This was followed by a 135.5-inch (3.44 m) production model constructed from plaster, sheet metal, and wood, at ten times the cost of the first. For Star Trek: The Original Series, a 33-inch (0.84 m) pre-production model was created in December 1964, mostly of pine, with Plexiglass and brass details, at a cost of $600.

These were considerably larger scale than hobby versions to allow inclusion of a high degree of surface detail, and electrical features such as interior lighting and animation. Flying airplane models may be simple unpowered gliders, or have sophisticated features such as radio control powered by miniature methanol/nitromethane engines.īefore the advent of computer-generated imagery (CGI), special effects of vehicles such as marine ships and space ships were created by filming 'miniature' models. Most hobbyist's models are built for static display, but some have operational features, such as railroad trains that roll, and airplanes and rockets that fly. They are used for several purposes in many fields, such as: Scale models are generally of two types: static, and animated. On this ranking, kitbashing is level 6, and scratch building is level 7. Model kits are graded by skill level from 1 to 5 based on the processes required and number of parts. Modeling is a hobby that can be begun by children as young as 10 years old, yet also enjoyed by adults. Many kit manufacturers, for various reasons leave something to be desired in terms of accuracy, but using the kit parts as a baseline and adding after-market conversion kits, alternative decal sets, and some scratch building can correct this without the master craftsmanship or time expenditure required by scratch building.

Kit assembly is done either 'out of the box', or with modifications (known as ' kitbashing'). Scratch building is the only option available to structural engineers, and among hobbyists requires the highest level of skill, craftsmanship, and time scratch builders tend to be the most concerned with accuracy and detail. Models are obtained by three different means: kit assembly, scratch building, and collecting pre-assembled models. In English-speaking countries, the scale is sometimes expressed as the number of feet on the prototype corresponding to one inch on the model, e.g. This designates that 1 inch (or centimeter) on the model represents 8 such units on the prototype. 1:8 scale), or as a fraction with a slash (1/8 scale).

Models are built to scale, defined as the ratio of any linear dimension of the model to the equvalent dimension on the full-size subject (called the 'prototype'), expressed either as a ratio with a colon (ex. Model prototypes include all types of vehicles (railroad trains, cars, trucks, military vehicles, aircraft, and spacecraft), buildings, people, and science fiction themes (spaceships and robots). They may be built from scratch, or from commercially made kits, either out of the box or modified (known as kitbashing). They are usually painted with enamel, lacquer, or acrylics, and decals may be applied for lettering and fine details. Scale models are constructed of plastic, wood, or metal. Model building is also pursued as a hobby for the sake of artisanship. Scale models are used as tools in engineering design and testing, promotion and sales, filmmaking special effects, military strategy, and hobbies such as rail transport modeling, wargaming and racing and as toys. Models built to the same scale as the prototype are called mockups. Scale models are generally smaller than large prototypes such as vehicles, buildings, or people but may be larger than small prototypes such as anatomical structures or subatomic particles. A scale model is a physical model which is geometrically similar to an object (known as the prototype).

Maquette art definition