Grand Space Opera 3D Entry: Michael Clive

#1

Michael Clive has entered the Grand Space Opera 3D.

#2

okay, here is my deal:

my “space opera” does not span galaxies, but it is suitably epic. the universe it is set in is one where the dream of one man becomes a solar system spanning nightmare, culminating in the largest ground battle in human history.
It is from a story I hope to write sometime.
The year is 2170. Earth has fallen under the power of a global megacorporation after a brutal war that left a billion dead and most cities in ruins. Due to the terrestrial turmoil, the balance of power has shifted dramatically toward the Martian colonies, where the second renaissance of man is in full effect. Yet all in not well on Ares, the colonies have split allegiances: a cold war between those who believe in Martian independence and the Earth Alliance. The arms build up has been exponential, technology is developed and deployed almost on the eve of its invention.
But it is not a battle between the forces of Ares and earth that we shall see here. Unbeknownst to either side on the brittle front, a third power grows to the south. A brilliant scientist, one of the first on mars, has successfully mapped his neural network into a massive computer system: FENRIR. Using it’s power of digital subterfuge, FENRIR has falsified orders, hacked systems, and deployed thousands of pieces of robotic construction equipment to build it’s stronghold along the southern polar cap of Mars. You see, FENRIR wishes to bless all humans with the gift of digital conciseness; but it will be a baptism of fire. In order to be mapped into the system, one must relinquish the flesh.
However, the armies of man learn of this plot through the actions of a cast of characters: a deeply disturbed sniper, an elite hacker, a amnesiac fighter pilot and many others. Both sides of the earth-mars dispute join to form the largest land force ever assembled, and move on the fortress to the south.
Anyway, here is a machette of one of the land cruisers deployed by the United Republic of Martian Colonies: the Titan, two kilometers long and powered by eight nuclear reactors. Equipped with batteries of missiles and hundreds of gun turrets, the Titan is the flagship of the U.R.M.C’s ground fleet.

[img]http://studentpages.scad.edu/%7Emclive20/cgtalk/titan.jpg[/img]

if anything, take this as the equivilent of a crayon drawing, laying out the basic shape and idea of the foucus of the piece.

#3

okay, just thought i would post some more details:

the big deal about martian combat is that the air is too thin to allow manuverablity in flight. in fact, it all but excludes flight from the battlefront. as a result, engagments are medium range encounters between large “naval” forces, using missles, artillery and mech-like “fighters”. space based assets are a great boon as well. nuclear weapons are used very frequently, as thin atmosphere means little fallout. (also, most structures are radioshielded as well, due to the lack of a martian magnetosphere)

my scene will show the Titan discharging a full artillery/missle barrage, surrounded by it’s mechanized support division and many power-armored troops in the foreground. i have never done characters, but i think i can swing it for this kinda thing. a big foucus will be getting the very gritty, dusty feel i see for this peice. everything will be stained by the ultra-fine martian dust. lots of dust kicked up the millions of treads on the titan as well. i see lots of compositing in my future :smiley:

#4

The story sounds interesting. It would be fun to see (after the completion of this contest) a progression of the events in your story with a 3d graphic novel-type approach. The Titan looks interesting, and yet vaguely familiar. It kind of reminds me of some Warhammer 40,000 novels I read. If the ship is 2 Kilometers long, I’d think the front window-grates might be smaller to really sell the immense scale of it. Just a thought:)

#5

Good Luck :thumbsup:

Cool idea, do we need to write a book with our image :wink:

#6

another titan

the big “wing” things are platforms for the artillery suites, and the sunk in panels are gonna be doors for the mechanized divsion hanger. those are cooling towers in the rear, and a small aircraft hanger on the top.

#7

This might be because I see no “man” scale stuff yet on your model but I don’t get a massive feel to this ship, my first read of it gave me the impression of it being comparable in size to a cruise line boat. Your idea sounds cool and can’t wait to see more. Cheers.

#8

yeah, it is going to be very difficult to establish a sence of scale in this peice. there are 2km long ground crusiers and indivudiual soldiers all in the same frame. the scale disparity is going to be interesting to work with. we also have medium sized elements like this :

#9

oh, and here is a quick sketch showing what i wanna do with this

please excuse the drawing skill of a six year old :frowning:

anyway, those are missle smoke trails filling the sky.

#10

nice mech
hey the cruisers remind me of the ones off starwars
the old starwars
when they go to that planet where jaba the hut lives
and they throw people down the hole thingys
dont know why but thats what comes to mind
anyway good work
keep it up

#11

here is a test model of the helmet for the foreground dude:

#12

and the start of the armor

#13

I like the design of your space marine helmet, seems a bit smooth right now though. Are you planning to add ribbing to the tubes or other smaller details? Look forward to seeing how it progresses!

#14

yeah, i am not very talented yet when it comes to adding detail to smooth meshes yet, but i am gonna be. i am not sure what else to “add” yet, but i will be ribbing the tubes (not sure how though yet.)

i also want to differentiate the panels that make up the helmet, but everything just ends up looking like i just extruded it (i did :frowning: )

#15

update: i might end up doing alot of Subd work, as the crease option is AMAZING. any good tuts on how to effectivly do subds?

#16

Hi. I like your modeling, and the sketch is looking good, i only have trobles undertanding what are you trying to do. first you have a robot, then an spaceship and finaly a helmet. I asume that the helmet is for that soldier, and the spaceship is giving support to him, but the robot i don´t know what is doing in the scene. I would like to see that spaceship with materials on it. I if I could give you an advice, In think it will be concentrate y one element until you finish it and the send some updates of all the scene going on, just for understand better how it will be.

Hope this helps.

Snake Farlow. The rogue.

#17

I am not sure were you are going with this dude. The styles are also very defferent. The ship is square and the helmet is so rounded. They kinda don’t match. I love the helmet though. Keep up the good work.

#18

yeah, I agree with gmiller8, more harmony and recognizeable style… bu tyour helmte rocks:buttrock: I just have a doubt, how a trooper will turn his head from side to side…?

#19

This thread has been automatically closed as it remained inactive for 12 months. If you wish to continue the discussion, please create a new thread in the appropriate forum.