Ambassador class: Star Trek starship parts kit expansion #17

[Note: This kit is also available at an alternate Google Drive location. ]

This is the seventeenth expansion parts kit meant to complement my original Star Trek Constitution Class Parts Kit (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3652210), providing parts and ship models to support the Ambassador class starship as seen in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine.

See my Thingiverse Profile (https://www.thingiverse.com/CaptainMojo/designs) for the full list of parts kits I’ve released so far. Each of these kits includes combined ships and ship parts STL files, along with blender source files used to create them. Ship files should be ready to print. Part files are provided so you can import into your 3d modelling software of choice to combine and modify to easily create your own ship designs. All parts are meant to be cross-compatible between kits.

In this 3d version, I tried to stay as close to the filming model as I could given my skill level and the availability of detailed photos online. For a detailed discussion of the original filming models and the distinction between the versions used on the TV shows, see this Ex Astris Scientia article.

In addition to the two on-screen variants of the ambassador, I’ve also included several additional non-canon variants.

Ambassador Mk I

This is the version seen as the USS Enterprise NCC 1701-C on the TNG episode Yesterday’s Enterprise.

Ambassador Mk II

This was the version used in all other TNG or DS9 episodes. Includes minor differences in both details and placement to the saucer and nacelles.

Apollo Mk I

The Apollo is a fanon design (the “Apollo class” is mentioned on screen, but never seen) that basically serves as a companion to the Ambassador in the same way the Nebula class was to the Galaxy class. There are several versions floating around in fan art forums. This first version is a fairly basic kitbash featuring an “AWACS” sensor module. [I’m unsure of who originally came up with this design, so if you have additional background, please let me know.]

Apollo Mk II

This alternative version of the Apollo class was originally created by fan artist Eric Peterson in the early 2000’s. It features more substantial modifications to the base Ambassador parts, with an extended rear hull and two wing-like sensor modules at the top.

Consul

This is a modification of the Apollo Mk II suggested by Rolando Gámez over on the Facebook group Star Trek Starship Tactical Combat Simulator: On-Line Database & Archive. It removes the sensor modules and the Ambassador secondary hull giving it a more streamlined profile.

USS Pegasus concept

The USS Pegasus from the TNG episode The Pegasus ended up as an Oberth class. However, it was originally designed by Rick Sternbach to be a kitbash of parts from the Enterprise-C. Similar to the Apollo Mk I, this design moves the nacelles forward and connects them directly to the saucer.

Combined ship STL files are included in this Thing. Additional files are included in the following zip files:

• Ambassador-Parts-STLs.zip – Contains all of the individual part STL files used to create the combined ship files.
• Ambassador-Blender-Files.zip – Contains the source blender files used to generate the parts. Note the source for the Pegasus and Consul specific parts are included in the Apollo MK I and MK II parts file, respectively.

Notes on scaling and working with Blender

My target scale for all source files and output STL files is 1:1000, However, I generally recommend 1:2500 or smaller given the detail level of the model. Although these files have not been extensively tested through printing, they are intended to be resized to match common modelling and miniatures scales.

Blender

Blender is free, which to be honest was the primary factor in my decision to learn it. There are many fine video and text tutorials available online if you're interested in learning more. For a basic tutorial on moving and joining objects in Blender(which should be the minimum you need to know when working with these parts), see this instructables tutorial.

You can use File -> Import -> Stl (.stl) and File -> Export -> Stl (.stl) to load or save STL files in blender.

Note: These kits were built using Blender 2.9.

Post-processing STL output

Although all of the STL files included have been tested as valid watertight meshes, joining the parts together and exporting new STL files can introduce small errors that may cause issues with slicing programs. I recommend any STL files you create are checked using a program like Netfabb Basic free edition. Doing a simple "Close All Holes" repair has fixed most of the issues I've run into so far. If you do run into issues with mesh quality, please let me know.

File manifest

Parts

The Ambassador-Parts-STLs.zip file contains all of the part STL model files listed below. Note that variants will only have parts for features that are unique to that design (for instance, the Apollo class ships use the same nacelles as the standard Ambassador class).