3D Printed Enterprise-E Sovereign Class Model

I made a 3D printed model of the Enterprise-E from Star Trek: First Contact. It's not perfect, and it's actually not 100% complete, but it's a thing and I'm pretty happy with it.
STL files for NewZilla's model on Thingiverse, based on an earlier design by nd4spd1919: www.thingiverse.com/thing:333...
KZbin video from NenZilla of the 3D print without modifications: • Star Trek Enterprise E...
I'm not planning to make my STL files for the "upgraded" nacelles and bridge available because the files are incredibly awful. I made the files in a hurry and they don't print very well, and I don't want to subject other people to having to make the repairs and modifications and adjustments that I had to do in order to get everything to work. There are probably better 3D models out there, the ones I made were made to suit my project specifically, and they'll just drive you crazy.
Things to Make and Glue on Instagram: / thingstomakeandglue
IDU Curiosity on KZbin: / idunderstand

[@universaljoint]

Excellent and inspiring. I've yet to print anything this big, and Christmas tree lights in the Enterprise, is all a grown boy can ask for. That and Beer. And an understanding wife. Or more Beer.

[@ThingstoMakeGlue]

Thanks Patrick! This is the biggest thing I’ve printed in 5 years of having a printer. Also, Christmas tree lights are the best. Cheap, pre-wired, and frustration-free! 😁

[@jameslawhorn1905]

I liked what you've created here !!

[@ThingstoMakeGlue]

Thanks so much!

[@pjak2000]

Nice work. It was fun to watch. I like the truly DIY type movies.

[@ThingstoMakeGlue]

Thank you! Much appreciated 👍

[@reecemarais690]

Amazing! Looks great!

[@ThingstoMakeGlue]

Thanks so much! 😁

[@nicholasdickens2801]

That looks like the Enterprise from First Contact, with the colour scheme from Nemesis.

[@ThingstoMakeGlue]

That works for me! 😁

[@blindsay]

Have you made any updates since making this video? I have been searching around for big Enterprise E when I found this one. Looking forward to printing it. Thanks for the video!

[@wallie61-]

ifyou put hotglue behind the wondows it will diffuse your light :) works really good

[@ThingstoMakeGlue]

Thanks for the tip! 😁

[@morgoth5364]

Great work! Now lets do the classic one, with some cool rotary bussard collectors 👍

[@ThingstoMakeGlue]

I’ll see what I can do! 😁

[@Frankenstein1985]

Hello, your model looks great. Would like to know if one can download your modified STL file somewhere? Thanks very much

[@leonnobles545]

Outstanding!

[@ThingstoMakeGlue]

Thank you! Much appreciated 😁😁

[@daliborklusacek]

Just a few hints. I would pay more attention to the sanding/putty process (Here it is quite OK but I was suffering when watching the wing construction on Space Shuttle :-) ). Concerning bubbles in the epoxy - I've seen guys getting rid of them by using a heat gun/torch or something like that. Sure, it's tricky when the epoxy is on plastic... I don't know why you don't like decals - they can be printed too (just buy the paper), they blend nicely (especially with some "decal-softener" chemistry) and become rather invisible compared to these "stickers". Also, I beleive you need to use a little bit of wash to give it a nice look. You did quite nice weathering on your Space Shuttle where - due to the materials being used - you couldn't do a "wash-weathering" but in this case, since it's all plastic... give it a try. It will decrease the toy-like color contrast and make the model look more real. I hope this does not sound like harsh comment, I am admiring the scale and DIY aspect of your work a lot!!!

[@ThingstoMakeGlue]

Thank you! I appreciate the advice. I have a lot more work to do on the Enterprise-E, but it’s a struggle to find the time to work on it!

[@leeseth.07]

you should put some detail on the aft shuttlebay like the bay doors with the lines and everything

[@ThingstoMakeGlue]

That’s the plan! I haven’t had much of a chance to get back to the Enterprise-E. Hoping to finish it off in the next few months! 😁

[@scratchinjack608]

Windows, windows, windows. I spent years trying to figure out this conundrum. I've used epoxy, dental/nail acrylic, canopy glue, CA glue, backing open windows with thin styrene and masking them off from light blocking paint from the out side to varying degrees of success. I found that styrene kits have out walls that vary in thickness and to cut windows into styrene as a long and arduous process. I gave up on styrene kits in a large way. Now that I 3D print all my models, I have control of the plastic (PLA and 3D printed) outer model wall thicknesses. I am also doing my own CAD work and creating more accurate and better "engineered" model kits. The skinny sticks idea is a pretty good one. All is needed is locator pins as the adhesive does the rest. I am familiar with NewZilla's work and tried a couple models. As for your video, well done! Well done because you explained improvising well as improvising is a modelers real job! Thank you!

[@ThingstoMakeGlue]

Thank you sir! Really appreciate the kind words. The real skill in making things is definitely problem solving and improvising - there’s always a way to do something, just gotta try things and figure out how. Thanks for watching and commenting 😁

[@orion1459]

This is the best model of the Enterprise E that I've seen that isn't the Studio model, And I'm currently making the 4 foot model, but I'd like to use some translucent filament for the warp engines. do you think that it would be possible to share your warp engine files with me so that I can create an accurate warp engine print?

[@newtimetravelhyman88]

This Amazing I Like It Two Thumbs Up Good Work

[@ThingstoMakeGlue]

Thank you thank you 👍

[@manueljesus3147]

very interesting

[@ThingstoMakeGlue]

Thanks!

[@B.Wildered]

Informative and genuine presentation. You had me at “douchebag”

[@ThingstoMakeGlue]

Thank you, much appreciated. It seemed like the right word at the time 😁

[@jefferyyoung2580]

Cool 😎

[@ThingstoMakeGlue]

Thanks 😁

[@jameslevy4924]

Honestly kinda surprised you don’t have more subs

[@ThingstoMakeGlue]

Thank you!

[@startrekmodels734]

Love the model, I’m having a 4ft one printed for me and the guy is having the same issue with the buzzard collectors and the bridge design, I don’t suppose you have these files available anywhere so I could forward them on to him as yours are so much better!

[@ThingstoMakeGlue]

Awesome! I....caaan......but I have to warn you that my files are AWFUL, they don’t print very well, they need some math done to get the scaling right and the resulting parts need a TON of manual work to clean up (some parts are filled and there are no cavities for wiring/joining, etc). But if you think your printing guy is up to the challenge, it can be organized!

[@startrekmodels734]

@@ThingstoMakeGlue I have managed to solve the problem but Thankyou for taking the time to reply and offering those too me :)

[@connorrobinson1909]

@@startrekmodels734 How did you solve the problem? Have you got a better file?

[@gearcheck101]

Never heard of skinny sticks...

[@ThingstoMakeGlue]

Neither had I. Turns out they’re just popsicle sticks, but skinnier.

[@connorrobinson1909]

Any chance of making a new file of the nacelles? I dont have the time or the knowledge to try and make them myself haha.

[@brendancaulfield970]

I love this build. I've been working on a 3D printed Defiant that I scratch built the geometry for myself. I've been try to make it as accurate to the studio model as possible, given how wildly inaccurate the majority of models produced commercially over the decades have been (understandable given how inaccurate the CG models used in the show are), poring over every photo I can find of the actual shooting model.

[@ThingstoMakeGlue]

That’s awesome! Feel free to throw me a link if you’re sharing your build online, I’d love to see how this progresses! 😁

[@Balabok]

The models used on the tv shows would be accurate. The CG Defiant used in DS9 was built from the ILM model. I believe the CG Enterprise E used in ST Nemesis was also based on the ILM model from First Contact. The CG Defiant was built by Foundation Imaging in the 90s and the E was built by Digital Domain. Both are built in Lightwave 3D. I have them both. 😁

[@brendancaulfield970]

@@Balabok then I suggest you compare their dimensions to photos of the studio model. Each of the CG models of the Defiant were incorrect replicas of the physical model in different ways. The one in the season 4 + intro is quite accurate overall, but the nose is squished and it's geometrically very simple. The first contact model by ILM is very shape accurate, but incredibly low detail, with visible polygon edges in the finished shots. The Foundation Imaging one is too rectilinear, lacking the subtle tapering aftward of each of the stair step sections. The one used in the shuttle launch shot from The Sound Of Her Voice had very vertically exaggerated lower hull details. The season 7 model is the best, but the nose has a pronounced kink in the top that wasn't in the studio model. I have ~really~ researched this. I'm familiar with one Enterprise-E that's floating around, is that the one that was submitted on spec to Paramount's Star Trek art department as a (failed) bid on the Insurrection VFX contract?

