A question and whats new

heh yea, that was before I had my photobooth setup, I had to take the shots outside.  The part that really bugged me wasnt that he took pts off for the kayak, but that the Gyan and the tank, which were both better then the gouf by a mile, didnt get out of the first round, and the gouf did

smeagol the vile wrote:

...it was taken outside and you can see my boat in the back? (kayak)  Its a modeling contest, not a photo contest

Aha~

So it was the kayak, huh? ^ ^

Wondered myself what that was... 

well, for that I would look at the arm itsef, see where the weak points are. the rip wouldnt occure on a reinforced hunk of armor, it would happen at the weakest point, not necesserially the shoulder, maybe the elbow, or where it roates under the shoulder.  Take that into account and start hacking

For wires you could just stick some, use SMALL ones, inside of it sticking out, and fray the ends 

Awesome, I'm gonna look that book up soon.  My college is on quarters so while everyone else is out of school for a few weeks now I'm just finishing up this week, but that means I really get some time to work on this stuff.  Smeagol, I get what youre saying with the weopons.  I just bought a really low power soldering iron with a bunch of attachments for under twenty bucks at Meier so it would be great if a beam saber did the damage but sadly, the poor dead guy in mine had his arm ripped off by a Jagd Doga.  I just watched Chars CA and found the models online.  I know he didn't actually rip anyone apart, but I like the brutality of it to show how much better they are than grunts like GMs.  Thanks for the suggestions, I'm gonna start with that book and try to find out everything I can. 

Hey everyone, it's been awhile.  Thats partially to do with how bummed I was about a coment made about my Hi-Zack by a judge, but I'm over it now.  First off some cool news, even though my Hi-Zack sucked compared to the other models in the mechamodelcomp competition I entered I managed to win the random prize drawing.  It's an Iwata Eclipse.  I'm pretty stoked.  I know I just bought an airbrush but I think I'm going to sell that one and keep this new one since it's supposed to be awesome.

Nice to see you back, SG. Wondered where you had got to.

So what did the judge say that upset you?

An Iwata Eclipse is a pretty good consolation. That's a nice brush. I'm all jealous...

As far as dios go, dj898 is right: Shepard Paine is the man. His book "How to build Dioramas" has been part of my kit for nearly 25 years. It's in a second edition now, and it still costs less than it true worth.

Some of the 'Tips for Model Builders' he did for the Monogram company have been collected here:

http://www.itzproductions.com/Misc_Pages/shep_paine.htm

When I was young, it was these that got me into 'serious' model building.

 

I know, but if the model is in focus, and not blurry and clear and the details are sharp, why should it matter on the outcome if it was taken outside and you can see my boat in the back? (kayak)  Its a modeling contest, not a photo contest

smeagol the vile wrote:

I also really LOVE how they  either dont comment on their judging (I know there were alot of entries but still, saying nothing is bull).  I also love how they like to judge the picture quality over the model 'oh that orange thing in the back distracted me' (it was an old pic) Its like WTF that has nothing to do with the model itself. bull

actually that's the way in most competition.

Unless all entries are put against the same background and the pictures taken under the same condition the best thing the judges go by would be the pictures of model sumitted and like in life pretty ones do get the more points... - -;

 

I seriously hate you... I was so gunning for that airbrush, I need one so baddly and didnt have the cash for it.

 

You think your upset about your entry.  my best entry got knocked out in the begging, and my WORST entry got through to the second round.  the whole judging system was crap.

I also really LOVE how they  either dont comment on their judging (I know there were alot of entries but still, saying nothing is bull).  I also love how they like to judge the picture quality over the model 'oh that orange thing in the back distracted me' (it was an old pic) Its like WTF that has nothing to do with the model itself. bull

 

enough of that, to your question, if your doing mecha, think about the series it's from and the weapons for the damage.  What happens in the show if something is hit with a beam rifle, or a rocket.  granted it always blows up, but it does diffrent stuff initally.  Like if you are going to hack a limb off with a beam saber for your dio, you wouldnt have wires hanging, it would be a clean cut with a melted look, soldering iron works good for that.  for parts blown off by explosions its harder you have to make the dismembered part look un-even and random. I dunno if that was any help 

I suck at WIP due to my laziness but I'll have a go.

The best bet would be looking at those armour diorama WIP. You should have no trouble to google 'em up.

I know they are at 1/35 or 1/48 scale not 1/100 or 1/144 more common with gunpla. However that doen't stop you from nicking ideas from those master. ^ ^ Also draw as many sketches as you can at avrious perspectives. This process will help you to work out the idea in your head and by visualizing you can make necessary adjustment. 

I was told long time ago that when you are doing the diorama first draw your idea and then chop off 50% of what you wanted in the dioaram and then after the revision try to eliminate another 25-30%. What I'm saying is use what's the absolutely necessary to convery your story. Like when you take picture you don't put lots of things in the frame which will only distract from what you are focusing. Same principle allied here. ^ ^

For the building itself there are numerous web sites you can seach with various tips/techniques. Also check out the railway modelling kits/accessories. Either HO or N scale stuff work well in 1/100 and 1/44 scale diorama~

Of coz these are my rambling and don't just take my word for it. Ask around.  Read a book - Mr Paine's How To Build Diorama is the must IMHO.