Masking Creation Techniques Help

[Monari]

Although i've done a lot of starship building before, my new 1/1000 Enterprise is my first foray into the world of aztecking and masking. While i've got the Aztek Dummy aztek masks for the majority of the ship, I do not have any mask templates for the conversion warp nacelles that I have bought (the Endeavour conversion from JT Resin).

So here's my question. Knowing that I will have to create a ton of tiny little rectangles and other panel-type shapes to apply to my model's nacelles in order to mask, does anyone have any recommendations on how I can go about this as quickly as possible? I know I could cut the panels out one at a time by hand, but that would probably take me a few months, and i'd like to get this model done this summer. So my question is:

What sort of material should I use?
What sort of technique should I use to get these little panels cut out and taped to my ship as quickly as can be?

Thanks!

[Kylwell]

Tamiya tape, glass sheet, sharp Xacto.

If you can't find a tape the correct width, then run a long straight line of thicker tape and use a ruler to cut to width. Then mark and cut.

Mind you on a saucer the squares should be trapazoidal, but a lot of azztecing I've seen uses sqaures and you really can't see the difference.

If you're dead set on exact replication, glass sheet, frisket, and a compass with a cutting tip. Somebody here has a printable masking template.

[Lt. Z0mBe]

I'd second Rob's recommendations. My workbench is covered with glass. Another thing I would add is a nice steel ruler. It really makes it easy when you're trying to cut thin lengths of tape.

Kenny