I don't know if this has been suggested before, or even what, if any, legal problems might come up but here goes. I know that a lot of people on this site have scanners, or at least access to them. Perhaps we could start some kind of data base of scanned images? Things like scanned instruction sheets, decals, images, things like that. This would stricktly be for things like when somebody has lost the instructions, decals, etc, for their kit.

Is this something anybody would like to see?

Instructions might not be a problem. But Articles & Images sure will be a Big prob. Copyright laws and all....

We've tossed the idea of an "instruction bank" around before. I think Jim decided back in our infancy that it would be a big drain on space to have all these scanned instructions hosted on the site. The answer could be different now.

Most of us here have scanned and e-mailed, photocopied and snail mailed or even mailed the original to someone who was in need. I know I never pass by a fellow modeler who needs a set of instructions that I have. Whether I've mailed or e-mailed them. I do think there is a site dedicated to uploading instructions on the web.

As far as articles or scanned photos, you do get into the copyright area. Again, back in the site's infancy, Jim didn't want us to have a gallery full of photos copied from elsewhere on the web. It was a waste of space back when we had limited storage space. Again, now it could be a different answer.

I think that amoung the various users here we've accumulated a vast amount of original photographic reference material. Some of it can only be found here. I've noticed some of my motor pool photos popping up in other sites references. I can usually tell my own work, it's fuzzy and off-centered

How about a directory of members that may have the instruction sheets and we could PM them for copies.

If I see a post ,I'll scan and send them (if i've got 'em)

That would overcome the copyright barrier.

If there would be a database listing people who can help out with instruction sheets, that would be almost as good as being able to download them directly. Without the legal issues that you would have if you upload them.

A database could look like this


ARMOR
Brand 1
Scale 1/35
Vehicle type A Member 1 Member 2 Member 3 Member 4
Vehicle type B Member 5 Member 6
etc...


whereas clicking on any member opens a window that opens PM or e-mail communication to request this fellow member to help you out with the instruction sheet you need.


I don't have too many instruction sheets to help out with, except for the AFV 1/35 M35A2 kit's. I'm a scratchbuilder, remember ?

Eventually I might be able to put something like an "Intruction share" into the Kitbase system which is in development at this time. So for each kit (part id) there will be "resource links" one of those links could be to a URL where someone has made the intructions available.

Personally I doubt highly that manufacturers would mind these instructions being made available in PDF or other formats. In fact I would imagine that this might even become the norm in future years for them to publish a PDF version (once they start to realise it's the 21st century and all).

Cheers,
Jim

They'll start giving a webpage rather that printed sheets #:-) #:-) #:-) #:-)

It seems pretty cumbersome to me. That is just my opinion. If someone needs instructions, just toss it out in the forums and someone will help out. I have sent numerous parts and articles to people and don't have any problem at all doing it. Are we talking about updating a data base every time someone buys a new kit? The people in the forums seem to be really good at helping out. Why change it?

Again, just my opinion.

Shaun

hi guys.

I work in a modelshop as some of you know..

when I get my new scanner I can go to the shop on my day off with my laptop and try to scan the kits we have. or once in a while scan all the requests people make.

Eduard does this with their PE instruction sheets. It is really helpful to check out the sheets to see if the PE set is worthwhile.

Do decals enter the realm of "scanned photos"? Because I'm currently in the process of scanning all my decals - old/used and new/unused for archival/backup purposes (a hit on a bottle of Micro Sol which spilled over a decal sheet, as well as the accompanying curses uttered, made - forced - me to do this back up thingy).

Don't forget Aber does also Rob!!
Good idea as far as I have read I have about 1 or 2 gigs of saved photos from different sites and pics that could be made into cd's we could share cd's amongst our selves.
For the folks that don't have cable or dsl connections!! (++) (:-)

Plus the *cough* Full *cough* version of the Pdf file maker
Aye Matey!!! (++) (:-)

To have available the instructions sheets is a great idea. I think that with the active members of Armorama we can obtain practically all the instructions sheets that exists. :-)