Launch when ready!

Since we are counting posts now. This will be my 2000th post. What better place to make it then here.

When I first found the Thunder Fighter kit (back in 2009) I thought I had found a VERY WONDERFUL TREASURE from my childhood. Now that You are making this Viper (and as well as you are), all of my wonderful childhood memories are flooding back to when I would watch BSG (TOS) with my mother and how I wanted to actually fly a "REAL" Viper.
I find it quite interesting that my very first model that I build (when I was 13), was a Viper (made from old cigarette cartons that i had collected from the store that my mother worked at at the time. I remember that the only action figure that I had at the time was a "Star War" Storm Trooper and I made the Viper to fit the action figure.
Now as an adult (by age only:p), I will soon be able to build a kit of the Viper of this QUALITY!!!
I feel like a kid in a toy store just waiting for that special toy.

The work that you are putting into this model is setting a VERY HIGH bar.

KEEP UP THE PHENOMENAL WORK!!!

Im at 845.....as of this posting, lol
 

Revell-Fan

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I'm working on the texture of the engine tubes and just have run into a small dilemma. The number of the red-orange segments differ on various studio models. There are some with three segments on the high engine (when looked at from the side) and four on the side engine, others have four on both engines, others have four on the high engine and five on the side engine. I decided to use the pattern which is more prominent on screen which is four on the high engine and five on side engine.
 

Revell-Fan

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I know of this model. It really is fun and easy to built. Thanks for adding the link! Just imagine the next lunch or coffee break: Vipers shooting through the office from and into all different directions..! :mrgreen:
 

MAC99

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Just found

I have just come across this thread I think this some grate work and dedication to the quality of the end product.. It should be a good one to build.

If I may ask you are building up in google sketchup in what soft ware do you unfold the 3D model

Keep doing what your doing

MAC
http://www.sketchup.com/product/newin7.html
 

zathros

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You have captured the nuances of the Viper that I see missing in many other versions, and even renders, especially the gentle parabolic curve of the nose from the side view. ARMORMAN called me up and told me to take a look, and wow, this will be THE quintessential Viper model!. :)
 

Revell-Fan

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Thanks, Mac! I'm using two versions of Google SketchUp. I use SU 8 for modeling, texturing and cleaning up and SU 6 for exporting the model to *.kmz(4) format. This file is loaded into Pepakura for unfolding. The unfold is edited in Gimp and then converted into *.pdf.
 

zathros

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I'm totally impressed on how many programs you have mastered. It shows! :)
 

Revell-Fan

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You have captured the nuances of the Viper that I see missing in many other versions, and even renders, especially the gentle parabolic curve of the nose from the side view. ARMORMAN called me up and told me to take a look, and wow, this will be THE quintessential Viper model!. :)
Oh Zathros, how I missed you! Good to have you back. I know what you mean. These and the jet intakes are the parts which are mostly wrong on other Viper models.

Before I started this project I was searching the web to see if there is a decent Mk. I CG model available which could be used as a basis. Unfortunately ALL (!) of them (especially those from the SU warehouse) are flawed (proportions, details and / or textures). There are good Viper models out there, however, but no VERY good model - except for this one by Derek Smith: http://darthmojo.wordpress.com/2009/02/05/viper-redux-turning-shinola-into-shit/ . Curiously, this one is so perfect that it wouldn't be suitable for paper modeling (too hi-poly). So I was forced to make my own. I'm trying to come as close to the studio models as possible and to create the best Viper paper model available. Of course, some areas have to be simplified so that they can be built. But I hope that the small amount of guess work, eye-balling and simplifying will remain unnoticed once the final texture is applied.
 

Revell-Fan

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I'm totally impressed on how many programs you have mastered. It shows! :)
HARGH! You've made your next post before I was able to submit my answer to your last one! Please don't be so fast!! :mrgreen:

(BTW, I'm making two new renderings at this moment which I'm gonna post in a few minutes, so stay tuned!) :thumb:
 

zathros

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I will try to s l o w d o n e . It's just that your work is so exciting. When ARMORMAN says, "You have to see this", then you know it's going to be good. Thank you, sincerely, for the warm welcome back.

Holy CRAP!! :inw:
 

zathros

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My son (13 years old) says this is the most awesome Viper he has ever seen, so you have conquered this whole family as part of your peanut gallery! :)
 

MAC99

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I also see this as grate work.

How are you able to save in a new version then open in an earlier one
If I open some thing done in 6 in 8 if i save in 8 it will no longer open in 6?

This will be my last software Q here should be done else ware.

MAC
 

Revell-Fan

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I also see this as grate work.

How are you able to save in a new version then open in an earlier one
If I open some thing done in 6 in 8 if i save in 8 it will no longer open in 6?

This will be my last software Q here should be done else ware.

MAC
Go to File > Save as > SketchUp Version 6 (*.skp) .

su8-to-su6-1.jpgsu8-to-su6-2.jpg
 
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