Is it possible to have too much detail?

If I really care for a subject, I may put forth the extra detail. If I am just a casual fan of the vehicle (hey, that Uberpanzer looks neat, let me build one), then I am more likely to just slap it together OOB using not much more than the box art or an online review as references.

I also just enjoy slapping together a kit quickly to get past "modeler's block", i.e. if I get hung up in superdetailing a long term project.

I think it's absolutely poosible to get so caught up in the pursuit of an ideal, ie, "Perfection" that you realy lose sight of the fact of what Modeling is supposd to do for you--relieve stress, not add it! Sounds like your friend is perhaps an over-achiever? Perfectionist? That can kill your enjoyment of the hobby right quick!

I alternate between moderately-detailed models and OOB to break up the rigors of "attention to detail". As a published author here at FSM, I have to think about possible articles to do, but then I'll "treat myself" to a simple, quick build after some involved project.

the doog wrote:

I think it's absolutely poosible to get so caught up in the pursuit of an ideal, ie, "Perfection" that you realy lose sight of the fact of what Modeling is supposd to do for you--relieve stress, not add it! Sounds like your friend is perhaps an over-achiever? Perfectionist? That can kill your enjoyment of the hobby right quick! I alternate between moderately-detailed models and OOB to break up the rigors of "attention to detail". As a published author here at FSM, I have to think about possible articles to do, but then I'll "treat myself" to a simple, quick build after some involved project.

DOOG, I agree with you a zillion times over.  I build to enjoy the hobby, relieve stress and most of all have fun.  I'm not concerned with fancy flashy aftermarket parts.  To me the fun factor beats out abundance of detail, some detail is fun and improves your model. 

Just being part of this forum and sharing with a great bunch of guys from all over the world is fun.  Can one as for more than that,  I don't think so.

Whatever degree of modeling you like - Remember have fun. 

PaPa- John.   Your friend in mating little pieces of plastic into something that resembles the look on the box

I believe so. Any time you have too much of anything for your eye to process to your brain you begin to lose interest in it. If the amount of detail detracts from the overall subject it too can be bad thing. I recently was looking at a diorama someone had built. The amount of detail was definitely too much...why do I say this, well when he asked if I understood the theme, title or message he was trying convey with this "snapshot" in miniature I didn't have an answer. There were so many vinyettes being told on each main component of the project. Too much of my attention and focus was on the vehicles...I didn't see the whole picture. The project should set the stage allowing the viewer to understand the picture then lure them deeper into the scene without losing awareness of the overall story/theme.

It is hard to paint the complexity of a subject without some detail...an aircraft is more than wings, tail and fuselage...open the hatches and doors and one can truly begin to appreciate its complexity...again, overwhelm the viewer and you lost the simple aspects and grace of the aircraft. 

Ahh, my favorite subject...  While I don't have any problems with mixed-media kits, I don't agree with the predelection of some folks to add a hundred bucks worth of after-market parts...  I myself add a LOT of what is, technically, "after-market", because it didn't come in the box, but rather the Evergreen, Plastruct, and brass wire, tubing, and sheet bins, along with parts from the ol' "junkyard", and I can also cast, carve, and vacuform parts...  I've also purchased some after-market resin stuff, but it's for making copies for multiple builds;I use them as "masters"... For instance, I bought an M-109 SP howitzer interior detail set.  In and of itself, it violates my own set of rules about "cheating" in a build, but in this case, I considered it a necessary evil, since I have to not one, not two, but six M109s to build for a former Battery Commander's retirement party, and there's a deadline...  ( I have to build the entire gun-line, with the M548's, the BC's Humvee, figures, and all the goodies that one finds around a gun battery's position..)     So, it's a great time-saver in this instance (and I'll never do it again)...

On the other hand, I believe that some modelers have become so dependant on the stuff that they will never develop the skills necessary to do it any it other way, and why should they try?  I learned to scratch-build simply because there was no alternative... The stuff didn't exist, or only existed in small quantities and for limited kits, so there was no other way to reach the level of detail that I wanted without putting knife to strip & sheet...

I also have to balance it with the "seen or not" question... Frankly, I don't do it if it's not visible after completion, and in my shadow box dioramas, if you can't see it from the viewing window, it ain't there.  Some of this I learned the hard way, putting a lot of time working out the interior ribbing and wire-runs inside the bombbay of a B-17 and as soon as I installed the bombs that were required for the build, I discovered that NONE of it could be seen from ANY angle... Couldn't even see the freakin' BOMBS, with their cleverly applied graffiti, fer cryin' out loud...  That was there and then end of THAT nonsense, lol... It was like, "well, there's two days of my life I'll never get back"... 

