After the drawn design was approved, I began modelling the vessel in Maya. The sails’ texture was animated to appear cloudlike, as if each balloon/sail was filled with rolling mist, and the sails were rigged for a simple opening-closing animation.

The first model of the Solace, as seen below, was built rather quickly to meet the production schedule; this second round is a great opportunity to refine the model into a real beauty worthy of some sexy closeups.

The core of the ship:

And from behind:

The ship, with its sails drawn in close in a teardrop formation:

Sails open, from Aft:

The sails in closed and open position: