U.S.S. Enterprise-E Main Bridge (Star Trek: First Contact)

We never got a good, sweeping look at the Enterprise-E bridge in any of the three films it was featured in, so I've endeavored to re-create the bridge in full detail as seen in Star Trek: First Contact, and finally give us Star Trek fans a good look at it.I started crafting this virtual set in early February 2021 and finished it up on May 3rd, 2021.
Already proficient in modeling and texturing, this project required me to learn After Effects to create the many animated displays that adorn the consoles. I also had to learn about cinematic video production in Unreal Engine. This project pushed my skills to create an end product which is among the most polished and presentable I've ever created.
I have to give thanks to Doug Drexler, who graciously provided me with his raw Illustrator file of the Sovereign-class Master Systems Display, which I then took and modified and animated to match its on-screen appearance. Although this graphic is known to fans to be shaped slightly different than the Enterprise-E exterior filming model, I have chosen to retain the original shape to maintain screen accuracy and to respect Doug's work.
Tim Davies also helped out a bit by offering to create a clean vector graphic of the early top-down Sovereign schematic used on the animated displays, as I was previously using a very pixelated screen-grab.
One area where I did indeed deviate from screen accuracy was the monitor displays. It is my belief that these were intended to be perceived as flat displays and part of the surrounding console bulkheads, but the technological limitations of the time of the film dictated they be displayed on CRT monitors which have a slight curve. I tried both ways, but the flat, integrated look proved to be superior, and felt more "in-universe" intended.
Special thanks to Thomas Marrone, Tadeo D'Oria, Matt Boardman, and my followers at TrekBBS who are always there to cheer me on, give constructive criticism and feedback, and talk to no end about our beloved franchise.

[@ct0760]

Man, I wish we had more movies that showed this ship; it felt underused

[@mikeysrants4527]

I have a feeling we would get to see it in its full glory in the Picard series at some point. I miss the E so much

[@Pilot.0101]

@@mikeysrants4527 hope so! Not got long, the F (Odyssey Class) comes into service in 2409 in the books.

[@nightlock-cf3br]

@@mikeysrants4527 well at least we got to see some sovereign class ships anyways!

[@JimONeil]

@@Pilot.0101 yeah but unfortunately the continuity of the books has been thrown out now. I wouldn’t expect them to stick to any of the previously established timeline stuff.

[@danbucklet]

I've always wondered how different Voyager would have been if the ship was a Sovereign Class instead of the Intrepid Class

[@danivarius]

It was criminal how they just discarded the E like that, especially after Nemesis. And to think Picard refused to lose the ship in First Contact. Don’t get me wrong, I like the D but the E just had beauty, style and strength from the moment I saw her… she could fight and explore with equal ease!

[@harvey1965]

Stunning. The 1990's Trek design was so beautiful cohesive across ALL Federation ship designs - a marvellous achievement. Current Trek designs (Discovery & Picard) lack that unique feel that made a federation ship. The Enterprise E was the zenith of Trek ship designs both externally and this bridge. Incredibly sexy. Marvellously functional and just realistic; every part of the design was born from a functional need. Sadly, a time way gone now!

[@markusburkhard5712]

Exactly! Sometimes it feels like I'm the only person on the planet who sees these differences! Discovery & Picard production design just doesn't work for me, at all. It feels cheap and uninspiring compared to all the works of art for Berman's Trek. Mr. Kurzman seems to be convinced that Sci-fi sets can only be dark, shady and scary OR reflective like a commercial for cleaning products. Either way, nothing that ever feels comfy or in any way realistic. What a shame.

[@RHampton]

Incredible. You can smell the leather and upholstery fresh from the shipyard.

[@stfanboy]

"We barely knew her." I hope one day we see her back along side with her older sister in the future.

[@ThomasMitchum-z9z]

I recently bought a, assignment letter souvenir, that appoints me as Captain, of the USS ENTERPRISE-E, from the Star Trek shop. A couple of weeks ago. Which has caused me, to love the ENTERPRISE NCC-1701-E. So I agree with you. I hope they do bring back the, ENTERPRISE-E someday, because of my Star Trek souvenir assignment letter as Captain of the ENTERPRISE-E. 😎

[@michalslatina8004]

Ent. E is one of the most beautiful ST/SF ship of all time. Period!

[@mickeyholding7970]

Next to the refit Enterprise NCC-1701

[@michalslatina8004]

@@mickeyholding7970 No. Constitution ref. is nice, but compared to Matt Jefferies original is poor cousin. Sorry. 😢 Other Top is Ent. B, C and J. 😁🤓😉

[@BD12]

next up - Kirk's apartment from Star Trek 2/3. The guy was 23rd Century Frasier

[@MLife1972]

Tossed salad and scrambled gagh

[@christopherrobin4619]

I love how small this bridge is.. All the recent bridges seem to be football fields in terms of distance from station to station, this one feels more intimate than the classic TNG bridge. Beautiful work

[@markusburkhard5712]

What a wonderful video. God how I miss Rick Berman's Star Trek! So full of beauty, well thought-out, peaceful, inspiring and uplifting. And this re-creation of a production design masterpiece is just mind-blowing beautiful. I hope to see more of that in the form of a Star Trek VR museum, amazing work!

[@danieljameschan]

Astonishing work! I was a teen when First Contact came out. I wanted nothing more than to join my “pals” on their new bridge. You’ve given us a taste of what that would feel like. So awesome, thank you!

[@MaximizedAction]

Same here. And ever since then, the E has been my fav starship. What I‘d give to be able to walk around on the bridge…

[@Daniel-Strain]

Truly, your work is pristine and magnificent. What an incredible documentation to the last detail of these sets this is too. If they ever decided to do a "Rogue One" approach to Star Trek, and create stories that take place within the time frames of these original stories again (without "re-envisioning" them), they should seek you out to help rebuild the sets to perfection.

[@MarkHennessyBarrett]

Thank you. That was beautiful. Especially the chill down my spine when you lingered on her dedication plaque. You know your audience.

[@TekTrekgamer]

This is fabulous work. We have now reached a point where reality and CGI have converged and you capitalized on it perfectly. Can’t wait to see the next project.

[@Ryan.Lohman]

Damn it- someone should hire you for Picard flashbacks.......

[@KregSteppe]

That was great! Fantastic Job! I really liked 1701-E and hated that we didn't get to know her more beyond the few movies.

[@DrTenochtitlan]

This is so good I was 100% convinced at first this was an unreleased walk through of the set that was made for the film. This is *staggeringly* good work! Congratulations!

[@NLaertes]

The Enterprise E was designed like what 25 years ago and it still holds up....

[@wintercat2605]

Not really. It's as 90's as a Michael Graves teapot. Looks like mall stores from then.

[@chrisluckhardt]

Gorgeous work! I wish I could exist in your creation for a bridge shift!

[@ijnfleetadmiral]

Is it just me, or should James Doohan be listed at the top of the 'Main Engineers' column aboard EVERY Enterprise built until the end of time?

[@jurassickaiju14]

Finally got a chance to watch this movie a couple days ago, and it makes me appreciate the work you put into this all the more. Stellar job!

[@FQP-7024]

Where have you seen it i need to catch up on the movies all of them

[@TheVortexPrime]

Welcome to the golden age of Star Trek :D

[@jurassickaiju14]

@@FQP-7024 The KZbin Movies channel put it up for free with ads. They've been doing that for a whole bunch of movies almost out of the blue these past few months. The only other Trek movie they have is IV, though.

[@radioflyer68911]

Since the movies I've been wondering about some of the stations details.

[@Buckdawg]

I wanna buy this from you!! 😍 I need a bridge/3D designer for an animated pilot... Please lemme know how much and how I can get this from you!

[@simeetgandhi]

I think a major game developer would earn a lot of profit from developing an interactive virtual tour of a starship like Star Trek Enterprise-E using Unreal Engine 5. The whole ship though not just the bridge. Kind of a social interactive and space exploration tour with this level of quality, not just a multiplayer battleground setting for the immature teen boy crowd. Here's hoping!

