Spacecraft Wood

Spacecraft Wood

Learn how to Model a Steampunk Spacecraft using Blender 3D

Steampunk concept

Before we actually begin working on the model, let's make clear the difference between a regular spacecraft and a steampunk spacecraft. Although both of them are based on science fiction, the steampunk spacecraft has a few important characteristics that differ from a regular hi-tech spacecraft.

Imagine a world where the advances of science and machinery were actually developed centuries ago. For example, imagine medieval knights using hi-tech armor and destroying castles with rockets. It may sound strange, as the rockets have been made only for the army in the last century. What would a fighter jet look like in the Middle Ages? It would be a mix of steel, glass, and wood.

The steampunk environment is made out of these kinds of things, modern objects and vehicles produced and developed in a parallel universe, where those discoveries were made long ago.

The secret of designing a good steampunk vehicle or object is to mix the recent technology with the materials and methods available in past times, such as wood and bronze to make a space suit. If you need some inspiration to design objects like those, watch some recent movies that use a steampunk environment to create some interesting machines. But, to really get to the source, I do recommend that you read some books written by Jules Verne, who wrote about incredible environments and machines that dive deep into the ocean or travel to outer space.

Spacecraft concept

Now that we know how to design a good steampunk machine, let's discuss the concept of this spacecraft. For this project, we will design a machine that mixes some elements of steel, but not those fancy industrial plates and welded parts. Instead, our machine will have the look and feel of a machine built by a blacksmith. As it would be really strange to have wooden parts for a spacecraft, we will skip or use this material only for the interior.

Other aspects of the machine that will help give the impression of a steampunk spacecraft are as follows:

Riveted sheets of metal
Metal with the look of bronze
Valves and pipes

Building edges and planes for the spacecraft

The technique used to build this model is called edge modeling or poly modeling, which is a derivation of subdivision. In this type of modeling, we have to progressively create edges and faces to build the overall model, which will result in creating a full model. Even if it seems difficult and hard to complete, we have full control over the topology of the model with this type of modeling. It is very important to have control over the topology for models like machines, where the precision and organization of the vertices, edges, and faces can really matter.

The other important aspect of the project, if we look at the concept images, is the fact that this object is perfectly symmetrical, so we can build only half of the spacecraft and mirror the other part.

Creating the first section of the spacecraft

Open Blender and start a new model in top view, adding a mesh cube to the scene. This will be the object used to derive all other geometry for this first step of the spacecraft.

While in edit mode, select the bottom edge of the plane and with the E key extrude it four times.

The extrusions should follow the proportions shown in the following image:

The next step is to rotate the view. Without rotating the model with the middle mouse button, select only the faces pointed out in the following image:

Then, move them just a bit along the Z axis.

Change the selection mode to edge with the Ctrl+Tab keys, and choose the edges on the lower right side of the model. There, we will extrude the edges down the Z axis.

With the selection mode set to vertices, select only the small triangle created in the previous extrude. Triangular faces are harder to control and can mess up a mesh, but in this case, it won't be a problem because no edge loop will be created at that point. When the three vertices are selected, press the F key to create a new face.

Now, we can begin creating the side part of the model that will connect down with the wing. Select the edges pointed out in the following image:

Then, extrude the edges four times in the Z direction.

Because a big part of the main body is beginning to appear, we can start making a few adjustments to the last extruded edges. Those edges are pointed out in the following image. To make the selection easier, just hold down the Alt key and click on one edge to select the full loop. If any extra edge gets into the selection, just click on it with the Shift key pressed to remove the edge from the selection. Each loop must be selected individually and moved a bit to the right along the X axis. This will create a small curvature on the side of the model.

Repeat the same process for the edges at the back of the model.

Modeling the wing

With the first part of the modeling created, we can now work on the wing modeling. The wing will be created from a series of extrusions coming from the side of the model, and the edges that we must select are pointed out in the following image:

Set the view to top and start a series of extrusions to create the mesh required for the wing. Four new extrusions will be needed.

With the base for the wing created, we will move a few vertices to shape the wing. Change the work mode to vertex, and move the vertices pointed out in the following image:

Those vertices were moved down in the Y axis.

Rotate the view to select the edges pointed out in the following image, and move them up in the Z axis. It will simulate a turbine air entry.

Modeling the front

The basis for the wing is created, so now we can move forward to the front of the spacecraft. To start modeling the front, select two edges located on the side of the wing, as shown in the following image:

With those vertices selected, extrude them three times.

If you have not yet saved the project, now would be a good time to do so.

To finish this part of the project, select only the two edges at the right side of the model, and extrude them along the X axis.

This will be the basis for the modeling of the cockpit.

For more information please visit:http://www.packtpub.com/blender-3d-2-49-incredible-machines/book

About the Author

The author works with Blender 3D to produce animations and still images for visualization and instructional material. Besides his work with Blender as an artist, he also has a large experience in teaching and researching about 3D modeling, animation, and multimedia.