Mike Metheny wrote:
> 
> Anyone done some sail ship modelling and care to share tips?  I have started
> an ambitious project that will prolly never come close to finishing, but
> hey. (aren't they all ambitious?) and some tips/idears as to modelling would
> be helpful.


Hi Master Metheny,

  Bezier patches for the sails.  The same goes for the hull if you are
looking for a smooth surface. If you want lapped planks for the hull it
gets a bit more difficult and csg comes into play. Your first task should
be to get a good set of pictures of a ship or boat that is close to what
you want to build and reference them often. There are many different
fittings and pieces on a boat and trying to remember them all is nearly
impossible.
   By a plastic model kit first, put it together and then take out a good
pair of callipers would be the accurate way to go and is not unheard of.
Leave the textures and pigments simple and worry more about getting the
shape and lines of the boat right before you worry about the cosmetics.
Irregularities show quickly on a ship for some reason and can be spotted
be even novice boat fanciers.
  Don't "just" settle for a water texture. Work at it until it is right
for the setting the ship is in. This means having the boards on the dock
reflecting properly on the waters surface or buildings at the waters edge
coming into play with their shadows and image showing in the reflection
from the water.
  If it is a solo scene then you are talking open water and again the water
and sky will be as much of a challenge to model correctly as would the
construction of the ship. Get that wrong and you can just throw the ship
away. On the other hand if you show it anchored at port then it would add
to the reality of you had some other small craft anchored around it. I have
never seen just one ship at anchor in the harbour and usually it's hard so
see just one boat through the forest of other craft in the area.
  My last piece of advice is critical for success. Be sure to have at least
one sea bird in the sky and two to six would be better for that added touch
of realism. A big friendly pelican on an pier support would be a major bonus
as would a few fishing nets drying in the sun around the docks.


Well you did ask after all :)

-- 
Ken Tyler

mailto://tylereng@pacbell.net

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