(1)How Can I Help keep the MESHES Online, and the Site Open and Running?

Well, if you have some spare cash, just whack it into the form of CASH, AUSTRALIAN CHEQUE or AUSTRALIAN MONEY ORDER (minimum $25 for foreign donations) and send it off to:
ANDREW J. HODGES
C/O STAR TREK AUSTRALIA.com
P.O. BOX 426, THURINGOWA CENTRAL
QUEENSLAND 4817, AUSTRALIA
This takes some of the financial burden off running the site, which means I can open more sections for you to enjoy!

(2)How Do You Make These Images?

After setting up the 'pose' or scene in 3D STUDIO MAX, I usually apply a composite background behind the ships, then adjust the lighting and add any other FX. The Background image may have already been created in 3D STUDIO MAX, or any other Graphics Programs. (see below)
Some Post-Production work may also be done in the following applications: (see Question 5)

(3)Why are the images only available in 800x600 and/or 1024x768?

Many of the images created on this site were done from a time when 640x480 was the standard, so many of the older pics were too low in resolution to enlarge to anything higher than 1024x768, and even then it can get blurry due to loss of quality. And also, since many of the images were created by me, I only work in 800x600 (and only recently 1024x768) so my imagea are also too small to enlarge to todays popular screen resolutions. Finally, due to space and server restrictions, I have to keep the filesizes down, so 1024x768 is the cutt-off for screen resolutions at this time, although as new images are submitted I will keep them at the higher resolutions (should they be rendered so).

(4)Why do I have to keep credits on the images if I use them for myself?

We artists work VERY hard to create these images for you - so the least you can do is give us the due credit we deserve. Yes, sometimes credits on an image can be distracting, but unless YOU want to learn to make the image all by yourself, you MUST credit the original creator, and the best way to do that is to leave the credits ON the images, even if you are resizing them or whatever. Besides, some artists have copyrighted their work and you will be liable for damages should you breach the copyright by removing credits etc.

(5)What Program/s Do You Use, and for what?

(6)Can I Use Your Pics On My Website, SIM or PBeM?

Yes. Please read our CONDITIONS-OF-USE page for more details.

(7)Can I Put Your Meshes On My Website?

No. Not without written permission. You may let people know that the meshes are HERE, but you may not Leech or place the meshes on your own site.

(8)What is 'Leeching' and whats wrong with it?

'Leeching' is the term given to when a file from my site is linked directly from another site. ie: instead of putting an image from STAR TREK AUSTRALIA.com on your own server and linking to it, the site will simply link to the image still on my server. The reason that this is wrong is that it leads to bandwidth congestion from external traffic, severely reducing performance for those people on my site. It also ramps up my bandwidth charges, and i`m not exactly made of money. Foremostly though, it is considered extremely rude, so don't do it. And now, thanks to evolutions to Internet Law, you can now be prosecuted for Bandwidth Fraud if you leech from another person's server.

(9)Where Can I Learn To Make Meshes?

Tutorials are great for getting you started, and to practice and refine new skills. Visit the SCIFI-MESHES Website and check out some of the excellent Tutorials in offer, or you can ask questions in their vast array of FORUMS.

(10)I Have Drawn A Ship - Can You Please Make A Mesh Of It For Me?

Unfortunately not. This is one of my most asked Questions. Making a Mesh takes time and effort, two things that I cannot afford to spare at the moment. Don't dispair though, as we suggest that you ask the good community at SCIFI-MESHES. Enter their FORUMS and post your request in the relevant topic.

(11)Can I Make a Mesh From a Sketch by scanning it or something?

I Wish, but No. Unfortunately, there is no magic program that will let you scan a sketch of a ship and then create a Mesh from it. Therefore, it is a little more complicated, and basic skills in 3D Modelling are required to make any Mesh.

(12)How Do You Make a Mesh?

Meshes are created in a 3D Graphics Program such as Lightwave or 3D Studio Max. Each mesh is made up of a series of objects with textures applied, and once completed can be rotated and positioned at any angle, thus enabling you to create awesome scenes.

(13)Can You Make Me a Mesh?

Unfortunately, the amount of time needed to keep STAR TREK AUSTRALIA up and running, plus my commitments to other organisations means that I have no spare time to dedicate to any other projects. So unfortunately the answer is no.

(14a)Why do you only have 3D STUDIO MAX versions of the Meshes?
(14b)Why not LIGHTWAVE or TRUESPACE?

Simply put, I only run 3D STUDIO MAX. I have tried to understand LIGHTWAVE and TRUESPACE, but for the life of me, I could not understand their bizarre user interface. Therefore, since I only run MAX, the only versions of the Meshes I use will be MAX-related.
However, if you have that rare ability to convert meshes to other formats, feel free to let me know and I will make the conversions available here!

(15)I want to submit an IMAGE, but I dont think its good enough.

Bollocks! Do you think that I started out producing these quality images right away? Noo... some of my early works are, bu current standards, SHOCKERS! But, since I support scifi art in all forms, I would be glad to post your image here for the world to see. (Unless its really, really, really bad! *j/k*)

(16)I want to submit a MESH, but I dont think its good enough.

Well, some meshes (particularly "your first ones") may be just a tad too "simple" to make it to tyhe mesh section, but I pretty much accept most meshes submitted to me, even if they are relatively low-quality. However, if its just a few shapes with no real textures, it may need to "grow" a little before being added.
PLEASE EMAIL ME *FIRST* before you send the mesh - show me a preview and send some info, such as what program was used, how large the compiled .ZIP file is etc...

(17)Whats gonna happen to your cool, old site, DEVILSWORLD6 now?

It has been removed from its previous server (dunno why) so I will make it a sub-section of STAR TREK AUSTRALIA.com as soon as I can... So you ELITE/FRONTIER/FFE fans will get yer sections back soon.. ;)

(18)Is it true that you are a gorgeous sex-god?

-WTF? Please stop asking me this! *g* (...and the answer is 'yes'... hehe)