When scratchbuilding or modifying a vehicle model...

[Keycube]

From laying out a basic shape to adding greeblies to your model, do you tend to think about the engineering function behind a certain section and then greeble (v.) it to match, or do you add stuff until you get the desired aesthetic "cool factor" that you're going for, and then mentally reverse-engineer the area to explain away the function of the little bits and pieces?

When I looked through the Star Wars sketchbooks as a little kid, I was always fascinated at how the vehicles seemed more or less completely pre-engineered in "real-world" terms from the ground up, and seemed as realistic in concept as any automobile or aeroplane.

I suspect there are different ways of approaching this with modelers, depending on the whole left/right-brain thing. Very curious to get your opinions!

 

[Albertese]

Personally, I try to think through what's going on down there and then greeble to suit. Actually, when I look at the Star Wars models, it seems to me like the functionality doesn't seem there more often than not. A lot of the stuff, say, around the waist of the Millennium Falcon, looks like a bunch of stuff glued on the sides... But not always. Often the stuff can be associated with some sort of practical function.

Of course, model space-ships built for movies are usually built in a hurry and meant just to look plausible for a few seconds at a time on screen. As hobbyists, we usually have more time to think things through.

Your mileage may vary of course.

--Alex

 

[TheNylonGag]

I usually give something a name, no matter how silly and that will sometimes drive how the piece looks. Other times i think of its function then greeblize accordingly.

Gag

 

[johnfields]

I always use the "form follows function" principle. In college my professors used to pound that concept into our heads. I have a BFA in theater technology, not that that makes me any better than anyone else it just helps to train you to have a method or a process when designing props or sets.I look at a scatchbuild or a kitbash and before I add a part or a greeblel or a nurnie I ask what does this do? or why is this here? Sometimes the answer is as simple because it looks right or it is aestheticaly pleasing.