fiber optic lighting????

One question, can that special person be ME....
Just kidding. Do you need help with the fiber optics or refeance material for the Falcon?

For the engine glow I would go with lightsheet. Your biggest problem with fiberoptics will be where to contain the lightsource and batteries within the kit.

Be warned that lighting will highlight any deficencies and mistakes in the kit.

skarpotchi: I need help with both actually :D but the optics are the primary concern, the other shouldnt be too hard to find.

Model Museum:Ok, a light sheet makes sence (I figure the name is self explanitory). The problem that I figure is going to foremost is I dont know how to get the light into the optics, and I think Im going to need to use atleast red , green, and white on the inside. I was thinking about using LED's for this, so they can be put on a small circuit board and attached to from there. I think I just went crosseyed thinking about all the things I dont understand.

anywho, all the info anyone could give me will be apreciated.


thanks,
jim

You don't need a circuit board at all.

Here is what you need:

1.) High Intesity Leds with the right resistors(ohm rating) for your power supply(ask at the shop where you buy the LED's they often come prepackaged for different voltages)
2.) Fiber optics
3.) Heat shrink tubing

Solder the Resistor to the positive leg(I clip it short) of the LED, solder wire to the resistor and to the other LED leg. Slide a piece of heatsrhing tubing over the resistor and shrink it down(prevents shorts).

Take your bundle of fiberoptics insert them into a short section of heatshrink tubing and the LED from the other end till they touch, shrink the tubing down.
Attach wires to your power source and you are finished.

You can colour the ends of individual strands with clear colours, saving you having to run strands from different LEDs.

So that has your lighting done, next is to find room to run the strands between where the lightsource will be situated and where you want the light, not a problem on an empty kit.

HTH.

Well for the Falcon. I bought the Star Wars DVD pack and have been watching the movies in fraze frame. If you have it, this is a cheap quick referance guide. Just pause at the scenes with the Falcon interior, you get a crystal clear, LARGE picture.

As for the lights. If you use different color lights you will have to isolate each color light from the other. As i understand it the light only has to hit the end of the fiber. Maybe you could build small boxes with the light inside, and have the fiber run from their box to where ever in the ship. But I have a funny feeling there will be nothing easy about it. Good Luck and I hope that helps.

Okay Scratch my idea his seems to sound much better...

QUOTE: Originally posted by Skarpotchi Okay Scratch my idea his seems to sound much better...

Not better, just different. The info you gave him was totally correct and more like what I see often used. I done a bit of kit lighting and simulated lighting.

There are a few other methods he could use depending on how much space and time he has.

Here is another method using lightsheet for the cockpit, but not on the AMT kit.
http://www.ketzer.com/MF_making10.html

The above tip I got from a Video for Figure garage kits, got a few more up my sleeve but those will be revealed in an upcoming article.

The lightsheet sounds like a cool idea. I have the shuttle and falcon and NOW i plan to use it on both. They both have that same blue glow in the rear. Other that robbing the Star Destoryer where can one get some fiber-optics.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Skarpotchi The lightsheet sounds like a cool idea. I have the shuttle and falcon and NOW i plan to use it on both. They both have that same blue glow in the rear. Other that robbing the Star Destoryer where can one get some fiber-optics.

You should be able to get them at stores that sell lights and DIY stores.
Arts supply/handy craft stores also might stock some.

Alternatively look for a cheap lamp/X-mas tree that uses them and cannibalise from there.

I get mine from the handycraft store as they sell them in different thicknesses as well as lots of clear acrylic sheeting and tubing which can serve the same purpose(see Bandai's Star Trek kits).

Great thanks MM.

One thing I forgot to mention, there are 2 types of fiber optics out there.

Glass and acrylic.
Glass is more expensive but conducts light better, for most modeling needs acrylic ones will be good enough.

One of the two types(can't remember which) also is NOT compatible with some glues and might split/cloud the fibres.

Skarpotchi.. You just hit your 100th post.. Congrats.. I missed mine!

Chris in Japan

I hate to do a little shameless self-promotion, but this might help:



The Falcon chapter is one of the biggest ones in the book.





I detail the AMT/Ertl Falcon with LightSheet (the engines and in the cockpit) and I cover fiber-optic lighting in the TIE Fighter chapter (for the engines, below)



You can order a copy here:

http://store.yahoo.net/kalmbachcatalog/12225.html

or at a lot of online booksellers.

Thanks for the consideration!

Matthew Usher @ FSM

Woo Who! That book looks great!

Matthew, what do you think of the Falcon Kit resin update sets?

Regards,

QUOTE: Originally posted by Lufbery Woo Who! That book looks great! Matthew, what do you think of the Falcon Kit resin update sets? Regards,

I used Falcon Kits' resin update set on my Falcon, and I cover installing them in the book. I installed the shorter side panels, the landing-gear bays, and the cockpit set, but since my Falcon's "in flight," I didn't use the landing gear. The sets really transform the model and make it look much more realistic.

The Falcon's a great model to light -- there's a ton of space inside for batteries, etc.

Matt

Thanks for the info on the book, I have seen it advertised befor3e, but aparently have had a major brain fart

I think Im gonna have to get one of those for doing this thing. As for the resin, Im gonna see what the kit entails before deciding.

thanks

jim

QUOTE: Originally posted by inpw1 I think Im gonna have to get one of those for doing this thing. As for the resin, Im gonna see what the kit entails before deciding

The kit is $115 and Jack is not exactly communicative
It's been 2mo's (today to be exact) since I ordered his kit.
Those that eventually recieved it love it
I just wish he would respond to let me know
how things are going

QUOTE: Originally posted by shrugger QUOTE: Originally posted by inpw1 I think Im gonna have to get one of those for doing this thing. As for the resin, Im gonna see what the kit entails before deciding The kit is $115 and Jack is not exactly communicative It's been 2mo's (today to be exact) since I ordered his kit. Those that eventually recieved it love it I just wish he would respond to let me know how things are going

I do hear that Jack's hard to get in touch with, and that the sets sometimes take a loooong time to arrive. I know it's a part-time job for him. Hang in there!

Matt

QUOTE: Originally posted by Matthew Usher QUOTE: Originally posted by Lufbery Woo Who! That book looks great! Matthew, what do you think of the Falcon Kit resin update sets? Regards, I used Falcon Kits' resin update set on my Falcon, and I cover installing them in the book. I installed the shorter side panels, the landing-gear bays, and the cockpit set, but since my Falcon's "in flight," I didn't use the landing gear. The sets really transform the model and make it look much more realistic. The Falcon's a great model to light -- there's a ton of space inside for batteries, etc. Matt

That's good to hear. The Falcon Kits upgrade sets really look good. I especially like some of the photos I've seen of others' work where the cockpit is lit.

Regards,