It all boils down to "If you think you need it, you'll do it anyway, regardless of what I think"...  You'll also likely blow a gasket when my 30 -year-old, Evergreen-ed, Plastruct-ed, and wire-ed, non-after-market parts- stuffed M-41 with 2.00-worth of extra materials blows away your new-release 79.00 kit with the 100.00-worth of photo-etched and resin parts all over it at a contest... (Ain't braggin'-just happens to be so, but that's another story.) I enjoy bein' able to answer the question of "Who's parts did you use there?" with, "Mine."   

Overall, I enjoy doin' things "the hard way" (I don't feel it's hard at all) when it comes to detailing and super-detailing.  Plus, there's a real, tangible benefit from "my" way of doing things with base materials and a few tools, not to mention that I saved a LOT of money by NOT buying AM stuff and putting that coin into buying the tools and equipment that allow me to make the parts...  I don't care if an important but tiny, delicate part I'm trying install suddenly *pings* outta the tweezers into Oblivion... Many times, I won't even bother to look for it, it don't mean nothin'... I'll just make another one...  I've noticed that most after-market parts bags don't include a lot "extra" parts to replace the ones that do that... 

Bottom line is, for me anyway, "if you think you have to use 'em in order to compete, you're probably right"... After all, to paraphrase, "Those that can, do. Those that can't, PURCHASE." (Put down the ax, I'm just kidding... Sort of...)

At any rate, do what ya think ya need to do... Just don't get bent outta shape if I don't agree with your conclusions...  That's how I keep my blood-pressure low...

Definately.

If I can't see it when the kit is done I don't put it in there. Especially if it costs money.

If I can get the fuselage halves glued together, then that's more than enough detail for me!

Considering the cost of the average kit these days, it takes a lot for me to justify the extra cash-ola for resin, PE, or what not. (I admit, though, decals are my stickler. I often don't like the schemes included with many kits, and so must buy aftermarket decals.)

But since I just build for myself, for relaxation (now that's a lie even I don't believe!), I see no reason for me to get too persnikity on the details. I think I may have invented the term "out of the box"!

On a limited budget I don't go overboard with AM details.  But when building an aircraft I will often buy an ejection seat (which usually doesn't cost that much) because kit seats are so often unnaceptable.  But if I'm making a model to be a real showpiece I might be inclined to go all out and buy all the PE and resin accessories available.

~Dave

Daywalker,

I notice the pic of the Mad Max Interceptor.  Have you ever built the model that monstersinmotion sells (or sold)?

~Dave

djrost_2000 wrote:

Daywalker, I notice the pic of the Mad Max Interceptor.  Have you ever built the model that monstersinmotion sells (or sold)? ~Dave

Dave,

I am not familiar with that one!  Tell me more though.  I have the Interceptor from Aoshima, but it is configured as the car appeared in the beginning of The Road Warrior and not Mad Max. 

Daywalker,

Go to http://www.monstersinmotion.com and on the main page type in "Mad Max" under General Search, and they offer the first movie vehicle and the modified car for "The Road Warrior", and they also have one of the other police cars in Max's unit. 

I hope you drool,

Dave

OH, MAN!!!

You are evil, EVIL I SAY!!!

My credit card is gonna hate you. LOL.  Thanks for that link, I know what I am getting myself for CHristmas!

Just to answer the question, I suppose it's not possible to have to much detail.  On the personal side, I prefer to build my kits with just the minimum that makes me content.  I'm not really a kit assembler who likes to add a lot.  More detail added can become tedious (not fun) to me.  I may compete on occasion, but I don't build to compete, thus OTB with kit decals may be just fine for me.  I prefer to fill up my shelves and attempt to lower the number in the stash, ( is 2800 a stash or a sign of serious issues, don't answer that).

It may be possibe to compare this question to Mozart in "Amadeus" being critized of having "too many notes" in his music.  Just a thought

Doug

Daywalker,

Happy builds!  I must have seen those movies dozens of times when I lived in fear of nuclear war.  The closest I ever got to driving a car like that was driving my Dad's '70 Mustang (no supercharger though).  Now I drive a Ford Escort ZX2.  I love it but what I wouldn't give to go tearing down the highway again with a real muscle car!

~Dave

When I got back into modeling in early 2006, I started leaning to the "buy all the AM you can" side. Then I realized that

• It's expensive
• Most photo etch ended up glued to my elbow

Taking those kernels of knowledge, I decided "Hey, I'll build OOB box and call it my 'style'!"

Now I just really focus on the fun.... I like the satisfaction that comes from a project well-done, but I don't get too hung up on accuracy, detailand such.

I've found it's saved me a ton of money too, because a Monogram P-47D is only $5 at a well stocked IPMS show...... 

jwb wrote:

Taking those kernels of knowledge, I decided "Hey, I'll build OOB box and call it my 'style'!"

Jon-

That's my MO too, I thought we were gonna keep that a secret!

