Notes on scaling and working with Blender
My target scale for all source files and output STL files is 1:1000. Although these files have not been extensively tested through printing, they are intended to be resized to match common modelling and miniatures scales.
Target scale - Scale STL files to: - Notes
1/3900 - 0.25641026 (25.6%) - FASA miniature scale
1/3788 - 0.26399155 (26.4%) - ADB Starline 2400 scale
1/3125 - 0.32 (32%) - ADB Starline 2500 scale
1/2500 - 0.4 (40%) - The Trek modelers "Golden scale"
1/1600 - 0.625 (62.5%) - TOS 3-Ship Set scale
1/1400 - 0.714285714 (71%) - Common resin model scale
1/650 - 1.538461538 (153%) - Modelling scale
1/537 - 1.862197393 (186%) - Common scale for TMP models
1/350 - 2.857142857 (285%) - Large scale
Blender is free, which to be honest was t heprimary factor in my decision to learn it. There are many fine video and text tutorials available online if you're interested in learning more. See the Blender fundamentals tutorials playlist to get started.
Note: These kits were built using Blender 2.8.
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 all of the issues I've run into so far. If you do run into issues with mesh quality, please let me know.
Parts list
The following lists provide a summary of each of the included parts. For the majority of items, the mesh origin has been set so that when you import these objects into your 3d editor of choice, they are positioned as they would be on the sample ships provided.
When comparing parts, especially wings, you’ll notice a “base” and “detailed” version of each. The only difference is that the base versions do not include the “feathers” on the wing or other minor hull details. I know some experienced modelers prefer to add details like this manually or through painting / decals (to great result!), and these simplified parts are included to support this approach.
By default the V-30 parts are all oriented for its “attack” mode. Versions in cruise mode can be found in the blender parts file.
Parts
Part - Description
V4-canon-port.stl - Wing canon port side.
V4-canon-starboard.stl - Wing canon starboard side.
V4-main-hull.stl - Central hull containing forward command deck and aft impulse section. The box in the lower front is meant to be a small shuttlebay.
V4-nacelle-port.stl - Port warp nacelle.
V4-nacelle-pylon-port.stl - Port pylon connecting nacelle to main hull.
V4-nacelle-pylon-starboard.stl - Starboard pylon connecting nacelle to main hull.
V4-nacelle-starboard.stl - Starboard warp nacelle.
V4-wings-base.stl - Wing body without “feathers”.
V4-wings-detailed.stl - Wing body with “feathers”. Default in blender parts file.
V16-command-module.stl - BOP style neck and command bridge.
V16-main-hull.stl - Modified main hull that removed some command module details to support the connecting BOP style neck.
v7-canon-port.stl - Wing canon port side.
v7-canon-starboard.stl - Wing canon starboard side.
v7-main-hull-base.stl - Main center hull without minor details .
v7-main-hull-detailed.stl - Main center hull including minor details. Default in blender parts file.
v7-nacelle-port.stl - Port warp nacelle.
v7-nacelle-pylon-port.stl - Port pylon connecting nacelle to main hull.
v7-nacelle-pylon-starboard.stl - Starboard pylon connecting nacelle to main hull.
v7-nacelle-starboard.stl - Starboard warp nacelle.
v7-wing-port-base.stl - Port wing body without “feathers”.
v7-wing-port-detailed.stl - Port wing body with “feathers”.
v7-wing-starboard-base.stl - Starboard wing body without “feathers”.
v7-wing-starboard-detailed.stl - Starboard wing body with “feathers”.
V27-bridge-module.stl - Command decks.
V27-Impulse-module-port.stl - Port impulse engine and cowling.
V27-Impulse-module-starboard.stl - Starboard impulse engine and cowling.
V27-main-hull.stl - Central hull.
V27-nacelle-port.stl - Port warp nacelle.
V27-nacelle-starboard.stl - Starboard warp nacelle.
V27-wing-port-base.stl - Port wing body without “feathers”.
V27-wing-port-detailed.stl - Port wing body with “feathers”.
V27-wing-starboard-base.stl - Starboard wing body without “feathers”.
V27-wing-starboard-detailed.stl - Starboard wing body with “feathers”.
V30-disruptor-port.stl - Port hull-mounted disrupter. Default orientation is attack mode.
V30-disruptor-starboard.stl - Starboard hull-mounted disrupter. Default orientation is attack mode.
V30-Impulse-unit-port.stl - Port impulse engine.
V30-impulse-unit-starboard.stl - Starboard impulse engine.
V30-nacelle-port.stl - Port warp nacelle.
V30-nacelle-starboard.stl - Starboard warp nacelle.
V30-primary-hull-basic.stl - Main hull without minor details.
V30-primary-hull-details.stl - Main hull with minor details.
V30-Ship-core-base.stl - Main hull incorporating impulse drives and wing connectors. No minor hull details.
V30-Ship-core-details.stl - Main hull incorporating impulse drives and wing connectors. Includes minor hull details.
V30-tail-basic-port.stl - Port tail assembly without “feathers”.
V30-tail-basic-starboard.stl - Starboard tail assembly without “feathers”.
V30-tail-details-port.stl - Port tail assembly with “feathers”.
V30-tail-details-starboard.stl - Starboard tail assembly with “feathers”.
V30-wing-basic-port.stl - Port wing without “feathers”.
V30-wing-basic-starboard.stl - Starboard wing without “feathers”.
V30-wing-connector-inner-port.stl - Port wing connector (main hull side)
V30-wing-connector-inner-starboard.stl - Starboard wing connector (main hull side)
V30-wing-connector-outer-port.stl - Port wing connector (wing side)
V30-wing-connector-outer-starboard.stl - Starboard wing connector (wing side)
V30-wing-details-port.stl - Port wing with “feathers”.
V30-wing-details-starboard.stl - Starboard wing with “feathers”.
Combined ship STLs
These files provide sample ships generated using the parts included in this kit. Note that for users who want to add more detail manually after printing, all ships have a base version that does not include the “feathers” on the wings, and a detailed version including them.
Part - Description
ship-V4-base.stl - V-4 without “feathers”.
ship-V4-detailed.stl - V-4 with “feathers”.
ship-v16-base.stl - V-4 variant with bird-of-prey neck and command module. Without “feathers”.
ship-v16-detailed.stl - V-4 variant with bird-of-prey neck and command module. With “feathers”.
ship-V7-base.stl - V-7 without “feathers”.
ship-V7-detailed.stl - V-7 with “feathers”.
ship-V27-base.stl - V-27 without “feathers”.
ship-V27-detailed.stl - V-27 with “feathers”.
ship-V30-base-attack-mode.stl - V-30 in attack mode configuration. Without “feathers”.
ship-V30-base-cruise-mode.stl - V-30 in cruise mode configuration. Without “feathers”.
ship-V30-detailed-attack-mode.stl - V-30 in attack mode configuration. With “feathers”.
ship-V30-detailed-cruise-mode.stl - V-30 in cruise mode configuration. With “feathers”.
Blender files
Blender files are included in the zip file: RomulanWingSeriesBlenderFiles.zip
This file contains two blender files for each design: a parts file, containing the STL parts arranged as used in the sample ship designs, and a parts source file, containing the raw blender objects used to create the parts.
License
I'm releasing this under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license. You're free to distribute and modify these files (even for commercial use), provided you attribute the creator and distribute your contributions under the same license.