Chronocidal

Actually, sometimes it's easier to make the model before the blueprints. A lot of times, I've just started building from concept art, without ever really defining each and every detail. It makes the modeling process easier, since you're not concerned with accuracy so much as making it look good. I've made entire 3d models in a couple of days from a couple of sketches, but it sometimes takes me weeks to duplicate a set of bluprints. It may just be my way of modeling, but I think it's easier to model if you leave some room for on the spot creativity.

I'd say do the CG model first, before assembling too much of the model. It's easier to see how to make the major assemblies before you put all the parts together.

Btw, any chance you can scan the instructions for the bottom view? That usually helps quite a bit, since even a front and side view won't reveal how all the underside detail works.

Hmm.. while on the subject, how hard would it be for you to reduce poly-count on that mesh? If you could get it in the range of about 8000-10000 polies, it'd be a good candidate for MS Flight Sim.

But I digress... Yes, it probably would be best to leave it as LWO.. in my experience, detail always gets lost in conversions. But if I'm not mistaken, it may take some modification to make that mesh usable for the process Cobywan's describing.

Ditto, thank you... I'm gonna save this away for a Flight Sim mesh later on... Do you have a top and bottom view though?

Actually, it's VERY easy to convert to Rhino format. You basically need the model in a form Rhino can open (and it can open a LOT of types), and then you can save it in Rhino 3dm format. I can make the conversion if you need it. I have an older version of Rhino, but it should still work.

Rhino can open .lwo lightwave files natively, so I don't see a problem with that, but it can also open IGES, 3ds, dxf, and dwg files.. and I think the newer versions can open even more filetypes through plugins.

Personally, I could care less if there's an english version of the song.. it's true, you'd have to rewrite most of the lyrics to make an english translation of their meaning to fit the melody and/or rythym.

What I would recommend is hunting down the instrumental version. I don't know where or what it's from, but I once found a version without any lyrics at all. It's identical to the music from the end of the movie version of Mac+, but has a solo cello part replacing Myung's voice. In my opinion, it's one of the most beautiful pieces of music I've ever heard. If anyone knows where it's from I'd like to know, but I'd also be willing to send it out to people if they want to hear it.

What I'd really like, though, is a recording of the background music during some of the dialog, specifically, the piano version of "Voices." I've been trying to learn to play it, but I can't pick out the notes very well with all the dialog.

Ohhh...about the red stripes.. DON'T TAKE THEM OFF... I know I sound crazy, but they're actually supposed to be there. Tomcats have the same type of red stripe actually, I think it's some sort of warning marking for where the compressor blades start in the engine, or something like that. But it's always there.

Cool customs btw.. I'd love to do this myself, but I don't think I could bring myself to take a chance of fouling up a mint $200 toy.. I'd rather customize the model kits, since they're much more affordable.

True, all we can really do is wait.. I just hope they can get a nice balance between all three modes without sacrificing the sleek look of the fighter. If they can manage that, I'll be plenty happy.

Heh.. in which scene? It changes between them.

The whole thing is just wierd.  It like some classified govt secret regarding the -19's progress.

Heheh.. what if the reason for the delay is to keep the REAL YF-19 prototype design a secret from all of us?

Introducing the new Yamato YF-19- IN ALL NEW FULLLY FUNCTIONAL 1/1th SCALE!!! (thermonuclear fuel sold separately)

Actually, you can run 1280*1024 on a 17" monitor...I know I do.

Nice stuff, btw. What variation of a VF-1 is that bottom one?

Oh, I think there's lots of interest.. I haven't been able to make a VF-1 model though, too busy.. but I know someone out there has one completed...

Btw, are you making these models just as aircraft, or with the possibility of all three modes?

Personally, I didn't think Peter Jackson's attire was so bad as the hairstylings of some of the group that went up for one of the other awards.. I don't remember for sure who it was, or which award it was, but I could've sworn one of the women had let her pillow do her hair for her...

