What Is Aztek'ing?

[DS Operative]

I wasn't sure where this topic should be brought up, but I figured the modelers would have the best insight on this topic.

What exactly is Azteking?

When I used to look at pictures of the refit Enterprise back in the 80's, I used to think it was just the subtle differences in the shades of the sheet panels of the "skin" of the Enterprise. Either they were coated with slightly different shade of paint (like when you buy 2 different bottles of paint with the same name on the bottle, but they look slightly different) or maybe the panel was riveted at an ever-so-slightly different angle than the one next to it and reflecting the light differently.

But when I see Aztek decals for the various Starfleet vessels, there is a very distinct pattern to the various Azteking, which leads me to believe that it is painted this way on purpose rather than "accident" like I originally thought and described in the previous paragraph. There certainly seems to be an intention to the pattern.

So what is the "official" Starfleet reason for the Aztek paintjobs? I'm anxious to hear your theories if none is published, or to find out if there is an "official" reason for this! Thanks!

 

[CessnaDriver]

For me, it's a word that means a frightning daunting painting process that keeps my refit model in the closet!

 

[E Williams]

From what I understand, the first reason you gave ("the subtle differences in the shades of the sheet panels of the "skin" of the Enterprise... the panel was riveted at an ever-so-slightly different angle than the one next to it and reflecting the light differently") is the intended look, so that the ship doesn't look like one huge flat surface, but a distinct pattern/design is used for consistency/symmetry/ease of application.

 

[dcarty]

Here is the complete story of the original "Azteking" paint job:

STAR TREK!

 

[robn1]

The Enterprise model was of course painted to create the aztec pattern, but it is meant to represent an unpainted ship. What we are meant to see is the bare alloy of the hull's outer skin. Reflective pearlescent paints of various colors were used to represent the exotic "only exists in scf-fi" metals.

 

[Proper]

For me, it's a word that means a frightning daunting painting process that keeps my refit model in the closet!

Built or unbuilt?

 

[neosporing]

For me, it's a word that means a frightning daunting painting process that keeps my refit model in the closet!

lol you beat me too it...

 

[CessnaDriver]

Built or unbuilt?

unbuilt, TWO of them.

Though Polar Lights is releasing aztec decals for the big refits.
So that will be a must purchase item.
Then it is only the lighting nightmare. :lol

 

[micdavis]

for me, it's a word that means a frightning daunting painting process that keeps my refit model in the closet!

word!!!

 

[Commander Max]

For me, it's a word that means a frightning daunting painting process that keeps my refit model in the closet!

It satisfies art directors, keeps models in the box, and makes potential modelers kit fondlers.

The funny thing, if these ships were real they wouldn't have any azteking(the entire ship would be made/coated in the same material) much less weathering(because of a little thing called a deflector dish).:lol

 

[SteveNeill]

It satisfies art directors, keeps models in the box, and makes potential modelers kit fondlers.

The funny thing, if these ships were real they wouldn't have any azteking(the entire ship would be made/coated in the same material) much less weathering(because of a little thing called a deflector dish).:lol

Works for me!

 

[terryr]

I read they made it look like that to copy the Shuttles heat tiles, because that's how real spaceships look. (faceslap!)

If they could make it go faster than light then they could paint it all the same color.

 

[Commander Max]

I read they made it look like that to copy the Shuttles heat tiles, because that's how real spaceships look. (faceslap!)

If they could make it go faster than light then they could paint it all the same color.

That doesn't make any sense, since starships normally do not land on planets(that's what the transporters were for). Besides since starships don't really exist, nobody knows what they would really look like. Or what coatings are necessary for safely traveling in space. The space shuttle wouldn't be a good comparison, since it only traveled in low earth orbit, and the tiles are only there to protect the craft from atmospheric friction. Since a ST starship has deflector screens(they would be on all of time when the craft was in motion), any atmospheric effect on the craft would be negated.

 

[TwinkiMilton]

The funny thing, if these ships were real they wouldn't have any azteking(the entire ship would be made/coated in the same material) much less weathering(because of a little thing called a deflector dish).:lol

Not true. You can see the "aztek" effect on ships, airplanes, bridges, buildings, anything man made that is build from pieces.

Even something like the Statue of Liberty, its subtle but its there.

