Official Judging **MSFC Modeling Contest August '08**

[Syf]

This is the official Judging thread for the August '08 MSCF Modeling Contest.

Please allow ALL 3 Judges make their posts here before ANYONE ELSE makes a post here. Just a warning, any posts made before the 3 judges make their posts here will be DELETED.


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Here are the Judges and the guidelines for judging.
The Judges are as follows:
Hellkite
Transmission *aka: Cyberash
Knight

Now on to the processes of what they will be judging each model.

First off, the contest will be based on a 10.0 point "half" system. This means that there is a decimal system in play.
A model could receive a total of 10.0, 9.5, or as low as a 5.5.
It's up to the judges. They will post an explanation of their vote, as to "why" they gave this model a score of X.X.

Here is the rating system and what each factor is worth up to in points.


Model Design:
2 points
The rating here is to be decided on based on how clean and how solidly built the model is. Any noticable open holes, and smudging, smearing, or other noticable defects in the model and overall look and feel of the model.

Originality:
3 points
This is simple. The more original the design is, the higher the score rating here will be. If it's based on Star Trek, Star Wars, B5, Stargate, etc, it will get the lowest score possible. Note, basing it on current real human tech is not a negative. Current real tech is original. As long as it's not the Apollo craft, or something that NASA is currently testing. After all, this is about a craft 150 years into our future, and is FTL capable. So this means strapping a couple warp nacelles on the NASA Spaceshuttle will get the lowest possible score here, same as the NX-01 Enterprise.

Poly count:
2 points
Here is where polys really count. If the Polys are too high or too low, then it will show, and effect your score. Remember, a max of 10,000 polygons are allowed on the model. The only exception to this is if you make a Diorama with a couple models. But again, this is limited to a max of 10k per model with a max of 30,000 total for a Diorama. A Diorama is a "Scene". This can include something like a hanger with a rocket plane and a bunch of things to make it look like a scene out of a movie or game or something. But if you submit such, the primary model will be the object of scrutiny.

Plausibility:
2 points
This here is about "How real it could be. Is there a major basis for your model in real science? The closer to real "it could be", the higher this score will be.

Textures:
1 points
This area of the ratings is a bit of an issue. Some modelers are not fully skilled in texturing. However, Textures are part of modeling. So, to make it fair, and encourage texturing your entry, you can earn a half or full point here. So, without a texture, a model has a maximum high score of a 9.0. But, add a texture, and you can earn a full 10.0 max score. As for the ratings, if it is textured poorly to fair, it will get a half point. If the Textures were well made and thought out and fit the model, making it a great model, then a full point will be awarded.

​

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[Knight]

Ok, so here are my first couple of results. I'll admit to having a hard time with judging this one, and my major concern here is that i've perhaps been too harsh, but on the other hand, i'm trying to be fair and balanced too - which means I've deliberated over all of them equally lol.

RJB's entry:
Total score = 8.5

RJB's come up with a fantastic looking model, like all of RJB's previous work, this model is a real beauty and this is reflected in the polycount - cut it fine didnt you RJB lol?
The model is clean and solidly built as far as i can tell, with no unintentional holes. The design is original and innovative, although I do feel there are some very minor Stargate influences. I personally think the design is plausible, and I love the idea of the drive at the rear "spinning up" to get to speed. I'm not entirely sure its 150 years plausible though.
That said, its a fantastic job RJB and I hope you don't think i've been too harsh or critical

Amateur: Arthur C Clarke
Total score = 8.0

Another good entry, seems to be nicely smoothed off, clean and solidly built. I'd love to see this one textured, to maybe add details to some of those smooth areas, which seem under-detailed compared to other areas of the ship. Still, its an original design and seems to be well balanced polywise (although theres no mention of how many poly's were used), and i'd be willing to bet that (if it were real) the ship is fairly small, with the majority of it being engines, or a power supply for the engines, and as such seems particularly plausible, after all current tech for getting into space seems to be mostly engines as well.
Great job Amateur

Apologies for the delay here, I will post my results for LP and Syf tomorrow, (and if required a breakdown of all the scores) - sorry Syf, please don't kill me!

