then delete the extrude surfaces as they are not needed.

Ah, the hiding of the curves seems to be the step I was missing.

Progress:

And another.

As always with my stuff, these are designed to be built with a rapid prototyping machine and turned into miniatures.

Really Cool !!!

Looks really promising !!!

I got the bronze master of the engine portion a few days ago, and will post some pictures tonight of it and the casting. Soon thereafter will be pictures of the assembled resin battle tender.

Please visit my yet-to-be-started thread about trying to design the battle rider.

Hey Manz, send me your mailing address and I'll send you a resin copy of this battle tender.

I'm really enjoying this - excellent work!

-Will