Soleil Royal by Hubac's Historian - Heller - An Extensive Modification and Partial Scratch-Build

[Hubac's Historian]

Hi Bill - actually, I’m not sure what you mean with regard to designing parts in CAD.  I’m simply modifying what came with the kit.

[druxey]

Thanks for any update, Marc, however small!

[Bill97]

Oh Daniel I thought you were 3D printing all new pieces not modifying what came with the kit. I know very little about 3D printmaking but am thinking you have to program the printer to make the piece you want, either an already made program or design your own. Is that correct?  

[Hubac's Historian]

Hi Bill - I think maybe you intended to be in Daniel’s Victory log?  With a lot of windows open all the time, that’s an easy mistake to make. 🙂

Edited Tuesday at 12:33 AM by Hubac's Historian

[Ian_Grant]

On 6/8/2025 at 8:33 PM, Hubac's Historian said:

..Alive and kicking - however, so softly.

 

In the time that I have available, and am ALERT, I make what little progress I can.

 

Geez Marc, you gave me a scare!!  Checked in for the first time in a while and saw this, thought you must be very ill indeed.......scrolled upto see that you're just a busy guy.....what a relief!! 👍

[Hubac's Historian]

Hi Ian - yeah, all is okay here - apart from annoyingly and persistently high cholesterol (how much fiber and Omega3’s can a person reasonably consume?!), I’m doing okay.

 

Life just sped up for me, is all.  I was going to do some painting last night.  I opened a new (but very old) bottle of what I assumed was ModelMaster acrylic last night.  I was trying to thin the paint with water, but it was behaving strangely.  It took me far too long to realize that what I actually had was a bottle of enamel.  I am curious to see whether all of that water I added simply returns to the surface, overnight.

 

Anyway, I’m at a sort of critical juncture with my 13-year old son, who needs me now more than ever, and my daughter, who will be off to college in a year.  Nothing alarming, there, but guidance and support are really necessary, so that is where my energies go.

[Bill97]

Good morning Marc. What I was referring to is this paragraph in your post above:

 

I’m working on deck furniture.  A considerable amount of time was spent, as always, on de-plasticizing the appearance of these parts; flash removal, in-filling of injection mould marks,softening of sharp edges, and general detailing.

 

From that I was thinking maybe you 3D printed all new parts instead of working on the kit supplied parts. So with that thought in mind I just wondered how you set up the 3D printer. 
 

Understand all the life trials you are dealing with right now my friend. I battle the old high cholesterol as well (my doctor finally put me on a statin).  I had to smile when I read about your paint issue. Just today I needed to use a bit of black enamel. I have a number of those little bottles of different colors. It had been a while and the lid was very much stuck. I thought my crescent wrench will fit around this square little bottle perfectly and then I can turn the lid with my pliers. BAD IDEA!!

The lid did not turn. However the bottle did and broke right in the middle dispensing black enamel in places I wish it had not. Fortunately none got on my model. 

[Hubac's Historian]

Oh, I see what you mean now, Bill.  Honestly, I marvel at our modeling friends who are mastering CAD/resin printing.  I’m pretty far away from tackling anything like that, although I do want to eventually learn drafting software.

 

Your paint bottle experience is very relatable!

[Bill97]

Same with me Marc on the 3D printing. My 13 year old grandson has one and can do things I marvel at. 

[Kevin-the-lubber]

On 6/10/2025 at 2:08 PM, Hubac's Historian said:

Honestly, I marvel at our modeling friends who are mastering CAD/resin printing.

Keep in mind that you both make far more progress than me! Even now I have somewhat mixed feelings about it all, but I suppose I'm in too deep now.

[Ian_Grant]

On 6/10/2025 at 9:08 AM, Hubac's Historian said:

Oh, I see what you mean now, Bill.  Honestly, I marvel at our modeling friends who are mastering CAD/resin printing.  I’m pretty far away from tackling anything like that, although I do want to eventually learn drafting software.

 

Your paint bottle experience is very relatable!

 

On 6/10/2025 at 12:23 PM, Bill97 said:

Same with me Marc on the 3D printing. My 13 year old grandson has one and can do things I marvel at. 

I enjoy creating the CAD drawings for stuff, and it's great to see the crisp printed parts, but in the back of my mind lurks the thought "is this true craftsmanship"? Perhaps it is just in another way. What is certain is my HMS Lion would not look nearly as good if I'd had to try to create all those small parts by hand in wood or plastic. I marvel at Marc's carved plastic pieces......

[Hubac's Historian]

I think CAD design and printing are still craftsmanship because they require the same meticulous attention to detail that all good modeling requires.  Whether making it by hand or printing it, the part is only going to be as good as the drawing that precedes it.

[Kevin-the-lubber]

I think all methods are as valid as each other. Although it was before my time I expect some traditional model-makers scoffed at all those injection-moulded abominations when they first hit the shelves. Though I'd still love to have the patience, hand skills and eye for carving that you have Marc.

[Hubac's Historian]

Thank you very much, Kevin!