 

[Hellkite]

Amateur

Model Design:
2:2 points

I like the over all ship and flow to the ship it reminds me of the U.S.S. Sulaco from Aliens Mixed with the Kushan "Firelance" Ion Cannon Frigate from Homeworld 1

Originality:
2:3 points

like I stated earlier " it reminds me of the U.S.S. Sulaco from Aliens Mixed with the Kushan "Firelance" Ion Cannon Frigate from Homeworld 1 " If it did not I would have given it a 3

Poly count:
2:2 points

meets Poly count guide lines

Plausibility:
1:2 points

Like the technobabble

Textures:
0:1 points

No texture

7 out of 10 good job Amateur

 

[Knight]

La Patience: RSF Queens Guard
Total Score: 7.0

Of all the entries, this one is probably my favourite. It might not be as detailed as the others, or as flashy looking, but for me there's just something about it. Simple elegant design, and the model looks to be solidly and cleanly built. That said, some of the 'curved' edges seem a little angular to me, probably because this is a low poly model, and I think LP could maybe have made those edges smoother with a small increase in polycount. I think this ship is quite plausible as a design, particularly because to me it seems like a small ship, and I personally think that the first FTL ship of the human race (not necessarily including test bed vessels - it feels more like it would be equivalent to enterprise, rather than the phoenix to use a known example) would be a small ship. Adding to that, is that the ship appears to be built around its FTL engine, which also seems likely to me. I like the way the command deck is set off to one side, and the way the gun mounts are stuck out from the ship, reminds me of Space "AAB" in some ways, though i think a more accurate description would be that it reminds me of an aircraft carrier, so it seems like a logical progression from current navy to space navy.

Good job LP, and on a personal note, I hope you finish it up and texture it. hen harass jeddy to make it A2 compatible lol

Syf: X-933 "Lightning" Experimental FLT Spacecraft.
Total Score: 9.0

I think this ship has a somewhat unique design among the entries here, and I have to say I like it. I think its probably the most plausible given current tech, but that may be due to my own way of interpreting the model. The main boosters seperating away from the main body is a nice evolution on the boosters from the current shuttles, and yet are still clearly different. The craft looks capable of atmospheric flight, again like the shuttle but clearly different and thus maintaining its originality, and while it may be solely my perceptions, it looks like the front of the craft could seperate off further, perhaps as a landing vehicle, capable of returning to the main body as needed (i could be mistaken, but its how it looks to me). The model looks solidly built, and well put together. The textures fit well but are a little bit plain in places IMO (sorry Syf), but are particularly good around the engine core and the boosters. I'm not too sure on the poly count here (or in any bar RJB's entry) but I imagine its perhaps on the high side of the average due to the curved surfaces, though this is never a bad thing. Great work Syf

So, thats all of them . Lets have the rest of the judges results.
I think for future modelling contests, particularly where polies are an issue, we need a rule saying all entries must provide a final polycount too. And while not strictly necessary, a "blurb" (like provided by Syf) on the design is always a nice addition too, as it helps clarify the model - case in point, after my first post, RJB explained his design, and the reason for the wheel suddenly made more sense (though i think i guessed pretty close lol).

Hopefully there are no issues with my judging, and i'd like to say thank you to MSFC for asking me to do so

 

[Hellkite]

Jeddy's Trident

Model Design:
2:2 points

A well laid out ship I like the over all look to this ship


Originality:
3:3 points

very Original

Poly count:
2:2 points

meets Poly count guide lines

Plausibility:
1:2 points

no tech data on drive type so 1 give it a 1

Textures:
0:1 points

No texture

8 out of 10

 

[Aerilon]

Uhm, I really don't know what I'm doing... I can't seem to find the thread for the final productions either..

 

[-RJB-]

Uhm, I really don't know what I'm doing... I can't seem to find the thread for the final productions either..

Here Official **MSFC Modeling Contest** Final Entries Thread - Majestic Sci-Fi Central or here Poll: MSFC Modeling Contest Aug. '08 - Majestic Sci-Fi Central

 

[Syf]

I've forwarded the links via PM the same day. Seems Transmission is busy elsewhere.

 

[Hellkite]

Syf
X-933 "Lightning" Experimental FLT Spacecraft.

Model design :
2:2 points

I an see the NASA's X-43A in her that give her a good design linage

Originality:
2:3 points

Poly count:
2:2 points

Plausibility:
2:2 points

good technobabble

Textures:
1:1 points

9:10 over all