Author Topic: RP1's Digital Creations (Read 24151 times)

RP1 · « **on:** October 10, 2012, 11:38:18 PM »

Hello everybody!

Henceforth I shall be dumping my digital creations here. These will be *very* random; some big projects, some 5-minute creations for Facebook threads.

Just to start; Jetpack Commandos!

The face was lifted from a Starship Troopers propaganda poster, although I think that itself was derived from a Second World War piece...

- RP1

RP1 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 11, 2012, 01:58:04 AM »

... and now the first WiP. Everything got interrupted by a house move, but this is a "retro"-styled Starfury. With SPACE 60lb-RP:

RP1

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #2 on:** October 11, 2012, 04:26:47 AM »

Can't wait to see more.

The Retro Starfury looks great - kind of what one would expect if you smashed a Star Fury, A TIE Fighter and A HAwker Typhoon together...

:)

Tophe · « **Reply #3 on:** October 11, 2012, 11:32:32 AM »

I'd be curious to see a sketch of this spacecraft engines... (with 3 intakes in 3 directions?)

Doom! · « **Reply #4 on:** October 11, 2012, 09:14:18 PM »

Cool, I like the spiderweb canopy. :)

RP1 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 03, 2013, 05:47:26 AM »

I'm still alive!

Floating anti-gravity Churchill tank thingy.

Yes, I've been playing World of Tanks.

RP1

jorel62 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 03, 2013, 06:30:08 AM »

Very nice work.....

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #7 on:** April 03, 2013, 08:49:08 AM »

That looks great!

arc3371 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 03, 2013, 09:26:04 AM »

Looks great except for the muzzlebreak

RP1 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 09, 2013, 06:40:49 AM »

Hi All,

Since one of the things I get paid to do is to allow my imagination to trump reality

, I thought I'd post these here...

Next week I'm presenting this in Bath, our design for an Unmanned Surface Vehicle carrying Ocean Patrol Vessel.

Firstly, the USV - a 10 tonne semi-submersible craft capable of a range of roles.

The baseline armament is a remote weapons station with a .50cal and a couple of laser-guided missiles for use in the Anti-Surface Warfare Role.

And the mothership, a 3000 tonne 100m patrol ship, with a light armament and capable of carrying 6 of the USVs (or various other things) in a midships mission bay.

And now the fleet, well part of it. Everywhere you go, they'll be watching you!

RP1

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #10 on:** June 09, 2013, 07:03:09 AM »

Which company are these for Rachel?

RP1 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 09, 2013, 08:14:33 AM »

Hi!

The UCL Design Research Centre, part of the Marine Research Group in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. This was the third in a series of freelance studies into unmanned vehicles at sea, and was inspired by a project on launch and recovery I am part of.

The first design was for a 7000 tonne UCAV carrier (the ship, not the aircraft!) way back in 2009:

And in 2011 we looked at a fuel-cell powered UUV of about 25 tonnes that could be carried by a nuclear-powered mother~~ship~~ boat:

Hmmmm, evil killbots of doom:

RP1

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #12 on:** June 10, 2013, 04:02:20 AM »

Can you point me towards more info on these - I love them all.

RP1 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 11, 2013, 08:47:28 PM »

I'll see if I can make the papers available on-line. There's a funny issue with copyright, but AIUI the conference organisers only have copyright over the papers when part of the proceedings, not the actual papers themselves.

RP1

Frank3k · « **Reply #14 on:** June 11, 2013, 11:38:36 PM »

The USV looks both modern and very retro. Why are the propulsion units on the mothership facing forward? Do they swivel?

I like the carrier sub, with the side launch doors.

RP1 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 17, 2013, 09:02:51 PM »

Quote

Why are the propulsion units on the mothership facing forward? Do they swivel?