Speeking from a guy who does add alot of detail from time to time, I think you can have too much. Some of these builds you see with every hatch open and all the panels off tend to be too much. Not only do you never see an operational aircraft in this state, but you loose the look and shape of the subject you were modeling IMO. I Also see alot of  people go over board with cockpit detail and tend to miss very obvious things like brake lines and antennas which are far easier to view. sometimes it's not the amount of detail but the right details in the right places that make all the difference. Even simple things like cutting and moving a control surface If it is easy or adding some scratchbuilt antennas that are more to scale can make a big impact to the look of your model.

i say super detailing is ok   IF and only IF you can see it                       but......

if it is buried in the tank's hull or the plane's fuselage  and is IMPOSSIBLE to see ,then it goes beyond normal and no amount of words can rationalize it  ( at that point it may be time for conversations with the people that run the padded cell store)

Personally I think you can have to much detail.  IMHO one pet peeve I have as far as models go with detail, is when they put so much on areas that its almost impossible to fix the seams without destroying it.  If there going to put that much on, they should atleast not mold it on. 

I'm suprised ChuckW hasent chimmed in here (or I missed it) hes the epitomy of the word 'over-detailed'

smeagol the vile wrote:

I'm suprised ChuckW hasent chimmed in here (or I missed it) hes the epitomy of the word 'over-detailed'

Perhaps you chose your words a bit carelessly? Perhaps you meant "Super-detailed?

smeagol the vile wrote:

Personally I think you can have to much detail.  IMHO one pet peeve I have as far as models go with detail, is when they put so much on areas that its almost impossible to fix the seams without destroying it.  If there going to put that much on, they should atleast not mold it on.  I'm suprised ChuckW hasent chimmed in here (or I missed it) hes the epitomy of the word 'over-detailed'

AH!  that just means ya need a new, super duper tool to get at those seams....

you know, most kits are under-detailed... not that I am complaininining,  kinda prefer simple.

the doog wrote:

smeagol the vile wrote: I'm suprised ChuckW hasent chimmed in here (or I missed it) hes the epitomy of the word 'over-detailed' Gotta disagree with you, and quite strongly here, smeagol; ChuckW's work is simply of the highest quality, bar none, and his commitment to absolute excellence is not something you should be disparaging, but rather seeking to emulate, in my opinion. Perhaps you chose your words a bit carelessly? Perhaps you meant "Super-detailed?

Gotta go with Doog on this one, smeagol. Chuckw's work is detailed for sure but over detailed? C'mon.

IMHO, the only way to over detail something is to give it "detail" the prototype never had.

smeagol the vile wrote:

I don't think it is possible to include too much detail as long as it looks good. I have seen some PE parts put on models that really stands out as being added and some models that could use some detail. I just got back into modeling after a twenty year break and I love PE. I personally buy all the Aftermarket parts for my models but so far I'm averaging applying about half to two thirds of the aftermarket parts.

I use this reasoning, if it won't be seen I don't install it. If it looks like it is a bigger job than my skill level I usually don't install it because I don't want to mess up the original model. Finally, if the new parts really improve the parts I'm cutting/sanding off I will install them as long as they are within my skill level. Often I find great looking PE parts that are in a place that doesn't get that much eye attention and I leave them off. You just have to find a happy balance of what you like and whether the added parts makes your model stand out anymore. But above all, have fun and enjoy yourself. I have probably spent close to 75 hours on the cabin area of my 1/35 Huey C model with all the PE parts. I left out probably about 10 percent so far and realized I could have left out more and gotten the same overall satisfication. You live and learn always.

Anyway, hope this helps.

Charlie

Yep.  As has been said, if it overwhelms the eye, or if it is done badly, forget it.  I'd rather have an OOB Lindberg build built well, then a Trumpeter build built badly where the AM added in cost as much as the kit.

That being said, I do like the look a bit of PE adds, as it replicates things plastic can't. However, I'm getting to the point where I'm starting to etch my own stuff.  I like landing gear scissors, and itty bittly levers and trim wheels and what not, so for recent purchases I've taken to just etching a sheet of the details I'm interested in.  Its much cheaper, and not much harder than just applying AM PE.  

As for AM resin, I'll use it for conversions if I can't find enough information to just do it myself. I if someone wants to give it to me, I won't refuse them.  However, I see no need for it the vast majority of the time.  Again, I've taken to doing my own resin work.  Its not cheaper, but its my work, and the cost goes down if I build the same sort of aircraft often, which I am prone to do.  

Finally, I for one, don't understand the AM decal market at all.  I don't see why I should pay $8-10 to battle some decal set that probably isn't as accurate as I would like, is going to run the risk of silvering despite my best efforts, and require more work.  After spending a few days on the internet learning metholds, I can now paint just about any marking, using a combination of masking and stenciling that looks better than any decal.  Its the same amount of work, takes me less time, looks better, and is as accurate as I can make it.  

All this is just my , which usually doesn't go toward AM these days. 

Cheers,
Alex