Different pieces of the same skin material may be larger/smaller. They can have different mass which means they can have different temperatures. Which can cause all sort of subtle variations in color.

AFAIK, this "aztek" thing started with military ship modelers, whom would try to duplicate the effect in order to give a sense of scale to hulls on their models (typically done with two different brands of clear coat for a subtle specular highlight effect).

Where in real life it can be a subtle thing, Trek wanted it to show up on 80's era TV screens. So they threw subtle out the window and just ran and ran and ran with it. Seriously, its nearly invisible on the first season of Next Gen...compared to anything on Voyager and Enterprise.

 

[PHArchivist]

unbuilt, TWO of them.

Though Polar Lights is releasing aztec decals for the big refits.
So that will be a must purchase item.
Then it is only the lighting nightmare. :lol

Same here - two, unbuilt due to high levels of intimidation. One of mine has the decals included, but I'm not sold on the fact that they will give the desired results.

 

[Proper]

Same here - two, unbuilt due to high levels of intimidation. One of mine has the decals included, but I'm not sold on the fact that they will give the desired results.

Yes, all this might explain why there appear to be so many larger than life TOS builds and so few serious TMP builds. The olsenart.com/strek website regarding the painting was an interesting yet humbling read.

 

[terryr]

That doesn't make any sense,....

I agree. But that's what the studio execs felt when making STTMP. Lucky the ship wasn't covered with SW type clutter.

 

[Commander Max]

Not true. You can see the "aztek" effect on ships, airplanes, bridges, buildings, anything man made that is build from pieces.

Even something like the Statue of Liberty, its subtle but its there.

Different pieces of the same skin material may be larger/smaller. They can have different mass which means they can have different temperatures. Which can cause all sort of subtle variations in color.

Normally variations in metal color has to do with alloys of the same material. Or different materials used in critical areas, depending on structure or what they are trying to protect or what is behind it. If a craft is coated then the variations would be very different. Temperature would only effect the shape of the plating, along with pressurization would effect the appearance.

Based on that the azteking pattern makes no sense. It would not be so consistent in individual panels. Most likely the fields the ships use for propulsion would have a far greater effect on ship appearance. Because space is the most hash environment there is, and we have no real experience in interstellar travel to pull from. The probes we have sent out would not be a good guide, because a maned craft would be a very different design. Nor do we have any idea of what would happen to a craft traveling at speed.

I'm trying to argue on engineering principals, not Hollywood principals. Under Hollywood principals it's ok for the SW ships to be dirty as can be. Where in reality aircraft are kept clean, because the dirt will hide potentially catastrophic failure. I apply the same idea to ST ships, if the ship has a weathering pattern it means the hull is getting warn away, and catastrophic failure is inevitable. In faster than light travel avoiding the big stuff is easy, the tiny particles are not. That's why the ships have deflector screens.

 

[Proper]

Not true. You can see the "aztek" effect on ships, airplanes, bridges, buildings, anything man made that is build from pieces.

Even something like the Statue of Liberty, its subtle but its there.

Different pieces of the same skin material may be larger/smaller. They can have different mass which means they can have different temperatures. Which can cause all sort of subtle variations in color.

AFAIK, this "aztek" thing started with military ship modelers, whom would try to duplicate the effect in order to give a sense of scale to hulls on their models (typically done with two different brands of clear coat for a subtle specular highlight effect).

I agree. Anything that large made by man will naturally have seams subtle or not so subtle. If nothing else, aesthetically the aztec-panels help establish scale.

Where in real life it can be a subtle thing, Trek wanted it to show up on 80's era TV screens. So they threw subtle out the window and just ran and ran and ran with it. Seriously, its nearly invisible on the first season of Next Gen...compared to anything on Voyager and Enterprise.

Well, this doesn't apply to the movie Enterprise. But even on the giant silver screen the aztec-paneling was much more color-subdued in comparison to viewing the model in person, according to the painter himself.

I'm trying to argue on engineering principals, not Hollywood principals.

One cannot separate 'Hollywood principals' from Hollywood. If you apply strict engineering principles then the Enterprise as it is/was could not fly, nor could Mr. Scott "beam up." Modelers recreate the Hollywood-made ship, after all.