In this case yes, they are azimuthing Z-drives driven from motors in the hull. Based on current commercial equipment - i.e. deliberately not pushing technological bounds for the mothership. Putting the propellers at the front improves efficiency, as they are operating in more even flow (the small pod containing the lower gearbox, and the strut above it, decelerate the flow due to drag, so a propeller at the back is operating in an asymmetric flow field).

Azimuthing propellers were used in this design to provide additional manoeuvrability for USV recovery. There is also provision for a small drop-down propulsor to be located forward if required. The main propulsors are roughly based on the RR Contaz: http://www.rolls-royce.com/marine/products/propulsors/azimuth_thrusters/contaz.jsp

RP1

Kerick · « **Reply #16 on:** June 18, 2013, 01:49:35 AM »

Awesome concepts. Also, I would love to have your job.

RP1 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 22, 2013, 06:55:27 AM »

And now powered by STEAM! For REASONS!

RP1

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #18 on:** June 22, 2013, 07:54:07 AM »

Oh yeah! :)

RP1 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 09, 2013, 08:46:20 PM »

Low-poly K-class / X1 mashup action!

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #20 on:** July 10, 2013, 02:05:52 AM »

Different..

RP1 · « **Reply #21 on:** July 10, 2013, 02:17:13 AM »

There are going to be a lot more of these... the low-poly style is a quick way to explore all sorts of what-ifs! :)

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #22 on:** July 10, 2013, 02:24:22 AM »

Quote from: RP1 on July 10, 2013, 02:17:13 AM

the low-poly style is a quick way to explore all sorts of what-ifs! :)

Agreed! Much as a quick sketch can be used before cutting plastic.

RP1 · « **Reply #23 on:** July 10, 2013, 02:52:24 AM »

Interestingly, I should be able to go direct from these to 3D printing...

Frank3k · « **Reply #24 on:** July 10, 2013, 05:21:02 AM »

Quote from: RP1 on July 10, 2013, 02:52:24 AM

Interestingly, I should be able to go direct from these to 3D printing...

For 3D printing you'll want a higher poly count, though. The models have to be water-tight, too.

The K-class/X-1 looks interesting; what's the purpose of the twinned bow planes? They look cool or serve a purpose?

RP1 · « **Reply #25 on:** July 10, 2013, 06:00:53 AM »

Well, there's a trade off in that the lower the poly count, the easier it is to get a water-tight model as it is derived from a primitive. The low-poly look is also deliberate (I've been working on some scenes using this style), so I would want to retain it - the biggest difficulty is that some 3D printing - certainly SLS in plastics - has difficulty producing sharp edges so the low-poly effect could be spoiled.

The biplane bow planes are as per the historical X1. Given the limitations on the size of individual actuators that could be accommodated in the casing (or even manufactured), and the handling problems of the (slightly smaller) K-class, they were probably a very good idea.

RP1

Frank3k · « **Reply #26 on:** July 10, 2013, 10:47:35 AM »

Quote from: RP1 on July 10, 2013, 06:00:53 AM

Well, there's a trade off in that the lower the poly count, the easier it is to get a water-tight model as it is derived from a primitive. The low-poly look is also deliberate (I've been working on some scenes using this style), so I would want to retain it - the biggest difficulty is that some 3D printing - certainly SLS in plastics - has difficulty producing sharp edges so the low-poly effect could be spoiled

If you want a sharped edged poly look, then you just have to make it watertight. But even Shapeways has a pretty high resolution product (the printer can do better - they just don't give you the option for high res):

http://www.shapeways.com/materials/frosted-detail

The material has its limitations, but you can get a reasonably smooth hull with this. If you were to print the X1 in 1/350 scale, you would want to make the bow planes at least 0.5mm thick, even if they're out of scale. The acrylic polymer they use is pretty delicate in the smaller sizes. What program are you using for the drawings?

Thanks for the info on the biplane bow planes. They look so steam-punk.

