There have been a number of different techniques for adding rivet details
to AFV models. Aside from adding small disks or drops of paint/glue to the surface of a model the simplest method is to emboss the surface. Unfortunately finding the rivet location usually requires a light box or similar. I've recently found an even simpler method of finding the rivet locations - I was working with scans and found the camo colour was too dark for the rivet details to show through in a light box. If you're working with the original - start by making scans of the parts with the rivet details.
- Using a graphics program (I used GIMP) swap the camouflage colour(s) to white - this should leave the part outlines and rivet details on a white background.
- Flip the image in the vertical plane - this gives a mirror image.
- Print out on thin paper.
- Cut out the mirrored parts.
What you get is a set of templates which you can tack onto the back of the model parts with 2-sided tape. I guess you could laminate the templates on but I haven't tried that. Embossing the model parts is then straight forward.
I must be re-inventing the wheel - so if this is a well known technique that's so obvious no-one bothers recording it - I'm sorry for wasting your time.
Regards,
Charlie
to AFV models. Aside from adding small disks or drops of paint/glue to the surface of a model the simplest method is to emboss the surface. Unfortunately finding the rivet location usually requires a light box or similar. I've recently found an even simpler method of finding the rivet locations - I was working with scans and found the camo colour was too dark for the rivet details to show through in a light box. If you're working with the original - start by making scans of the parts with the rivet details.
- Using a graphics program (I used GIMP) swap the camouflage colour(s) to white - this should leave the part outlines and rivet details on a white background.
- Flip the image in the vertical plane - this gives a mirror image.
- Print out on thin paper.
- Cut out the mirrored parts.
What you get is a set of templates which you can tack onto the back of the model parts with 2-sided tape. I guess you could laminate the templates on but I haven't tried that. Embossing the model parts is then straight forward.
I must be re-inventing the wheel - so if this is a well known technique that's so obvious no-one bothers recording it - I'm sorry for wasting your time.
Regards,
Charlie