help

Modeling Subjects Science Fiction
1

can anyone tell me the best way to light up sci-fi models? And if you can a web site or two for the supplies. Thanks Wayne

2

Like most answers it depends. Lighting a model can be accomplished many ways: incandescent bulbs, LED’s, Lightsheets, fiber optics, etc… It also depends on the effects you are trying to accomplish and how much money and no how you have. The other thing you have to consider is power.

In many cases the answer isn’t one of the above but combinations. As an example if you look in the recent edition of FSM they have a good article on lighting a Klingon Bird of Prey. The builders solution wasn’t one but all of the above. So to help us help you what is the subject and what effect do you want to simulate?

3

Zig,

Here’s what I recommend. Though I’ve never done a wiring job myself, there a few ideas for lighting here. Check under the heading for ‘Lighting and Electronics’.

http://www.starshipmodeler.com/tech/techmain.htm#howto

Also the following has a lot on the subject:

http://www.culttvman.com/lights.html

4

thanks guys i will check them out as soon as possible,but to answer rossjr i just want to give the modle some kind of life im just getting srarted in this but i do want to do it right. Thanks Ziggy

5

There was also a nice article on lighting the Defiant in the Jan. '99 issue of FSM.

6

Ziggy, I understand the desire to add lights to a model, I have done it myself a few times. My point is that their really isn’t a single, one answer fits all, answer to your question. Each of the different techniques has it’s own pros and cons, for example incandescent is probably the cheapest and provides a great deal of light, however they generate heat and the bulbs burn out. LED’s are more expensive and genreally unidirectional, howver they run cool and last a long time. Light sheets are expensive and require an inverter but generate lots of even light, can be cut to shape and run cool. Fiber optics are great for those single point of light applications, is relatively cheap and easy to use, but require a lot of planning regarding routing, sourcing the light and painting.

So if you have a specific kit you are considering building, start by thinking about what effects you are considering and then we can talk about what methods you might consider.

Hope that helps out…