Warhammer 40K: Modelling Black Templars Automated Orbital Sentinel

The Orbital Sentinel is a project I began with the goal of combining precision modeling with rich storytelling. Inspired by the gothic, mechanical aesthetic of Warhammer 40K, I set out to create a spacecraft that would feel ancient, functional, and sacred all at once. The process started entirely inside Plasticity, where I could focus on building clean, accurate geometry while experimenting with form and proportion. Exploring shapes and forms that would blend heavy industrial design with a cathedral-like silhouette.

“Andrea1969”s render image will be the reference image for me above.

At the earliest stage, I established the base silhouette of the model. Working in Plasticity, I blocked out the general mass of the Sentinel using simple primitives, gradually shaping its broad armor and structural layout. My focus was on creating a solid, believable foundation that could support the heavy, cathedral-like aesthetic of the Warhammer universe.

The first stage involved blocking out the main structure in Plasticity. I started with basic primitives, focusing on maintaining proportion and balance while experimenting with how different mechanical forms could merge into one coherent silhouette. Plasticity’s NURBS-based modeling tools made it easier to create clean, precise curves and bevels, helping me define the distinct, armored personality of the Sentinel.

Once the primary structure was in place, I refined the back body, defining where the armored plating and reinforcement details would sit. Plasticity’s precise filleting and curve tools made this stage smooth, allowing me to maintain both functional form and ornamental rhythm — a hallmark of Imperial design.

I began to integrate smaller mechanical details, giving the form more depth and realism. These included vent systems, weapon mounts, and surface ridges that would later serve both functional and aesthetic purposes. In Warhammer’s lore, the Machine Spirit demands respect, and I wanted each part of the Sentinel to feel engineered yet devotional, like it was built with reverence rather than efficiency alone.

As the geometry became more defined, I focused on panel flow and armor segmentation. Each plate was designed with the idea of being serviceable or replaceable, emphasizing the Sentinel’s role as a long-serving defense construct. Plasticity’s NURBS modeling made it easy to maintain smooth continuity between surfaces, ensuring a clean, manufacturable look.

I paid special attention to the central housing structure, which forms the heart of the Orbital Sentinel. This portion needed to feel monumental — both as a functional command core and as a shrine to the Omnissiah. Using precise Boolean operations in Plasticity, I carved recesses and layered volumes to achieve that sacred mechanical symmetry seen in Adeptus Mechanicus constructs.

With the structure established, I transitioned into shaping the weapon housings and outer frames. Here, Plasticity’s snapping and edge continuity features were essential, letting me place large cannons and energy conduits accurately. I wanted the weapons to appear integrated rather than attached — part of the machine’s body, not mere additions.

Next, I refined the engine sections and thruster details, ensuring they reflected both technical realism and gothic flair. These components were designed to look ancient yet functional, with heavy exhaust chambers and mechanical ribs reminiscent of cathedral arches. This stage really captured that blend of sci-fi and spirituality central to Warhammer 40K’s art style.

Once the main body and propulsion systems were complete, I moved on to surface detailing. I introduced smaller grooves, bolts, and ridges to suggest panel joints and reinforced hulls. The goal was to make the Sentinel’s armor look battle-worn but resilient, capable of surviving millennia of space warfare while retaining its ceremonial grandeur.

Plasticity made managing complex forms surprisingly fluid. I used its fillet and chamfer tools to round edges where needed, which helped maintain a sense of weight and craftsmanship. Unlike polygon modeling, NURBS modeling in Plasticity allowed for perfect curvature control, which was invaluable for building hard-surface sci-fi assets with architectural precision.

In this stage, I also adjusted proportions and balance to ensure the Sentinel looked stable and massive. The lower sections were widened slightly to give the design a grounded presence, while the upper parts were kept compact and defensive. This balance of proportion helped reinforce the idea that the Orbital Sentinel is both fortress and machine.

Moving further into refinement, I experimented with layered armor plating and how light would interact with the surfaces. Plasticity’s real-time shading feedback was extremely useful for visualizing curvature transitions and bevels. It allowed me to sculpt with purpose — every cut, every plane break had to serve the storytelling of the model.

At this point, I felt the silhouette was complete, but I added subtle surface patterns — indentations and reinforcing structures — to bring extra complexity to the hull. The aim was to make the Sentinel’s surface look ancient, as if crafted by the Adeptus Mechanicus and blessed by Tech-Priests before being launched into orbit centuries ago.

I then focused on the front armor shield and the command hull details. The design incorporates layers that resemble relic plating and devotional shields, serving both as protection and as a symbolic barrier between the machine’s core and the void. Each addition was a small narrative moment — a reminder that, in Warhammer 40K, machinery is as holy as life itself.

The final modeling stage in Plasticity involved fine mechanical joints and alignment checks. This part was about precision — making sure the model was watertight, symmetrical, and ready for export. The flexibility of Plasticity made it easy to inspect every curve and junction. Once the geometry was perfected, I prepared it for unwrapping and material work in 3ds Max.

The first view, a perspective view, captures the Orbital Sentinel in all its imposing detail. Seen from this angle, the ship’s towering silhouette and layered armor emphasize its monumental scale. The lighting in this composition accentuates the subtle curvature of its surfaces — each bevel, ridge, and plate working together to create a sense of mechanical faith. This view best represents the Sentinel’s role in the Warhammer 40K universe: an orbital fortress built not only to defend but to inspire awe and fear in equal measure.

The second view, showing a precise side view, highlights the Sentinel’s structural integrity and balance. From this profile, you can clearly see the disciplined flow of the design — the proportion of its hull, the alignment of its weapon housings, and the harmony between functional and decorative elements. This view was crucial during the modeling process to confirm the Sentinel’s engineering logic, ensuring it looked like a real, functioning construct designed by the Adeptus Mechanicus.

The final view, a rear perspective view, reveals the powerful thruster arrays and the intricate machinery that defines the Sentinel’s propulsion system. The layered exhaust housings, ribbed mechanical joints, and vent structures convey the raw energy of a vessel that has endured centuries of service. From this angle, the Orbital Sentinel appears almost alive — a mechanical spirit gazing silently into the void, maintaining eternal vigilance over the Emperor’s domain.

With the model exported into 3ds Max, I began the UV unwrapping process. This stage is often underappreciated but is crucial for professional-quality texturing. I divided the model into logical UV groups, paying attention to symmetry and texture density. Clean UVs mean cleaner materials later — especially for metallic and hard-surface assets.

Finally, I performed a test unwrap render to verify coverage and scaling across the model. The unwrapped view showed how detailed the Orbital Sentinel had become — each surface mapped perfectly for future materials. This concluded the technical phase of the project, setting the foundation for the texturing and rendering stages that will bring this mechanical guardian fully to life.