Attached Link: http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g199/dhama/STprop.jpg

Between my Bryce renders i've been trying a little real world modelling. I recently had become re aquinted with the Star Trek series again, after my partner insisted on buying all the series. So anyway, i'd heard of some Star Trek prop makers, and decided to try it myself. I've gotta say, it's great fun. I've included a photo of what i'm creating at the moment... all are props, or slighlty modified props from Star Trek Voyager/Deep Space Nine. Namely the Tricorder, PADD and The holograhic Doctors Mobile emitter. Anyone else out there had a go at making models in the real world?

Looks very good! I agree that building "real-world" props, or models can be a lot of fun. I had a model railroad for many years and "scratch-built" all the scenery and structures, including an entire small town. I built an original design laser rifle for a very low budget Sci-Fi movie called "The Aftermath". The bastards didn't even give me a credit on IMDB. I still build props for theater and my own Halloween costumes.

Do you have any pics of anything you've built 50parsecs? Sounds like you are more an expert than I.

Looks cool.

The Doc's holo-emitter, a PADD, and a tricorder (how pathetic am I?...;)

I've tried doing the LCARS on the front like you have; have you found a way to make a smooth curve on the edges without stair-stepping (I had a moment of vindication watching Voyager once, and noticed their close up of one screen had the same problem)

btw - at Star Trek conventions, these go for serious bucks ( 'working' ones, with lights, and sounds, can go upwards of $300)

great modeling...keep it up.

I always use 16bit to get rid of the stepping. You are right though, the displays in the Star Trek world don't really stand up to close scrutiny, maybe because for the most they are only used as slightly out of focus background eye candy.
Yes, there is a huge fanbase out there and one could easily make a living from making and selling such items on Ebay.... and people will pay silly money for them. For example, a tricorder with 85 running light displays and authentic sound, recently went for over $1,000 last month at Ebay.... but if one has the time, can construct one for around $300... but there you go.

Attached Link: BBC Local News Story

You just have to know when to quit.......

...but i've just started.......

Sorry to say, but it appears that I lost all photos of my model and special effects work a couple of moves ago. Actually, I would say your work here is more expert than mine because you are working from an established prototype, and there are many Star Trek fans who would spot any deviations from the original. I worked with the luxury of making up my own designs, so I had a lot of leeway since I wasn't following a "real-world" example.
 

Heres an update on two of the models....

Nicely done, and very impressive!