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Post by Joel_W on Oct 17, 2021 11:02:32 GMT -8
Paul, Honestly, I don't know how I've missed this build of yours all this time? But now I can follow every update as I get notifications turned on.
I'm really impressed with your casting of the Chevy small block. Way above my modeling level for sure. The chassis and body is really coming out great.
joel
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Post by arcticwolf on Oct 21, 2021 13:49:11 GMT -8
Joel, when I log in I just click on "updated threads".
Anyway, finally got my 3D printed fuel filler which is way bigger than I wanted. I'm using it anyway:
Next time I'll order a 1/18th scale. I needed it to make the cutout so I could paint and decal.
I created my own decal sheet, more work than building a model, but I finally convinced my $60.00 HP printer to deliver this:
And 2 coats of Tamiya paint, decals and 2 coats of Testors clear:
You can see a slight ghosting from the clear decals but it's less apparent than what shows in the pics. Very fragile to work with as you might expect, that's why I printed doubles, needed some! Cold water only and don't even think about any setting agents, but it worked and I'm happy as a clam. Relieved too! I wouldn't dare put Tamiya's clear over them. The numbers I already had.
Now it can go away and cure for a while, back to the dreaded Ford again.
Paul
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Post by Joel_W on Oct 23, 2021 16:28:36 GMT -8
Paul, Your homemade decals look great to me. Honestly, I wouldn't even know where to start.
joel
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Post by Ben_B on Oct 24, 2021 1:08:09 GMT -8
Looking great, Paul!
What software are you using to draw your decal art?
Ben
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Post by arcticwolf on Oct 24, 2021 13:30:34 GMT -8
Looking great, Paul! What software are you using to draw your decal art? Ben Thanks Ben. I wish I had decent software, what I need is old software to go with my Windows 7 computer!
I used an old Microsoft program called Picture it from Windows 98 of all things. Basically import jpeg images and change them as needed. I can use my autocad to create shapes and save them as jpegs, then import them to picture it. Cumbersome but it works, but very time consuming. As far as "print my own", I'll be sticking to the very basic stuff!
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Post by Ben_B on Oct 25, 2021 5:39:52 GMT -8
I’ve been using Inkscape to draw and print my own airliner decals, but they only work over a white background. Unfortunately, the guys who do custom decal printing usually want only Adobe Illustrator- or Coreldraw-generated files, so it gets complicated when I want to print white decals. I don’t do enough of this kind of thing to warrant the cost of Illustrator, so I now have several projects that are in limbo until I find a solution.
Ben
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Post by arcticwolf on Oct 25, 2021 6:05:21 GMT -8
I wonder why it won't work on clear? Inkjet printers don't print white, so anything white just becomes transparent. That's how I did it. (It does take a bit of effort to convince the brain that no, you won't see it!). The B/A decal on the nose cone was done the old fashioned way, I cut out a white disc from a scrap white decal and then applied the coloured one over it. I asked my sister-in-law about the Adobe programs - she's a graphic artist - she just looked at me and said "are you planning on buying a Mac?" Besides, they're expensive. I struggle along with what I've got.
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Post by arcticwolf on Oct 25, 2021 7:47:40 GMT -8
Ben, this is a decal sheet I created for a Lotus GTX I'm planning to build. Also for Weitzes Cobra and Gurneys Cougar. The Cougar sheet was scanned from a (I think) old Fred Cady sheet that I only have part of, but by including it I can tell if the scale is correct on my final copy as such. All the rest is my own creation, it's printed on white which I hope will work as they're to go on white cars. We shall see! This isn't a photo, it's the actual jpeg, just resized for posting here - the original jpeg is waay too big:
I'm beginning to realize that designing houses was a lot easier - or I'm getting old a lot quicker than I'd like!
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Post by Ben_B on Oct 26, 2021 2:07:31 GMT -8
Those look great! Yes, drawing the artwork is surprisingly time consuming and has a pretty steep learning curve. It's become a hobby in itself for me! I can print on white or clear decal film, but I need to hire someone with a printer that can print white for a lot of the images. There used to be a couple of guys who had ALPS printers that could do it, so they could print the white bits like the USAir logos on some of my airliners or tail codes for my USAF jets. I'd send them the vector (svg) files I drew up in Inkscape. I'll be able to print the decals for my Monogram Lotus Esprit on my own printer, since the car body will be white, but I'll hire someone with a laser printer that can print white for the McLaren 570S GT4 decals (they'll go on a fluorescent yellow car) and I'll have to figure a way to convert my svg files to .ai files that Illustrator uses. That's what's been slowing me down the most. There are some who can even print fluorescent colors, now. Ben
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Post by Joel_W on Oct 26, 2021 5:17:03 GMT -8
you two guys are simply amazing at having the skills and knowledge to design, and then print your own decals. I consider it a major plus for me just learning which AM decals houses I can use, and which to stay away from. And Ben has been a big help with that.
BTW Ben, who makes a McLaren 570S GT4 car?
joel
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Post by Ben_B on Oct 26, 2021 8:18:53 GMT -8
Joel,
It's actually quite fun, now that I've somewhat figured out Inkscape. I am by no means an expert, though. I've got several airliner projects and 3 or 4 car projects going right now. I'll start a new thread soon in the Tips & Techniques section so folks can discuss homemade decals without tying up Paul's thread.
For the McLaren, I'm going to convert the Revell 570S street kit. I have a spare GT4 wing and seat from the Tamiya Mustang, aftermarket wheels and slicks, and I'll build the roll cage and assorted cockpit parts from scratch. I actually have two wings, one for the Volt car and one for the AWA car in my avatar, if I can figure out how to do the faded look on the hood and doors. Fortunately, GT4 cars are close enough to the street versions that the conversion won't be too difficult. The McLaren still has electric windows and A/C! The Lotus X180R will be bashed from the Monogram Turbo Esprit kit and 300 Sport kits, plus homemade cockpit mods and aftermarket seat and slicks.
Ben
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Post by Joel_W on Oct 27, 2021 4:29:52 GMT -8
Ben, I'm looking forward to both conversions.
As I've mentioned before, even at my age of 74 (on 11/14) I still auto sim race. My favorite Sim is Assetto Corsa Competione which is focused on GT3 and GT4 racing. I run two cars in each class only: In GT3 it's the Porsche 991 GT3 2019, and the McLaren 720S, while in the GT4 class it's the Mclaren 570S and the Porsche 918 Cayman. both the GT4 cars are basically the road cars with few racing upgrades. Even the interiors are based on the road cars. So you should be just fine.
Great idea about starting that thread on decal making. Just maybe I'll learn enough to give it a try.
joel
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Post by Ben_B on Oct 27, 2021 4:45:25 GMT -8
I wish someone would release a kit of the 918 Cayman. It would be fun to convert one of those to a GT4. I think Fujimi has the earlier version. I’ll start a decal thread soon. I keep having things come up just when I sit down at my computer. Like right now, apparently. Ben
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Post by Joel_W on Oct 27, 2021 17:39:29 GMT -8
Ben, I'd love a kit of the Cayman too. It's not like Porsches don't sell.
joel
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Post by arcticwolf on Oct 30, 2021 11:51:28 GMT -8
Back to the topic at hand, lol. I figured the paint had cured long enough I could mask it and paint the chassis base colour. Backwards perhaps but much easier to mask off this way. I figured back in 1969 if I were building a race car I wouldn't be spending my time polishing all the aluminum, I'd paint it all with whatever was handy and then paint the parts that show with something pretty. So industrial grey it got. Looks authentic to me:
Now I can get back to building a car.
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