Plastics modelers are now accepting us!

[CJTK1701]

"And the crowd answered Amen."

There are some things that I just can't do, therefroe I don't understand the attraction. 1/2500 Star Trek models, for instance. I don't have the eye for it any more and frankly, my hands are not geared for the small stuff, so I wouldn't slam someones efforts in that venue, but I also wouldn't try to make put that one scale is better than another. Personally, I like larger scale models, but that's just a preference. To me, it easier to get more detail out of them than the tiny scale models. I just don't want to work on things that small. However, I've seen some small scale stuff that astounds me.

I just got into scratch building within the last yer, or so and on something like that you use what works best, plastic, wood, paper, fiberglass....etc....etc... I guess I just looked at modeling as being just that, modeling. Without thinking about it I was being objective and not considering one media better than the other. I will say though that I've found that I'm beginning to prefer paper and card for the versatility of the medium, but still like to incorporate other materials into a build depending on what requirements a particular model needs.

End of ramble.

[modelperry]

Here's my AMEN.

I certainly do try to respect everyone's modeling efforts. I may not find someone's work personally appealing, but I keep my mouth shut and my opinions to myself. If someone asks for constructive criticism, I'll will provide it, but only if I can do so in a positive manner.

Greg

[David T. Okamura]

Folks, remember that the 2007 IPMS/USA Nationals officially recognized paper models with their own categories. I'm not sure if the 2008 Nationals in Virginia Beach will have the same judging categories, but I encourage East Coast paper modelers to continue the inroads we made last summer. The IPMS/USA officials and general membership were very positive about the inclusion of paper models, and the entries got a lot of admiring comments.

[Mark Crowel]

That's good news, and thanks for sharing it. It does look like paper is on the road to general acceptance throughout modeling.

[Lex]

That's great news there David!! --And with the advent of internet, cardmodels would receive the greatest benefit of all

Originally Posted by Lex

Actually, the fact might be that actually we're despising them...

Sorry no offence there, just saying that some of us have a tendancy to write "p*****c models"...

[zathros]

I would like to see some sort of halfway point. Plastic wheels look way better than plastic ones except for some of military ones from Pland and Germany which are just awesome). It would be nice to see some composites.

[doctormax]

I was never in really a big club, but my first real go at anything like this was when I tried to do a formula one car after getting into doing matchstick kits. the only difference between that and the card modeling I have found so far is I don't have to think of the thickness of a matchstick when doing my design. What I find is i look for a few pictures showing as many angles of a car or most things and do a few rough drawings. then go using a ruler. Well that was till I figured out one day. I have photoshop so use that. the scale may not be known but I think some looked fairly good.

[tazman3]

Originally Posted by zathros

I would like to see some sort of halfway point. Plastic wheels look way better than plastic ones except for some of military ones from Pland and Germany which are just awesome). It would be nice to see some composites.

Blasphemer!!!!!!!!!!! Off with their head!!

have you seen some of the laminated wheels that are "sanded" down...they look as good, if not better, than a good plastic wheel. maybe they don't look like a "weight bulged" resin replacement, but they look good dude! I'm like you though...I'm seriously considering placing some photo etch details in a paper Jet I purchased...my biggest problem is cutting...it wears me out, so I like things like the laser cut parts, formed canopies, etc. (though lol a formed canopy actually create MORE cutting for the modeler)

The local plastics club here was all car/truck modelers...you should have seen their faces when I rolled in there with an X-wing kit to show them some weathering techniques! lol...then some paper models started showing up at our contests...they finally decided that if more than 5 different paper modellers showed up, they would give them their own category...smart guys. People can change, and they can learn to have respect for other mediums.

[Paragon]

Personally, I just like models in general, paper or plastic. I'm only really into paper now because there is so much more available, and its so much cheaper.

I also was never particularly good at painting, which is why I really like cardmodels more than plastic now. When they're printed out, you don't have to paint them. I can add a lot more detail in Photoshop than I can with a paintbrush.

[mariaone]

as a newbie to card i have to say that i have never had a problem with the difference between card or styrene. i have built for many years from scratch with plain old styrene sheets and i openly admit that i have on occasion used ideas and scale taken from card models, in fact with out them i would have shaved my head and retreated to a mountain cave long ago

[Mark Crowel]

It's good that you're openminded toward both mediums, and welcome to card. We hope you stay with us.

[bclemens]

As a card modeler, I will be impressed the day plastic modelers can email a kit!
That having been said,

Really- what's the issue here? It's a friggin' model! This is not brain surgery or fire fighting. No one's life is at stake. Please, can't we just keep things in perspective? All modeling is a past-time, a source of enjoyment; traditionally a method to while away idle hours that would otherwise bore you because there is nothing else to do.

Well, in this day and age, we should all count ourselves lucky to have time on our hands to model, whether it's plastic, card, or ice sculpture, considering all the people around us who are just trying to make ends meet working three jobs to put food on the table.

If we can be so haughty as to bring snobbery into the world of scale modeling based on what medium we use, then I say we are way too isolated from what is going on in the real world around us.

Please let's all be positive, helpful, encouraging, pleasant, and MATURE. Whether the person you are dealing with is a card modeler, plastic modeler, beginner or master, it's about the hobby. None of us need to use another of us as a stepping-stone to rise above the rest. All of us can benefit from the knowledge and experience of every other. If you use these forums or model clubs or contests as your personal opportunity to lord over other people; to be snooty and an ego-centric snob, shame on you. You are a very little person.

Now can we get on with the modeling?
Best,
Bruce

[Lex]

As a card modeler, I will be impressed the day plastic modelers can email a kit!

It has indeed been said that 3d printers would render cardmodels obselete...

[bclemens]

LOL! I hadn't even thought of that, Lex! There will come a day when plastic modelers can email a kit...But I think even when we all have Star-Trek Replicators in our kitchens, there will still be some of us who get quiet enjoyment out of bending card to our will!
Cheers!
Bruce

[cdavenport]

Originally Posted by CJTK1701

Well said, well said indeed!

Can I use this as my Sig?

Sure can!