False Spotlights?

Ask and answer questions, share tips and resources for installing lighting and other electronics in your models.

Moderators: Sparky, Moderators

Post Reply
captain shelley
Posts: 278
Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2008 4:59 pm
Location: North Dakota AKA Hoth

False Spotlights?

Post by captain shelley »

Hi all, I have seen people able to make a ship or station look like there is a spot light on the emplems/names. How is this done. I know they do it on the inside but what do you use to do so? I have never lighted a kit before but am looking to do so with the K7 and others. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
User avatar
Joseph Osborn
Posts: 1323
Joined: Thu Oct 06, 2005 9:22 pm
Location: Alabamastan
Contact:

Post by Joseph Osborn »

Search for "Raytheon Effect" in the board tools, or put that phrase into Google.
User avatar
MillenniumFalsehood
Posts: 17033
Joined: Tue Nov 16, 2004 5:23 pm
Location: Wichita, KS, USA
Contact:

Post by MillenniumFalsehood »

It depends ENTIRELY on what kind of plastic the kit or scratchbuild is made out of. If it's white or light gray, then the Ratheon Effect is the way to go. If it's anything else, you need to use SMT LEDs.

The Ratheon Effect is basically just masking the shape of the spotlight on the inside of the part and spraying the inside with silver, black, and white. Then remove mask and overspray a bit of black around the edges to soften them. You need to spray a bit more on the outermost edge for realism.

Then just build and paint like normal.
If a redhead works at a bakery, does that make him a gingerbread man?

Ponies defeat a Star Trek villain? Give them a Star Wars award ceremony!
User avatar
Gerry
Posts: 776
Joined: Fri Mar 26, 2010 11:25 am
Location: San Diego, CA
Contact:

Post by Gerry »

does anyone know of a link or page with photos of Ratheon lighting? Specifically the Enterprise?
Young at heart! {Other parts slightly older}

my model page http://gerry1of1.wordpress.com/
Adam Baker
Posts: 130
Joined: Sat Jul 26, 2003 9:37 pm
Location: Gastonia, NC
Contact:

Post by Adam Baker »

Here are pictures of the original model that started the whole thing.

http://www.ianlawrencemodels.com/plent2.html
User avatar
Gerry
Posts: 776
Joined: Fri Mar 26, 2010 11:25 am
Location: San Diego, CA
Contact:

Post by Gerry »

Thanks Adam. I had a friend ask about it. I'll pass the link on to him. The ship in those pics looks great
Young at heart! {Other parts slightly older}

my model page http://gerry1of1.wordpress.com/
captain shelley
Posts: 278
Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2008 4:59 pm
Location: North Dakota AKA Hoth

Post by captain shelley »

That does look fantastic. Looks like I will be doing that for the Enterprise A 350 scale. It seems like it would be perfect for that.
Post Reply