How much has Internet influenced modeling?
ModelerSite
06-28-2009, 10:29 PM
In 1978 I discovered the 1/12 Tamiya Ferrari 312T, when I saw the box I stuck to the shop window wondering if it was a kit or a puzzle. Imagine my excitement when I viewed the box content, with sprues full of parts and details that seemed to be coming from a sci-fi novel, and though such an expense was not within my budget at that moment, I decided my purchase without hesitation. The following weeks, during my honeymoon with the kit, I built it using the best techniques I could: Testor spray cans and Humbrol with brush.
My references were just the few black and white photos I had taken from a 1976 local magazine. The final result was a beautiful model straight from the box which to my belief ….was super detailed. Yes, because I thought that the Tamiya kit was super detailed itself.
Time went by and at the beginning of the 90’s, I got another kit of the 321T (which was actually discontinued). Since 1986, I had been buying modeling magazines and in one of them, there was a picture of a 312T which had won a contest, full of details that I couldn’t imagine how they had been achieved and it was then when the fever of superdetailing a model turned into a must to me.
On those times nobody used to dream on etched parts for cars, and every detail had to be made from scratch. The result of my second 312T, just looking at a reference picture, was in my humble opinion…great.
In 1999 I purchased a release of the kit and decided to build my third Ferrari 312 T. By that time, I had gathered a great deal of information and so I could add a lot of detail to my model. Also, there was aftermarket, which allowed me to give more realism to certain areas.
As consequence of painting practice, decaling etc, my techniques had improved a lot and the result was excellent. I was really proud of my model!!.
In June 2009 issue, we published an article of a 312T built by Robert Huges one of our talented collaborators, a beautiful work, full of unbelievable details. And no doubt this is a good reference anybody can take as guide to build a 312T. If I decided to build a fourth Tamiya 312T, I would follow this article to have access to dozens of ideas which before would have meant to spend months or years.
How much has Internet influenced modeling?
If you read again the story I’ve told you, you’ll realize that modelers like Robert has always existed, but Internet allows our skills to be potentiated. Perhaps, like Robert, any modeler has received the influence of other models and at the same time has been an influence on others, it’s instantaneous. In the past we used to wait for years to see a work and we considered ourselves lucky if that happened. I’m sure that there have been excellent modelers who by being introverted, nobody ever knew about them.
I’ve been very critical regarding Internet lately: I don’t like anonymity where everybody under the guise of different nicknames can say offensive things about people or well known people without worrying about the consequences or damage they could be doing since in most of the cases, they omit or falsify their personal data. Within this context, everything is possible and to have a nick and 4 stars in a Forum seems to be a safe-conduct to ignore or transgress rules and codes that the society outside Internet imposes us.
However what I’ve told you about the Tamiya kit, makes me think that Internet has influenced a lot and very well on our hobby, creating ways for everybody to show and share our works no matter what country we are in…for others to enjoy and learn from them.
My references were just the few black and white photos I had taken from a 1976 local magazine. The final result was a beautiful model straight from the box which to my belief ….was super detailed. Yes, because I thought that the Tamiya kit was super detailed itself.
Time went by and at the beginning of the 90’s, I got another kit of the 321T (which was actually discontinued). Since 1986, I had been buying modeling magazines and in one of them, there was a picture of a 312T which had won a contest, full of details that I couldn’t imagine how they had been achieved and it was then when the fever of superdetailing a model turned into a must to me.
On those times nobody used to dream on etched parts for cars, and every detail had to be made from scratch. The result of my second 312T, just looking at a reference picture, was in my humble opinion…great.
In 1999 I purchased a release of the kit and decided to build my third Ferrari 312 T. By that time, I had gathered a great deal of information and so I could add a lot of detail to my model. Also, there was aftermarket, which allowed me to give more realism to certain areas.
As consequence of painting practice, decaling etc, my techniques had improved a lot and the result was excellent. I was really proud of my model!!.
In June 2009 issue, we published an article of a 312T built by Robert Huges one of our talented collaborators, a beautiful work, full of unbelievable details. And no doubt this is a good reference anybody can take as guide to build a 312T. If I decided to build a fourth Tamiya 312T, I would follow this article to have access to dozens of ideas which before would have meant to spend months or years.
How much has Internet influenced modeling?
