star ship battle simulator

[Robert M. Wise]

I am posting this to three newsgroups: comp.graphics, rec.arts.startrek,
and rec.games.misc. Different parts of the posting are pertinant
to different newsgroups, but the posting as whole is needed for
coherence.

I have been an avid star fleet battles player for long time. I really
enjoy the game, but it screams for 1) computer aids (different topic)
or 2) complete computer simulation.

What I would like to do is write a graphics based star trek
battle simulator.

Goals:
1) real time
2) 3D
3) player vs. computer
4) player vs. player

I have two hypercube machines available to me with advanced graphics,
an IRIS workstation, and various Sun 2/3 workstations.

I would like to use the hypercube as a development machine, since
speed will not be factor, and since writing the game in parallel
should be an interesting experience.

Questions for the net:
rec.arts.startrek: How do the controls on a starship actually
work? What does Sulu do when Kirk asks for
a heading and speed? How much interaction is
needed from engineering? What about fire
control? How much is manual, and how much
is automatic. Recall STII "best guess, Mr.
Sulu...".

everybody: Does anyone have 3D descriptions of Star Trek ships?
Anyone have any general comments?

Thanks!
I hope to generate some discussion on this, especially as
regards the control mechanisms of a starship, so please
post your responses!

Bob Wise