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In lugnet.org.ca.rtltoronto, Calum Tsang wrote:
> Man, it's tough to build small detailed vehicles, especially when you're trying
> to make them look like real cars.
It's a solid first attempt. I'd recommend using tiles on some of the studded
surfaces if possible. Spoilers are tough. I haven't come up with a satisfactory
solution beyond the big racing type spoiler found on my Mustang.
For detail, I think six wide is the minimum width to work with that allows for a
variety of sufficiently different vehicles and still functions reasonably well
within the scales found in train layouts. If I had my way, I'd really want to
build in 5-wide - but I find the limitations on axle sets and windshields are
too restrictive.
Nevertheless there are some good four wide possibilities too. Steve Ringe had a
nice green realistic looking 4-wide at our last GATS show:
http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/sringe/GATS-March-2005/038.jpg
Generally I try to proportion my vehicles using commonly recognized styling
rules.
I try to minimize the gaps in the wheel arches and have the tires hug the
sheetmetal (err plastic) as close as possible and yet still allow them to spin.
This means often using half stud offsets in the wheelbase and sometimes the new
angle brackets with tiles around the wheelhouse. I find creating an arch shape
around the wheel is of secondary importance. I try to make the thickness of
fender above the front wheel as thin as possible, but somewhat thicker above the
rear axle. This helps establish a wedge shape in side profile. If I'm doing RWD
applications I try to work toward very short front overhangs as I've done on my
Mustang and 300C. Since I typically use the 33deg slope panel for all my
windshields, I'll use wedge plates for the roof to give the illusion of
curvature in the squarish windshield. I'll also add a few tiles to the roof to
give an impression of curvature, but you have to be careful to not make the roof
look too thick and top heavy. Roofs are tough, and I haven't made much
evolutionary progress there. I usually set the rear axle of my cars to be one
plate lower than the front. This gives a slight nose down vehicle attitude,
which you see in passenger vehicles (providing them flat ride when fully loaded)
There's probably more, but getting tired of typing. :)
Spencer
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