RP1 · « **Reply #27 on:** July 12, 2013, 06:32:56 AM »

I decided that the previous steam tank had too many polygons for the Empire of Facetlandia, and too little NAVAL: :)

RP1

apophenia · « **Reply #28 on:** July 12, 2013, 08:37:21 AM »

Nice! Out of curiosity, do the twin funnels of your Facetlandian steam tank retract (or fold) when the turret traverses aft?

raafif · « **Reply #29 on:** July 12, 2013, 01:13:09 PM »

ah,yes, approve of the bolt detail & new wheels (those round ones were too snooty), should give the crew a real sense of SteamPunk

RP1 · « **Reply #30 on:** July 31, 2013, 11:28:51 PM »

But why would the turret *need* to traverse aft? Facetlandian troops are too cunning to be outflanked, and too brave to retreat!

RP1 · « **Reply #31 on:** August 01, 2013, 06:50:45 AM »

And now a ship - a souped-up version of PS Connaught (an Irish Sea steamer).

I've got a scheme underway involving STEAM! and AIRSHIPS! And possibly FABULOUS DRESSES!

RP1

arkon · « **Reply #32 on:** August 01, 2013, 07:09:46 AM »

wow! how did i miss this thread? great lookin ships you got there! the low poly count ones could easly become paper models i think. great work ,cant wait to see more!

kim margosein · « **Reply #33 on:** August 03, 2013, 05:15:12 AM »

Looks like you have the basis for a Steampunk Torpedo Boat Destroyer.

finsrin · « **Reply #34 on:** August 03, 2013, 06:09:33 AM »

PS Connaught :)
This looks styrene buildable based on a U-Boat or Fleet Boat or some destroyers.
You have great concept. One to hang onto in one's kitbashing mind.

RP1 · « **Reply #35 on:** August 05, 2013, 11:39:04 PM »

Hmmm... trimaran paddle-wheel TBD? *Runs off to the Facetcave*

RP1

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #36 on:** August 06, 2013, 02:41:32 AM »

Quote from: RP1 on August 05, 2013, 11:39:04 PM

Hmmm... trimaran paddle-wheel TBD? *Runs off to the Facetcave*

RP1

This is going to be great!

Dr. YoKai · « **Reply #37 on:** August 06, 2013, 04:25:33 AM »

All hail Steam! Neat work, RP - and when you get back to the 20th century, I hope we'll see more along the lines of the X-1 ( one of my five favorite submarines. Never knew that about the bow planes, but then there isn't a whole lot of information about the boat out there, as far as I can tell. I have reason to
believe it participated in a clandestine operation off the coast of Massachusetts in 1927, but the
sources are a bit obscure..

)

RP1 · « **Reply #38 on:** August 14, 2013, 06:12:56 AM »

What I've come up with: I decided that, given the unreliability of early torpedoes, the solution would be to fire a *lot*

RP1

RP1 · « **Reply #39 on:** May 02, 2014, 06:56:22 AM »

So I took the concept of "missile with a man in it" a bit literally... The Bloodhound orbital defence fighter! Also experimenting with cartoon effects, a WiP at the moment!

RP1

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #40 on:** May 03, 2014, 03:07:04 AM »

Wow! :)

Old Wombat · « **Reply #41 on:** May 03, 2014, 08:59:24 PM »

I'd like to see this given the same treatment!

Quote from: RP1 on August 14, 2013, 06:12:56 AM

:)

RP1 · « **Reply #42 on:** July 08, 2014, 06:24:54 AM »

Whoosh! The Royal Aerospace Corps dispatches an intruder spotted near the Skegness atomic power plant.

RP1

dy031101 · « **Reply #43 on:** July 08, 2014, 08:14:03 AM »

Quote from: RP1 on July 08, 2014, 06:24:54 AM

Whoosh! The Royal Aerospace Corps dispatches an intruder spotted near the Skegness atomic power plant.

The word "cute" came to my mind, followed right behind by the word "badass"! :)

How would the recovery be done though?

Buzzbomb · « **Reply #44 on:** July 08, 2014, 09:13:59 AM »

Again a sleeper thread that just oozes possiblities when it pops up again.'

