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Old 07-13-2020, 07:43 PM
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prabal276 prabal276 is offline
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Smile How to design instructions for a Paper Model

Hey Guys,

I'm designing a paper model of my own. It's an Alco WDM 3D Locomotive which is used by the Indian Railways as a workhorse. The locomotive is 1:48 scale and is super detailed. I plan on selling the model online.

The issue I'm facing is, how to design the instructions. I know I could just click photos while doing a test build but isn't there a better way? How do designers at Canon papercraft and other Papercrafters design those awesome looking illustrated instructions?

Help would be appreciated
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Old 07-13-2020, 08:53 PM
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murphyaa murphyaa is offline
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If you're using a 3D Cad program, you can take screenshots of each part to show their intended shape. That's what I do.
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Old 07-13-2020, 09:24 PM
Burning Beard Burning Beard is offline
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Or.... you could take pictures of it as you build the model, Canon does that also.

Mike
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Old 07-13-2020, 09:46 PM
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prabal276 prabal276 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by murphyaa View Post
If you're using a 3D Cad program, you can take screenshots of each part to show their intended shape. That's what I do.
Yeah, I could maybe do that...

I'm using Fusion 360 to design. The issue is that I designed the base model in Fusion 360 and I've made additional parts in Inkscape like small brake cylinders and stuff which aren't in the 3D model

I guess I'll have to take pictures as I build along as suggested by Mike

- Prabal
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Old 07-14-2020, 09:05 AM
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You can always take photos of the build, then bring them into your Fusion program. At that point, trace the outlines of what you want to show.

Taking 3D screen shots are great if you can do 3D, but what about the steps to create the actual part?

For instance gluing a cone. I use my fingers to pinch the pointed end when gluing. This drawing started with a photo of my build. Lots of background stuff in the photo. So what to do?

I traced the stuff I wanted to show in AutoCAD. Fingers pinching the top. Here are some examples. This method is a way to show "actions". Once the basic drawing is done, now you can add other "traced" drawings to show different things, notice the parts in the laminating photos are the same part drawings:

Rolling Gluing Cones: How to design instructions for a Paper Model-rolling-gluing-cones.jpg

Laminating: How to design instructions for a Paper Model-3m-super-77-laminate.jpg How to design instructions for a Paper Model-laminating-freehand-cutting.jpg

How about a finished part that has different things to show, for instance "Mountain or Valley folds: How to design instructions for a Paper Model-different-types-folding-bending.jpg

Creating instructions this way is just as fun as designing the model!

Save the drawings as you can use them for other instruction sets.

Mike
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Old 07-14-2020, 07:34 PM
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prabal276 prabal276 is offline
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Wow!

Such a nice method Mike!
I'm gonna follow your method to create instructions for my railway models.
Thank you so much for taking out the time to write and help. I appreciate it a lot

-Prabal
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Old 07-14-2020, 11:14 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by prabal276 View Post
Wow!

Such a nice method Mike!
I'm gonna follow your method to create instructions for my railway models.
Thank you so much for taking out the time to write and help. I appreciate it a lot

-Prabal
You're welcome.

All the other methods work too, just now getting into serious 3D.

The way I do the instructions takes a little longer, but you can combine the different drawings to show different things.

I've got quite a library developed and it grows with different models. Try to use the common stuff for general instructions, then say a model has a unique item, boom! draw it and you never know when it will come in handy again.

Have had to do a whole new set for my rubber band powered models. They are different than the rockets and gliders I've been doing.

Plan to offer them as pre-printed kits to sell on eBay. Issue for them is the rubber band supply has dried up. A new production of the Super Tan rubber has been delayed due to the COVID.

Once it becomes available again, I will start designing at least 10-more models of WWII Planes. Looking real hard at how to install in a B25. Short nacelles won't supply much, if I can get the rubber to the end of the fuselage, it might work. Have a plan for that. Not sure if it will work.....

Mike
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Old 07-17-2020, 02:51 AM
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Rubber band powered paper models?
That's a wonderful thing.

Where can I view your models? I'd like to build one someday!

- Prabal
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Old 07-17-2020, 04:03 PM
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Dane Dane is offline
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Hello to all.
I make photos. After that I make a picts from photos. Then I put picts into instruction text. Something like this.




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Old 07-17-2020, 08:56 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by prabal276 View Post
Rubber band powered paper models?
That's a wonderful thing.

Where can I view your models? I'd like to build one someday!

- Prabal
Hi Prabal,

Not for sale right now, waiting on a source for the rubber band needed. Here is a link where I started back in Jan. 2020 to design, build, and test them: Rubber Band Power

Once instructions are done, I'll contact you about building one. As you soon see, there are several designed.

Mike
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