Futuristic car and spacecraft

[Frank3k]

I've taken some time to learn a set of tools in my CAD program (Rhino3D) called "SubD", which is their version of Subdivision Surface editing, which is similar to what Blender and similar software used for modeling. After a few online tutorials and videos, i was ready for a test. I found this Spanish Science Fiction magazine cover online and it has a couple of good test subjects:



I tried the car first - since this is a pulp magazine illustration and not a properly dimensioned and proportioned artwork. design, I went for a general resemblance, especially since I am learning new tools.
It went pretty well. The perspective on the cover isn't too bad (for the car) and I was able to made an educated guess at the derotated shape of the vehicle. After a few hours I had this:



I'm guessing that the fin-like shape over the cockpit/cabin are the doors in a retracted or raised position. While editing the image, I thought the doors made the car look like a rabbit. You guys tell me:





I may add an interior and some other details and possibly print it. Before I do that, I want to try the spaceship. Right off the bat, I can tell that the perspective is off, but I'll try to correct it.

[Frank3k]

The spaceship wasn't too hard to model, although I had to deal with the artwork's perspective. I took some artistic license, but here it is before I add the final touches:



It needs some tweaks and windows. I may print this one as well.

[Dr. YoKai]

They both look pretty neat, and it is grand to see you returning to this type of work. I will have to quibble with you about the car, though-I think that's a styling fin/spike coming off the top. not the doors seen at an acute angle. That said, the doors do look good.

[apophenia]

... That said, the doors do look good.

Doc may be right about that being a fin ... but keep the Bunny ears! They are adorable    And funny 

I like your tweaks to the spaceship too. The body now looks more take-'er-into-the-atmosphere than just Buck Rogers styling cues.

Rationalising that large central rocket motor was also a good idea. I can see the idea of a slightly larger 'sustainer' motor but, in the original design, that central honker would seem to make the other three motors irrelevant at speed.

[Frank3k]

Craig, you're probably right. I don't know what purpose the fins are for, but I modeled them.  It looks less like a rabbit:



I also made some changes to the spacecraft - I'm going to stop it here, since it's going from "learn new tools" to "futz with the model until it matches the drawing", and that's not the goal:



I'll try to make these printable, at least on the FDM. They won't be pretty, but I'll make a the doors and fins interchangeable on the car. I also have to come up with an interior.

[The Rat]

Nice! if you want more inspiration, there were some interesting designs in The Trigan Empire

[Old Wombat]

Craig, you're probably right. I don't know what purpose the fins are for, but I modeled them.  It looks less like a rabbit:

I don't want to sound like a Negative Nancy but I think you've got the body shape wrong, too, Frank.

I thought something was off in the earlier images but this last one confirmed it for me.

I don't think that curved line at the front is for a "wheel" arch for a non-existent wheel. I think the body bulges out wide from the nose & blends in to the rear wheel arch, & that the curved line is a decorative panel ridge of some sort.

I say this because, in the original image, the line comes out from behind the curved feature at the front & there is no indication of a different curvature to that of the centre section. It probably makes for a somewhat more complex blend of curves into the rear wheel arch but it makes more sense, to me, given what I'm seeing. Especially as the cabin appears to be wider than your rabbit car's.

It's a lovely design in its own right, though! 



PS: Since when has a fin had to have a purpose, other than aesthetic, in old school sci-fi art? 

[Frank3k]

No, you're right, Guy. Sometimes it helps to come back at a model after letting it sit for a few days. You get so focused with one design element that you miss the bigger picture. I'll give it a try, since changing the body shape with some ease is one of the strengths of SubD modelling (in theory). Like Weaver mentioned over at WhatIf, that line may be a slight bulge and not a "cheek"

[Old Wombat]

No, you're right, Guy. Sometimes it helps to come back at a model after letting it sit for a few days. You get so focused with one design element that you miss the bigger picture. I'll give it a try, since changing the body shape with some ease is one of the strengths of SubD modelling (in theory). Like Weaver mentioned over at WhatIf, that line may be a slight bulge and not a "cheek"

Keep the rabbit version, though! Just make it with two front wheels. It's too cute not to!