Lighting Question: USS Reliant

Beowulf · Post by **Beowulf** » Wed Feb 09, 2005 4:31 pm

Hey all. I'm looking for some advice on lighting an AMT model kit not set up for it, namely the USS Reliant. I just thought it would be fun to add a different dimention to it.

In both saucer halves, I thought to have a white light placed beneath each bridge. They cover the hole I made and the light, so it looks, would emit from the spacings and over the saucer.
My question is this. What should I use for lighting? I didn't see anything at Radio Shack that would work.
I also intend to use some small LED lights in the holes of the aft section of the ship where a clear piece goes. I'll have to find them somewhere.

I have yet to light up a model so whatever tips you may have will be welcomed. Thanks in advance.

en'til Zog · Post by **en'til Zog** » Wed Feb 09, 2005 11:45 pm

Hi, Beowulf!

Whatever you decide to do, you will probably want to use LEDs. WHITE and BLUE LEDs use about 3.6 volts, other colors use less. You can run a LOT of LEDs from one 9 volt battery with some planning.

Sources: www.allelectronics.com and www.jameco.com for LEDs & stuff. Also check out www.superbrightleds.com and www.theledlightlcom. Check out the LED articles on the main site for more ideas. Also other threads in this 'construction' forum.

Welcome to the wonderful world of lighting models. Without using actual flame....

Beowulf · Post by **Beowulf** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 7:51 pm

Thanks, Zog. I intended to use LEDs in a few places on it. BUT, would an LED work for passing light over the saucer section, like a logo light. Or should I use a small, regular light? Wiring won't be an issue as I do avionics on aircraft.

en'til Zog · Post by **en'til Zog** » Fri Feb 11, 2005 12:33 am

Try a T1 or a T 1 1/2 WHITE LED with a 15 degree beam. Anyting over 3 Cd (3000 mCd) should throw a nice 'splash' of light.

Beowulf · Post by **Beowulf** » Fri Feb 11, 2005 9:59 am

Kool. 8) Thanks again. I find alot of that stuff around here between Radio Shack and Circuit City. I'll let you know how it goes.

M.T.C. · Post by **M.T.C.** » Sun Feb 27, 2005 1:29 am

Fiber optics are available to solve a lot of lighting issues,and are cheaper than the little bulbs,also you can paint the optic cable the color you want along with the end of the cable and get that color out of it.Hope this helps

max142 · Post by **max142** » Sun Feb 27, 2005 7:03 am

I wonder if thinning the plastic in the shape of the lighted area then lighting from the inside ( do not paint he inside of that area black ) allowing the light to shine through, would produce the desired effect. Along with, a light placed in the normal point a light would be placed. Tricking the eye into preceiveing
a spotlight shaped area.

If you get my meaning.

Mr. Badwrench · Post by **Mr. Badwrench** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 4:14 am

I think anything with panel lines would give the effect away. By thinning the plastic underneath the splash area, the panel lines will be the thinnest area of all, and would therefore glow the brightest. It would end up looking exactly like a light shining through a piece of plastic.

Chacal · Post by **Chacal** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 9:24 am

The truth of the matter is: you can't get those spotlight effects with lights IN the model. For the filming, the actual spots were placed off the model and projected with narrow, shaped beams (tight focus and with a "mask" to shape the spotlight to an ellipse). So, if you want the same effect... Either do as thay did or paint the hull a lighter shade in "spotlight patterns". It would look funny under normal lighting, though.

MarkW · Post by **MarkW** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 4:03 pm

Another problem is the color. In scale, white LEDs are awefully white. In most movie applications, the lights are a bit yellowish. A simple fix with a filter, but still something to consider.

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 11:50 am

<a href="http://www.kc6sye.com/techmages_1_18_04_e.html" target="_blank">LEDs make good spot lights</a>, we would like to try one in a [brass] tube, so that one can adjust the beam by chaning the depth of the LED in the tube. Not sure how that will work, I haven't tried a tube with a white LED yet.

<a href="http://www.kc6sye.com/techmages_4_11_04.html" target="_blank">They also make good sconce lights</a>

Shinnentai · Post by **Shinnentai** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 11:19 am

Chacal wrote:The truth of the matter is: you can't get those spotlight effects with lights IN the model. For the filming, the actual spots were placed off the model and projected with narrow, shaped beams (tight focus and with a "mask" to shape the spotlight to an ellipse). So, if you want the same effect... Either do as thay did or paint the hull a lighter shade in "spotlight patterns". It would look funny under normal lighting, though.

It can be done!

Mikeym_us · Post by **Mikeym_us** » Sat Mar 26, 2005 11:50 pm

so what about Red Green and Amber LED's plus I also have Grain of wheat bulbs. Plus I also have the same kit that BeoWulf has plus wouldn't trenches also have to carve trenches into th interior of each pylon half and drill holes to pass wiring into the nacels?

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 1:16 am

There are ultra bright reds, greens, and ambers. An ultra birght yellow was used as the tractor beam emitter on the little yard tug from the same project. It projected a circular pattern on a new nacell being towed out of the Neil's big Tug.
http://www.spacemodelmania.com/models/w ... _j_332.JPG

sorry I couldn't find a picutre with the lights low, I think it's seen in the video clip under wonderfest 04 modeling events. . .