Topic: Just a word on how I work on models....

[Raven Night]

Normally, I would not speak of this publically, as it is a private matter. I have, however, recently received some advice that has encouraged me to discuss my model making methods with the community.

Now, most modders design a ship, then build it, then texture it and release it for HPs (or make thier own). Some models are released for a specific game, others are put out as pure meshes for community members to port over to specific games.

I do things a little differently. I have been known to work on as many as 20 designs at once, right now working on 5....4 Feds and one Romulan. Some people have found this curious, not only because it obviously takes me longer to release designs, but also because it is so different than most other modders out there.

Well, there is a reason I do it this way. I suffer from a condition called AADD, or Adult Attention Deficit Disorder. I have been plagued with this disorder for as long as I can remember, and it has a profound effect on anything I do, including modding.

When I work on a model, if I work on it for more than one hour straight I get fatigued, even tired. The only way I can focus is to change what I am doing....I can either take multiple micro breaks or I can move on to work on something else. If I create 5 or 6 designs at a time, this allows me to remain focused on all of them and complete them eventually....If I was only working on one at a time, I would never finish it.

I have always refused to take medication for my disorder. I dont like drugs....never have. Instead I modified how I work on things to get around this affliction, and it has worked for me pretty well over the years.

Just wanted to share this with those that are eager to see the designs released. Each and every design will get released, but like before they will probably be finished all at once and released en mass.

I am very fortunate to have this forum to work on and perfect my craft. The input I get here is invaluable. I wouldn't be at the level of skill I am at at present, with respect to modelling, if it wasnt for all of you. I just ask that you have the patience to stick it out...the models will be forthcoming, and I thank you all for your compliments, input, and of course interest.

[Starforce2]

I sorta work the same way on my BC hardpoints, which is why it takes me almost as long to hp one of your more complicated vessels as it does for you to make it  . ADHD and such sucks, and I quit the drugs after Jr. High.

[Adonis]

I for one am a follower of the logic that you really don't have to take drugs for the smallest problem that pops up, I rarely do. I can have fever for instance and all I'll do is just take some rest and let the sweat do the job for me I also understand quite well why you do things the way you do. I personally get bored with a model and do another one along the way, so that way, both get done.

[intermech]

I suffer from normalcy. I am perfectly normal. But I also work on many projects at the same time . . . slowly, and I consider none of them completed 100%. Raven, we are cool with you taking your time on your models and enjoy seeing the progression. No one is in a hurry, it is not a race, and I promise not to steel any of your designs 

Carry on, you are doing a great job.

[FoaS_XC]

Im just lazy - i work on something till i lose interest, and i sometimes come back.

[pepperman]

I am glad that you all have learned to adapt and overcome the problems that you mentioned.  My wife teaches school and tells me that some of these problems are challenging to say the least.  Kudos to you all.

[Starforce2]

Specalists arnt sure if im a genius or completely insane.

Maybe you're an insane genius? Or is that a genius nutcase?...

[DuctTapeWonder]

I'm forgetful...So I work on a lot at a time. I never know when a good idea will come to me about a model. When it does, I have to do it right then and there or I'll forget about it. Because of this, I have no less than 42 ships in my WIP folder.

[FoaS_XC]

I'm forgetful...So I work on a lot at a time. I never know when a good idea will come to me about a model. When it does, I have to do it right then and there or I'll forget about it. Because of this, I have no less than 42 ships in my WIP folder.

oh man, im even worse: I have 5 different WIP folders that I can remember. My harddrive is so disorganized its not even close to entertaining.

[Raven Night]

Well....I dont feel so bad now lol. I thought I was the only one that did this.

[Shadowfleet]

Raven - your work is awesome and you are a leader in this and the BC community. Skill and leadership - hmmm. If a doctor identified that as a disease, I've got to catch it soon !

The bottom line is that you know your capabilities and how to maximise them for you and the people around you. I know I admire you and I'm sure all SFC and BC fans do as well. Patience is a virtue we'll just have to cultivate as we wait for the precious works of star trek art you create.

THANKS for all the things you do!

[Starforce2]

Well....I dont feel so bad now lol. I thought I was the only one that did this.

Trekkies(ers) are a wierd bunch, aint they?

[Thu11s]

Well....I dont feel so bad now lol. I thought I was the only one that did this.

