My EVE

Looks like a mix of a Prophecy and a Moa

Favours, are we?

...

1: Ok, first download a program called TriExporter.

2: Unpack the RAR and open the granny2 plug-in with TriExporter

3: Click File > Set folder and select your EVE directory.

4: Browse the Resource folder to dx9 > model > ship then select your faction and choose the appropriate folder for your hull (they're not named, you'll have to figure it out with the next part)

5: Then double-click the [folder name]_[tech model variant].gr2 file. It should show up with the model doing a turntable. In this case, cb1 (Caldari Battleship 1, Raven) t1 (standard model) .gr2

6: Next, select the appropriate .gr2 file, and go File > Export model
The rest is self-explanatory. You can export textures, etc. Read threads for TriExporter if necessary.

As for the apparent 'missing out' that I'm doing, here's my process:

Step 1: Import Maya scene, like so.

Step 2: Drag and drop materials and colours

Step 3: Render out at 4K

#Done.

I don't really have a comment for this. Though, I still must thank you for showing me how to access mental ray.

As for latter comments, I do know how to model the physical shape. Beveling edges wouldn't be useful here. Caldari ships have sharp edges (see Moa).

I have a fair idea on what I'm going to change. Make it shorter, more aggressive, with less of a stream-lined look, and overall more 'dirtier.'
I never liked the primary thrusters, and was going to change them regardless. The winglets will be changed for the 'more aggressive' stance.
Yes, I am going to add a Drone Bay, on the back probably.
I'm shortening the Warp-Jets a large amount too.

A more 'complex look' for the bridge doesn't really give me that much to work with. It is literally a component from the Scorpion hull, mixed with other various inspirations. It can only get more complex by adding things around bridge (on the Shock Plate) which is what I'm going to do, but I need a second opinion on whether it makes the ship look small. It's meant to be a Cruiser, but many are calling it a Destroyer.

But anyway, I'm heading off the forums to go to sleep now. I've spent so long replying to everyone that I haven't got even started thinking about what the new concept will actually look like, yet.

Thanks for your feedback. It's been invaluable.

Aha... ha. The thing with the Owl is that, it wasn't blocky enough.
It's rather hard to not make it stream-lined when you're modelling from what is practically a distorted cylinder.


There's a certain freedom I find in drawing with Maya. I can't say what it is exactly.


Double aha! Have you looked at the new Blackbird model? It's like somebody poured glass fragments into the modeller's eyes. It looks cool with textures, but else that model is psychotic.

Um, sure. I'm not really actively playing EVE at the moment, but I'd be more than happy to hear of your developments.

It depends with the 'cool bits'. Sometimes they can be added as an afterthought, other times (like demonstrated with the Owl warp jets, here) they are actually the core shape. It is a major part of the modelling process usually.
I can post the evolution of the model tomorrow, to demonstrate this, if you wish.

The Confessor has too many modular armor pieces, and too many weird... Pieces, for an Amarrian vessel.
The Blackbird has too many 'squarified' antennae, and the tall sensor and command towers which ruin the flow of the ship.

I wouldn't rely on the 'complications sell' thing too much. I'm certainly not relying on it, come tomorrow.

With textures, I would create and unwrap my UVs regardless of whether I'm going to paint direct on the model or not. It may be more lengthy, but it's not terribly complicated, and I consider the process more worth it, because you have more control at the end of the day.
It's like the KeyShot vs mental ray thing that you're trying to convince me about.

With organic models, they say bump maps can save alot of polygons for the finer definition. I disagree.
Though that's probably low for some models, it's not my last subdivision.

And yeah, I'll be friends with really anyone who calls me 'friend', so of course. If that is what you mean. If not, damn AS.

5.15am? S**t.

Looks pretty good to me.

A couple of nitpicks though:

First is the antennas on the front. They look weird pointing down at an angle like they are because they don't flow with the primary axis of the model. I'd either find a way to mount them so that they point straight forward, find a different spot, or remove them entirely.

Second, I think you can just remove the command bridge. Being based around capsuleer tech, EvE ships don't really need them. Something else to keep in mind is that most naval ship designs are based around having horizontal decks, and decks don't usually sit at an angle. So, what you could do is build your command deck into the downward bend so that it sits horizontal but up and back a bit. Also, remember that cruisers in EvE are something like 3-400m long, and a command deck might be something like 10-20m in dimension.

Third thing is the "Particle Warp Jets". I think you should redo those but don't start with a cylinder. When I'm modeling something like that, I'll generally start with a plane or a cube and loop cut and/or scale my way to the shape I want, then extrude back to get the volume of the object. That way you don't end up with funky edge loops like you get from fighting with cylinders. It really depends on what look you are actually going for though.

But yeah, I'd say this is VERY good if using Blender and designing ships is new to you I'd say the ship's angles are about right. It does look a little Prophecy'ish from the front but with textures it won't be as noticable, especially if you break up the "shock layer" into smaller armor pieces. Engine nozzle placement looks really cool, sort of like some of the Tengu builds.

Anyway, generally, I like it a lot =)

Looks like stretched out boxy Prophecy with antennas. Probably...

hey saw this today, thought you might enjoy it.

1 ,2

from http://lonewolf3d.artstation.com/

All the models in within the game files are listed in the 'model' folder.

As for textures, you can double-click them to load onto the model you are previewing. This way, the model is exported with the texture map files you have loaded. You still will have to apply the textures to the model as far as I'm aware.

Generally, I export the models with TriExporter, and use DragonUnpacker to open the .stuff files and directly export the texture maps. But using TriExporter is probably more convenient for most.

Ok everyone, an update.

I've sat down with a piece of paper an tried to create a more unique, less streamlined, more blocky and 'dirty' model. I've re-imagined the bridge to make the ship seem more like a cruiser-sized vessel rather than a shuttle.

So here is a side-view of the new concept.

Some pieces will be removed, added, or modified when I model it. The size here is relatively in proportion with what I want. It looks quite distorted on camera, so keep that in mind.

It took so long to create this single view, that I must apologise, I'm not uploading any other camera angles for the moment.

That said, I still want your feedback if you're interested. The model will of course be more defined than this drawing, but there are a few key things I want a second opinion on:

Do the armor overlaps (Shock Plate and Thruster) make the model too extreme for what Caldari engineers would likely build?
What is your opinion on how it makes the ship look?

Does the ship remind you of any EVE ship? Or not? (that would be good)
Can you draw major similarities to other ships like the original did with the Moa and Prophecy?

Does it look combat-ready?
>> Is it 'more aggressive' and 'dirty' like I aimed for?
Does it look more like something that's going to destroy stuff rather than transport it?

Am I missing something?
Though I have the major components of a ship here, is there something you think should be added to this concept?

Anything else?
Do remember that a lot of the 'non-streamlined' look will come from the 'stealthy' structure bends. The way that I intend to mold the structure is heavily influenced by the Moa.

This will probably take about 15 hours to model after I append finer details, that is, unless this concept is too over-the-top.
(complexity is not my concern, Bagrat)

Thanks in advance. Though this is only the first ship I've modeled, all of you are helping it become great.