M40 Asteroid Class Explorer Redux project

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MikomDude
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M40 Asteroid Class Explorer Redux project

Post by MikomDude »

Hi guys, as detailed in this old blog post from a decade ago I tasked myself to remake the A.C.E (a ship that can be found in this thread on U3DA). It's been a fun project re-visiting my old ideas and maybe improving them here and there.


I started with the core of the spacecraft, the super advanced M40 engines:

M40 Redux Engines.jpg

I also reshaped the hull and came up with a slightly more modern design while keeping its basic features:

acewip.jpg
m40 wip.png
m40 side.png
m40 cockpits.png

I then proceeded to making the cockpit which was quite the journey in-of-itself. First the Navball/Trackball/Artificial Horizon:

M40 Navball.jpg

...Then its digital variants:

Digital Artificial Horizon.png
Digital Navball.png

...and then the rest of the cockpit:

cockpit render.jpg
cockpit view 03.jpg
displays.png

Here's a basic rundown of each control/display:

Autopilot Legend.png
Dash Legend.png
Display Control Panel Legend.png

I have a more extensive PDF with all the detailed controls/schematics/instructions but it's very long, with over a page just dedicated to abbreviations.

All this is of course still very much a WIP. Next step is finishing up on the body details and making the hull textures. Then onto the renders.
v3rd3
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Re: M40 Asteroid Class Explorer Redux project

Post by v3rd3 »

Awesome work Mikom. Really impressive.
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bitkar
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Re: M40 Asteroid Class Explorer Redux project

Post by bitkar »

top notch!
how many hours spent? :)
Michal aka bitkar
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MikomDude
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Re: M40 Asteroid Class Explorer Redux project

Post by MikomDude »

Thanks guys!
bitkar wrote: 17 Apr 2022, 20:42 how many hours spent? :)
Not sure to be honest, many. It's been 60% of the time 3D modeling and another 40% for research, digging through NASA documents, going through launch procedures and in the Space Shuttle cockpit in a flight simulator.
Also studying aircraft navigation methods, the interface in the cockpit and all the names/technologies that go into aircraft operation.
I also started this project before christmas last year and then didn't pick it up again until recently, so yeah, I really don't know how long I've been working on it.
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trueBlue
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Re: M40 Asteroid Class Explorer Redux project

Post by trueBlue »

Amazing attention to details! :bananathumb:
Surprised, Elon Musk has not snatched up for a position @ SpaceX :mrgreen:
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MikomDude
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Re: M40 Asteroid Class Explorer Redux project

Post by MikomDude »




Finally got to rendering this thing as an animation. Interior and exterior.
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bitkar
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Re: M40 Asteroid Class Explorer Redux project

Post by bitkar »

most of ppl do either interior or exterior (of anything - cars,...) having both at the same time is always one class higher for me.
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MikomDude
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Re: M40 Asteroid Class Explorer Redux project

Post by MikomDude »

bitkar wrote: 04 Aug 2022, 19:07 most of ppl do either interior or exterior (of anything - cars,...) having both at the same time is always one class higher for me.
It also doubles the render time :lol:
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Finis
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Re: M40 Asteroid Class Explorer Redux project

Post by Finis »

Detailed engine design: check
Interior details: check
Air and space capable: check
Detailed controls: check

Must be a Mikom ship!

(Comments by Bitkar: Czech)
The more laws, the less justice. -- Marcus Tullius Cicero
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MikomDude
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Re: M40 Asteroid Class Explorer Redux project

Post by MikomDude »

:lol:
Finis wrote: 10 Aug 2022, 02:43 (Comments by Bitkar: Czech)
:worship:
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