It was a well done try, although myself I never saw an Oberth model that near before since you showed it here.

Ok that answers my question about the 2 parts, I think its feasible. Heck they could use transporter pads if they really wanted to for the rare times they needed to.

I was just thinking about that same thing also, ...since Kenneth explained the way it was built.

Consistent. The turbo-lift tube was rarely used (If that entire lower section is the engineering hull). However, note that the impulse engines are attached to the upper flat structure, and what looks like the top of the warp cores (two small) are also on top of the flat portion, just behind the saucer. There are different drawings regarding what is in the lower section. Some show decks and others show hardware. That there are no windows in the lower section makes it less likely that it is inhabitable. See below.

Makes sense... well as far as fictional ships can go.

The only issue I see is that if anything broke or got damaged unless it was minor they would almost need to dock to fix it. Making it a not so durable ship, but as I think you were saying earlier, they were made to be cheap and fast to build.

Funny thought popped into my head just now (looking at all the wing-like designs in the ship models), in space you really don't need aerodynamics since there is next to zero friction (unless something weird is going on). I was thinking of shapes that would be weird for us on earth but not so weird in space and I think the sphere might be one of the best designs, it has the most internal space for the hull material, and since gravity is relative in space anyways, you wouldn't really worry about facing so much. Since the Borg use spheres and cubes, I'm wondering how useful a cube really is. I kind of get the Nano-technology feel when I look at a cube since I can imagine several cubes joining together... Anyways just random thoughts.

All you say is true. One other factor is space particles. As I understand it at light speeds the (theoretical) reason for deflectors is that even small particles become major projectiles that can rip through a ship like a bullet through tissue. Perhaps streamlining minimizes how much must be deflected or makes it so that a deflector field can be shaped long and slender (front to back) so that the particles strike a glancing blow to pass around the ship.

On another design issue, I have always imagined that the reason that the engines are held away from a starship on pylons, is that there is some health risk to the crew from proximity to the warp field. Unfortunately some Federation designs don't follow that pattern. Maybe by the time of the Defiant, they had developed a shielding. It also appears that some races either have this shielding OR don't care OR their species is not susceptible.

But then, it's all make believe anyway.

Let's stay on the make believe.
I believe you are right about deflectors, which they discovered when working with anti-matter. It would keep them from any small damage while flying in space, from dust to football size meteorites (maybe bigger also).
I guess Federation has discovered containment field to keep from any damage coming from the warp core or anti-matter. That is why they can work so near of warp cores and anti-matter. They also use it for keeping prisoners from escaping. Looks like these containment field were not taking so much power and it would be possible to vary the strength of the field. I saw that in Voyager episodes, or ST.. On scientific ships, they would use it to study dangerous objects and gases (the Genesis Projects I think).
I wonder if that's what you're chatting about... If not forget me!

Indeed, but spaceships are also supposed to move inside atmospheres (in case of an emergency) and this has been demonstrated on many occassions, eg Voyager, TOS, TNG etc.

Another good point. Ironically, the most likely atmosphere vessel is a shuttle and they are not always that aerodynamic. But then they don't go that fast (with the exception of the Delta flyer, I guess)

Well not to devalue your thought, but don’t the ships (majority of the larger ones) not actually fly but rather ‘float’, so they don't really need wings (i.e. for the larger vessels). As for the shuttles yeah I have no clue, again I'm guessing it is because of the way they 'fly'; to me it seem rather than flight via lift, they use fields, gravity manipulation and thrusters to stay afloat.

You are correct about space particles, I hadn't thought about them damaging a ship a that speed. Yesterday I was looking up friction in space though and found some information. Apparently according to NASA there is 1 particle per cubic centimeter in space within our galaxy and 2 x 10^-31 gm/cm3 in between galaxies. The majority of the matter (90%) is hydrogen particles. They claimed that friction would not affect a ship to any relevant degree at those densities, however I’m pretty sure they aren’t taking light speed into account (or warp speeds). One interesting note is, doesn’t a warp engine actually fold space to create an easier route, I seem to recall that being explained in some different episodes. I think the deflector is used for multiple things of which one is for warp travel like you said (but does it play a part in the field). One of my favorite things about Star Trek is how close to reality it actually is, and when it is not, reality sometimes changes to fit it instead! (Cell phones, Ipads, etc.) So much stuff has been inspired by the imagination of Star Trek.

I think you are right though, this ship is designed to be sleek, I’d imagine it would have plenty of missions where it might enter a gas giant, or travel through a nebula, or other more dense areas of space. I think the reason some of the ships have the nacelles on the sides is to do with the creation of the warp fields for that size/shape of ship.

Anyways I’m sorry if I took this too far off topic.

You're right - they float in an antigrav sense. That's kind of what I meant. Shuttles travel from ship to planet and thus are more often in the atmosphere. They are not always that aerodynamic however. And your comment would be the reason why. They are not really trying to fly in that atmosphere.

I agree, but air friction is present in either case and therefore an aerodynamic shape is needed

True but they kind of land straight down, so wouldn't it make more sense to look like a dart nose down then?

I'm teasing mostly lolz, I see your point.

Actually a dart shaped ship would look neat for an alien vessel

Working on a Dominion attack Beetle. As I said somewhere else, not an easy mesh.

Already off to a good start it looks like.

It looks like you are well on your way. Thanks for the update.

The last few tweaks will take place tonight on the first scene of that Dominion intro. I took your advice about the timing on the Founder morph. I should start backing the video tonight. I estimate the 20 seconds will take about two days to generate. If there is no show stopping issues I will YouTube it with a link here.

That leaves about 40 seconds for the rest of the story. That is more than enough time for your Beetles to do their thing.

Obedience brings victory, and victory is life

Thanks for your comments. This mesh is all original shapes. You work and work and then it hits you how to solve a problem. The more times you solve a difficult shape, the better you get at solving other shapes.

For example, I spent 2hours on the engines and couldn't finish them because the software wouldn't round them. It hit me to try another way and I had them done in about 15 min. Victory brings life!

Time to also finish up the Enterprise Mesh. The Saucer is completely new.

Looks like you got that one right!

Why thank-you, my good man! Live long and compose...

That is quite nice. I am looking forward to the professional grade texture job I know you can do.

With thanks to our film expert! Live long and AVI...

Some Reliant Work. I really am working on the Dominion Attack Ship. It will be a pleasant surprise.

Wow! It really looks like a photo!
That'll be my wallpaper as of now! SUPERB! ...Pleeeease!
1600X900 would be perfect! Thanks a bunch my friend!

Wow, that is nice.
I am at a meeting in Chicago this week so not much is going on for the video.

I guess we're not in a rush state so no problem my friend!
Success in your meeting!

Although there is still a lot to do, here is an update to the attack beetle. I should also note that Kenneth's Dominion Video is an ambitious project that is coming along quite nicely. Gotta get the Beetle up to par!

You know, I'd like to see one of your marvellous bug thingies ram into a ship and demolish it! I maybe am a maniac! But quality for quality, the story still goes on! Federation against Dominion or Klingon! With all the quality I see here, I still need some action! Action, please! Am I crazy?

Ken will know how to do that. At some point I need to learn the skill from him.