is it possible to upscale a model kit?

[agliarept]

Hi,

is it possible to take a small scale model kit and somehow (aside from magic) making it larger like up to 5x? never seen it done before but it's something i've been wanting to do with my lost in space robot kit. Am i talking crazy or is this 1 off project dead from the start? what do you folks think?

 

[TCSloan]

sure you can. you just have to take measurements of the main parts and increase that measure by whatever size you want, then go from there.

 

[Alric]

Or you could use a pantograph to scale it up.

 

[MonsieurTox]

Or scan it in 3D then print your new model in 3D, 5x bigger !

 

[vaderdarth]

Exactly Julien, that's the way I'd go, print the basic model 5 times larger, and then do any fine detail work necessary to get the look you want. Several guys on this forum offer those services if I recall.

Dave

 

[GeorgeC]

Color me stupid,

But isn't there a HUGE problem in scaling up a model or statue?

Smaller scale tends to have less detail to begin with. Also, there tends to be more distortion of details from blowing up and the errors in small scale become more obvious with blow-ups. It's the reverse for the most part in scale-downs. At least that's the way I've always seen this happen with photo blow-ups and artistic drawings.

Another problem is that depending on manufacturer, they will "tweak" individual parts at different scales to make models more in balance.

I've read this being done with models of the Macross mecha... Everything from the VF-1 Valkryies up the SDF-1 Macross has had proportions altered at various scales to make the models look more "heroic" or "on-model" as it were. I wouldn't be surprised if that's been done with some American models, too.

I know I've seen many statues done at different scales and in many cases they HAVEN'T done 3D scanning and reductions/upscales... The artists have basically done new sculpts to different scales depending on the needs of the customer. Sometimes the end product looks good, other times it's horrible-looking and off-model to even the most oblivious customers.

 

[Sluis Van Shipyards]

It''s not a huge problem. You'd get the basic dimensions, but you would have to add the extra detail.

 

[agliarept]

thanks a lot for all the comments. I did think about having the kit scanned in 3D and having it printed out that way, I will need to look into that furter. ideally I want is to upscale this 5x larger and then adding some of the details myself if they need to be added. i've talked my gf into letting me have a huge movie b9 robot in the living room so it's gotten the ball rolling for me. this would be my museum piece in my home if it happens

 

[Brucelee42]

If the B9 is what you want, try here - The B9 Robot Builders Club

It would be more acurate and probably cost you a lot less!

 

[agliarept]

thanks for the link! I do love the classic b9, but the version im thinking of is the previously updated version from the feature film. i've always loved that design a lot.

 

[Brucelee42]

Ahhh! Yes that one is pretty cool. A little more challenging to build. Can't wait to follow your progress. I thought about building a 3D model of that one, but not a lot reference out there. (back when I looked) Good luck!