If you read again the story I’ve told you, you’ll realize that modelers like Robert has always existed, but Internet allows our skills to be potentiated. Perhaps, like Robert, any modeler has received the influence of other models and at the same time has been an influence on others, it’s instantaneous. In the past we used to wait for years to see a work and we considered ourselves lucky if that happened. I’m sure that there have been excellent modelers who by being introverted, nobody ever knew about them.
I’ve been very critical regarding Internet lately: I don’t like anonymity where everybody under the guise of different nicknames can say offensive things about people or well known people without worrying about the consequences or damage they could be doing since in most of the cases, they omit or falsify their personal data. Within this context, everything is possible and to have a nick and 4 stars in a Forum seems to be a safe-conduct to ignore or transgress rules and codes that the society outside Internet imposes us.
However what I’ve told you about the Tamiya kit, makes me think that Internet has influenced a lot and very well on our hobby, creating ways for everybody to show and share our works no matter what country we are in…for others to enjoy and learn from them.
jano11
06-29-2009, 03:53 AM
Internet has influenced everything in an incredible way.
We've got access to almost everything in the beat of an eye lash.
I'm working in research and years ago one had to wait weeks and sometimes months to be able to have access to an important reference (article), now you get it within minutes, maybe a couple days maximum.
The same is true for modeling too.
Internet does influence everyone's life more and more everyday, it's just like when they invented the steam machine more than a century ago.
We've got access to almost everything in the beat of an eye lash.
I'm working in research and years ago one had to wait weeks and sometimes months to be able to have access to an important reference (article), now you get it within minutes, maybe a couple days maximum.
The same is true for modeling too.
Internet does influence everyone's life more and more everyday, it's just like when they invented the steam machine more than a century ago.
racer93
06-29-2009, 08:05 AM
It has helped tremendously. I started modelling in the mid-80s doing military stuff. After 3-4 years, I discovered F1. My first build was of a Williams FW-07. I was hooked.
This continued until I graduated college in 1995. Because I was moving around with my job and really didn't have a place to do modelling, I stopped for many years.
I then started back up in 2007. I was AMAZED at how everything, and I mean everything had changed. Availability was much better. Information on techniques was now able to be widely dissemenated. Many things had been developed that had not previously (like CF decals and MANY detail parts). The internet had a huge part in that.
My experience in working with models before the interned and then getting back into it well after it's establishment was quite interesting. I'm still amazed at how much stuff is out there for kits now and how it's turned from a cottage industry as a whole to a massive amount of different, smaller cottage industries. It makes me love it even more.
Daniel
This continued until I graduated college in 1995. Because I was moving around with my job and really didn't have a place to do modelling, I stopped for many years.
I then started back up in 2007. I was AMAZED at how everything, and I mean everything had changed. Availability was much better. Information on techniques was now able to be widely dissemenated. Many things had been developed that had not previously (like CF decals and MANY detail parts). The internet had a huge part in that.
My experience in working with models before the interned and then getting back into it well after it's establishment was quite interesting. I'm still amazed at how much stuff is out there for kits now and how it's turned from a cottage industry as a whole to a massive amount of different, smaller cottage industries. It makes me love it even more.
Daniel
360spider
06-29-2009, 07:12 PM
Internet has influenced everything in an incredible way.
We've got access to almost everything in the beat of an eye lash.
I'm working in research and years ago one had to wait weeks and sometimes months to be able to have access to an important reference (article), now you get it within minutes, maybe a couple days maximum.
The same is true for modeling too.
Internet does influence everyone's life more and more everyday, it's just like when they invented the steam machine more than a century ago.
Could not have said it better myself.
We've got access to almost everything in the beat of an eye lash.
I'm working in research and years ago one had to wait weeks and sometimes months to be able to have access to an important reference (article), now you get it within minutes, maybe a couple days maximum.
The same is true for modeling too.
Internet does influence everyone's life more and more everyday, it's just like when they invented the steam machine more than a century ago.
Could not have said it better myself.
blubaja
06-29-2009, 10:15 PM
Not so much influence. The daily life influences me, to make things, cars, trucks, planes, whatnot, that is no reality, I could ever own full size. So the modelling takes care of that. The internet is more for reference to me. There is sooo much out there to help with almost anything you are working on.
kaho
06-30-2009, 03:10 AM
Besides giving me access to many reference pictures, internet has made me restarted modelling altogether. Before I stumbled onto this forum, I had been building models in a way that never even pleased myself. At that time I wasn't really interested anymore since I never knew what I did wrong and my skills never improved.
