 | Using videotapes of Vorlon fighters, I've reverse-engineered their 3D structure andused Raydream 3D studio to make a 3D model. The battle between the Shadowsand Vorlons inInterludes and Examinations was my main reference.
If you're unfamiliar with the show, see the sections entitled "Vorlon Empire" in thefirst,second andthird seasonbackground summaries on theLurkers Guide to Babylon 5 for more information. |
| Vorlon Fighters on Modified MyCn18 Nebula
(74 KBJPEG)
The 3D model was rendered using a background created from an image on theAstronomy picture of day site (theMyCn18 Nebula image is archived).
| 
| Fighter Passing Camera
(113 KBAVI)
The fighter passes the camera in this 2 second clip. The image tothe left shows the first and last frames.
| 
| Single Vorlon Fighter
(61 KBJPEG)
A larger rendering of a single Vorlon fighter on a blackbackground.
| 
| Color-Coded Vorlon Fighter
(48 KBJPEG)
The same 3D model of the Vorlon fighter in the same orientation as theabove image was rendered with different sectionsof the fighter in a different primary colors. You can see the structure of the ship more clearly.
|
Creating this model was fairly easy. Because of the fighter's highdegree of radial symmetry, there are only four master objects inthe model: the body, tentacle, bulge (light blue on the shaded model)and petal (yellow on the shaded model). All are single cross-sectionshapes except for the petal, which has a flat cross section in theback and a scooped out cross section in the center. While buildingthis object, I found that you get a much smoother surface (withoutthe dreaded 'trangularization' that Ray Dream sometimes puts in)if you use the same number of drawing points on all the cross sectionsfor a single object.
I used Ray Dream's 3Dpaintbrush for the first time on this model. This feature lets you draw on the surface of objects andwas used to create the engine on the back of the body (which is stillpart of the main body object) and the glowing surface on the insideof the petals.
I'm interested in feedback on the model. Let me know how close you thinkit is to the real thing on the show, and what modifications youwould suggest to get it closer. |
Feel free to create your own renderings or modify the models. Please include a link back to this page if you put any of theresults up on the WWW.
You canE-mail me ifyou would like me to add you to a list of people I notify when I put up new or revised models on this site. |
|
