build research

[Chas SCR]

I do a lot of research as build pics from who built the car as in RPM Hot Rods, Scotts Hotrods, Barry White SRRC hot rods and so on. I contact them and talk to them about getting a dvd or cd on all the build shots of there cars. Also I get with Detroit Speed Inc and other places like this and they too help bring the world of real cars to the modeling world on how to build it and how it works right.

[ScaleDale]

I use on-line references like most here have mentioned, but I also work out of my head when I scratch build to solve problems. One of the most satisfying parts of building is when I make something up because it feels right and then find reference photos that prove me right. This happened when I added structural bracing to the chassis of my current drag build to handle the torque of the motor.

I try to do my builds like real cars, and find Stacy David and his Gearz show helpful for planning.

Dale

[southpier]

  On 4/20/2013 at 5:56 AM, ScaleDale said:

.... make something .. because it feels right .....

this is the 'plausability engineering' which i think is so important yet sometimes lacking in an otherwise well built model.

[chevyfever2009]

None or nxt to none i have been around the real thing since ive been able to wak

[Darin Bastedo]

I do quite a bit of research but end up not using some of it. I try to determine what details are important to make a build look real, and what can be left out. Some things are not important. For instance if the engine is going to have a large air cleaner attached to it, the carburetor can be a block of plastic for all I care I save the better looking carbs for models where they will be exposed. The things I try to pay close attention to, even on factory stock cars is stance. The proper stance, and fitment of wheels and tires is instrumental to making a car look real.

[ScaleDale]

  On 4/20/2013 at 8:29 AM, southpier said:

this is the 'plausability engineering' which i think is so important yet sometimes lacking in an otherwise well built model.

Thanks. That makes me a plausable engineer. I like that.

Dale

Edited April 20, 2013 by ScaleDale

[blubaja]

I think i try to be more accurate with newer car builds, than pre 70s ones. But yes, I try to research as much as possible, where available. Ebay seems to have some decent pics of newer car interiors. Still have to swing by a dealer and get lucky to catch some chassis pics of certain ones tho.

[2002p51]

I enjoy the research phase of a project as much, if not more, then the actual building. Besides, it gives me an excuse to delve into my other hobby; collecting books and magazines. The result is a massive library. When we moved from California to Tennessee seven years ago this is the contents of my reference library waiting to be picked up by the shipper:

Like I said, that was 7 years ago. There's more now.

[charlie8575]

  On 4/22/2013 at 9:45 PM, 2002p51 said:

I enjoy the research phase of a project as much, if not more, then the actual building. Besides, it gives me an excuse to delve into my other hobby; collecting books and magazines. The result is a massive library. When we moved from California to Tennessee seven years ago this is the contents of my reference library waiting to be picked up by the shipper:

Like I said, that was 7 years ago. There's more now

Hmmm....my bookshelves resemble that remark.

Charlie Larkin

[Art Anderson]

  On 4/14/2013 at 2:09 AM, CrazyGirl said:

I am curious about how much research you all do on an auto before you start your builds,, like do you research every part as much as you can and then have Huge ideas of how crazy detailed you want to get and then come back to earth and use artistic freedom ,,, like today while at work I was thinking about this 67 vette dashboard and in my mind I knew what I wanted to do then I get home and look at it again and remember how tiny it really is, like I don't think I will get the radio to play lol

I often find "research" to be an ongoing thing while a model is in progress. Sure, I do what I can going in, but I generally see something or another along the way that needs more thinking, so out come the books, magazines, and of course Google image searches. With respect to the latter, reference pics tend to come and go a bit, so frequent rechecking the web and saving the pics gets to be an ongoing thing.

Art

Art

[Chief Joseph]

I can respect the builders who don't do any research and just build for the fun of it and don't let themselves get bogged down in the details. I'm perpetually bogged down in details, but that's part of the fun for me. I saw a musclecar build recently that was well-done, but there was a mind-jarringly obvious problem: the model has seven decals on it, and six of them were in the wrong location by several scale inches! That's something that could have been avoided by a simple web search for a few images of the real car. I'm not going to call out anyone for criticism over something like that, but getting all the little things right is something that I strive for... even to the point of delaying a model for years because I don't have all the information I need to finish it correctly.

[DrKerry]

To me it depends on the subject I'm working with. If I'm building a period correct 40's or 50's kustom or hot rod I'll look into some research. If it's a wild one off kustom that rolls out of my head it's totally by the seat of my pants. Not sure how much of my stuff you've seen (Photobucket site in the link below) but a good majority of it has very little reasearch into them. I got out of the main stream "contest building" years ago and now build for the likes of me. If others like it KOOL, if not I'm not offended in the least...

Some cars, like I'm building Eleanor, the car from Gone in 60 Seconds with Nicholas Cage. I did pull quite a bit off line so I can get it as close to right as possible.

Like others have said it's all up to the builder/build as to how much you truly want to put into a project.

Edited April 23, 2013 by DrKerry

[IMSANUT]

  On 4/23/2013 at 5:00 PM, Chief Joseph said:

I can respect the builders who don't do any research and just build for the fun of it and don't let themselves get bogged down in the details. I'm perpetually bogged down in details, but that's part of the fun for me. I saw a musclecar build recently that was well-done, but there was a mind-jarringly obvious problem: the model has seven decals on it, and six of them were in the wrong location by several scale inches! That's something that could have been avoided by a simple web search for a few images of the real car. I'm not going to call out anyone for criticism over something like that, but getting all the little things right is something that I strive for... even to the point of delaying a model for years because I don't have all the information I need to finish it correctly.

Yes indeed. Sweating the details is an affliction I share. I too have seen models that were amazing only to be let down by something a little simple google search could have cured.....

[Shardik]

Like many who have responded here, the level of research I do depends on the subject and my commitment to it. However, I always do some research; some of it specific to a certain vehicle and some more general. For example, I have a large file of engine pictures and wiring diagrams. I also find advertising photos for performance equipment to be quite helpful.

Some subjects, of which I am particularly fond, get the full treatment with their own computer file full of reference pictures, not only of 1:1 examples but also details on how other modelers have tackled the subject. For instance, I have a GT40 file that contains more than 200 reference pictures... and I have yet to even cut a single part from the sprue .

The bottom line is: I want to build models that look like the real thing, not like models. For that I need to know what the real thing looks like and how it functions.

Edited April 23, 2013 by Shardik