When I got internet and searched for "car models", which brought me to AF, from looking at the projects by fellow AFers I learned how to modify models into the way i want them to look, and how to properly build a well presented model whether modified or box stock. That was the time my finished models start to look better one after another, and my will to continue modelling grew back.
Before using the internet:
1. I would twist pieces off the sprue by hand, or cut with nailclippers, resulting to either broken parts, dulled up nailclippers, or sprue remains on parts that I can never clean off.
2. I would cut the decals with a big pair of scissors i stole from my elementary school, bending the decal paper to maneuver the scissors in tight areas, then soak the decals into water until the whole thing breaks apart, pick it up by hand and slap it on the part. These decals will usually crumble and fall off after a week, if I am lucky.
3. I wouldn't always paint car bodies, and whenever I do paint them, I will make a mess of the floor. It was a miracle that i got one car body completely colored in one spray can (most became oversprays on the floor), nevermind polishing the paint surface.
4. I did tried modifying a car body adding body kits and shaved doors/badges after reading scale model magazines, but I did the entire body using squadron putty and shaped using 200 grit sandpaper for wood. By the time the body stopped cracking off I must have spent 3 months on the body kit alone.
When I got internet and searched for "car models", which brought me to AF, from looking at the projects by fellow AFers I learned how to modify models into the way i want them to look, and how to properly build a well presented model whether modified or box stock. That was the time my finished models start to look better one after another, and my will to continue modelling grew back.
Before using the internet:
1. I would twist pieces off the sprue by hand, or cut with nailclippers, resulting to either broken parts, dulled up nailclippers, or sprue remains on parts that I can never clean off.
2. I would cut the decals with a big pair of scissors i stole from my elementary school, bending the decal paper to maneuver the scissors in tight areas, then soak the decals into water until the whole thing breaks apart, pick it up by hand and slap it on the part. These decals will usually crumble and fall off after a week, if I am lucky.
3. I wouldn't always paint car bodies, and whenever I do paint them, I will make a mess of the floor. It was a miracle that i got one car body completely colored in one spray can (most became oversprays on the floor), nevermind polishing the paint surface.
4. I did tried modifying a car body adding body kits and shaved doors/badges after reading scale model magazines, but I did the entire body using squadron putty and shaped using 200 grit sandpaper for wood. By the time the body stopped cracking off I must have spent 3 months on the body kit alone.
lotus123
06-30-2009, 04:20 AM
I think the term "Internet" is too broad nowadays to give a good response to a question like this. The Internet has evolved, and so has the way we use it to support our modelling needs.
Image reference - In the beginning the Internet meant access to files and (small!) images, so it was initially a fair source of reference material, especially pictures of the subjects you wanted to model.
Information sharing - Later, with the creation of user groups, organisations like IPMS came forward and made "how to" information more accessible, in the form of digests and some limited functionality web sites.
Collaboration - Now we have forums like this, where information is shared freely - where to get things, what to do with things, who makes good things, what (and sometimes who) to avoid.
How has this influenced modeling? Profoundly, I would say. Now I'm not only inspired and motivated by the really great modelers, I can even begin to compare my results to theirs. In the past I could only do that at a local contest. What's more, they will freely, when invited, offer advice and criticism (and as the saying goes, "I'd sooner be criticised by a wise man than praised by a fool").
As for motivation, the Internet provides me with plenty. Not only does it get me going when I see the great builds on this forum, it gets me out of building slumps too. All I need to do is go to Youtube's excellent Japanese model build videos when I get bogged down on a build. Just seeing those guys effortlessly put a good kit together gets me keen to finish up.
I can't say where the Internet will take modelling next, but it will be exciting. Maybe online 24 hour video group builds for the le Mans weekened?
Image reference - In the beginning the Internet meant access to files and (small!) images, so it was initially a fair source of reference material, especially pictures of the subjects you wanted to model.
Information sharing - Later, with the creation of user groups, organisations like IPMS came forward and made "how to" information more accessible, in the form of digests and some limited functionality web sites.
Collaboration - Now we have forums like this, where information is shared freely - where to get things, what to do with things, who makes good things, what (and sometimes who) to avoid.
How has this influenced modeling? Profoundly, I would say. Now I'm not only inspired and motivated by the really great modelers, I can even begin to compare my results to theirs. In the past I could only do that at a local contest. What's more, they will freely, when invited, offer advice and criticism (and as the saying goes, "I'd sooner be criticised by a wise man than praised by a fool").
