sketchley

I agree, the VA-3C used by the poachers is a great design, especially with FAST packs and harpoon! Of all the VFs created after the VF-1 series of designs, it is the only one that truly captures the overaggressive look the VF-1 has with FAST packs. All of the other ones are great, and the aerodynamic lines of their FAST packs certainly are cool, but they all tend to lose the aggressive "I don't even have to give a rat's a$$ about airflow, I got the power to spare!" look to them. Checked out the latest (September) issues of the anime mags, nothing on the covers to indicate anything on Macross F. I'm guessing next month's issues will have plenty (big announcements saved for those who paid money to attend the concert, eh?)

Take care to stay out of the blast radius of the nuke (your own, or the opponents.) I once got fried when I fired a nuke (I think it was sans lock-on) and it decided to chase me instead! The enemy ships in the easier settings are fairly easy if you keep moving, make hit and run attacks. However, they get progressively more deadly at the more difficult settings. In fact, they fire different weapons! The Hatchet class for example, in Maniac mode fires some kind of heat-seeking nuke at the player; a weapon not used in the easier settings!

I was thinking about Macross and tentacles, and the conclusion that I came to is - EVERY Macross anime since SDF:M (excluding Flashback 2012), has had tentacles! Exedol in DYRL. Sharon Apple in M+. Protodevlyn in M7. Space Whales in M7D. Octopus in M0.* *Ok, the last one's a bit of a stretch, but then I have to ask: are the red energy beams fired by the Birdman a kind of tentacle? Since the Birdman is rightfully a monster, and all the previous Macross productions have "monsters from space" (Sharon Apple falls into this broad definition.) Therefore, monsters aren't anything new to Macross...

I'm not denying that they could be imaged from the San Francisco trams, but merely pointing out that Japan has a lot of trams in operation, some of them with similar designs. http://www.yamasa.org/acjs/images/hiroshima_tram_600.jpg http://images.google.co.jp/images?svnum=10...mp;q=Japan+tram Mind you, it could all be an injoke or something else to tie into Macross Dynamite.

Japan has plenty of cable cars. Maybe it's just to make the series more realistic for the target audience (Japanese)? Or it's indicative of the population size and mass transportation needs of the colony vessels? And/or it's a stylistic statement, as the colony vessel in Macross 7 had subways... perhaps the new fleet is entirely composed of smaller vessels, that minimize the risk to a large chunk of the population. In this theory, the effects of the events of Macross 7 are clearly evident, giving the strongest support to this series being a continuation of the Macross story, and not a reset.

I don't know the time of the original post, but currently it is 12:40 PM, JST. From the time of this post, it is another 5 hours +alpha.

Not interested in doing the project, but some advice: rescane the image. Not only is the scan out of focus in a vertical swipe down the center as Dante74 said, there is also a horizontal white line about halfway. The easiest solution is to scan the image in multiple passes to make sure the entire image area is scanned correctly, with plenty of overlap. The person interested in this project should have the tools (ie: Photoshop) to merge the seperate images together smoothly. I do this with the manga that I am producing - drawn on B4, and scanned into the PC on an A4 scanner. Usually 3 or 4 scans are required to get all parts scanned correctly. Lining it up is very easy (if the paper is squared with the frame over the glass when scanning!)

Thanks. Indeed, it is definitely about* 450 m by about* 220 m. *Why about? That's what the book says.

The image is showing up as a jpg, and not animated (both link image and image on the site linked to.) Also, check out my avatar. Home-made animated .gif all the way, baby! Higher resolution is available here: http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/54677027/ (click download to see the actual .gif.)

Different productions, different designs. As the dimensions aren't in TIA: The Select #11, and I don't have the Gold Book, a scan (at a legible resolution) would be appreciated.

Try: http://unsd.macrossroleplay.org/zentraedilang.php Note that Zentraedi was originally created as Zentraedi/Japanese (and any English translation being a translation of Japanese terms,) and the voice actors used in DYRL where foreigners (native English speakers,) to give the language a more exotic feeling in it's pronunciation.

