Thu, Mar 25, 2021 at 4:50 PM
David,
So glad you like what I've created for you.
I see three, four or even five possible locations for the ships ID numbers, these being; the sides of the tanks, the roof of the top deck (not seen while transporting cargo), the roof of the bridge, the drone recharge area and then the fore ends of the middle deck. Heck, one could even put the ID numbers on the locking tower, not that you would see it there that often (probably get scraped off pretty quickly, too).
This also begs the question of company logos and the like. Nathan Lowell had a field day with that concept in his Traders Tales (Federated Freight, etc.) The color patches in the render above indicate what I see as areas where one might logically put identification numbers and/or company logos. No need to use all that space nor every locations, just possibilities.
Whether or not those tanks are swapped out strikes me as a moot point. I think that the ID numbers would have to appear in a few places. Anyway, I figure that if the company has the credits to change out those tanks instead of just simply refueling them then by all rights they should at least have enough cash to have some numbers painted on. But, hey, a portion of that stuff might be in the form of those holographically projected images, right? Change it at will? Or is that too easy for the pirates to misuse... haul down the false colors and hoist the Jolly Roger?
Regarding the lighting: It strikes me that illuminating the outer volume perimeter of the cargo frame is a no-brainer, has to be so. Probably a string of spaced lights. They might flash or strobe as a means of showing out more strongly from the (possible) background of a star field in space. Don't think this strobe effect actually needs to be shown in the graphics... just something to think about. As for other lighting - nav beacons, etc. - well, I'm currently uncertain. Have to play with that one.
Very uncertain as to whether the cargo containers would have individual lighting. Does it make sense? Would it serve any purpose? I suppose if (against all reason) a cargo container came loose during transport it might have some sort of emergency beacon signal/light system, but those would not be in use while the containers are being safely transported in the cargo frame.
General lighting on and about the ship? Also easy enough to arrange. Hand me those light bulbs!
- Ignatz