Building The Death Star - PRODUCTION

[tgreco]

actually, I don't think you're as off as you think you are

if you look at the trench in the photos of the original model, it's obvious that the photos were shot from a bantage point beneath the model

with the help of the flash in the area that would be darkest (the overhang) it makes the trench on the original look smaller
(in the second photo of the original, the trench is almost a straight line, were as in your photo the DS appears to have a slight smiley face)

in your photos, you're shooting at a vantage point that is pointing down, making the shadows in the trench appear darker

if you try laying on the floor, and shoot some pics pointing up to match the vantage points the original photos were shot at, I think you'll find that you're closer then you think

it also looks like there is a black line painted on the top and bottom of the inside of the trench, which espcially in the second photo of the real DS makes the highlight off the lip on the bottom almost disappear, making it appear thinner then it actually is

 

[Mike J.]

Regarding the hypothetical 'decal bubbles': If that was a wrinkled decal, the wrinkles should have been visible on the exterior as an enormous mountain range. Perhaps we are seeing discolored residue from a previous application of some material. Maybe they tried laying vinyl or something on the dome first, and when they couldn't get it to lay smooth, they peeled it all off and painted it instead. Or, someone may have stuck some adhesive material inside the dome during filming... Maybe adhesive aluminum tape or silver mylar. To bounce more light inside the model or to black out the 'windows' in the 'daylight' side. All just theories.

Another note: Looking at the 'side' view of the original DS, it may be useful to consider the apparent progression from the fully finished side (the front) to the unfinished and unpainted side (the back). Obviously, some of the area in the middle is not as nicely painted and detailed: this may tell us in what order they laid down their paints and added surface details. It appears to me that gray was laid down first, then the large 'city blocks' were masked and sprayed a heavy dark speckling, then the masks were removed and another pass was made with gray to blend them into the surface.

Good luck,


-Mike

 

[PHArchivist]

A third go at it with primer, and far more light proof. After sanding with 400, I'll go at it with the silver.

Here's a quick and dirty shot of my test on shortening the trench height by a millimeter.

 

[ddocvjm]

Shorten the trench.

 

[ralphee]

Agreed, thats a good and easy fix Rob, why not shorten it at this point, looks better!

lee

 

[Shadowknight]

I also think that you should shorten it.

 

[feek61]

I gotta admit, shorter looks better.

 

[TridCloudwalker]

I've gotta agree too.

 

[Laffo]

Shorten it, paint it Silver, that's not stickers or adhesive, it's acrylic crazing under the paint.

I know what you're doing.

You're obsessing about phantom stickers and trench depth to postpone the MIND NUMBING ordeal that's about to begin. I'm on to you.

Get busy with some windows.
I'll say it again...

Fool.

Decide what bit your gonna use and I'll send you 20 of 'em to get you started. I'll send you some of my Clayboard tools too, they might be just what you need. I don't think you're going to need much of a hole in the paint to do what you want.

Laffo.

 

[Laffo]

We need to start putting together this outfit for you, because you shouldn't be drilling windows or even working on this thing unless dressed like this. If you don't the whole project is ruined. RUINED!
Laffo.

 

[Jedifyfe]

I know what you're doing.

You're obsessing about phantom stickers and trench depth to postpone the MIND NUMBING ordeal that's about to begin. I'm on to you.

Get busy with some windows.
I'll say it again...

Fool.
Laffo.

Funny stuff Laffo!

But who is more foolish? The Fool or the Fool that follows him?




Brad

 

[TridCloudwalker]

Funny stuff Laffo!

But who is more foolish? The Fool or the Fool that follows him?

The foolish is anyone who dresses like Dennis Muren circa 1977.

 

[Newbie Doobie]

We need to start putting together this outfit for you, because you shouldn't be drilling windows or even working on this thing unless dressed like this. If you don't the whole project is ruined. RUINED!
Laffo.

The foolish is anyone who dresses like Dennis Muren circa 1977.

I agree!

 

[Newbie Doobie]

Shorten it, paint it Silver, that's not stickers or adhesive, it's acrylic crazing under the paint.

I know what you're doing.

You're obsessing about phantom stickers and trench depth to postpone the MIND NUMBING ordeal that's about to begin. I'm on to you.

Get busy with some windows.
I'll say it again...

Fool.

Decide what bit your gonna use and I'll send you 20 of 'em to get you started. I'll send you some of my Clayboard tools too, they might be just what you need. I don't think you're going to need much of a hole in the paint to do what you want.

Laffo.

Yeah!!!!!! What he said!:lol

 

[Laffo]

Newbie Doobie, do not pay attention to anything else I say.
Laffo.

 

[Newbie Doobie]

Newbie Doobie, do not pay attention to anything else I say.
Laffo.

OK! I won't!

 

[PHArchivist]

Shorten it, paint it Silver, that's not stickers or adhesive, it's acrylic crazing under the paint.

I know what you're doing.

You're obsessing about phantom stickers and trench depth to postpone the MIND NUMBING ordeal that's about to begin. I'm on to you.

Get busy with some windows.
I'll say it again...

Fool.

Decide what bit your gonna use and I'll send you 20 of 'em to get you started. I'll send you some of my Clayboard tools too, they might be just what you need. I don't think you're going to need much of a hole in the paint to do what you want.

Laffo.

Oh, probably...

Its not the windows - its the masking. I broke about 20 bits doing the small model, so that will be a good start.

 

[Laffo]

Gimme the type, I'll send 'em. For real. I'll send the Clayboard tools too.
Masking smasking.
Laffo.

 

[PHArchivist]

Gimme the type, I'll send 'em. For real. I'll send the Clayboard tools too.
Masking smasking.
Laffo.

Masking smasking he says...! I'll drop a line when it comes time to drill!

 

[vaderdarth]

I agree on the height change of the trench Rob. This last pic you posted, those black lines are just pencil lines aren't they? The white panels look like light gray pin striping or tape.

Dave