"Vehicle Surface Details" Topic

Curious if anyone has a preference…

Smooth Surface

Raised Panels

Riveted Panels

Probably smooth… for me anyways and from those pics.

I would suggest smooth for the print -- detail can always be added traditionally -- I have sanded off rivets from prints by accident removing print lines.

my 2 cents

If it's for a futuristic flyer/gunship/dropship … smoooove. No Rivets please.

Now if it's for a gritty space opera/space cowboy/ barely flying deathtrap.. maybe rivets.

I would say smooth, but with raised panels where there would be a reason for them being there, and maybe a small amount of raised or sunken rivets again where it would make sense for them.

I'd say indented panel lines to help break up the shape a bit.

Panel lines are great. Even on aircraft, where everything is flush riveted and sealed (ugh… PRC), the panel lines are still clearly visible.

Raised panels.

Flies in air, smooth.

Space raised.

Gritty, tech fails rivits.

If it does not add too much work, sell smooth, optin to by panels and riveted items.
If so add a PDF on web sight with the dim idioms for the plates.

Lee

Ohh, I like the raised, looks more like armor over the good stuff, that still needs to be worked on.

Lee

I think indented detail is better. Much easier to get. Just hit it with a black wash and you have the panels lined.

I'd go for smooth.

You could compromise and instead of raising the panels just flatten it on the surface and indent the seam enough to give some detail. It will take washes and dry brushing so should look great.

I kinda groovin on the seam idea instead of raised panels. Would look nice and detailed without a lot of work.

Panels and rivets. More detail makes a vehicle easier to paint.

Recessed panel lines. Let a wash do all the work.

If you want to do rivets, they should be slightly countersunk little holes. Again, let a wash define all your panels for you.

If it's not VSF, why are you putting rivets on it?

Orcs like rivits!

NO RIVITS!!….

If I need them then I can add them, removing them is a pain. A recessed dimple for countersunk bolt is fine for a added armor panel, but no rivets.

I prefer a few appropriately placed panel lines.

If you are looking at printing this on shapeways for example

Then go smooth. You will allways get print lines, no matter what material you get. This needs to smoothed/sanded to get it ready for any casting. The more raised bits the harder it is! Been there and tried it!

still there!

Sorry Madrobot, Im sure you know all that! I didnt read the name before anwering :)

@ArmiesArmy: no problem, good info always bears repeating ;)

Smooth and flat is easier to clean on both a rapid protyping master and from resin casting that has pour gates sunk into it…

I prefer raised panels as they provide more options of highlighting.

Drop the rivets.

I would say that your panels lines and surface details should make sense and suit the subject matter.

-Eli

I prefer raised panels as they provide more options of highlighting.

That' really the reason I even asked. A detail like this is worth adding if it helps people achieve a better result when they paint it. Of course they could always just make their own panels from plasticard.

What's a "rivit?"

Eli said…

Drop the rivets.

HERESY!

But for traditional SF, I would say the raised panels look nicer to paint. If for atmosphere, especially high speed atmosphere, smooth would be the way to go.

Flight smooth with panel lines ( recessed)
Armor some raised pnels
No rivits unless low tech

Rivit is mad boy orc for Rivet,

They say RIIII VIIITTTTs

or typing on an ipad too late at night your choice,
:)
Lee

Another vote for raised panels/lines to break things up and add details.

Rivets are a big ehn. Save them for the post-apoc vibe.