As for motivation, the Internet provides me with plenty. Not only does it get me going when I see the great builds on this forum, it gets me out of building slumps too. All I need to do is go to Youtube's excellent Japanese model build videos when I get bogged down on a build. Just seeing those guys effortlessly put a good kit together gets me keen to finish up.
I can't say where the Internet will take modelling next, but it will be exciting. Maybe online 24 hour video group builds for the le Mans weekened?
kingkai
06-30-2009, 07:13 AM
Without it I would still be only trying to built Revell's C5/6-R's and Tamiya's CLK-GTR and 911-GT1's with limited tools and wouldn't know about more GT1 cars and modeling techniques as I do now. To be sort, just a couple of crappy built cars and probably playing on a playstation3's GT4/5 :smokin:
Slash.Snakepit
06-30-2009, 08:55 AM
Well, all that has been said here has happened to me too...I stopped building model in the late 90's and started chasing ladies and going to parties :smokin:, but one day late 2005 I opened a box full of old stuff I found 2 partially started kits, my airbrush and air compressor and a few bottle of paints I hit the internet and the rest is history....
The beauty of the net is the sharing of knowledge.
The only thing I think is wrong on your statement is that one can anonymously harrass other in the internet, that is just not true, I know it happens but traces can be easily tracked. Unless you are a cracker or a phreak (hackers don't do that)...Some people think that because you are in a virtual world no traces can be found, but that is exactly the opposite. It's easy to create accounts in forums and etc, sometimes with bogus details, but never forget the nature of the TCP/IP communication.
Internet has changed the world as fire, steam, electricity and etc did.
But for a quick answer to your question, A LOT, anyone who says otherwise is wrong, wrong, wrong...
My :2cents:
The beauty of the net is the sharing of knowledge.
The only thing I think is wrong on your statement is that one can anonymously harrass other in the internet, that is just not true, I know it happens but traces can be easily tracked. Unless you are a cracker or a phreak (hackers don't do that)...Some people think that because you are in a virtual world no traces can be found, but that is exactly the opposite. It's easy to create accounts in forums and etc, sometimes with bogus details, but never forget the nature of the TCP/IP communication.
Internet has changed the world as fire, steam, electricity and etc did.
But for a quick answer to your question, A LOT, anyone who says otherwise is wrong, wrong, wrong...
My :2cents:
imr.dirtcars
06-30-2009, 12:05 PM
Simply put.. my company would not exist if it weren't for the internet.
I'd made replicas of dirt cars since i was a little kid, but the internet sparked a completely new creation from all of the vast information i was able to obtain.
I learned how to do my own photoetching, resin casting, vacuforming, how to use stereolithography to make perfect parts masters, I learned about printing decals with the Alps printer.. and use mine all the time.
I was able to find gigabytes of reference photos that i used to model the design of the car in 3D.. I could visit the actual manufacturer's website of a part.. and get the exact dimensions.. and make a perfect replica.
Though still not complete.. this car.. made almost completely of brass.. is the result of the Internet, and my insane drive for accuracy.
I'd like to see more sites devoted to modeling in metal.. because after i switched to brass.. that you can bend, bolt,solder, drill, and machine.. I doubt i can ever go back to plastic.. It's such a joy to work with.. and finished models have strength to them.. you don't have to leave a superdetail build in a case because it's so fragile.. this car is designed to be handled.. panels removed.. suspension manipulated.. wheels turned..
http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/2858/new1z.jpg
http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/1661/newrrrearshot.jpg
I'd made replicas of dirt cars since i was a little kid, but the internet sparked a completely new creation from all of the vast information i was able to obtain.
I learned how to do my own photoetching, resin casting, vacuforming, how to use stereolithography to make perfect parts masters, I learned about printing decals with the Alps printer.. and use mine all the time.
I was able to find gigabytes of reference photos that i used to model the design of the car in 3D.. I could visit the actual manufacturer's website of a part.. and get the exact dimensions.. and make a perfect replica.
Though still not complete.. this car.. made almost completely of brass.. is the result of the Internet, and my insane drive for accuracy.
I'd like to see more sites devoted to modeling in metal.. because after i switched to brass.. that you can bend, bolt,solder, drill, and machine.. I doubt i can ever go back to plastic.. It's such a joy to work with.. and finished models have strength to them.. you don't have to leave a superdetail build in a case because it's so fragile.. this car is designed to be handled.. panels removed.. suspension manipulated.. wheels turned..
http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/2858/new1z.jpg
http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/1661/newrrrearshot.jpg
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