Hello Everybody, hope you are all well. I have a BIG saber to show you all today and not just a saber, but if you don’t like this design as a lightsaber you can remove the handle and use it as a model! (Plus I have a bonus item at the end of this post to check out!) The inspiration for today’s hilt is the awesome Star Destroyer. The Star Destroyer was the second ship we ever saw in the Star Wars universe and movies as it chased down Princess Leia’s transport ship the Tantive IV. That opening scene where the destroyer overflies the camera (and us) was phenomenal, the ship seemed to be never-ending. These ships were big, powerful, and could destroy planets (or at least wipe the surface clear of any inhabitants). They also carried dozens of TIE Fighters and hundreds of troopers. So I figured I should try and replicate an SD ship in saber form. So here is a work in progress picture of the basic outline model..
Now as you can see there are a few differences between the space ship and the saber, firstly there seems to be a long handle sticking out the back end (sorry, stern of the ship) and a big tube for the blade extending out of the bow. But I did try to make this model accurate as far as the basic shape was concerned and I used a set of blueprints I found on the net to help build the model. In Blender you can import and display images to act as reference guides, then you build the model “on top” of the pictures, pulling and shaping parts till they match the outlines. The blueprints I used look like this…
Ok so you have seen the studio WIP pictures, it’s time for the Glamour Shots gallery and you will notice I have a very special backdrop for the model this time…a 3D Space Panorama!….
I recently perfected the trick of adding a 3 dimensional background for my models so thought a star scene would look better than a plain backdrop. From the images you should be able to pick out details such as superstructure which I etched into the body, the two secondary hangar bays on the port and starboard sides along with the forecastle (or bridge as it is sometimes called). I placed the red activation switch on the rear of the bridge structure. The pictures also highlight that I included a crystal chamber to represent the main shuttle hangar bay on the underside of the ship. Finally, on the handgrip I added a pommel that represents the SD’s “Shield Generator Globes”. These globes are the emitters for the shield and were originally located on the top of the bridge structure but after watching SOLO – A Star Wars Movie and seeing a Star Destroyer being assembled on Corellia I thought the globe would look great as a pommel. You can see the Generator Globe being lowered into place in this screenshot…

Alright, that just about….WAIT! I still have a bonus to show you all yet! Not only have I learnt to add 3D backgrounds to my models but I have been working on my ANIMATION skills. I did a small animation of my TY Silencer Saber and thought the Star Destroyer would look “Impressive…most impressive!” animated with a space background so, if my video works….here is my animated Annihilator Saber (CAUTION!! There may be a Flashing Image issue for some people so if you are Photo Sensitive please be aware!!)
If the animation doesn’t work please let me know (but I tried it on YouTube and it seemed to display). I know it is a basic orbit and lasts a few seconds but I kinda liked it. However I have a much more advanced animation for my upcoming saber for the most famous Jedi Master ever, Luke Skywalker.
This time that does wrap things up for this post. I hope you enjoyed this design and I’d just like to say thanks to the developers of Blender 3D….because tomorrow marks the anniversary of my first Blender model based post. You can check out my first model by clicking HERE . I have only been using Blender for 365 days and it has allowed me to create sabers, pictures and animations like this ^^. And Blender makes it soo much fun!
So to you my viewers and followers, new and regulars, thank you soo much for joining me on my 3D modelling/saber designing journey and thanks for the continued support, it really means a lot me reading your comments and thoughts. Till next time…..
“Annihilator Saber” is a For Tyeth Editions design and is ©Copyright of For Tyeth/FTSabersite 2016-2019. The “Star Destroyer” and all Star Wars related names, images and related material are Trademark/©Copyright of Disney/LucasFilm Ltd.