[@Wright.B.Hindya]

Good job! And we barely got to know her :( I hope one day, she'll be back and we'll get to know her better. Maybe a TV series of Worf in the big chair?

[@Augur89]

wonderful, especially combined with the First Contact Soundtrack

[@patthomas5983]

Seems that there, currently, is a singular Romulan spy that doesn't appreciate your efforts. Jolan tru... my shiny federation hiney.

[@Kleavers]

My favorite ship. Elegant af.

[@frasermcmartin7059]

If I won the lotto, I’d design a man cave in my mansion to match the Enterprise E bridge exactly lol 😎

[@mjb51270]

This is my Enterprise

[@meiray]

Simply stunning work. I never much cared for this bridge or any of the Enterprise E sets, always felt like less attention had been put into them compared to the TV sets which would have needed to be evergreen for hundreds of hours as opposed to just under 6 for the films (though the Borgified ship was most impressive). The bridge also looks cramped and utilitarian compared to TNG and Voyager. But what I wouldn't give to have a live acton show embracing any of Herman Zimmerman and the Okuda's design aesthetics again...

[@charliedelacruz9091]

and even sickbay has its own emh just like voyager's

[@MLife1972]

No way! I'm blown away with the talent and love on youtube compared to the shoddy and lazy CGI on shows like Picard. Please keep up the fine work.

[@northernexciles01]

How the hell did you do this video. Its amazing

[@No-xr7vx]

Very cool! I appreciate all of the detail and polish you've put into this, as someone who has just the slightest understanding of how much actually goes into a project like this. The models, the texture work, the spec.& other maps, the mat/shader creation, lighting. It all comes together very convincingly!

[@toval76]

So beautiful! And it looks so real, you can imagine being there. Would love to have this bridge in STO too.

[@tranzphaziktorpedo]

The Sovereign-Class bridge is a beautiful (and my favorite) design and to see it here... 👏👏👏 I felt like it was a personal tour - as if I were ACTUALLY there! Your work is (pardon the pun) unreal! 😁 Keep it up! Thank you for sharing your talents! LLAP! 🖖😎

[@sarcasticstartrek7719]

now... i dont like most fan made stuff - it's "over the top", it's "stupid" and "rule of cool". This, however. This is beautiful. Since I've been on the internet (1995) there have been two "fan made" things about star trek I have actually liked. This is the second one. Excellent work.

[@captvictor]

what a fantastic tour, (To bad an interactive environment couldn't be made)

[@FQTV320]

Perfect! Evocative, detailed and nostalgic - great job!

[@anoopseera]

Man alive this is mind blowing! Take a bow sir! Very well done and kudos for using the original soundtrack too.

[@jamesstone8360]

Amazing job Donny! Love the nod to the opening credits of FC with the out of focus images.

[@joeeeeeyyyyy]

AWESOME!!! Would be mind blowing to see the Enterprise D in this quality !!!!

[@harnettsgarage]

I've been waiting for someone to make the Enterprise E's bridge....you sir have made my year, seriously!

[@BlackNAVYAmericanVET]

At least the light are on . I can see .

[@tommargarites2811]

Man, I absolutely love your work, the amount of detail, you put into these CG's just floors me beyond words. I hope you never stop making these.

[@paulhibbert]

You graciously allowed me to use some of your art work a few years ago for one of my KZbin videos. All these years later I'm looking for inspiration on my Garage conversion which I am decking out as a Star Trek style studio for the channel and here you are again in my google search results with even more incredible art. I thought this was from a movie, you are incredibly talented my friend

[@kfireven]

I'm a VR developer and I would have given everything to play with this bridge model. I would have made it into the most amazing VR bridge simulator, a trekkie's paradise.. only if it wasn't for these damn CBS witch hunts.

[@ptaylor5014]

Stunning, when they made Enterprises look like a class leading ship that oozed power while looking sleek and purposeful 👍👍

[@hiltonlive32grnrngr]

Honestly, (and I know I'm probably in the minority when I say this) even though I prefer the Galaxy Class Starship and interiors WAY over the Sovereign Class, MAN this looks incredible! So much so that I couldn't tell whether or not this was a 3d recreation or a drone footage of a restoration or real-life recreation of the set.

[@pixlbit-designs-vfx]

I hate you for being so good....Just kidding!....This is really great, due to the realism of the texturing, lighting, and all the minute details that you took the time to create...I can imagine how these skills might eventually translate with the new technology that has come out to replace green screening. With shows like The Mandalorian and Loki using the LED background screening in their productions, this kind of tech will skyrocket.

[@brettthomas7038]

"Dear Mom and Dad: Finally got time to write after getting stationed aboard the Enterprise E. We are headed out to the Briar Patch, an unexplored area of space in the Beta Quadrant. I'm working with the systems engineering team to get our long range sensor systems up and running at 100%. It's an amazing ship! Sovereign class, sleek, powerful. Not as luxurious as the Enterprise D, but , man, can she move. Daily life is a little more structured than on the Galaxy class, not so many creature comforts, but all that can be had on the holodeck anyway. I look forward to being able to come home to visit soon. Tell everyone I said hi! Gotta go, we're about to drop out of warp. "

[@Mystic107]

Very Beautiful work, Donny. Hope to work with you in the future :)).....

[@RheyneMusic]

Absolutely superb. Thank you for this.

[@type4066]

Make it so. You certainly did. What talent you have.

[@mfolson81]

Umm, you're telling me that was all rendered images!? I find it extremely difficult to believe that was not footage of an actual set....if this was rendered, you need to be at the front of the line for making video games and or movie graphics...WOW!!!!

[@andrewcummings5023]

The Best Looking Command Center is The Main Bridge of The USS Enterprise NCC 1701-E

[@dereksmith2759]

Do you have any walkthroughs of your model, texture, light, graphic/anim workflows...? Really working to up my game, this is inspiring. Glad you've posted so much.

[@OldGamingGeezer]

Wow, Donny, this is excellent as all your trek videos are. Well done. It makes my own TOS bridge look a bit "Meh!"

[@MBarcus927]

Ensign Barcus, relief helmsman for Lt. Hawk, reporting as ordered, sir.

[@MasterUxi]

Very nice. Hopefully you'll try the Voyage Home Enterprise A bridge next. All white with green okudagrams.

[@wintercat2605]

Looks like a 90's Sharper Image store. Visually confusing. I'd rather work on the D bridge all day.

[@sexychelseacharms1861]

MISSY DODGE

[@dmacbass]

This ship was just breathtaking. Amazing. Majestic. I don't think I can come up with enough words.

[@MisterMarin]

My favorite Bridge in Star Trek. I'm confused as to why chairs have holes, though. Do they serve some practical purpose or did someone say "hey, chairs with holes look cool, let's go with that", so they went with that? 🙂

[@Eons381]

Nice... ... ... Thanks for the attention to detail on the system panels and the over all bridge. It's officially a fitting tribute to the name Enterprise Let's make sure history never forgets the name... ... ... Enterprise

[@markrtoffeeman]

Brilliant.

[@pixlbit-designs-vfx]

After watching the final season of Picard, I am at a loss as to why they didn't hire you to help with ship vfx.

[@Yotta_Flops]

Bravo!! This gave me chills seeing this!

[@MrJedimaster90]

Amazing! This would be incredible as a vr explorable space....

[@The1ReviewBoard]

You’re a Wizard Donny. Amazing.

[@hobbs1701a]

:25 seconds in, I already know this is 50,000 times better than anything Alex Kurtzman can shit out!

[@Destructor111]

TheIRMwho?! Lol, beautiful beautiful work! Incredible attention to detail and surface materials - it sells as real. I never noticed the perimeter console chairs were a different colour - I believe it though! Great tribute to the master with those pans, focus pulls and music. Add a bit of film grain and constrain the camera movement to a "physical" rig and this would be indistinguishable from theIRML's observation lounge/captain's yacht video.

