Building The Death Star - PRODUCTION

[Scott Graham]

Great job Rob! That overall view of it from a distance is awesome.

I don't mean to be a downer, just an observation on the original:

Do you see any detail in that blank band? It seems to have some subtle lines and shading in it. Or is it just dirt and scratches over the years? Just curious. I wouldn't know how to replicate what I think I see there as it looks kind of random - with some tick marks and faint lines.

Do you see it or am I nuts? It's not like that detail would be missed if it wasn't on yours.

 

[PHArchivist]

Not nuts at all. Actually you have a good eye.

My take on it is that there are intentionally drawn vertical lines withing the blank band, likely done with a pencil or other marking tool. I intend to add this to my model. It helps break up the monotony of the blank band and add scale and interest.

Oddly, I'm looking at screen caps and other shots of the model before it was lost (still in the hands of Lucasfilm), and the heavy black circle defining the upper limit of the blank band doesn not seem to be present.

Not sure itf it is just not showing in the screen caps, or some other perceptual illusion at play.

 

[Scott Graham]

Yeah, that dark band doesn't seem to be there...weird.

 

[PHArchivist]

Its funny - now that I'm examining it, there seems to be a similar dark band at the lower limit of the blank area that appears to fade in and out (at least in the pic I keep reposting).


Here's another shot of the original

 

[PHArchivist]

Here's some weird **** going on too...

See at the lower limit of the blank band (or the upper limit of the south pole area) the dark band? Right in the middle of the pic there is a small section of the band that seems to be broken away and angled down.

I wonder if it was some type of reflective tape?

 

[Scott Graham]

Yeah that's odd. It seems there was some tape that fell off over time in both dark ring areas. I'd say it was probably light gray in those areas during filming and fell off later. Your pics are mostly of it after many years aren't they?

Why is it there? I can't think of why. Maybe it was part of the masking. Maybe it was painted light gray then applied to clean up the darker gray areas.

The more you get into it, the more new things pop up. It's funny because it's mostly a graphic job on a sphere with light holes drilled in it. Seems simple but isn't. Unexpected new details...cool

"I don't know... I'm making this up as I go..."

 

[wbundrick]

Not sure itf it is just not showing in the screen caps, or some other perceptual illusion at play.

I just captured a few frames from the DVD. I'm sure you've noticed by now that some shots of the DS have been reversed.

 

[PHArchivist]

Yup - thanks...! I've flipped most of my reference so far to compensate

I just captured a few frames from the DVD. I'm sure you've noticed by now that some shots of the DS have been reversed.

 

[MsngPcs]

I can only offer well deserved Kudos! :thumbsup

 

[darth_myeek]

I never noticed the notches at the equator line in the northern hemisphere.

Come on blu-ray edition!

-DM

 

[PHArchivist]

Gentlemen, I'm strongly considering flying to Seattle on 5/28/09.

Any Seattle-based RPFer's interested in meeting at the museum? Maybe having lunch?

 

[tgreco]

Its funny - now that I'm examining it, there seems to be a similar dark band at the lower limit of the blank area that appears to fade in and out (at least in the pic I keep reposting).


Here's another shot of the original

you know it could actually be silver, or graphite (pencil lead)
which would explain why it's visibility is dependant on the light
it also (in the screen grabs) looks to be there, but is hidden a bit, by a pretty solid ring of light holes in that area

 

[PHArchivist]

Today...

 

[3d-builder]

Today...

it's taking on some character now looking good!!

 

[vaderdarth]

looking so sweet man!!!!! She's progressing nicely

 

[REL]

That's really coming along! Very nice

 

[Bug Stomper]

Gentlemen, I'm strongly considering flying to Seattle on 5/28/09.

Any Seattle-based RPFer's interested in meeting at the museum? Maybe having lunch?

Rob, I'd love to be there, but it's a little too far from Germany. :unsure
However, a few people (including me) over at the Aliens: Gateway Station Shuttle- research thread are desperately looking for some pictures of the bottom of the Gateway Shuttle. It's also located at the museum and it would be great if you could try to do some shots of the bottom. It won't be easy due to the way it is mounted, but any additional reference would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Stefan

 

[IEDBOUNTYHUNTER]

Looking great, i cant wait to see this finished.


Al

 

[PHArchivist]

OK finished up the area above the dish.

Upon close examination of the original, these bands appear not to be speckled (though they do have lines drawn on them which I'll replicate later). I spent an inordinate amount of time masking, painting, stepping back, realizing the spacing or widths were off, and redoing. But since the dish area is the primary focal point, I want to get it as close to correct as I can. Its not 100% exact, but pretty close.

Not sure if its too dark or not. Compared to my shots of the original, it is, but then there is the years of fading and neglect to compensate for.

 

[PHArchivist]

I also did a test...

What you see below is black, white, and various greys misted over a masked out area of a globe half the size of the Death Star model. No base coat.

I'm encouraged...

Actual size is somewhere between the second and third shots here.