Beechcraft Starship Project

[Mitch.]

Gday folks,
Here's a quick render (very early WIP) of a beloved aircraft that is sorely missing in FSX. I've seen several projects come and go around the traps and its a shame none have come to fruition. This is my first proper project and I can tell you its a steep learning curve. It would be a dream to actually finish this project (couple years maybe ) because I think it is one of the most beautiful aircraft well ahead of its time. 8-)

If anyone has any pointers or helpful tips/material, it would be massively appreciated it. I'm also looking for some High Quality 3 view drawings/blueprints.



Thanks for looking.

Cheers
Mitch

[Xpand]

Looks nice, but please tell me you are going to increase the polycount on that!   ;)

[Mitch.]

[quote]Looks nice, but please tell me you are going to increase the polycount on that!

[RaptorF22]

You have to sign up for a free account to get a high res, but here you go: http://www.the-blueprints.com/blueprint ... /starship/

I can't wait to see this thing in FS!

[Jayhawk Jake]

There's one at a museum in town....when you get to detailed work I can try to get you some pictures. 

[Mitch.]

You have to sign up for a free account to get a high res, but here you go: http://www.the-blueprints.com/blueprint ... /starship/

I can't wait to see this thing in FS!

Thanks, I already found the exact same high res blueprint elsewhere. I was hoping to find something much more detailed though.

There's one at a museum in town....when you get to detailed work I can try to get you some pictures. 

Thanks for the offer Jake. I'm quite jealous you have the chance to visit a Starship, is it the one at The Kansas Aviation Museum (NC-41)? There are a few still around in Kansas.

You couldn't believe the joy I had when I found out there was a Starship in Australia. It's in a different state but one day I have to go check it out.

[Mitch.]

Just a quick update. Pretty much everything was completely re-done since the last shot. I'm satisfied with the fuselage and canard mesh, still a bit of shape work on the wings. Engines and tip sails are next.

Any questions feel free to ask.



Thanks for looking.

Cheers
Mitch

[Mitch.]

Another update, fuselage was re-adjusted after discovering my 3-view's weren't to scale ( ). Added a few little details here and there, inlcuding landing gear. I want to completely re-do the engine nacelle, I'm having trouble with its complex shape and mating it to the wing but all part of the learning process.

Incase you missed it, early export attempt into FSX, no problems on that front.



Thanks for looking.

C&C welcome
Cheers
Mitch

[RaptorF22]

Looking great, Mitch!!

[Mitch.]

Thanks Raptor.

Well, its exactly one month ago when I started this project and its amazing to see how much progress has been made since the first preview. Currently adding all the little details, you can't really see in this picture but the canards have the correct 23 vortex generators on each. The tipsails also have these little vortex generators. According to gmax its around 93,000 polygons, after optimization it sits around 60,000. Next will be cutting the control surfaces, wheel wells, vents, doors and windows. Animation and texturing will come in time, if I can learn how to do them.

Latest build successfully exported into FSX pics here

Here's a small preview of the latest build:



Thanks for looking.

C&C welcome
Cheers
Mitch

[pete]

Looking great Mitch! 

[CHUCK79]

Awesome...........I've fiddled with GMax a little bit but have never made anything more than simple geometrical shapes...........got stuck trying to texture them.

Anyway....well done and very impressive.....looking forward to flying your masterpiece, Mitch 8-)

[Groundbound1]

A little late on the "draw", but if you haven't seem this site yet, you may find it useful:

http://rps3.com/Pages/Starship%20Resources.htm

[Mitch.]

A little late on the "draw", but if you haven't seem this site yet, you may find it useful:

http://rps3.com/Pages/Starship%20Resources.htm

That website has been a massive help in modelling the landing gear and smaller details, I would be lost without it.

Thanks anyway.

I've also found a brilliant free yet powerful rendering program called Kerkythea. It simply imports a 3ds file and after a quick play with camera's and lights here's the result:

Of note is the new build engine nacelle


Cheers
Mitch

[Mitch.]

New update. Finally got around to cutting the windows out and apply a glass texture to them. Started working on the insides of the fuselage as well. Currently sitting at 55k polygons.

Does anyone know of a good tutorial or can explain to me the exact process involved in adding textures/maps etc. I can't find a decent one for FSX and gmax?