How does one turn printed panel lines into physical panel lines?

[Rhaven Blaack]

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,

As many of you who know me, I am paper/cardstock model builder (and beta test builder). One of the most common questions that I see being asked "How does one turn printed panel lines into physical panel lines?" The answer is both complicated and easy at the same time. First, let me address what panel lines truly are.
Panel lines are formed when one "panel" is attached to another "panel". Usually one panel overlays another just enough to put rivets in both, to connect them. More often than not, you get a "raised" surface (from the edge of the overlaid.)

So, for this tutorial, I am only focusing on the recessed panel lines and how to make them physical. I am building the Colonial Viper from Sirious Replicas. Believe it or not, for being a relatively simple model template (only three pages of parts), there is quite a bit of greebling potential to have fun with (and practice how to greeble out a model, if you never have.).

(*NOTE* Not only am I planning to build this with recessed panel lines, but I am also going to build this with a shed load of greebling.)


I have printed the template three times on cardstock and once on printer paper.


Starting with the fuselage. Here is the cardstock piece and the printer paper piece. When cutting the panels out, make certain that you are cutting away the "panel lines", so that the panels have no coloured edging from the lines.
For laminating, I am using Elmer's "Purple" glue stick. (*NOTE* The glue does go on purple and dries clear.)


Here is the first piece with the purple glue.


I have started applying the panels.


Once all of the panels have been applied, you can roll the fuselage and attach the recess panels.




I have sealed the fuselage ad applied the raised panels and greebling.








Please stay tuned in to your local Colonial Broadcast Network for further updates and they happen.

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

So, with my opening post for this thread, it illustrated the point of this thread and how to achieve the effect of "physical" panel lines in a model. I had initially thought about stopping there. However, since I had printed out the entire template of this model, I thought it best if I just continue the build. So, without further ado, here are the photos of my work thus far.

Here are the parts for the engine mounting block.


Unfortunately, I (inadvertently) deleted the photos showing the construction of the Engine mounting block. So, here is the completed engine mounting block. However, as you can see in the previous photo, there are extra "Y" shaped pieces (the back face of the engine mounting block). I used those extra pieces as internal formers/supports for the engine mounting block.
(*NOTE* If you decide that you want to do this, make certain that you cut the tabs off that help support the front face piece.)

I raised the details and greebling.










This is the connector between the fuselage and the engine mounting block.


I attached the connector to the fuselage.


I attached the engine mounting block to the connector.








Please stay tuned in to your local Colonial Broadcast Network for further updates and they happen.

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

Continuing on with the engines.
Here are the parts for the engine.


The engines are assembled. I have raised a few of the details and the strips on the exhaust.




This is the exhaust.


This is the intake.


All three engines are complete.


The engines are attached in place.


Here is the canopy.


The canopy is asembled.


The canopy is attached.





Please stay tuned in to your local Colonial Broadcast Network for further updates and they happen.

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

This build is OVER!

I accidentally bumped the shelf that I had the Viper sitting on, knocking it off and stepping on it. So, this project is finished.

With that being said, there is enough material to properly illustrate the technique of making panel lines.

 

[Dirkpitt289]

That is a lot of work but well worth the effort... As long as you don't.... step on it. Boo

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

That is a lot of work but well worth the effort... As long as you don't.... step on it. Boo

Granted, yes it is very tedious work. However, it is well worth the work, indeed.
This has become my NEW STANDARD of building models.
This is a technique that I would recommend anyone who builds any kind of model that has panel lines (regardless of what it may be, i.e. plane, ship, gundam).

 

[Kenny Conklin]

Thank you for showing us