Computers in modeling

Dre

Without computers, none of us would be having this discussion...

Very true.

If a computer is frustrating to use, blame the software designers who created the GUI interface we all use.

No matter how wide the computer hardware bus, how many "zillions" of instructions a CPU can process, doesn't even matter if the computer is an Apple,  the old saying from punch card days still applies:

"Garbage in, Garbage out".

Computer aided design will only create an accurate or better kit if the input information is correct.

However, when modern technology is properly used in the creation of a kit, far better quality kits and accessories can be made now than ever before..

As I became an adult before the first "personal computer" appeared in the 1970s, I have experienced the hobby with and without computers.

I much prefer today's computer aided hobby.

Though I do not yet use CAD to create kit parts, I do use computers to access and store model related photos and data.

Graphics software, blank decal sheets, scanners and personal printers have made custom decals possible.

Someday I hope to use CAD /CAM and a 3D Printer for making detail parts.

I have been able to obtain information on the internet about aircraft details that I never could have obtained prior to the advent of the personal computer.

Al things considered, I would say computers have definitely improved the hobby.

Without computers, none of us would be having this discussion...

Back in 2001, I became the commandant of an Army maintenance school training mainly tank mechanics, truck mechanics and recovery operations. I had a motor pool full of various types of wheeled and track vehicles. Being a modern armor modeler, it was a paradise; I had more interaction with a wider variety of military vehicles than I did in previous armor assignments or training assignments.

If it wasn't for computers and the internet, I would not have been able to take and share as many photos as I would have with just my 35mm. I would have been limited to rolls of film, time spent developing the film, examining and retaking shots I needed if they weren't in focus, etc. I also would not have bothered to share the shots with other modelers unless someone asked and then sent some money to have duplicates made.

With a digital camera, I was able to take more photos, instantly see if I needed to retake a shot, upload them to my motor pool album, post a link with an anouncement of the latest subjects and share them with the modeling community. All made possible because of computers.

Know very little about computer design. Graphics.

I should think that computers would take the guess work out of kit manufacture  and kits would be accurate.