Trekkies(ers) are a wierd bunch, aint they?

Truer words were never said 

I find it quite amazing how many people do suffer from various problems. Mental health seems to be such a taboo subject in our culture that many people would rather bury their head in the sand than openly talk to the sufferers about how it can affect pretty much eveyone around them. I've had Bi-Polar disorder for going on 20 years now but only figured it out about 2 years ago (with a LOT of help and support from my wife) and the first time I spoke to my parents about it was 2 weeks ago (partly my lack of courage though). Hence the reason I disappear for months at a time and suddenly bounce back with new designs and models. I also do crazy stuff like buying a Jaguar XJS on my credit card or a Ducati with my redundancy cheque 

My life is replete with things that either aren't finished, got abandoned or forgotten along the way; drives my wife potty 

Point being, work in your way, we're all different and we're all crazy; it's just by how much    Raven, keep up the good work, I've long been an admirer of your stuff, especially your Romulan ships, and waiting has never been an issue; lord knows I make people wait for my stuff 

Thu11s - today is an up day 

[Adonis]

Well....I dont feel so bad now lol. I thought I was the only one that did this.

Raven, few know, but I don't have my left hand from the elbow up. And you do know how much it shows in my modelling and texturing

[Panzergranate]

We have a pet Crow (illegal in the US!!) here, in at home in England. He runs a around the garden, chases cats, hides food in caches, does Crow things.

People see him running around, avoiding obstacles, heading for his food bowl when called for food, etc. and think he's totally normal. Then they're told that he's totally blind due to detached retinas from when he hit a car aged 8 months. He's now 4 years old.

If anyone wants to know what a Crow is like as a pet imaging a dog with 10 times the intelligence, that iunderstands complex English like questions and can answer back. You can't ask a dog what it wants to eat.

The point is that he doesn't let being blind being a barrier to being a Crow, he just gets on with it!!

My big life problem........

When I was 4 years old I fell down stairs in an ole Edwardian (1900's) house we lived in then and badly sprained my ankle.

When I was 14 my whole sense of pain just switched off forever.

I served as a soldier like this and managed to keep it secret throughout.

When I was in my 30's medical technology enabled to use MRI scans to investigate. I'd fractuerd my neck when I was 4 and it had set itself. They didn't have the technology to detect such things in 1966.

Last February year I was told by a specialist surgeon professor type that I have a terminal spinal condition that is going to kill me in a unpleasnt manner over the next 20 years. I was told tha when an agony attack, which happens evey year or so for some reason, becomes unbearable, they can have a stab in the dark and try to remove two of my vertibrae. The results are 50/50 that I die during the operation, and the surgeon said that was a good outcome for me, considering. That is the nearest doctors are allowd to go towards mercy killing, operations with little chance f survival.

Basically my damaged vertabrae are slowly fraying through my spinal cord, disconnecting my brain from essential systems and nerves. Unfortunately its working its way through my Muscle's Lactic Acid sensor wiring. I lost body temperature awareness last year (I have no idea if a shower is hot or cold!!), right hand fore and middle finger pad detailed touch and a few minor systems.

Am I bitter??

No wy!!

I've had 41 years of borrowed abled bodied time when I could have either been dead or paralised in 1966 but I wasn't.

I have many distractions from contemplating my fate and modelling is one of them.

I don't like medications as they tend to screw up the body's equilibrium or prevent me riding any of my motorcycles while I still can. Anyway pain killers have no effect on the sensory system, which i what is affected by the condition.

I've always been a die hard and tend to always stick things out to the end. It's no good crying over spilt milk.

As for ADHD, some think that it is part of human nature, like when some folks just freeze whne frightened and other run away. Either, as predators some would wait for hours in ambush for prey and some others would bore quickly and move off somewhere else. Nature ensures behaviour diversity for survival of the species.

Some Psychologist now also believe suicide is a natural instinct built into us from our caveman days.

Normality is a vague definition anyway. What exactly is th benchmark for it??!!
 

[Starforce2]

Well....I dont feel so bad now lol. I thought I was the only one that did this.

Raven, few know, but I don't have my left hand from the elbow up. And you do know how much it shows in my modelling and texturing

Don't you mean from the elbow down? Unless you've been assimilated it don't work the other way...