Cutting panels in a saucer

Quickie info on cutting panels into a mesh, this uses modo, but the technique is the same for any polygon modeler tool out there.

Create the base mesh, in our case a saucer (like the one found on the USS Enterprise from ST:TMP) with 16 divisions:

From Misc

Adjust accordingly and add subd edge loops along the corners:

From Misc

Apply subd to it (i.e. hit the TAB key in Modo)

From Misc

Freeze the subd mesh, this increases the number of polygons on the mesh and takes you out of subd mode. Alternatively you could just subdivide the mesh and smooth it. The point is that you want to greatly increase the detail in your mesh.

From Misc

Still have our 16 edges:

From Misc

Use this as a reference select the edges that we are going to apply a bevel to - this is where the panel cuts will ultimately go:

From Misc

Apply a thin bevel

From Misc

Select the faces that you now have (this is unfortunately a bit of a PITA, patience is a virtue here):

From Misc

Extrude the faces inwards, preferably along the face normal (as opposed to just extruding straight down). In modo the easiest way to do this is use the bevel tool in face selection mode.

From Misc

Increase your selection to include the newly added faces: (in modo shift + up arrow)

From Misc

Convert to edges:

From Misc

Bevel again, to round off the sharp edges:

From Misc

Repeat as needed.

Revisiting the light cycle

This just keeps gnawing at me, so in bits of spare time here and there I've been learning Moi, a great 3D Nurbs modeling tool, to redo the light cycle.
After a number of attempts, here's what I've got so far. All of this is based off of Daniel Simon's fantastic work on the light cycle design for Tron Legacy. I have veered off the trail to make things a little more interesting to suit my own tastes.

From 3D 2010-2011

From 3D 2010-2011

From 3D 2010-2011

From 3D 2010-2011

From 3D 2010-2011

quickie render (in modo):

From 3D 2010-2011