A scratch build to me is when someone gets sheets or blocks PVC, and/or other materials, and makes something out of it. No pre-made parts. That's the line, I have seen it done.
Combining two models together is Kitbashing, no matter how nice you make it look, or ugly, which can be much cooler, A Kitbash is getting ready made models and bashing them into something different,. A company called AMC did that once and came out with a car they called the Pacer.
I have no interest in doing anything IPMS is, or any other forum is doing. This is our forum.
Scratch and Bash are not similar. if I scratch your head, you may go "ow". If I Bash your head, you will not remember the incident, or any other, ever again.
1) Scratch Build**
**Scratch build will mean fabricated. It's easy to take thin plastic, and pull it over the shape you desire, and make something unseen before, or, a representation of a ship, airplane or boat, completely from the use of raw materials.
2) Kit-Bashing (combining models, and materials to make an unrelated vehicle, or one similar vehicle.
3)Box Stock. Made just like the box says, except for paint. In this category, I expect clean work.
4) Self Proclaimed Noobie. I think that says it all.
One more:
5) Classic Models, like Renwahls Visible V-8's, any Jo-Han models, you know what I am talking about. These deserve special attention! They don't necessarily have to be out of production
As the threads build up, further delineations as far as aircraft, spaceships, boats, RatFink's will be added
The preceding 4 categories will stick, got more ideas, we could use some more. Let me know either way, keep banging them ideas out.