Missed this the first time

Loving those steamer gunboats.

Jeffry Fontaine · « **Reply #45 on:** July 08, 2014, 09:31:32 AM »

Quote from: RP1 on June 09, 2013, 08:14:33 AM

And in 2011 we looked at a fuel-cell powered UUV of about 25 tonnes that could be carried by a nuclear-powered mother~~ship~~ boat:

Hmmmm, evil killbots of doom:

RP1

Reminds me of the U.S. Navy Project Moray* of which little information is available save for some rather deceptive drawings of a very large torpedo that was armed with a two man crew and some kind of hybrid rocket or rocket torpedo weapon that was carried in launch tubes around the periphery of the sonar sensor in the bow of the craft.

*Ridgecrest, California News Review - China Lakers build Moray after being told it can’t be done
*NOTS China Lake alumni.org - several images of Moray in the gallery. You need to scroll down the page to find the thumbnail images that pop out to a larger image

Weaver · « **Reply #46 on:** July 08, 2014, 02:51:01 PM »

That Bloodhound fighter looks awesome and very buildable. The front end reminds me a bit of some of the Lockheed proposals for super-interceptors in American Secret Projects - Fighters.

How does it take off and land?

RP1 · « **Reply #47 on:** July 08, 2014, 05:27:30 PM »

Hi,

The UUV study was partly inspired by Moray. One of my colleagues has an on-off idea for a modernised version of the concept, but it keeps getting interrupted by actual paid work

The Bloodhound fighter idea started after I picked up the Airfix kit for a couple of quid, but never did anything with it... Take-off is by a ZELL (of course! :) ) and landing is via a steerable nosewheel and skids that retract into the rear fuselage, a la X-15. I think the real problem would be that the CofG would be nowhere near the CofL, unless the radar was really heavy!

RP1

RP1 · « **Reply #48 on:** July 10, 2014, 06:25:15 AM »

Another old one from work, brought back because I am playing around with some illustration styles.

An electrically armed destroyer with a TriSWACH hullform, presented to the Engine as a Weapon conference (no, really!) in 2011 (IIRC).

RP1

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #49 on:** July 10, 2014, 03:39:01 PM »

I would love to see the whole presentation if possible.

Buzzbomb · « **Reply #50 on:** July 15, 2014, 02:12:07 PM »

Wow... very nice for a Birmoverse Axis of Time Trilogy style ship, perhaps the USS Leyte Gulf or a Sirinui

RP1 · « **Reply #51 on:** August 16, 2014, 07:08:02 AM »

...so, one of my researchers is learning German and we started making up big words and then this happened.

RP1

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #52 on:** August 17, 2014, 03:04:17 AM »

RP1 · « **Reply #53 on:** February 09, 2015, 05:11:11 AM »

So, a colleague produced a script to turn our CAD models into files for the laser cutter...

So we can go from the CAD file for HMS Deathstar (laser armed Type 45 replacement):

To a physical version - a simple representation, but more survivable than the 3D printed ones, so better for taking to conferences! :-)

RP1

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #54 on:** February 10, 2015, 02:06:19 AM »

Interesting - have they plans to also 3D print them?

RP1 · « **Reply #55 on:** February 10, 2015, 09:33:15 PM »

Well, we've taken to 3D printing the submarine designs produced in the short course in plastic (with interiors in some cases), and also the winning MSc ship design group each year get their design printed in steel or cast in pewter (using a 3D printed master).

The issue is that the ship design software has something of a casual disregard for the usual limits on facet aspect ratios etc so it produces very poor geometries that require a lot of editing, so we are somewhat limited. It's faster for me to remodel it in Truespace (old, but produces rock-solid geometries it seems) but again that comes down to hours of work and this is about 15 minutes...

We also have a scheme to print the general arrangement onto the decks, so there is some method to the madness here. :-)

RP1


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Author Topic: RP1's Digital Creations (Read 24151 times)