Shoji Kawamori, ever the fan of Gundam; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Colony_%28Gundam%29

You point out the obvious (Macross is a work of fiction), I point out the obvious. Quid pro quo. The names Sketchley, and it's to show that not only some of us, but the majority of us have been down these lines of thought before. Apeman007, FYI, is me. :wave:

No. Though there is a diffence in effect: people generally have soft lines and tones, mecha generally have angular lines and hard differences between tones. Technically, only inking requires true artistic skill, as any monkey with a computer with the right software can apply tones and shade. Though, the real skill comes in placing light sources, shadow and whatnot correctly. Impossible if you don't have a base background in art. CG skills are a whole different ballgame, and it is recommended to not invest serious cash into software and training until you are certain that you'll be able to use the skills, and the software fits your needs for the immediate future. (Of course, there are plenty of free and/or short-term trial software available. Try them out.) Mecha-artistry, to be honest, I don't think Macrossworld is the best place to be asking these kinds of questions. This site is primarily devoted to the toys of Macross. There are few artists here. I recommend http://www.deviantart.com/ You will also find a lot of mecha that people have drawn on the site. http://search.deviantart.com/?section=brow...3A5&q=mecha Perusing the variety of images available is a good way to figure out what works, and what doesn't. My bottom line answer to this topic is: if you're serious, start with pencils and inking only. They make or break mecha art. Tones and shading only enhance great line art. The best mecha art, in fact, doesn't need anything on the pencils or inks! Of course, experiment to your hearts content, just beware of the fallicy of American comic art: colour (and by extension tones and shading) does not make up for bad art!

http://www.google.co.jp/search?hl=ja&q...macross&lr=

Hardy har har. A more technical explanation is warranted, please and thank you; because the technical jargon removed, common internet English using explanation has caused the confusion. Technical jargon full explanation: FAST Packs are filled with reactant. Reactant being used both as fuel for the thermonuclear engines of a VF's engine nacelles, as well as being used, whilst in an atmosphere-less environ as the substance used to move through the engine to provide thrust.

Then please explain why: a) they explode violently when damaged and b) why all publications that refer to them as such, use the term FAST, even in Japanese? (You can spot the acronym buried in Japanese text, as roman letters are used.) Eg: "TIA Special: Macross Plus", Pg. 58.

Just glancing at it, it looks like the list is pretty much correct. Some notes: the VF-11D Kai and VF-22 Transatmospheric Super Parts are the same, and they are also used in Sound Energy/Spiritia Warfare. the transatmospheric and atmospheric packs/parts contain (if I remember the translation correctly) a scram jet engine.

Perhaps it's better to think of them as gas tanks. There is armour on them, but it is to prevent the gas within the tank from exploding when the VF is hit. Would you use a gas tank as a shield?

Agreed. However, it is difficult for a particular poster to be vague and specific in different threads. Good questions. The only answers that I can come up with are that Shoji Kawamori is a stickler for real world details. As such, he most likely uses the real world definition of FAST packs. In terms of VFs, that would apply only to the engine nacelle additions, as they most closely resemble the real world definition in function, shape, and design. This also justifies and explains why there has been a steady shift to Super Parts and Super Packs. One other piece of trivia is that the specific names for this extra parts disappear after DYRL. (Eg. NP-BP-01. Though, in this particular case, the number only refers to the engine and fuel part, as the forward weapon (HMMP-02 and RO-X2A) should be considered as supplemental and (apparently rapidly) exchangable parts to the base unit.) As near as I can determine, the split is Macross Plus and 7. I think it's due to Macross Plus being marketed towards fans from SDFM and DYRL, whereas Macross 7 was marketed towards a younger audience, new to Macross. Yes, and in some cases no. In some of the cases, the words used are directly taken from English (スーパーパック). In other cases, there are non-English words used that are translated, and may or may not need some "tweeking" to better fit into both Macross (specifically) and English (in general) common usage. In some rare cases, the creators of Macross have demanded that specific non-literal translations be used, despite the requested word having little or nothing to do with the original Japanese (Supervision Army vs. Inspection Army.) I am most leery of this last one, as non-native speakers of English don't tend to have the same understanding of English. (Everyone knows of the Bubble Economy, right? One Japanese economist recently tried to coin the term Froth Economy. Froth being many little bubbles. However, I understand the word as meaning more than gas contained within a membrane. Think dog frothing at the mouth.) Anyhow... the safest bet is the literal translation, as many people are reading and translating the same material. There's commonality and less likelihood of people claiming a mistranslation in the future. On the one hand, they may not fit the real world definition. On the other hand, it may be a deliberate "dumbing down" of the technical aspects to make it more accesable to the consumer. There may also be a difference that hasn't been translated, or defined and written down by Shoji Kawamori. (I'm basing the definition of FAST as Fuel and Sensor Tactical Packs. The more recent packs and parts don't (appear) to have any sensor capabilities. But that's just my thoughts.) Try establishing a common category (additional parts or equipment) and then add the translated names within the category with whatever technical information is available. Also, the YF-19 has FAST packs, and the VF-19 has the Transatmospheric Booster(s). I'd go with those being both their specific names as well as describing their function. I'd go with what's newer = more precedence. Afterall, MPM takes precedence over the TIA The Select: SDF:M, and TIA The Select: DYRL takes precedence over MPM. Shoji Kawamori, or Studio Nue, or Big West, tend to reveal different (and oft exclusive) bits and pieces as time goes by. I only noticed the rapid exchangeablity of the HMMP-02 and RO-X2A from a combination of Tenjin Hidetaka Valkyries and Kawamori Shoji Design Works; and they are the latest published books on Macross to date. (Not counting that NHK review of DYRL that was released a couple of months ago. Nothing new aside from some staff interviews.)

The VF-22 also has 3 internal pallets. With the VF-19P, the internal pallets have been replaced by a pair of dog-fight missile launchers (presumably to not give the Zolans excessive military capabilities. Limited FAST packs are also seen mounted on their VF-5000G.) Other VFs have internal pallets (VF-17, some of the Super Parts for the VF-11) too. The VF-22S, VF-11C, VF-11D Kai, VF-19, VF-5000G and VF-3C Kai all have "FAST packs" that are useable both in atmosphere and space. The reason why I put FAST packs in quotes is because they are not referred to as FAST packs, but as Transatmospheric** Super Parts (22 & 11D kai), Atmospheric Super Parts* (VF-11C), Transatmospheric** Booster (VF-19), Transatmospheric** Booster Pack (VF-5000G. Though, there is a rough design of Transatmospheric** Super Parts for the VF-5000 (unclear if it is all models or only the G) as well), and Transatmospheric Boosters for the VF-3C.) The VF-17's additions are named Super Packs (スーパーパック). From the translations I have done, no VF designed after Macross Plus (placing Macross Plus before Macross 7 here) have had FAST packs. Even the Ghost X-9 in Macross Plus has Super Parts. *Lower page 121 of "Shoji Kawamori Macross Design Works". These are the exception, since they only operate in an atmosphere. ** This is my translation of 大気圏内外両用. More literally, it'd be 'atmosphere inside and outside dual use'. Thus transatmospheric.

I think those releases are called "special editions". Though, that might just be how they are referred to here in Japan. I never shopped for DVDs in Canada, so I don't know if they are called the same thing or not there. Movie titles do tend to change when brought to Japan, Korea, and other countries. ("Die Hard 4.0" being a timely example.) The "Abyss" directors edition may have happened after Terminator 2. I don't profess to be a James Cameron expert. My top 3 for director's cuts are: "Das Boot", "Lord of the Rings", and "Alien". All three substantially improved the story, and its scope.

Have you seen the director's cut/rerelease? Released after Titanic, and James Cameron took his own money and filmed (or completed the special effects in some shots?) to complete the movie the way he originally wanted it to be? Comparing the two versions (director's vision cut and studio the-film-gets-released-now-despite-it-not-being-completed-make-a-movie-out-of-what-you-have cut) is quite striking. If I remember correctly, in Canada (or at least BC,) if you left a movie within the first 30 minutes (and still retain the ticket stub,) you'll get a refund (not sure if it's a full or partial refund, or simply a coupon to see a different movie.)

Ehh? Well, that's a lot simplier than having the source text pointed out. Thanks. I'll revise my original statement: VF engines in an atmosphere = VERY effecient with fuel, inefficient with heat. VF engines in space = VERY inefficent with fuel, extremely efficient with heat. The additional transatmospheric scramjet (I think that's the translation) FAST packs, as seen in Macross 7, are for compensating the reduced engine performance in an atmosphere, in addition to more munitions.

http://macross.anime.net//mecha/united_nat...yf19/index.html I've always interpreted that line as "in space, the speed is 40 to 60% of that in atmosphere". My reasons are mostly on sentence parsing (I would really like to know the specific books and page numbers Egan Loo references in the creation of his stats, as only the source Japanese will truly clear this up,) as well as a little bit on what I remember from a text by Tom Clancy on jet fighers.