{{Short description|Detailing added to make models appear more complex}} {{For|the objects used in studies of object and facial recognition|Greeble (psychology)}} [[File:Smithsonian NASM - Close Encounters of the Third Kind Mother Ship spacecraft model (5144012861).jpg|thumb|A visual effects model of a ship from ''Close Encounters of the Third Kind'' featuring extensive greebling]] '''Greebles''', also called '''greeblies''' (singular: '''greebly''')<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Revell V-8 Engine Model |url=https://www.partsofsw.com/v8parts.htm |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=www.partsofsw.com}}</ref> or '''nurnies''', are small relief details used to give visual complexity to a model. The act of decorating a model with greebles is known as '''greebling'''. While greebling originated as a technique in filmmaking, it is commonly used in model-making, toy design, and kitbashing.<ref name=FuturePast>{{cite web|url=http://future-past.com/interview/charlesadams.php|author=Fronczek, Steve|title=Interview: Charles Adams|publisher=Future-past.com|language=en|date=January 20, 2008|access-date=September 8, 2022|archive-date=September 9, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090909215543/http://future-past.com/interview/charlesadams.php}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2021-02-19 |title=Interstellar Illusions: "Greebles" Lend Large Sci-Fi Structures a Sense of Scale |url=https://99percentinvisible.org/article/interstellar-illusions-greebles-lend-large-sci-fi-structures-a-sense-of-scale/ |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=99% Invisible |language=en-US |archive-date=2025-03-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250312105656/https://99percentinvisible.org/article/interstellar-illusions-greebles-lend-large-sci-fi-structures-a-sense-of-scale/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The term "greeblies" was coined by George Lucas in the 1970s to describe details on model ships used in the production of ''Star Wars''.<ref name=":0" /> Ron Thornton is credited with coining the term "nurnies" to refer to CGI technical detail that his company Foundation Imaging produced for the ''Babylon 5'' series,<ref name="FuturePast" /> while the model-making team of ''2001: A Space Odyssey'' referred to them as "wiggets".<ref>{{cite web |title=What are Nurnies |url=https://www.lededesigns.com/what-are-nurnies/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505164832/https://www.lededesigns.com/what-are-nurnies/ |archive-date=5 May 2017 |publisher=LEde Designs |quote=}}</ref>
In science-fiction model design, greebles are used to imply mechanical function without necessarily having any real purpose. They may also serve to create an illusion of scale.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Norling |first=Staffan |title=Comments about greebling |url=http://battletech-movie.com/html/tutorials/comments_about_greebling.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060214091217/http://battletech-movie.com/html/tutorials/comments_about_greebling.php |archive-date=14 February 2006 |website=battletech-movie.com}}</ref> In the production of ''Star Wars'', many ship models began as simple shapes that were given visual complexity by attaching greebles taken from commercially-available model kits.<ref name=":1" /> Greebling is a common aspect of Lego model design.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spencer |first=Theo |date=2025-04-14 |title=LEGO builders join forces for some greebley goodness |url=https://www.brothers-brick.com/2025/04/14/lego-builders-join-forces-for-some-greebley-goodness/ |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=The Brothers Brick |language=en-US |archive-date=2025-04-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250414233604/https://www.brothers-brick.com/2025/04/14/lego-builders-join-forces-for-some-greebley-goodness/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-09-19 |title=Skulls could use more greebling in general |url=https://www.brothers-brick.com/2019/09/18/skulls-could-use-more-greebling-in-general/ |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=The Brothers Brick |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-10-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009031140/https://www.brothers-brick.com/2019/09/18/skulls-could-use-more-greebling-in-general/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==See also== {{commonscat|Greeble (modelmaking)}} * Architecture of ''Star Wars'' * Technology in ''Star Wars'' * Bump mapping * Diapering * Fractal art * Horror vacui
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Computer graphic techniques Category:Film and video technology Category:Scale modeling Category:Special effects Category:1970s neologisms Category:Science fiction terminology Category:Star Wars Category:Sculpture techniques Category:George Lucas Category:Reliefs Category:Graphic design