Shuttle Altair

AtomicArmy · Sep 2025

Started my new project designing a new age space shuttle and so far I have a blockout. I plan on doing modular pieces for the cargo bay and kinda designing the whole shuttle using other designs. Eventually, I would like to render this in UE5 with the shuttle over Earth. Here are my references:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/17/czp7ychryjxh.jpg

Simple blockout:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/kz/50id7f9myssp.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/5q/d7ff2pons3d2.jpg

AtomicArmy · Sep 2025

Update: Did some further planning especially the modular pieces to inside the shuttle. Now starting to finish out the main base of the craft.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/vv/ococrdc5u84x.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/8g/fgb0bowh24h8.jpg

AtomicArmy · Sep 2025

Update: I've been working on the main base and engines highpoly model. So far I'm happy with the result now I just need to work on my props to go inside the shuttle and the landing gear. I've still got a lot work to do, but I'm getting there.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/51/8urdeqz3s8w9.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/xw/r4f3ie7i95ba.jpg

AlexandrDm · Oct 2025

Looks great! Excited to see the topology of the turbine as it already looks awesome.

AtomicArmy · Oct 2025

Thank you

I still need to do some work to the main base. I did go back and used "edge crease" instead of edge loops .It looks much better and it's easier to control. Here's an update on the new model without edge loops. Now I'm starting the high poly thrusters.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/k0/wuyrdae58g1v.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/mu/2uv0jy5e7qjg.jpg

AtomicArmy · Dec 2025

Quick update: So I finally finished the base and a main parts of the shuttle. I was primiarly focused on workflow for hard surface and recently found out the bevel shader and I much it helps combined with sculpts. I still need to go back and just do some adjustments, but it's getting there! Landing gear and some modular props and assembly then texture for Ue5 scene.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/lt/7dzyhbkah1g5.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/ks/3zwzs9q98kb7.jpg

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Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/x4/kia1y7zbjzf4.jpg

AtomicArmy · Jan 4 2026

Quick update: Some progress on the landing gear and power cords. Almost ready to start assembling the shuttle! Also plan on creating a based insulation material.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/oa/xwla15wvjr86.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/78/j8s2222uankz.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/v3/7as7g3kyw8py.jpg

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Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/25/lprd42i8kg7f.jpg

sacboi · Jan 4 2026

Nice efficient HS modeling and I do feel that various Concord elements imo set this design off, quite nicely.

Vastra · Jan 4 2026

This looks fantastic. Love the details everywhere! Very curios to see how it will look after a material pass.

I'm curios, do you intend to add any like vfx engine flames or such? Make it look like there's activity from the engines.

AtomicArmy · Jan 4 2026

sacboi said:

Nice efficient HS modeling and I do feel that various Concord elements imo set this design off, quite nicely.

Thank you guys! I used the bevel shader for post parts of the shuttle. I did use the concord design as inspiration along with the space shuttle.

Vastra said:

This looks fantastic. Love the details everywhere! Very curios to see how it will look after a material pass.

I'm curios, do you intend to add any like vfx engine flames or such? Make it look like there's activity from the engines.

Yes, my original plan was to add the space shuttle over Earth in Ue5 and some beauty shots in toolbag.

AtomicArmy · Jan 26 2026

Update: So I've finished the shuttle so far just need to texture and make some minor adjustments. I'm a little concerned with the polycount (704,285) although it will just be this and Earth in my Ue5 scene and atmosphere scene. I'm quite happy with this so far!

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/8d/g70qdi6axaqu.jpg

sacboi · Jan 26 2026

Eye candy for breakfast! a great start to my day

AtomicArmy said:

I'm a little concerned with the polycount (704,285) [snip]

If your system can handle working with UE5, then imo shouldn't present that much of an issue whether high res qaudified source or indeed triangulated target mesh?

sketchem · Jan 26 2026

Nice landing gear! I've actually worked with those in real life. Not on the concord but commercial aircraft.

AtomicArmy · Jan 26 2026

sacboi said:

Eye candy for breakfast! a great start to my day

AtomicArmy said:

I'm a little concerned with the polycount (704,285) [snip]

If your system can handle working with UE5, then imo shouldn't present that much of an issue whether high res qaudified source or indeed triangulated target mesh?

Thanks! I totally forgot to triangulate the shuttle and parts before baking.

AtomicArmy · Jan 26 2026

sketchem said:

Nice landing gear! I've actually worked with those in real life. Not on the concord but commercial aircraft.

Cool! I always wanted to work with aircraft never got the opportunity to.

AtomicArmy · Feb 10 2026

Update: So I decided to go back and fix up the engines design a little. Main goal there was to get rid of flat and empty space. Also, some basic materials still need to go back and finish. I'm pleased with everything so far...

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/8g/g0jajj5ywucc.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/3b/wi5dcb79tlrp.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/4p/amst4tpcl96l.jpg

AtomicArmy · Mar 5 2026

Update: Just about finished texturing the main base of the shuttle! I still need to fix up some normal issues and detail. Still have a lot to do. I also created some materials specifically for the shuttle texture base. Also, just for practice I plan on rigging this thing before I start my Ue5 scenes.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/ui/cf5roozlyxf9.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/wy/trtm6o061j00.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/zz/fqh96vi2d9iz.jpg

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AtomicArmy · Mar 18 2026

Update: Calling it done! Just have to adjust a few things with the textures and presentation. Now I just need to rig it for practice, then unreal engine scenes!

Edit: Uploaded better renders.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/7y/3jcyzlcgbga1.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/wc/kb9llvny2hv4.jpg

AtomicArmy · Apr 21 2026

Final update! Added Earth and some beauty shots to give that sci fi orbit feel. I gotta say I learned a lot from this project! Pretty happy with the result.

I rendered some video clips on my artstation account : https://atomicarmy.artstation.com/

Edit: Did Minor adjustments

AtomicArmy · Apr 28 2026

Final adjustments

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/41/gbcw8eav8g26.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/96/ei3p3j9ws9ml.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/ri/6zb5560t3eh2.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/nm/b24wmeb82aus.jpg

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sacboi · Apr 29 2026

Congrats on finishing I've enjoyed the ride

Edit:

Top modeling btw.

AtomicArmy · 1:36AM

Thank you! I appreciate the compliment! I updated the images one more time. A official final...final update on the post above. Definitely need to make this a stopping point. Still need to learn rendering, texturing and over stuff. XD

AtomicArmy · 2:02AM

Shuttle Altair

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