Some finished renders of the Hyperion, Phil Bono’s SSTO design.
This view has some perspective, and I have added a figure for scale. Continue reading “Bono’s Hyperion, finished renders”
Month: December 2016
Making a dwarf planet – Tutorial
I wanted to make a dwarf planet, using elevation maps from the Moon, (and maybe Mars?) for realistic craters. I thought it may be helpful to save out the steps, so that others can follow along. Tutorial time!
You will need:
- The 3D program of your choice, it should support displacement maps.
- A high res source elevation map, these are available online.
- An image editor that can edit 16 bit grey scale images.
Getting started
I started with a slice of elevation map from the rear of the moon, (less recognisable), in the proportions of 2:1
This will have seams at the left and right edges. To fix this we need to first use an offset filter, with wrap, to move the whole thing 50% to the right. Continue reading “Making a dwarf planet – Tutorial”
Next project – Phil Bono’s Hyperion
Next up, another classic design from the fertile mind of Phil Bono, the Hyperion.
This is a large single stage to orbit (SSTO) design, which can launch via a rocket sled, (should there be a convenient nearby 1 mile high mountain, anyway).
NASA PRANDTL Flying Wing – finished renders
Some finished renders of the flying wing design. See previous posts for the work in progress, and sample reference images.
The sky was the most difficult part here. I was compositing onto panoramic photos, and had to make my own sky. I really liked the dark greyish green, but it’s not very realistic.
Continue reading “NASA PRANDTL Flying Wing – finished renders”
Affinity Photo – first impressions review
I have been growing more and more frustrated with my current image editor, Photoshop Elements. Not least because of it’s incessant update demands – and I have yet to notice a single benefit, despite the exclamation marks on every announcement.
I built my first web site with Serif WebPlus, and was interested when I heard they were going to try and take on the full fat Photoshop, and no nasty support rental charges.
Well, it was on offer, and I have a Christmas break coming up, (with a chance to spend time learning it), so the timing seemed good. Incidentally, apart from taking them up on the £10 off deal, open to everyone, no money changed hands for this review.
I’m also aware that other members of the International Association of Astronomical Artists are more than a bit resentul of the rental approach too…
Continue reading “Affinity Photo – first impressions review”
NASA – PRANDTL Flying Wing for Mars
This concept is a flying wing, or bodyless plane, currently being tested for a possible flight to prove the concept. It is intended to work well in the thin atmosphere of the planet Mars, and would be tested at very high altitude on Earth, where the pressure is similar.
You can find out more about the project here:
https://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/features/mars_airplane.html
Here’s the current state of my quickie project, I’m still very unsure on what to do on the bottom of the craft.
Classic space cruiser, finished renders
Right! The space cruiser is now done. I struggled a bit with the nose until I decided to make it a dome, and then added the spike, and the scallopped textures around it.
These renders are deliberately not done in a very realistic style. To be specific:
- The environment reflected in the chrome is not in the scene
- The lighting is very broad, not accurate for a smape scene.
- Lighting directions may not match properly, I’ve gone for drama over realism.
Classic 1930’s space cruiser
It occured to me that I really don’t remember ever seeing one of those really old pulp SF cover space cruisers done in a modern CGI style. You know, the ones that look like a cross between a Zepellin and an express steam train:
Buck Rogers – The Original Rocket
I’ve just finished up “The Satellite”, the original 1930’s design for the Buck Rogers Rocket. References were a bit contradictory, so I would not be surprised if you find some that look a bit different.
Here are some of the more unusual features:
- It’s a tractor rocket. By which I mean the rockets are at the front and it is pulled by them, rather than pushed.
- It has four retro rocket tubes at the front.
- It lands by balancing on it’s tail! Not very stable…
- It had four weapons blisters with slots down the side.