by Fritz » Tue Nov 15, 2011 1:14 pm
Hi Scott.
No-ones replied, more than likely, because this is probably one of the toughest questions to answer.
What constitutes a good beginner model always depends on the existing skill set that a draftsman has. The tougher part of working with ships is always the hull shape. Fairing and lofting the lines and then getting a surface to smoothly and seamlessly follow those curves. Obviously the simplest ships to work with were ironclads: a basic raft with a cheese-box. However, this may be too simple, and not help with skill development in this area.
The best way to start, would be to work with a hullform that does not have too many tight or bumped buttock lines. As the Essex gets a little tight in the back end between the transom and skeg, in itself would not be a good beginner form.
My two suggestions would be these.
1) Work with a fishing schooner form. Curves for these vessels were very fair, and about the only difficult part would be working the aft part of the skeg, and its trailing edge into the solid, while maintaining the blends above.
2) Perhaps better, would be to start with one of the Essex's ships boats. This has a two-fold advantage. One: the skeg terminates with the transom so only one initial surface needs to be done per side. The lines are continuous and not broken till they get to the transom plane. The second benefit, is that when done, it can then be used to adorn the deck the final Essex model.
Hope this helps, and let us know if you have any issues. Specific questions, I think, we are a little better at answering.
Hi Scott.
No-ones replied, more than likely, because this is probably one of the toughest questions to answer. :oops:
What constitutes a good beginner model always depends on the existing skill set that a draftsman has. The tougher part of working with ships is always the hull shape. Fairing and lofting the lines and then getting a surface to smoothly and seamlessly follow those curves. Obviously the simplest ships to work with were ironclads: a basic raft with a cheese-box. However, this may be too simple, and not help with skill development in this area.
The best way to start, would be to work with a hullform that does not have too many tight or bumped buttock lines. As the Essex gets a little tight in the back end between the transom and skeg, in itself would not be a good beginner form.
My two suggestions would be these.
1) Work with a fishing schooner form. Curves for these vessels were very fair, and about the only difficult part would be working the aft part of the skeg, and its trailing edge into the solid, while maintaining the blends above.
2) Perhaps better, would be to start with one of the Essex's ships boats. This has a two-fold advantage. One: the skeg terminates with the transom so only one initial surface needs to be done per side. The lines are continuous and not broken till they get to the transom plane. The second benefit, is that when done, it can then be used to adorn the deck the final Essex model.
Hope this helps, and let us know if you have any issues. Specific questions, I think, we are a little better at answering. ;-)