SCULPTING A GALAXY BOOK

[thorskywalker]

Hello People,
I just bought the regular edition of Sculpting a Galaxy Book today, (i am in Europe) and to my surprise, the cover of the book is different from the preview pic in amazon.com.. i checked the ISBNs to find out if there is a European edition but they are the same, and same printing company aswell.. so i was wondering is there anyone who is in USA who has got the book already? on the book i bought? the falcon is facing the opposite direction compared to the one in amazon.com, and the background is changed to Coruscant.

 

[lonepigeon]

<div class='quotetop'>(thorskywalker @ Nov 13 2006, 12:13 AM) [snapback]1356238[/snapback]</div>

Hello People,
I just bought the regular edition of Sculpting a Galaxy Book today, (i am in Europe) and to my surprise, the cover of the book is different from the preview pic in amazon.com.. i checked the ISBNs to find out if there is a European edition but they are the same, and same printing company aswell.. so i was wondering is there anyone who is in USA who has got the book already? on the book i bought? the falcon is facing the opposite direction compared to the one in amazon.com, and the background is changed to Coruscant.
[/b]

A preview of the book was show at Comic Con this past July and it had the Coruscant cover.

 

[zorg]

sorry to hyjack, but is this book any good?, i've got it on order from amazon but its delayed


z

 

[cking]

I'd love to know if the final book features an equal split between the original trilogy and the prequel trilogy. I'm REALLY hoping that it doesn't focus too heavily on the prequels.

Chris

 

[steveo]

I received mine today from Overstock. While it's a very nice book, I'm a bit disappointed. I would say that there is a fair amount of coverage of the OT and seeing the models in detail is great, but they usually take up both pages and part of it is lost in the binding. I'm also disappointed seeing that the title is called "Sculpting" a Galaxy and there really isn't much devoted to actual sculpting. They should have called it "Building" a Galaxy. "Sculpting" is a bit misleading.

 

[GKvfx]

The book is broken down more by subject matter than by chronology (like the "365 Days...." and "Chronicles" books). Categories are Starships, Vehicles, Creatures (inc. Droids & Sculpts), and Environments.

The Starships & Vehicles sections are heavily skewed towards the OT. FYI - there are no photos/renderings of the CG models - it only covers the physical models that were built (though I may have heard that some of the CG stuff from Eps. II & III is covered in an additional booklet in the Limited Edition, though I'm not positive as I haven't seen that version yet).

The Environments section is skewed more to the prequels as those type of models played a greater role in the Prequels than in the OT.

This isn't a "Chronicles" book. There aren't a whole lot of "making of" photos. Most of what you get are photos of the ships (yes, we've seen a lot (but not all) of them before), but presented in a way that is fresh. Extreme closeups of the models, but not extensive coverage of any particular model.

Gatefolds include a spread on the Millenium Falcon & AT-AT. (Apparantly, there are more gatefolds in the Limited Edition, making it a thicker book. Apart from that, I've been told that there are no other content changes between the two books.)

If you like art books and have always thought that the miniatures from Star Wars should be considered an art form unto themselves - well, this is your book. It really reads like a catalog that you would get if you attended a high end art exhibit.

If you are a looking for a handy reference manual to ID kit parts and all that - well, stick with the "Chronicles..." book. (Though I must admit that I discovered a new part or two in there from some of the close-up photos.)

Both share the same shelf in my bookcase.

GK

PS - shameless plug - check out the booksigning event thread in the Studio Scale section.

 

[moffeaton]

I got it at my local Barnes and Noble this evening. (White Marsh / Baltimore, if you're near - they had a couple). It's worth the pricetag for what it is - a Star Wars model/set/creature coffee table book - but there were not that many reference photos that were "new to me". It's always nice to have bigger shots - make no mistake, it's a nice big book. Right now I'm staring at a cool shot of a pyro Interceptor that'll make Neisen go "oooo".

What I REALLY want is for there to be a series of books similar to the "Walk Around" books you get for Aircraft. Each ship/vehicle would get a $20 softback with around 70 pages, a good mix of black and white and color. That way it justifies the more "obsessive" content, can get into the nooks and crannies of the construction and deco, and they can gauge how much interest there would be with each release. X-Wing, TIE, Y-Wing, Blockade Runner.... they'd sell well.

Because honestly, I don't give two sh**ts about the Trade Federation Tank or the Royal Naboo hallways. Snooooore.

So yeah, be aware - this is not a Studio Scale modeller's Rosetta Stone. It's a gorgeous, well printed coffee table book that will more than satisfy 90% of the buyers it targeted.

Oh and Mookie - Nebulon B is in there.

 

[PHArchivist]

I think I'm right there with you Jason... At the very least, I'd like to see at least 500 to 1,000 words on each model descirbing to some degree of detail the construction process.

 

[Seeker]

<div class='quotetop'>(steveo @ Nov 13 2006, 06:25 PM) [snapback]1356768[/snapback]</div>

I received mine today from Overstock. While it's a very nice book, I'm a bit disappointed. I would say that there is a fair amount of coverage of the OT and seeing the models in detail is great, but they usually take up both pages and part of it is lost in the binding. I'm also disappointed seeing that the title is called "Sculpting" a Galaxy and there really isn't much devoted to actual sculpting. They should have called it "Building" a Galaxy. "Sculpting" is a bit misleading.
[/b]

I'm there with you. I just saw it and I was totalled dissapointed. It's true, nothing about sculpting. I was expecting to see someone building costumes. Fiberglass sculpting etc..

 

[Probe Droid]

Cover on the left is the promo released months ago next to the finished book (excuse the bad pic, just shot it on top of my desk for sake of a ref pic).

[IMAGE]http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/5982/sculptingcoversyz3.jpg[/IMAGE]

I liked the book and gave it a very nice review. These books are for general fans. I'm not a model head and found the text interesting and informative enough. I don't need or want minute detail about every tiny thing, so for me the book fully serves its purpose.

To each their own.

 

[Tan Djarka]

If you haven't gotten this yet, but still want one, and live near a Books-A-Million (BAM!), now may be your chance. Some time ago I noticed that had "distressed" copies in every store in my area (four) for $20. That I know of, only one had sold in about six months. Now make that two, as I managed to pick up a copy yesterday.

So rush right out and get your copy! They also have Hasbro Signature Series FX Sabers with removeable blades (Anakin, Vader, Obi) priced at $149, if that interests you (a bit high, but they often go on sale for 30% off).

 

[TheShinyOne]

"Old thread, arise from the dead, I compel thee. That one may post in you once more."