The Enterprise is a sleek, beautiful starship and one of the best things about the Refit, for Star Trek The Motion Picture, was the details that where put into model, since the original TOS model was fairly smooth and featureless. The placement of some features, especially weapons, was open to debate, with no clear answer.

Luckily, the new model was made to have the camera within inches of the hull, so it was made to exacting specifications. One of the most striking details is the fantastic finish done by Paul Olsen. He spent months painting the hull to look like individual metal panals. With the new model, there was no question about the exterior details. There are things to see on almost every inch of the ship, from the airlock on the back of the bridge, to the Impulse Deflection Crystal, to the Arboretum Bay Windows, to the flight control room, above the shuittle bay.