[@segregate4977]

Can you provide some of the LCARS for public use? I am recreating the helm chair at home and need some good graphics for the display. I'm hoping to make it functional

[@brettthomas7038]

Today, I wish, more than ever, that we could make it to this moment in time, fictional as it may be. Must we rip apart what we have just to satisfy a juvenile desire for control? There has to be a way to make what we have now, work for the future. Without enslaving each other, without crushing one another under tyranny and deceit. We have the technology, the mind power, and the will to go BACK into space... what is keeping us from succeeding as a species? What other life is there out there? What wonders, and sights to behold are there outside of this small solar system? If it were in my power, if I had the means, I would ask our collective society, to just realize what opportunities we are throwing away by neglecting our duty to the greater good, by allowing our more primitive natures to overcome our logic, our empathy, and our goodness. No living being should suffer for the glory of any other living being, or to be controlled by them. If we can dream this, why can't we make it a reality?

[@mysticmarble94]

Magnificient 💞

[@danielshottopics8187]

Lets Make Sure History Never Forgets the Name Enterprise.

[@Eric19877]

Too much of this short video is blurry and the panning is too fast to get a proper look at things in detail.

[@chrisawelch]

I thought this was real at first. So perfect.

[@denis_catroun6167]

Beautiful work. Very impressive. Thank you so much.

[@SONIDOS13]

siempre digo que podria haber reiniciado la serie TNG nuevas capitulos

[@AndrewDavid84]

This is absolutely 💯👌 perfection. You've captured everything this bridge is about. This is literally perfection. You even have the first contact theme playing, just amazing 👏

[@SaschaGoto]

Stunning. Amazing. Pure perfection. Thanks so much for sharing this. Is there a version in VR where I can just stand or sit and enjoy this?

[@Ljordan093]

Will someone tell Cryptic Games that we want this bridge in Star Trek Online!

[@Pulsar359]

Wait, this is a CGI rendered bridge? I seriously thought you were invited to film a replica set in real life. That is until I started to read the comments and the video description. Well done indeed!

[@buzzinpoa]

One more fantastic work...!! I cannot help but be in awe...!! The level of details and the feel... It feels so real...!! Congratulations one more time...!!!

[@peterfll]

Wow that is seriously beautiful, and I’m sure is the product of many many hours of hard work. Brilliant stuff! :)

[@FF-wv8kz]

The leather on the command chairs... wow... just amazing.

[@markrtoffeeman]

Superb job. I've just compared this to the on screen version. Can't see any discrepancies.

[@shortyjay69]

Did you build this your self or is this all animated? Either way or great work!!

[@ernestoaguilarmeza]

Sir, you and your crew should be promoted immediately!

[@danielshottopics8187]

This is My Favorite Enterprise, I Hope we see it again.

[@arcantis8964]

One Thing i didn Like ob that Bridge The Arrangements of the command chairs😮

[@ultramaximusreviews]

You totally need to do the Enterprise-D bridge

[@CRTAfterglow]

To think, if someone working on the First Contact sets would have had the foresight to walk around and film it, they could have saved you many hours of work.

[@DVersiga1984]

Yeah, but I enjoyed this work immensely and would've created a digital version myself anyway ;)

[@markmikulec4081]

Fabulous work. The depth of field are a nice touch, and add to the realism. How many hours did it take for you to do this across the 3 month span?

[@andrewcummings9475]

I Would See Some The Enterprise A Main Bridge to

[@JoeCroninSHOW]

WOW where is this from ?

[@SimonJessey]

My goodness! This is simply incredible. Fantastic job. 👍🏻

[@gregorysharp]

I’m sorry but what happened to your TOS model? Your work is fantastic. So it kills me to think it’s going to just disappear

[@DVersiga1984]

It’s still there. These are passion projects. I work on them as my motivation dictates. After years of working on TOS, I need a different aesthetic to indulge in. Whenever I get the motivation to work on TOS again, I’ll do so.

[@concious2]

Just realized this Bridge is different, like Enterprise D better!