Only four basic rules apply for creating concept image designs of the exterior of the USS Enterprise. The ship design requires (1) a saucer-shaped main hull with a diameter of about 20 times the thickness, (2) three long cylindrical-like sections arranged in a triangle with the larger of these three on the bottom, (3) the upper two cylindrical-like sections are connected to the main cylindrical-like section with one connecting bar each, and (4) the saucer-shaped main hull and main cylindrical-like section are connected with one connecting bar.
There have been many versions of the USS Enterprise in the Star Trek science fiction. And many individuals not associated with the production of Star Trek have dreamed up their own versions of the Enterprise. The esthetics that can be employed in the design of the USS Enterprise are limitless. Shown below are some variants of the external ship design as conceived by artists. Just keep scrolling! (Links to sites for image credits are listed at the end of this page as best I could find them.)
Image credit – Chris Martin of Evil Starship Factory
Image credit – Jim Lee at DeviantART
Image credit – The Light Works
Image credit – The Light Works
Image credit – Gabriel Koerner at deviantART
Image credit – David Metlesits at deviatART
Image credit – James Small of Small Art Works
Image credit – James Small of Small Art Works
Image credit – James Small of Small Art Works
Image credit – Unknown (internet)
Image credit – Ronald Grant
Image credit – Unknown (internet)
Image credit – Newport News Shipbuilding (from an ad)
Image credit – Unknown (internet)
Image credit – CBS (original Star Trek TV series)
Image credit – CBS (original Star Trek TV series)
Image credit – Chris Martin of Evil Starship Factory
Image credit – Unknown (internet)
Image credit – Dennis Bailey (using Blender graphics software)
Image credit – The Light Works
Image credit – Unknown (internet)
Image credit – Romulan tourist photo
Image credit – Beer-drinking friends of Rolfy
Rolfy the science dog (… he wonders, “Can we stop yet?”)
Links to image credits above:
- Chris Martin of Evil Starship Factory
- Jim Lee at deviantART
- The Light Works
- Gabriel Koerner at deviantART
- David Metlesits deviantART
- James Small of Small Art Works