- Apr 5, 2013
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I say go with real Gravimetric plating. How much could that cost for a model of that size? 
Battlestar Galactica: Dr Zee's antigravity ship
- Thread starter Revell-Fan
- Start date
RF is right, I will be test building the revised model soon. I will post photos of the test build as well (So no need to worry).
Howdee fans! The update series is continuing with Doctor Zee' ship. When I began working on this model I only had the screenshots from the DVD, a top view and a bottom view of the original miniature for reference. As I stated above a new image appeared which showed a 3/4 view of the profile of the ship. This shot was very insightful because it clearly showed that the model was too flat.
Here is the complete photo set: https://www.byyourcommand.net/cylongallery/thumbnails.php?album=940
I have edited the mesh to bring it closer to the original.
The first model looked like this:
As you can see the top is barely pronounced.
The current state of the revision looks like this:
This is MUCH closer to the original.
Next I took a closer look at the texture. There was an issue with it because it was not symmetrical. I found out that the texture plate was not a square as it was supposed to be. I stretched it a bit to make it completely in line with the mesh. Then I divided the model in four parts, deleted three of them and re-applied the texture to the remaining part. That made sure that the texture would be symmetrical on all the other parts. After that I turned the part into a component and multiplied and rotated it to get a complete model again.
The close-up shows that all lines meet as intended. Finally!
One of the biggest advantages of the more bulbous shape of the top is that it should be easier to assemble now. On the prototype I had some trouble maintaining the shape because it was so flat that it always wanted to stay completely flat which could cause dents in the hull. The stronger pronounced curve should no longer have this issue because the hull is REALLY forced to go up now.
Stay tuned!
Here is the complete photo set: https://www.byyourcommand.net/cylongallery/thumbnails.php?album=940
I have edited the mesh to bring it closer to the original.
The first model looked like this:
As you can see the top is barely pronounced.
The current state of the revision looks like this:
This is MUCH closer to the original.
Next I took a closer look at the texture. There was an issue with it because it was not symmetrical. I found out that the texture plate was not a square as it was supposed to be. I stretched it a bit to make it completely in line with the mesh. Then I divided the model in four parts, deleted three of them and re-applied the texture to the remaining part. That made sure that the texture would be symmetrical on all the other parts. After that I turned the part into a component and multiplied and rotated it to get a complete model again.
The close-up shows that all lines meet as intended. Finally!
One of the biggest advantages of the more bulbous shape of the top is that it should be easier to assemble now. On the prototype I had some trouble maintaining the shape because it was so flat that it always wanted to stay completely flat which could cause dents in the hull. The stronger pronounced curve should no longer have this issue because the hull is REALLY forced to go up now.
Stay tuned!
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The texture of the bottom half was revised accordingly. The bottom also received the vertical struts on the lower segment.
Thank you! Sometimes it helps to take another shot at a project with a fresh eye.
Indeed!Thank you! Sometimes it helps to take another shot at a project with a fresh eye.
Great work - Master Galactician!
I really like the updated work that you have done to this project! I am looking forward to trying my hand at building it.
Yesterday I came across some very detailed views of the original miniature. Half of the paneling on the underside is washed out due to the lighting but what is there gives me enough info to fill in the blanks.
The most interesting find is that the underside is constructed much like the Millennium Falcon. There are lots of small panels glued to the surface. Those panels feature the same irregular "bitten off / chewed on" edges you can see all around the Falcon.
What I first thought to be physical triangles are in fact flat trapezoidal shapes painted on, so the revision will no longer have those "spikes".
The landing gear covers are too much more detailed but their shape is roughly OK.
The top features intricate panel lines and looks much different than what those two tiny images I worked with in the first place were able to tell me.
Since I do not have a straight side view for reference the height and the look of the cross section is still guesstimated.
There are so many changes that this update reminds me of the update of the legboard so you may expect to get a completely new model.
The most interesting find is that the underside is constructed much like the Millennium Falcon. There are lots of small panels glued to the surface. Those panels feature the same irregular "bitten off / chewed on" edges you can see all around the Falcon.
What I first thought to be physical triangles are in fact flat trapezoidal shapes painted on, so the revision will no longer have those "spikes".
The landing gear covers are too much more detailed but their shape is roughly OK.
The top features intricate panel lines and looks much different than what those two tiny images I worked with in the first place were able to tell me.
Since I do not have a straight side view for reference the height and the look of the cross section is still guesstimated.
There are so many changes that this update reminds me of the update of the legboard so you may expect to get a completely new model.
This is not a quick fix. Finding those reference pictures is a double-edged sword. On the one hand it helps improving the model, on the other hand it means much line work to do. However I am glad that I found them before the revision was released because then I had to revise everything again.