This is my first topic after signing up… I am getting back into modelling and I have aquired one of the original fiber optic models of the Enterprise-D from STTNG. Instead of going with the fibre optics provided I have purchased an LED kit for lighting up the model instead.
I will be drilling out the windows which I want lit but what I need to know is what material is best to have on the inside of the model behind the windows so the light diffuses through but you cant see inside the model
White 0.010" styrene sheet will work. I have also been tinkering with my first lighting project, and I found that the white plastic will prevent see-through into the model, conceal the yellow SMD chip color, and eliminate the “JJ Abrams lens flare effect”.
If you color the sheet plastic front or back, you can use a single light source for different colors. I colored the backsides the tail lights of Halcyon’s Aliens APC with a cyan felt marker:
Good luck on your Enterprise - you certainly have WAY more lights to do than I do! I have a JJ-Prise model that I want to light, so I’ll be watching your progress to crib ideas!
I know many people have use nail (dental) acrylic to fill in the holes of Trek ships windows. Its an epoxy like mateial that dries opaque/clear. You block the outside part of the window with tape and on the inside you add drops of this material to fill the holes. Let dry, remove tape.
For windows I have also used (not on Trek ships) glass microscope cover slips, clear styrene, and acetate sheets (think overhead projector transparencies). For opaque look spray with something like Testors Dullcoat.
I have for years used Waxed paper ( the heavy kind , It diffuses the light better ). I have also frosted the ends of the Fiber optic material with 600 grit sandpaper ( wet ) T.B.
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