[@Balabok]

@@brendancaulfield970 I believe you're correct. From what I saw of the Defiant's earlier builds, the ILM reference photos were not that great. They were hastily shot with no color or lens correction. The model is game rez by today's standards with many non-planer polygons, open edges, etc. Lightwave's render engine is pretty forgiving and most of those errors don't show up on 640/720p renders. It needs to be rebuilt. Accurately. I don't know if it's worth my time and effort to rebuild it as a subD model in Maya. It's really just a nostalgic model since it was used on many shots for DS9. I'm just cleaning it up for print so I can add to my small shipyard of ST tv/movie ships.

[@Balabok]

@@brendancaulfield970 The E that I have is built from the original ILM First Contact reference. I would imagine it's very accurate. It's 20 years old.

[@patharmon9760]

I downloaded this model a while back. It's a cool model, but so far off from being accurate. Actually, the parts you designed are the best part of yours.

[@ThingstoMakeGlue]

The model is great in that it’s huge and it’s well engineered for printing in parts, but the design is really weird. I wish I knew the original source, because it’s a very strange Sovereign class variation. Nothing on it is quite right. Thanks for commenting 😁

[@patharmon9760]

@@ThingstoMakeGlue it's actually really frustrating how almost all the 3d starship models are like that. After you start piecing them together, its like someone saw the ship and made the file from memory.

[@ThingstoMakeGlue]

Yup, spot on. It’s worse when you’re scaling them up huge like this. I think you can get away with some inaccuracies at smaller scales, but all the errors are obvious as heck at 3 feet long. I suspect the models have been lifted out of games, although they doesn’t explain why they’re all so wrong 🤷‍♂️

[@patharmon9760]

@@ThingstoMakeGlue exactly. It sucks that the people that did GOOD large scale ships, either went MIA or never offered kits.

[@wargodsix]

I wonder if he can do a mix and match build from sto yea you can do kitbash but there’s some features on other parts that I want on other parts

[@ThingstoMakeGlue]

I don’t see why not, the sky is the limit with 3D printed parts!

[@wargodsix]

Things to Make & Glue yea the sto defiant the hulls some have features I want on a different hull

[@wargodsix]

Things to Make & Glue I’d actually have a legit custom defiant variant I’d prob do mine to fit my 1/1000 polarlights defiant not gonna light it I can either experiment with glow in the dark paint or even practice painting effects that gives it the look that it’s lit but it’s defiant so most windows are under the belly which I’d make pothole type windows it’s a warship nothing more nothing less so needs small pothole type windows like on the older navy ships also 3D design I can add my own touches to it angle the necelles down a tad lower tho up looks more aggressive so maybe when he gets back to me we will experiment with different angles

[@phagomir]

Two romulans dont like this video :D great work

[@ThingstoMakeGlue]

Those pointed eared hobgoblins 🤣 thanks!

[@JM1701ABCD]

Did you ever finish?

[@leeseth.07]

This is so underrated

[@ThingstoMakeGlue]

Thank you so much! 😁

[@garywood1973]

G'day , listen what if you don't have a 3D printer can you still lay your hands on this to build ?

[@ThingstoMakeGlue]

The 3D files are freely available on Thingiverse, so you could probably arrange for someone to print it for you, I suppose!

[@gamiensrule]

You lost me at "I don't need a 4 foot model of the Enterprise E, 3 feet is plenty" 😂

[@ThingstoMakeGlue]

Storage space becomes a problem when everything is enormous 🤣

[@gamiensrule]

@@ThingstoMakeGlue understandable. That's when you buy a portable building to house your 4 foot model. 😂

[@ThingstoMakeGlue]

🤣🤣

[@Kannon_BR]

Hey man, are you still alive?

[@ThingstoMakeGlue]

I am….just busy with other things 😩

[@Kannon_BR]

@@ThingstoMakeGlue Just checking, mate. Cheers

[@ThingstoMakeGlue]

@calixtoamorim7340 appreciate it!