Out-of-the-Box Under 30% Painted
For builds that remain fundamentally true to the original kit, with 30% or less of the model painted.
Rules & Judging
Everything you need to prepare your entry for Operation V Studio's first Model Competition & Expo.
Please review the rules and judging criteria before entering your build.
Participation Rules
- The competition is open to the public. No admission is required to participate.
- Entries that received a judged award before January 1, 2026 are not eligible.
- A designated proxy may register, submit and retrieve an entry on behalf of the builder.
- Registration, entry submission and retrieval procedures will be announced before the event.
- Entries may only be retrieved by the participant or their designated proxy.
- Operation V Studio and its staff are not responsible for lost, stolen, damaged or unclaimed entries.
- Operation V Studio reserves the right to reassign an entry to the appropriate category or disqualify any entry that does not comply with the competition rules.
Model Entry Rules
- Each participant may submit a maximum of two (2) competition entries.
- Each entry, including any base or diorama, must not exceed 50 × 50 × 50 cm.
- Bootleg or counterfeit kits are not permitted. Any entry determined to contain a bootleg or counterfeit kit will be disqualified.
- Dioramas and display bases are permitted and will be considered part of the overall entry during judging.
- Each entry must comply with the requirements of its selected competition category.
Competition Categories
Out-of-the-Box Over 30% Painted
For builds that remain fundamentally true to the original kit, with more than 30% of the model painted.
Open Small Scale
For smaller-scale builds, generally 17 cm and below.
Open Large Scale
For larger-scale builds, generally 20 cm and above.
Fan Favourite
All competition entries are automatically eligible for Fan Favourite.
Visitors will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite entry during the event.
The entry receiving the most votes will receive the Fan Favourite Award.
Judging Criteria
OUT-OF-THE-BOX
Both Out-of-the-Box categories use the same judging criteria.
| Main Criterion | Final Weight | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Techniques | 50% | /10 |
| Advanced Techniques | 30% | /10 |
| Creative Techniques | 20% | /10 |
OPEN
Both Open categories use the same judging criteria.
IDEA — 20%
- Creativity / Modifications5 points
- Posing5 points
PAINTING — 40%
- Choice of Colour / Pattern5 points
- Painting Cleanliness5 points
CRAFTSMANSHIP — 40%
- Build10 points
| Main Criterion | Final Weight | Sub-Criterion | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| IDEA | 20% | Creativity / Modifications | 5 |
| Posing | 5 | ||
| PAINTING | 40% | Choice of Colour / Pattern | 5 |
| Painting Cleanliness | 5 | ||
| CRAFTSMANSHIP | 40% | Build | 10 |
BONUS — ENTRY TITLE
An entry may receive up to 1 bonus point for a relevant title that contributes to the concept or presentation of the build.
The title should have a meaningful connection to the entry rather than simply being the name of the model.
Bonus: +0 to +1 point
EVENT DETAILS
The following details are still being finalized and will be updated before the competition:
- Exact date and time
- Location
- Registration period and process
- Entry submission and retrieval procedures
- Awards ceremony time
- Prizes
Please check this page again before the event for the latest competition details.
Out-of-the-Box Under 30% Painted — Category Rules
Permitted techniques include:
- Nub and seam removal
- Mould-line removal and surface cleanup
- Sharpening parts
- Deepening existing panel lines
- Panel lining
- Stickers and decals
- Top coats and different finishes
- Polishing clear parts
- Detail painting
Not permitted:
- Adding new panel lines
- Significant modifications to the original design
- Kitbashing
- Scratch-building
When in doubt, contact Operation V Studio before entering your build.
Out-of-the-Box Over 30% Painted — Category Rules
Permitted techniques include:
- Nub and seam removal
- Mould-line removal and surface cleanup
- Sharpening parts
- Deepening existing panel lines
- Panel lining
- Stickers and decals
- Top coats and different finishes
- Polishing clear parts
- Painting and detail painting
Not permitted:
- Adding new panel lines
- Significant modifications to the original design
- Kitbashing
- Scratch-building
When in doubt, contact Operation V Studio before entering your build.
Open Small Scale — Category Rules
All modelling techniques are permitted, including painting, scribing, modifications, custom parts, kitbashing, scratch-building, weathering and custom bases.
The entire finished entry, including any base or diorama, will be considered during judging.
Exceptions to the size guideline may be made depending on the model.
Open Large Scale — Category Rules
All modelling techniques are permitted, including painting, scribing, modifications, custom parts, kitbashing, scratch-building, weathering and custom bases.
The entire finished entry, including any base or diorama, will be considered during judging.
Exceptions to the size guideline may be made depending on the model.
Out-of-the-Box Judging — Detailed Criteria
BASIC TECHNIQUES — 50%
Judges will evaluate how well the model is assembled according to the original kit instructions.
Criteria include:
- Nub and nub-mark removal
- Proper assembly according to the instructions
Points: /10
ADVANCED TECHNIQUES — 30%
Judges will evaluate the cleanliness and execution of the build.
Criteria may include:
- Seam-line removal
- Mould-line removal
- Surface preparation and cleanliness
- Sanding and file marks
- Sharpening parts
- Deepening existing panel lines
- Stickers and decals
- Panel lining
- Top coat
- Polishing clear parts
- Detail painting
Points: /10
CREATIVE TECHNIQUES — 20%
Judges will evaluate additional finishing techniques that help the model stand out while remaining within the Out-of-the-Box rules.
Criteria may include:
- Foil or metallic effects for lenses
- Metallic detail painting
- Creative and appropriate decal placement
- Panel-line colour choices
- Different finishes used to represent different materials
Points: /10
Open Judging — Detailed Criteria
CREATIVITY / MODIFICATIONS — 5 POINTS
Judges will evaluate the overall concept or theme of the model, as well as physical modifications made to the kit.
POSING — 5 POINTS
Judges will evaluate the visual appeal of the model's pose.
CHOICE OF COLOUR / PATTERN — 5 POINTS
Judges will evaluate the visual appeal of the colour palette and/or patterns applied to the model.
PAINTING CLEANLINESS — 5 POINTS
Judges will evaluate the cleanliness and quality of the paintwork.
Hand-painted and airbrushed entries are judged equally on execution.
BUILD — 10 POINTS
Judges will evaluate the cleanliness of the non-painted aspects of the build.
Criteria include:
- Nubs and nub marks
- Seam lines
- Mould lines
- Sanding marks
- File marks
- Cleanliness of parts
- Overall construction
Dioramas and display bases will be considered as part of the overall entry.
