SS-416 "Dragonfire" HMAC *changed from Aurora*

Thinking about improving the Artwork in Vega Strike, or making your own Mod? Submit your question and ideas in this forum.

Moderator: pyramid

Post Reply
Hadrian
Trader
Trader
Posts: 20
Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2005 9:17 am
Contact:

SS-416 "Dragonfire" HMAC *changed from Aurora*

Post by Hadrian »

*Now with its wing and nose cannons.*
Image

Ok, as Ive been adding to it, instead of a stealth fighter, it will be a Wing Commander/Babylon 5 inspired HMAC. Ill explain the HMAC a bit.

The HMAC, or Heavy Multirole Assault Craft, project was born from several wars. The Terran Alliance in its fights for survival noticed a deficiency in its fighters, notably thier specialisation. Each class had one role that it excelled at, but the fighter failed in any other put to it. In March of 2644, Alliance Command approached the venerable Lockheed corperation to develop a new breed of starfighter, and those the project was born under the name "Project Dragonfire".

Lockheed went through several design idea's before one of the development team hit on a old mid 20th century concept of a "Multirole" fighter, such as strike interceptors and fighter/bombers. The idea was quickly adopted by the design team and the X-390 was drafted. A combination of many fighters rolled into one, it had the inertial systems of a Hornet interceptor, the engines of a Raptor Gunship, the weapons of a Rapier Strike Fighter and the missile payload of a Broadsword Medium bomber.

This combination, coupled with advanced computer, sensor pallets and disruption systems, as well as experimental RCS control systems made the X-390 a terror to behold. Capable of light interceptor speeds, enough shielding to take on a gunship, the firepower to drop a light cruiser the X-390 was a true multirole craft.

During testing the craft was called a Assault Craft, as she fit the "Assault Fighter" appearence, sleek and predatory. The new class of fighter was named on commisioning the Heavy Multirole Assault Craft, or HMAC for short.

The X-390 was redesignated a Space Superiority fighter and numbered 416, and given the projects name, the SS-416 DragonFire HMAC.

Lockheed has several other HMAC designs being developed, and this may herald a new era of superiority and security for the Terran Alliance.



Thoughts, suggestions, offers to help out? (I desperately need the last one, especialy on the texturing side)
Last edited by Hadrian on Sun Aug 21, 2005 4:00 am, edited 4 times in total.
tiny paintings
Bounty Hunter
Bounty Hunter
Posts: 214
Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 7:35 pm
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Contact:

Post by tiny paintings »

Well, it needs work!! That's like 80 polygons. Post again when you've progressed further! :P
Hadrian
Trader
Trader
Posts: 20
Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2005 9:17 am
Contact:

Post by Hadrian »

Well, coming from modding games like Star Trek Klingon Academy, Homeworld, Homeworld Cataclysm I believe in as few poly's as possible. Textures are what really makes or breaks a good model.

Also, thats only the main fuselage, with two variant models using it.

the first is the SR-415 Aurora Stealth EW Craft, high speed and manuverability, low shielding/armor/weapons, high EW and stealth systems. Will have "Scramjet" like engine vents in the aft, a single nose mounted autotracking beam, and two missile bays.


The second is the SF-416 DragonsFire Medium Assault Craft, four turbine pods attached to the hull above and below the wings, a third heavy bay in the belly, a multi-purpose nose mount, a midwing internal cannon mount, cannon mount on the wing tips, heavier shielding then its stealth counterpart, though both have little armor, relying on stealthy approach and then relying speed/manuverability for the Aurora and manuverability and firepower for the Dragonsfire.
BradMick
Bounty Hunter
Bounty Hunter
Posts: 223
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2003 7:48 pm
Contact:

Post by BradMick »

except the worlds moved up with regards to poly count and allowable detail. i'd have to agree, it needs to be brought up a bit. textures can only go so far.
LightWave nerd extrodanaire...

