NS4
Well-Known Member
Templates are my secret weapon for kit part accuarcy...
While I am working my way across, detailing the front of the ship, I though I'd make a post on the methodology I use for positioning the kit parts.
The goal (obviously) is accuracy.
With that in mind, I had full size layouts printed of all the kit parts on the ship.
As they are taken directly from the 3D model (which is photomatched to the screen used ship) it means that these positions are as accurate as I can get them.
To transfer this to the physical build, I use the templates as (destructive) guides.
I simply cut out the part that I want to position, fit the template and glue the part inside the hole.
It's then just a matter of "rinse and repeat"! (lots and lots of times!)
The photos illustrate the sequence of how the parts in this section where placed.
It takes a little time, but the results speak for themselves.
I have also been looking ahead and have started laying out the artwork required for the decals.
I will take the same appoach as with the kit parts, and as they are drawn (in vector format) I will overlay them onto the reference photos to ensure that I get both an accurate representation of each decal and an exact location.
Again, this will take time, but I only plan on doing this once!
*big thanks to vectorzero for helping source a decal image for me too - cheers mate :thumbsup
While I am working my way across, detailing the front of the ship, I though I'd make a post on the methodology I use for positioning the kit parts.
The goal (obviously) is accuracy.
With that in mind, I had full size layouts printed of all the kit parts on the ship.
As they are taken directly from the 3D model (which is photomatched to the screen used ship) it means that these positions are as accurate as I can get them.
To transfer this to the physical build, I use the templates as (destructive) guides.
I simply cut out the part that I want to position, fit the template and glue the part inside the hole.
It's then just a matter of "rinse and repeat"! (lots and lots of times!)
The photos illustrate the sequence of how the parts in this section where placed.
It takes a little time, but the results speak for themselves.
I have also been looking ahead and have started laying out the artwork required for the decals.
I will take the same appoach as with the kit parts, and as they are drawn (in vector format) I will overlay them onto the reference photos to ensure that I get both an accurate representation of each decal and an exact location.
Again, this will take time, but I only plan on doing this once!
*big thanks to vectorzero for helping source a decal image for me too - cheers mate :thumbsup
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NS4
Well-Known Member
Work on the top front of the ship is now done.
I love how the detailing is restrained and focused in specific areas - wonderful design work from the original modelmakers (none of which is visible on screen as the model was only shot from the underside!)
I'll move to the rear of the ship and detail the area around the airlock next...
I love how the detailing is restrained and focused in specific areas - wonderful design work from the original modelmakers (none of which is visible on screen as the model was only shot from the underside!)
I'll move to the rear of the ship and detail the area around the airlock next...
NS4
Well-Known Member
The styrene tubing has now been added to the rear panels.
Pretty happy with the fit and match.
I did notice on review against the reference pictures that a couple of the styrene plating parts were a little undersized (0.5mm - 1mm), so I have removed them and replaced them with more accurate ones.
Will move onto fitting the last of the kit parts now.
Pretty happy with the fit and match.
I did notice on review against the reference pictures that a couple of the styrene plating parts were a little undersized (0.5mm - 1mm), so I have removed them and replaced them with more accurate ones.
Will move onto fitting the last of the kit parts now.
Looking fantastically clean!
NS4
Well-Known Member
630 kit parts have now been added to the ship (and most of the tiniest ones were in this section!).
...and with that, the rear panels are done, which concludes the construction portion of the build!
Apart from some minor tweaks along the way, everything fitted pretty much as it should.
The comparisons with the reference photos show that it is a close match to the work done on the original
I will add some primer to the top of the ship over the next few days to finish it off, and take some final comparison shots against the original (in primer).
...and with that, the rear panels are done, which concludes the construction portion of the build!
Apart from some minor tweaks along the way, everything fitted pretty much as it should.
The comparisons with the reference photos show that it is a close match to the work done on the original
I will add some primer to the top of the ship over the next few days to finish it off, and take some final comparison shots against the original (in primer).
stevielewis
Sr Member
Beautiful! You have done a fantastic job of building this.
NS4
Well-Known Member
Lol - the 100's of photo menthod would be one way to do it but no, I was a little more scientific with my methodology:
Having done the photomatching in sketchup, you can create an "advanced camera" for each match.
This will do two things:
1. Create a physcial camera model in your scene and will locate it correctly and
2. Tell you the exact focal length used.
You can then import the sketchup model into your modelling software and measure the location of the camera relative to the model.
Set the camera up on a tripod and using the focal length given shoot away!. It''s not 100% perfect, but it gets you very close.
I then take both images into photoshop and overlay them to match as close as I can and create the above images
Having done the photomatching in sketchup, you can create an "advanced camera" for each match.
This will do two things:
1. Create a physcial camera model in your scene and will locate it correctly and
2. Tell you the exact focal length used.
You can then import the sketchup model into your modelling software and measure the location of the camera relative to the model.
Set the camera up on a tripod and using the focal length given shoot away!. It''s not 100% perfect, but it gets you very close.
I then take both images into photoshop and overlay them to match as close as I can and create the above images
