Bridge Commander Universe

Cpt Hooker · **Posted**: 12-16-2005 09:21 AM

Someone asked on how to do phaser strips. Of course there isn't a right or wrong way but here is how I do it in max 7.

1: Draw an arc from the shapes tab, you don't have to exact at this point, just in the general area you want it.

2: Convert it to editable Spline and then click on the vertex and move the points so that are exactly where you want them. Best way to position these is to think that this line is the centre part of the phaser strip.

3: Now click on the spline button and scroll down the geometry until you see outline, and under it is a check box saying center. Click this. Now start increasing the outline and you will see the spline forming a curved box and stop when its the right size.

4: Now click on vertex button again and in geometry again is a button called refine, click this and add a vertex in the centre of the flat sides, in this case their are two. Click the button again to cancel it.

5: Make sure vertex is still on click on the new vertex you made and move them outwards so that they will form more rounded ends.

6: When you are happy with this, convert the shape into a editable poly or mesh (poly is easier for this task). Then click on bevel in edit polygons and set the height to what you want and outline amount. There isn't a rule for the size really, just do what you think is right.

7: Now you don't have to do this if you don't want to, but this adds more detail to the strip. Next click on inset in the same section as bevel and set it to a small amount, again its up to you and then click ok and then select extrude and set this so that the extrude amount is minus.

and there you have it a phaser strip.

You can play around with the settings to get the right shape and style you want.
I can make this into PDF so that people can download it, would anyone like it?

Adonis · **Posted**: 12-16-2005 09:51 AM

Nice tut man Mr. Green

, I recommend a mod sticky it Exclamation

lost_jedi · **Posted**: 12-16-2005 09:56 AM

Very nice tutorial dude! Thankyou! (i think i'll have a go later)

*Please sticky this thread Razz

blaXXer · **Posted**: 12-16-2005 11:20 AM

yup, sticky for sure^^

Joe Slater · Cadet 1st Class Joined: 03 Nov 2005 Posts: 99

Try this too.

Hope it's helpful, it's how I do it.

Joe

Cpt Hooker · **Posted**: 12-16-2005 04:14 PM

well as I said there is no right or wrong way to do it.

Joe Slater · Cadet 1st Class Joined: 03 Nov 2005 Posts: 99

absolutely agree. in fact, the spline method is actually more versatile, depending on what you're doing. i find that modelling them directly onto the hull is nice because the phaser array follows the hull exactly, twisting and rotating as the hull does.

Phaser · **Posted**: 12-16-2005 05:03 PM

Both are great methods. Thanks!

ModderMan · **Posted**: 12-17-2005 12:38 AM

Nice tut . I think we need to make a tut forum

Treleth · **Posted**: 12-17-2005 01:55 AM

If they did, I could write a load of tuts, AFAIK, there's a tut thread somewhere around here witha ton of tutorials

Joe Slater · Cadet 1st Class Joined: 03 Nov 2005 Posts: 99

hmm, I think a tutorial forum is a great idea.

Phaser · **Posted**: 12-17-2005 03:35 AM

Second.

Someone should bring that idea to Raven! Wink

**starforce2** · **Posted**: 12-17-2005 08:18 AM

I need to dig up my spline tut for making saucers and give this a try, well, in max 3 anyways. Now, what do we do about impulse engines or shuttlebays? I suspect somethign similar to the phaser arrays can be used to raise a spherical bridge and sensor dome...?