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