Updated Minotaur

[Thomas P]

To go along with the Yorktown of course!

I updated the texture maps and mesh a bit. Revised the bump maps, the textures now have more masks applied for better specular angles and the text is higher definition (unit numbers). Also, Masao forwarded me a high def UN symbol that is so much better than what I had (thanks so much BTW).

Note the revised rear fins are now setup to not look like 'flight fins'. They have thruster ports and 'vents'. The laser tubes are more refined as well. I still have a few more tweaks, unfortunately this WIP now takes an average of 5 minutes to render without any special lights or shadows. Yorkie takes 10 minutes now :(.

http://www.concept40.com/galleries/sciartpost/10182001/mino_new.jpg

[skyhawk223]

Love the added detail. Not too overbearing.
My main nit is with the texture. It looks too smotth. Would it be possible to break it up with a bit of noise?

[Thomas P]

Originally posted by skyhawk223
...It looks too smooth. Would it be possible to break it up with a bit of noise?

Too smooth? Hmmm... how rough would machined aluminium and titanium get :D? I am of the school that 21st century and beyond metals don't have the rolled steel look - sorry. I have studied actual stuff in orbit, the shuttle, ISS and so on, the all are pretty smooth and very non-reflective except where not painted or wrapped in protective blankets. If I had blankets it would take on a more 'rough' appearance but I have weighed in on advanced paints or coatings that eliminate the need for blankets.

Here is another pic at about 80% done. You cannot really see the forward sensor fins well but they have been updated too.

http://www.concept40.com/galleries/sciartpost/10182001/mino_new1.jpg

[Masao]

I like it! The new details are completely consistent, so I have no complaint. As far as textures, Skyhawk, figure that this ship is only about 50 meters long, or about the size of Boeing 767 or 757. The surface is probably as smooth, if not smoother, and less subject to weathering, since it's in space.

[skyhawk223]

Perhaps it is the reflectivity. The second image looks great. There is no specularity bloom like there is on the first image. Would it be possible to apply some sort of spec map to break up the bloom a little bit?