The only thing that I was disappointed about really was the fact that Pirates was shut out. I didn't see any of the other best actor nominated movies, so I can't judge, but I really wanted to see Depp win one for that.

It is cool that LOTR made a clean sweep, but I think all the hype that built up from the three movies ended up drowning a few other deserving nominations.

Actually, the feet do extend... they're tucked deep inside the leg in fighter mode. The startup sequence when Isamu steals it shows the feet opening up and extending from a completely closed position when the engines are started. So I wouldn't worry about the sizes of the feet.. you can always just tuck them inside a little to make them look right.

Actually, if you look at some of the shots in Mac+, you'd think that was the scale too...

Personally, I'd say it's worth it. No, you don't get the strike cannon with the -1J. But you do get everything else, plus the TV style hands and armor, and overall the price might actually be less. Say you ordered a Hikaru VF-1S, and separate strike armor.. you're going to probably end up paying more for shipping overall, since you're getting two fairly large boxes, instead of a single box. All that packaging adds up. Also, I imagine the collector value of the super -1J might eventually be higher than the other Valks, since you can't get that style armor anywhere else. No, they don't really technically go with the Hikaru -1J, but they still look cool.

OOohhh... reads Rhino natively? I'm liking this.. all my stuff is done with Rhino before exporting to other programs for texturing.

Wait, isn't that the VF-4 LTSO was working on a while back?

Edit: Yep, I thought I recognized those pics.. especially that stand.

VF-4 Build-up (REVISITED), my first resin adventure

Well, for that, your best bet would probably be to get a hold of Brian76's mesh (I think that's his name anyway...). He had the most beautiful VF-1 mesh I've ever seen... The others wouldn't be bad though, Rodavan has a nice one in the works, as do many others. I'm hoping to do one myself someday, but I don't know when. I'd be happy to make a 3d model to your specifications though, if I have time... It might make the modeling process easier if the mesh was already broken up into the parts you'd need for forming the model. Course, I'm not too familiar with the process you use, so it may not help at all. Either way, I'd love to help.

Ditto, honestly, this is probably the only way a lot of models will be built. I've got a YF-19 model I'd love to see made real, but it's pretty low poly now, and would probably have to be remade using curved surfaces, or at least a lot more polygons. I do have plans to make a nurbs mesh out of the contours I defined though. When I get it done, you're welcome to use it however you like. I just really really want a 1/48th YF-19 I can put on my shelf. I also have plans to build models of a VF-11, and YF-21 in the future, you'd be welcome to use those as well.

I thought geese were slightly constipated to begin with... why else would they make that sound?

That's actually the comment a friend of mine made the first time he saw the Yamato YF-19 though..and there is quite a bit of truth to it. While I have to admit the battroid mode looks pretty good, the legs and arms are so bulky that they eliminate any possibility of a nice clean airframe in aircraft mode.

That's mainly why I'm still hoping for a 1/48th version.. at that size, you could make everything much more in proportion, since you wouldn't need to make the hinges so huge. If they find a way to do it for 1/72 I'll still be very happy though, because it means I'll be able to afford it.

Anyway, back to your regularly scheduled topic.

Well, everyone knows that.. but the problem is no one knows the question to that answer. Maybe they're taking a hint, and instead of using the REAL Earth to calculate the question to the ultimate answer, they're creating a simulated Earth to do it.

Well, just as long the new YF-19 comes out looking sleek like an airplane should, and not like an overly constipated goose, I'll be happy.

I don't think you'd be the only one by any means... I know I'd love to have the YF-19 and -21 in 1/48... all the others would just be icing on the cake. Just as long as they're affordable though. I wonder if it'd be possible to make vacu-form kits from the original resin ones.. lots of scratchbuilding involved, but it may take the price down to incredibly low levels by comparison, making the kit very affordable, which is always good. Just a dream though, I know that's not at all likely... besides, vacu-forming those shapes would be a royal pain, if not impossible.