The Colossus by NefariousDrO
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
From "The Travels of Martin Leftwick, Wanderer and Observer" a popular post-war biography:
Perhaps no other company has profited so greatly from the invention of the Rephi Portals. Vanguard was one of the partners in the ExtraSolar Developments consortium, which focused its resources upon keeping up with the growing demand for new portals. Vanguard was already established as one of the premier suppliers of vehicles and equipment for use in space, and the "First Interstellar War" only increased the company's footprint while nations raced to buy their hastily-modified components and ships as the war devolved into raids and skirmishes across human space. Vanguard was also well-prepared when the war ended, enabling them to be quick to produce newer and more efficient ships as a host of additional nations gained access to space.
Which brings us here. Vanguard's "Station-1" is the company headquarters. The station itself actually orbits a "dirty snowball" moon, giving it easy access to nearly all of the volatiles they could need. It is one of the largest stations in human space, using the benefits of many decades of research and development. It has also been nicknamed "The Colossus". This name is meant to carry a great deal of subtext, as governments grow more uncomfortable with the power, wealth, and considerable independence companies like Vanguard have gained as they move away from Earth and into the frontiers of explored space.
Nobody except Vanguard employees get aboard the station of course, so I must content myself with this view. I can't help but feel very small, and hope that I remain safely out from under the feet of this giant amongst the stars.
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I've been doing an awful lot of space stations, lately, but each one is helping me refine my ideas. Besides, it only seems natural that our wandering author would spend some time discussing the places as well as the ships that wander the spaceways.
The station was modeled in Bryce 6, most of the textures are my own creations, but the gold framework is using one of the presets, I believe.
Planet, and other background elements are all done in Photoshop. The fliers in the background were actually taken from one of my "Tron-Inspired" posts from a while back.
Thanks for taking a look, and as always your comments and ideas about how this station looks, or even what our fictional author should write about next, are most definitely welcome.
Comments (24)
FANTASTIKIMO
Cool! Definitely get a scene of scale from the small vehicles. As I've said, i really like the textures you've developed for the station. And the modular construction, in terms of the ring segments, is great too.
~Really awesome sci fi work! Love the sense of perspective!~
SUPERB composition!!!
impressive modeling
Now that's a huge one! I first thought that "the colossus" was a enormous spaceship, as in Starlancer, but no... Great pic!
The sense of scale in this is impressive -- one imagines an entire closed ecology within one of those rings with ample room left for industrial and infra-structure support -- once again, very finely done.
LOL, looks like a display for cell phones
Every one of these you post is even more fantastic than the last! This is just amazing, Mike! If I ever get a third as good as you are with Bryce, I'll be a happy camper, or possibly spacefarer.. Incredible detail here - folks, do yourself a favor and see this full size... Fantasmicly Incredible (did I just make up a word? Noooooooo...)!
it ok to do these as they do look wonderful
Fantastic scene and modeling. Corrie
fantastic construction, great image
Excellent sf!
Completely stunning!
WOW! This is very impressive and this is now one of my favorites by you, the scaling is excellent and the modeling is top notch. The background puts the whole image together and give a good sense of the size of the station. Your detail on the station is really well done! You have set the bar up a notch my friend, wonderful image!!! Cheers, David
Great construct and story!
Terrific idea with the solar panels.
Excellent work! Fantastic construction!
Very cool model!! Excellent sc-fi. :)
Fabulous sci-fi scene and great use of perspective. The planes on the right are a great addition to the scene. And thanks for the tips.
superbe image!!
Wow, now this is another awesome piece of work,stunning presentation and creation, awesome, just awesome, hope life is treating you ok my friend, best regards steve:)
I'm thinking the first offworld governments will be corporate ones, since they are most likely the only ones who will be able to fund the infrastructure needed to get there. They are also the ones who will be exploiting the resources. At best governments will be begging rides for military projects.
One definitely gets the sense that it is one huge Mother....