"Who need drugs when you got Brad? He's a trip enough already!' - stoner friend of mine...
CoffeeBot
Intrepid Venturer
Intrepid Venturer
Posts: 676
Joined: Wed Jul 06, 2005 5:25 am
Location: On the counter by the toaster
Contact:

Post by CoffeeBot »

Hadrian wrote:...four turbine pods attached to the hull....
H'wha? While I do like the design, and it definitely shows promise (especially if the Aurora handles as well in-game as you describe it), I am confused with the need for turbines. Perhaps you mean simple engine pods? Turbines are useless in space, if my memory of college physics serves me.

It is a good concept, over all, don't get me wrong. I just like playing devil's advocate. :)
charlieg
Elite Mercenary
Elite Mercenary
Posts: 1329
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 11:51 pm
Location: Manchester, UK
Contact:

Post by charlieg »

I like the shape but tiny and brad have a good point.
Ares
Confed Special Operative
Confed Special Operative
Posts: 286
Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2003 9:23 pm
Location: Albany NY, US
Contact:

Post by Ares »

ya, um...... turbines are only usefull in a place were theres air, there's no air in space. You can't walk along outside your ship before bed. you would explode or implode(can't rember wich, and float away. :lol: It needs more polygons.
Hadrian
Trader
Trader
Posts: 20
Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2005 9:17 am
Contact:

Post by Hadrian »

2942 poly's total in that model so far.
charlieg
Elite Mercenary
Elite Mercenary
Posts: 1329
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 11:51 pm
Location: Manchester, UK
Contact:

Post by charlieg »

Ares wrote:ya, um...... turbines are only usefull in a place were theres air, there's no air in space.
Perhaps they're dual-function engines with turbines for use in planet atmospheres (a much requested VS feature) as well as jets to propel in space?
BradMick
Bounty Hunter
Bounty Hunter
Posts: 223
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2003 7:48 pm
Contact:

Post by BradMick »

i dont mean to plug my project here, but i figure it'd help out a bit with what i meant by details. Pipes work nicely, as well as recessed panels. you can add radard dishes. cut open a section of hull, and put pipes and other mechanical looking bits inside. all of those things can really bring life to your ship. make cutouts for intakes, etc...etc. the Hunchback here is all of 5466 tris all total. all told the minotaur is all of 6366 tris. Pipes and recessed panels with machinery can go a long way towards adding detail, and giving character to a ship. textures further enhance the detail you've already added. Also, you can add little boxes with pipes coming out, they'd be like power boxes or conduit areas. all manner of little things can go a long way towards giving some character. hope this helps out some.

http://www.hedfiles.net/wcpioneer/HUNCHBACK1.jpg

http://www.hedfiles.net/wcpioneer/MINOTAUR1.jpg

and then here's a design for my original universe. I used little intake/vent like structures to add some detail to break up the flatness of the hull.

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/8127/c ... p080dj.jpg
LightWave nerd extrodanaire...

"Who need drugs when you got Brad? He's a trip enough already!' - stoner friend of mine...
klauss
Elite
Elite
Posts: 7243
Joined: Mon Apr 18, 2005 2:40 pm
Location: LS87, Buenos Aires, República Argentina

Post by klauss »

Wow, Brad!
Those models are badass.

So sad you're not releasing them... :cry:
I hope Pioneer becomes playable soon... just to see the models in action.
Oíd mortales, el grito sagrado...
Call me "Menes, lord of Cats"
Wing Commander Universe
BradMick
Bounty Hunter
Bounty Hunter
Posts: 223
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2003 7:48 pm
Contact:

Post by BradMick »

Thanks, and i should add that it was Howard that textured them.
LightWave nerd extrodanaire...

"Who need drugs when you got Brad? He's a trip enough already!' - stoner friend of mine...
MamiyaOtaru
Privateer
Posts: 729
Joined: Tue Jan 07, 2003 8:32 am

Post by MamiyaOtaru »

That looks pretty nice Hadrian. I don't really see the need for extra polys for extra polys sake. It's a sleek ship. As you say, textures can do a ton for a ship, we've been through that a few times on these forums. Just look at this shot: there isn't a whole heck of a lot of visual difference between the various meshes there, the texture carries all of them, despite massive difference in polycount.
Image
Anyway, check PMs.
Wisq
ISO Party Member
ISO Party Member
Posts: 453
Joined: Sat Jul 30, 2005 10:21 am

Post by Wisq »

Ares wrote:You can't walk along outside your ship before bed. you would explode or implode(can't rember wich, and float away. :lol:
Neither. You don't explode or implode or freeze, your blood doesn't boil, and you don't immediately lose consciousness. In fact, unless you hold your breath (lung damage) or your ear-tube things are blocked (eardrum damage), half a minute of exposure to outer space is unlikely to permanently harm you. You may get an extremely bad sunburn if exposed to sunlight, though.
smbarbour
Fearless Venturer
Fearless Venturer
Posts: 610
Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2005 6:42 pm
Location: Northern Illinois

Post by smbarbour »

Wisq wrote:
Ares wrote:You can't walk along outside your ship before bed. you would explode or implode(can't rember wich, and float away. :lol:
Neither. You don't explode or implode or freeze, your blood doesn't boil, and you don't immediately lose consciousness. In fact, unless you hold your breath (lung damage) or your ear-tube things are blocked (eardrum damage), half a minute of exposure to outer space is unlikely to permanently harm you. You may get an extremely bad sunburn if exposed to sunlight, though.
Are you saying the astronauts could probably get away with some thin thermal gloves (and perhaps a heater at the sleeve cuffs)?

I guess the only REAL danger in space is radiation (which should be attenuated by the magnetic field right?).

Kinda reminds me of the move Total Recall at the end. Breathing on Mars would be like breathing in a plastic bag. You can breathe just fine, but you will run out of oxygen eventually.
I've stopped playing. I'm waiting for a new release.

I've kicked the MMO habit for now, but if I maintain enough money for an EVE-Online subscription, I'll be gone again.
Wisq
ISO Party Member
ISO Party Member
Posts: 453
Joined: Sat Jul 30, 2005 10:21 am

Post by Wisq »

smbarbour wrote:Are you saying the astronauts could probably get away with some thin thermal gloves (and perhaps a heater at the sleeve cuffs)?

I guess the only REAL danger in space is radiation (which should be attenuated by the magnetic field right?).
I think sending astronauts out without air would be a bad idea. ;)

Note that I was only really saying you could survive, probably without permanent physical damage, if exposed to space for thirty seconds or less. But that's assuming you rectify the problem in about 14 seconds (approximately the time it takes for the no-oxygen blood to hit the brain), or someone rescues you in the remaining 16. Also, the only reason you don't freeze in that time is just because it takes time for heat to leave your body in space.

Extended space exposure is another thing entirely. I'm not qualified to comment on that part.

I do know that apparently, a record-setting skydiver went up to an altitude of 30km, but lost pressure in his suit hand on the way up. He decided to continue anyway. The hand became useless, but returned to normal on the way back down. Unfortunately, it's left to the reader to guess how long his hand was exposed to a near-vacuum, but it certainly shows that non-critical partial exposure isn't too bad.
smbarbour
Fearless Venturer
Fearless Venturer
Posts: 610
Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2005 6:42 pm
Location: Northern Illinois

Post by smbarbour »

I'm just wondering if they could get away with much thinner gloves. Of course you will still need a pressurized suit for life support, but how much protection do your hands need (if the rest of the suit can remain pressurized)
I've stopped playing. I'm waiting for a new release.

