Starship Modeler: Tech Library

Basics

• Building and Painting Resin Models - Scott Scariot takckles a basic resin kit in this step-by-step how-to.
• Building and Painting Vinyl Models - Larry Johnson walks us through the tricks of building vinyl models.
• Paper Model Assembly Tips and Techniques - David Allen provides helpful advice on building paper models.
• Removing Chrome Plating - Mike Paquette's eco-friendly way to remove chrome from plastic parts.
• Working With Photo Etch - John Lester lays out the basics of working with PE metal parts.
• Working With Clear Parts - John Lester lays out the basics of working with clear plastic parts.
• Filling Seams with CA & Baking Soda - John Lester lays out the basics offiling seams with Baking Soda and CA.

Painting

• Airbrush 101 -Terry Miesle presents a primer on airbrushes
• Using Reaper Acrylics - Terry Miesle puts Reaper's acrylic paint line to the test.
• Painting Small Scale Figures - Vince Hoffman presents various techniques for making a 120mm figure come alive.
• Painting Engraved Detail - Marco Scheloske describes an alternative to the traditional wash.
• Silly Putty Masks - Rich Dula demonstrates how to use silly putty as a masking medium.
• Painting With Oils - Mark Yungblut covers the basics of using oil paints on figures.
• Masking with Parafilm - Terry Miesle demonstrates how to use Parafilm as a masking medium (video).

Weathering

• Weathering 101 - Alfred Wong demonstrates his approach to weathering sci-fi models.
• Washes/Drybrushing - Mike Paquette describes the basics of these techniques.
• Battle Damage - Terry Miesle describes battle damage techniques for starships.
• Tamiya & Gunze Weathering Sets - Erin Lantz demonstrates how to use weatehring pigments and paint markers.

Scratchbuilding

• Scratchbuilding 101 - AJ Madison teaches an entry level course on scratchbuilding basics. It's not as hard as you think!
• Scratchbuilding Demystified - Mark Yungblut details, step-by-step, how to complete a scratchbuilding project, using a Battletech mech as an example.
• Print, Cut, Glue - Clyde Jones describes a simple method for scratchbuilding using printed templates.
• Scratchbuilding with Pro-Mat - Erin Lantz gives an in-depth look at how to use bakeable clays to scratchbuild ships, figures and more.
• Molding & Casting For Beginners - Jay Curtiss shows one method for making one- or two- part ambient pressure molds.
• Using Epoxy Putty to Duplicate Parts - Terry Miesle details a method for using epoxy putty to duplicate parts for conversions.
• Casting Hollow Parts - Brian Dainty shows one method for casting hollow parts in resin.
• Vacuforming 101 - Jack Wendt shows how to vacuform a scratchbuilt Whitestar model.
• Scratchbuilding with Cardboard - Brad Torgeson explains how to build using alternatative materials.
• Scratchbuilding with Resin - Jack Wendt explains how he built his Excalibur using mostly resin.
• Scribing & Popping Styrene - Clyde Jones explains an easy method for making parts from sheet styrene.
• Sculpting Female Figures - Alfred Wong's tips for sculpting the female form in any scale.
• Sculpting Female Figures: Part 2 - Alfred Wong details how he sculpted a large scale figure, with in-progress photos.
• Replicating Small Details - Doug Cowles demonstrates a simple technique for replicating small details using the AMT Enterprise-A.
• Making Your Own Photoetched Details - Frank Henriquez walks through techniques for making your own PE details.
• Making Your Own Stonework Base - Tom Kowaliski provides an in-depth look at building cool faux-stone bases.
• Laser Turret From A Lighter - Tyler Robbins makes use of the greeblies inside disposable lighters.

Lighting and Electronics

• Wireless Lighting - Keith Brenton's superb article on creating the illusion of lights without electric components (reprinted from QSFM).
• LED Lighting Basics - Lighting with LEDs: a primer by Michael Smith.
• Lighting Effects with 4060 Chips and LEDs - Clyde Jones explains how to make blinking and other effects using 4060 chips and LEDs.
• MadMan Lighting's Deluxe 8 Lighting Kit, as reviewed by Pat Amaral
• MadMan Lighting's Starship Lighting Kit, as reviewed by Pat Amaral
• Inexpensive and Plentifull LEDs - Clyde Jones shows how to harvest LEDs from inexpensive Christmas tree light sets

Photography

• Photography for Modelers - Clyde Jones talks about the basics in exhaustive detail.
• Digital Cameras: A Primer - Jack Wendt shares what he's learned.
• Photo Platform - Clyde Jones builds a stand for photographing models - and punching up the results.

Other Material

• Homemade Spray Booth/Indoor Filter - Pat Amaral and the CoMMiES show how to make your own spray booth and indoor paint filter.

Decals & Templates

• Babylon 5 Station Decals - Clark Bradshaw's supplemental decals for the R/M Babylon 5 Station kit.
• Enterprise Window Decals - Clark Bradshaw's 1/2500 decals for the Enterprise-D and TOS Enterprise.
• Download an Aztec Panel Template for the refit Constitution-class starship (Star Trek) courtesy of Steve Haack
• Download 1/1400 Aztec Panel Templates for the various Enterprises (Star Trek) courtesy of Rick Rayl
• Download Refit Enterprise Aztec mask patterns, Enterprise-A details, Refit Enterprise Aztec Pattern Grid, 1/1400 Aztec Panel Templates, Enterprise -B, -C, --D and -E Aztec decal art and BoP Baffle decal art (Star Trek), Star Wars Venator-class Stardestroyer and more courtesy of Carlos Zangrando
• Download V.I.N.CENT REplacement Decals, courtesy of Marco Scheloske
• Download Aztec Panel Template for the 1/350 Polar Lights NX-01-class starship (Star Trek) courtesy of Andrew Skupinski

Paper Models & Backgrounds

• Download Stargate event horizons, courtesy of Marco Scheloske
• Download a Borg Cube Paper Model courtesy of Marco Scheloske
• Download a Tron Recognizer Paper Model and Base courtesy of Marco Scheloske
• Download an Orion Paper Model courtesy of Marco Scheloske

Programs

• Download an Paint Cross-Reference database, matching various manufacturers paints. 400k Access database courtesy of James Daley
• Download a scale calculator program, courtesy of Stephen.
• Download a more comprehensive scale calculator program Scale Maker Pro, courtesy of Darren Llewellyn (6.5MB zip file).