The Contractor (you) met with the client and discussed design, engineering, schedules, crews, payment of deposit, scaffolding, and logistics.  We calculated that it would take 3 days to do the entire project.  The client and the contractor agreed and the work began.

Previously, to arriving at the job site, the client already had his framers create this 9’ dome frame for the Stars From Mars® to be installed.  It was decided that we would divide the dome into 8 sections or “pies”.

From the side view of the dome frame, it was then decided that the fibre optic bundles would extend 15’ over to the illuminators.  Also, each of the 8 pies had their bundles pierce through the top of the dome and we routed the fibres across the ceiling joists.

The scaffolding arrived and was unsafe to work on for 3 days so we secured it to the walls to ensure a solid and safe surface to work from.

The 8 “pies” were created using a cardboard template and then fitted into each section.  Every “pie” needed just a little trimming to match the one before it.

TIP:  Score the drywall on the topside to allow for the bend.  Most importantly, wet both surfaces with a sponge.

Each of the 8 pieces were fitted into the dome frame temporarily while the “wetted” drywall dried using just a few drywall screws.  After 3 hours the drywall keeps its “dome” shape.  Those screws were removed later to bring the pie down for rodding.

Be sure to number the pieces.  This is essential on a construction site where anything usually happens.  This is the time to figure the “math”.  The client requested an SFM-300 (300 fibres) so we divided 300 by 8, which equals 37 optical fibres per pie.  Therefore 37 bundles of fibres were installed in each pie.  For the Big Dippers we used 3 fibres in each hole to increase brightness.

RODDING: Simply mark the holes where you want the stars.  Use a pattern, like the Big Dipper from the internet, to recreate it in fibre.  Put 3 fibres in each hole to increase the visibility of a star cluster.  In the rest of the holes, just put one fibre.  Allow approximately 6” of fibre to hang out the bottom side.  Put a small “glob” of silicone on the backside of the fibre.
  TIP: For the holes with the 3 fibres, just put the drill bit it several times and “role” the drill to increase the hole size.

IT IS ABSOLUTELY NOT NECESSARY TO REMOVE ANY FRAMEWORK FOR THE RANDOM STARS.  IT MAY SEEM WEIRD, BUT WHEN YOU “JAM” THE FIBRES INTO THE WOOD, SOME FIBRE WILL GO DIM AND MAKE THE EFFECT EVEN BETTER!!!

The dim stars look like they’re a million miles away and that looks bitchin’.

A 5’ Shooting Star was chosen to be installed into panel #4.
Where there is a shooting star, the framework should be chiseled away to CLEAR THE AREA for the fibres NOT to be damaged on the back side of the pie. 
NOTE:  The Big Dipper stars are circled and labeled just up and to the left of my hand.

Each of the 37 fibre bundles were inserted through a fire-rated sleeving and then routed through the dome ceiling and over to the illuminators.

All 8 of the fire-rated sleevings, plus the 1 shooting star sleeving went to the illuminators via the ceiling joists and secured every 3 feet.

A 24” x 24” piece of plywood was mounted to the ceiling joists and then the illuminators were permanently attached to that piece of plywood.  2 (blue box) electrical outlets were then mounted next to the plywood for the illuminators to be plugged into.  These circuits we then controlled by a wall switch below.  A wall dimmer was used on the random stars.

The illuminators were mounted in a “staggered” fashion so the heat from one illuminator would not transfer to the other.

The taping of the drywall was started to allow time for drying.  The best taping material is not the paper, but the “grid” pattern tape to allow for the fibre to pass through.  The last pie was installed and the taping was completed.

DO NOT TRIM THE FIBRES UNTIL THE ENTIRE JOB IS DONE.

The plastering was next.

NOTE: IF YOU “WHACK OFF” A FIBRE, YOU WILL HATE YOURSELF, SO DON’T!!!
If you do break a fibre, since we siliconed the fibre in place in you can grab it with needle-nose pliers and pull it out 1”.
Just plaster as usual and allow the putty knife to gently pass over the fibre or you can just plaster up to the fibre and stop.

A damp sponge can be used to put the finishing touches on the plaster.  Also the sponge will disappear any lines, cracks, or seams that were created throughout the building process.

DO NOT TRIM THE FIBRES UNTIL THE ENTIRE JOB IS DONE.

Allow the plaster to dry for 24 hours.

DO NOT TRIM THE FIBRES UNTIL THE ENTIRE JOB IS DONE.

This is the day after the plastering has been completed and the dome is dry.  Clean your work area to prepare for painting.

Not only does the fun just keep on coming, but also the reality of what you are creating has started to be realized.
FLAT INDIGO PAINT IS THE BEST!!!
By using a small roller you can apply the paint around the fibres.  Using a small brush will allow for spreading of the paint and “dabbing” around the fibres.
Did I mention: DO NOT TRIM THE FIBRES UNTIL THE ENTIRE JOB IS DONE.

I’ll bet you’ve been waiting for me to finally say this:

TRIM THE FIBRES

With a pair of “side cutters” cut the fibres flush to the ceiling.

What a moment! We took a look at what we had created and were proud of our work.  You will be proud of your work, also.

Did I mention, it looks fantastic?  At this moment everyone’s eyes are now glued to the Stars From Mars® dome ceiling and making strange gawking sounds.

When the shooting star appeared, people were “oooohing” and “awwwwing” and the client was anxiously waiting to make the final payment and find 2 more projects where he can do this again.