I've kicked the MMO habit for now, but if I maintain enough money for an EVE-Online subscription, I'll be gone again.
BradMick
Bounty Hunter
Bounty Hunter
Posts: 223
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2003 7:48 pm
Contact:

Post by BradMick »

heheh...those are howards textures aren't they Mamiya?
LightWave nerd extrodanaire...

"Who need drugs when you got Brad? He's a trip enough already!' - stoner friend of mine...
Hadrian
Trader
Trader
Posts: 20
Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2005 9:17 am
Contact:

Post by Hadrian »

That gowain is a lovely ship in that screenie mamiya, Id fly that one :D

And like a friend told me, anyone can make a beautifull high poly model. It takes time and skill to make a model look good and stay low poly. Plus I prefer having lower poly models as they allow much better render performance ingame ;)

Anywho, charlie, your close as to the engine pods. The SS-416 uses a external Ionic TVT, Thrust vectored Turbine. Essentialy its two engins set nose to nose in one pod, a primary pusher turbine, a retro turbine that connect at two RCS thrust vents on the pods, allowing for rapid axial manuvering in combat situations. (Think of the Starfury's in Babylon 5)
Due to the nature of the engine design, and the ships reactor/shield generator space requirement, and torpedo bay placement (can carry one in the belly) a similiar internal system wouldnt be feasable. Additionaly, in a atmosphere the pods have (if planetary flight gets added Ill make a arial version) Arial stabilizers that extend into a flight position increasing stability.
theguyfromsaturn
Trader
Trader
Posts: 26
Joined: Wed Jul 21, 2004 12:40 pm
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Contact:

Post by theguyfromsaturn »

smbarbour wrote:I'm just wondering if they could get away with much thinner gloves. Of course you will still need a pressurized suit for life support, but how much protection do your hands need (if the rest of the suit can remain pressurized)
They probably could. Not just the hands but the whole body could benefit from thinner more flexible suits. There is research being done on just that. Just take a look at this article:

http://www.space.com/businesstechnology ... 50126.html
I don't have a cool signature yet, so this lame stuff will have to do.
MamiyaOtaru
Privateer
Posts: 729
Joined: Tue Jan 07, 2003 8:32 am

Post by MamiyaOtaru »

BradMick wrote:heheh...those are howards textures aren't they Mamiya?
The models too. Was some part of "by H. E. Day" not clear? ;)
BradMick
Bounty Hunter
Bounty Hunter
Posts: 223
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2003 7:48 pm
Contact:

Post by BradMick »

hehehe, i missed the he day bit. :P
LightWave nerd extrodanaire...

"Who need drugs when you got Brad? He's a trip enough already!' - stoner friend of mine...
spiritplumber
Developer
Developer
Posts: 1831
Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2005 10:33 pm
Contact:

Post by spiritplumber »

It all comes out OK if a ship with an Improb Drive picks you up in 29 seconds.
My Moral Code:
- The only sin is to treat people as if they were things.
- Rules were made for people, not the other way around.
- Don't deceive. Real life is complicated enough.
- If all else fails, smash stuff.
klauss
Elite
Elite
Posts: 7243
Joined: Mon Apr 18, 2005 2:40 pm
Location: LS87, Buenos Aires, República Argentina

Post by klauss »

There was a design for a much thinner (and cheap) space suit.
It was national (my nation - Argentina!).
I'm not sure what happened with it... I guess big nations don't trust cheap things. Like in movies: Special effects cost millions in the US. Here, we do the same with merely thousands. It's just that we don't have enough money to throw it down the toilet, so we keep things cheap.
Oíd mortales, el grito sagrado...
Call me "Menes, lord of Cats"
Wing Commander Universe
Anax
Bounty Hunter
Bounty Hunter
Posts: 243
Joined: Mon May 05, 2003 7:16 am
Location: Brisbane, Australia

Post by Anax »

spiritplumber wrote:It all comes out OK if a ship with an Improb Drive picks you up in 29 seconds.
Lol - I was waiting for somebody to make the hitchhikers reference :)
Post Reply