N Gauge Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: ddolfelin on December 22, 2010, 11:05:40 PM

Title: Cameras are cruel critics.
Post by: ddolfelin on December 22, 2010, 11:05:40 PM
I've just scratchbuilt a caravan.
In N it's like making jewellery.
I was thrilled with the result - until I took some pics.
In close-up it looks rubbish.

I'd show you but I can't find the attachment thingy.
Title: Re: Cameras are cruel critics.
Post by: Tank on December 23, 2010, 07:50:32 AM
I'm sure it looks fine!  Cameras can be cruel in this gauge, but nothing has to be perfect.  Some people struggle to make models in OO, let alone N.  I would like to see your caravan.   :)

Click this link for help with posting images....
http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=6.0 (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=6.0)
Title: Re: Cameras are cruel critics.
Post by: ddolfelin on December 23, 2010, 09:26:46 AM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ddolfelin/Caravan4.jpg)
Title: Re: Cameras are cruel critics.
Post by: NGF Staff on December 23, 2010, 09:31:08 AM
That looks great to me.   :)  The shape of it is perfect.
Title: Re: Cameras are cruel critics.
Post by: ddolfelin on December 23, 2010, 09:48:28 AM
Thanks for that.
You may have saved it from the crusher!

The main problem is attaching the detailing to the bodywork without getting poly all over the place.
Inevitably it involves re-positioning and spoiling the surface.
The strip is the finest available but still looks huge in N.

Any tricks to avoid the migration of Poly?
Title: Re: Cameras are cruel critics.
Post by: jonclox on December 23, 2010, 11:14:14 AM
Looks fine to me :thumbsup:..(probably better than I could do and I am an ex clockmaker/ jeweller)
Title: Re: Cameras are cruel critics.
Post by: ddolfelin on December 23, 2010, 11:17:45 AM
Praise indeed - thank you.

I'll probably make another anyway.
I'm sure I can do better in avoiding gunging the surface with Poly.
Title: Re: Cameras are cruel critics.
Post by: Tank on December 23, 2010, 05:02:18 PM
Very good ddolfelin, and better than I thought from what you were describing!   ;D
Title: Re: Cameras are cruel critics.
Post by: ddolfelin on December 23, 2010, 06:40:42 PM
Thank you.
Title: Re: Cameras are cruel critics.
Post by: porkie on December 23, 2010, 10:07:10 PM
Hey that looks good,  :thumbsup:

I had a simular problem with poly, and tried loctite super glue Gel.  Although i went through shed loads of cocktail sticks as aplicators.

The wife didnt see the funny side of it as when she needed them I forgot to replace them ;D
Title: Re: Cameras are cruel critics.
Post by: ddolfelin on December 23, 2010, 10:30:42 PM
Thanks again.
Mmmm. Maybe application with a shaped cocktail stick instead of the little tube (which is uncontrollable).
Title: Re: Cameras are cruel critics.
Post by: mousey train on December 30, 2013, 10:11:46 PM
hi all, when im making model kits and thay need painting i use the paint as a glue for the small parts, when the paint drys it makes a strong bond, an no ugly glue everywhear hope this helps. mousey train.
Title: Re: Cameras are cruel critics.
Post by: Sprintex on December 30, 2013, 10:28:10 PM
Looks great to me :)

It might look a bit rough in close-up, but then who apart from you is going to see it that close anyway? It's more about the impression it creates rather than the close-up detail ;)

Having made an office interior including desk, chair and even a PC with a mouse (I kid you not!) yes it's fiddly and probably doesn't stand up to close scrutiny, but then no-one is going to get THAT close in reality anyway :thumbsup:


Paul
Title: Re: Cameras are cruel critics.
Post by: Alex on December 30, 2013, 11:27:26 PM
Hi,

A very nice looking caravan. How did you make it?

Cameras can be so cruel but at normal viewing distance everything is perfect. We are also out own worst critics, because we can see the bloopers, whereas everyone else just sees the end result.

Keep up the great work.

Alex  :wave:
Title: Re: Cameras are cruel critics.
Post by: Bob Wild on December 30, 2013, 11:38:59 PM
I wish my caravan was as small as that. My wife keeps wanting to go off in ours and distract me from building my railway.
Title: Re: Cameras are cruel critics.
Post by: Chinahand on December 31, 2013, 06:47:24 AM
Looks good to me Peter.

Cameras can be a very useful tool for identifying blemishes or misalignments which may need correcting but can fall down when it comes to portraying the overall 'look' and 'feel' of a model. Ask yourself 'why would we want to blow it up to 10 times its original size just for the sake of nit-picking'.
Title: Re: Cameras are cruel critics.
Post by: Bealman on December 31, 2013, 06:56:09 AM
Mate, placed on your layout in scenic setting, it'll look Mickey Mouse!

Thumbs up from me, buddy!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Cameras are cruel critics.
Post by: Pengi on December 31, 2013, 07:02:35 AM
I think the caravan is excellent and well done for scratchbuilding one

Quote from: mousey train on December 30, 2013, 10:11:46 PM
hi all, when im making model kits and thay need painting i use the paint as a glue for the small parts, when the paint drys it makes a strong bond, an no ugly glue everywhear hope this helps. mousey train.
That is interesting - will give it a go  :thankyousign:
Title: Re: Cameras are cruel critics.
Post by: Bealman on December 31, 2013, 07:36:13 AM
Cameras are a useful tool, though.... A photo I took recently of my new Blue Pullman crossing a viaduct on my old layout I am restoring showed up some plaster missing on the viaduct as glaringly white. I honestly never noticed it until I looked at the picture. It can be rectified quite simply with a texta (sorry - magic marker? Felt tipped pen?).  It took the photograph to draw my attention to it.

I won't show you the photo here as the moderating team are going off at me about hi-jacking threads with me Christmas present!  :thumbsup:

Happy New Year!
Title: Re: Cameras are cruel critics.
Post by: port perran on December 31, 2013, 09:52:44 AM
That's a lovely little caravan. I'm sure it will look just perfect in situ.
Title: Re: Cameras are cruel critics.
Post by: ParkeNd on December 31, 2013, 10:23:04 AM
Cameras nowadays are sharper than the combination of the human eye and brain. That's why female news presenters who do breakfast TV are so in love with HD TV.

But all N gauge is about an illusion of the real thing. Don't go beating yourself up.
Title: Re: Cameras are cruel critics.
Post by: Greybeema on December 31, 2013, 10:53:13 AM
Looks fine to me - don't think you have a problem.

For fine gluing I usually use a piece if stiff 0.25 mm wire mounted in a handle made of tape.  Put some glue on tin foil and pick it up on the end of the wire. Apply to the piece you want to glue..

Or you can use varnish as it will dry clear..  Johnsons Klear also suffices (rather well actually)..

Title: Re: Cameras are cruel critics.
Post by: d-a-n on December 31, 2013, 12:01:21 PM
Looks fine to me mate! If you make another, you'll naturally have learnt from the bits which frustrated you about this one and you'll love your results - I used to find this with wargame figure conversions!
Cameras are cruel and critical, whereas the brain glosses over what it doesn't want to see! Also, the human eye is a fixed focal length, the magnification of any object will give an unnatural perspective.
I avoid close ups of brides faces at weddings I shoot, with the sharpness of my lenses and resolution of my full frame digital stuff being so high, the results can be unflattering to a good complexion, even after make-up etc. You wouldn't believe the amount of skin post-processing alone involved in a fashion shoot...