[pugworthy]

I might agree with the argument when it comes to plastic modelling, but I would disagree when it comes to wooden ship modelling.

I've been building a wooden ship model kit that I got many years ago, and have utterly enjoyed the process of trying to create something that is both historically accurate, as well as aesthetically pleasing. The selection, preparation, and treatment of the materials used is a huge factor in creating something desirable.

Let's just say I find more value over taking a few weeks to experiment with various wood aging and staining techniques to get just the right look for the weathered decks than I would tweaking a shader.

[fock]

> Let's just say I find more value over taking a few weeks to experiment with various wood aging and staining techniques to get just the right look for the weathered decks than I would tweaking a shader.

In my opinion beyond a certain level this is also happening with plastic models - the kit gluing is a small part, reshaping the odd parts, adding historical accurate details and finish are the main parts. And funnily, most people doing this also build parts of the detail on the computer nowadays.

[pugworthy]

True enough - not meaning to dis the plastic ones. I've seen some amazing craftsmanship by some people that just goes so far beyond those kits I built as a kid (or ever could build as an adult).

[blatant303]

There's plenty of repos on Github dealing with ship hull optimization/generation. Not sure it would be benificial to your usecase, however if you manage to build a tractor beam, you could be the king of the RC boat pond:

https://www.trebuchet-magazine.com/biggest-ever-tractor-beam...

> trebuchet-magazine.com.

hehehe.

Edit: the link above is about laser tractor beam but the Australian National University also built a water tractor beam, and this is what I wanter to show you:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUYCkHWgVss