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Old 03-26-2020, 01:12 PM
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Mike Stamper Mike Stamper is offline
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Looking for a free design app

I've decided to have a go at designing a kit, but there are a couple of problems. 1. I've never tried using my computer so I have zero knowledge and 2. I have no idea if there is a programme that will be any good for a first timer - I can always upgrade if I manage to work out how to us it

Thanks
Mike
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Old 03-26-2020, 01:59 PM
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Vermin_King Vermin_King is offline
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It would help to have an idea of what type of thing you are wanting to model.


Are you wanting to have an app that does the geometry for you?


I usually work in Gimp. I should probably work with something else, but I don't want to learn a new program
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Old 03-26-2020, 03:26 PM
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More than 30 years ago, someone (who's a member of papermodellers) suggested I make a model of a building in London. The whole thing was draw by hand. I found it needed some manipulation but I had no way of doing it.

So what I need is a way of "virtually" moving bits around an A4 sheet and joining them to other bits.

I hope that helps?

Cheers
Mike
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Old 03-26-2020, 03:36 PM
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Gimp would work for that. That's what I used on the Toppi Saloon
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Old 03-26-2020, 05:52 PM
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I have been using Serif Drawplus for a few years now. This is a very user friendly vector drawing package. Intuitive with lots of useful features like importing and exporting PDF's. Serif has been absorbed by another company, so their old software is now freeware. I moved up to Drawplus X8 a couple of months ago. It's worth a try and it's free.
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Old 03-26-2020, 08:03 PM
RyanShort1 RyanShort1 is offline
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Sketchup + Inkscape and a few plugins... especially if you are just doing a building.
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Aerial / Commercial Photographer at www.RedWingAerials.com
Models for sale at: www.lbirds.com and a few more that I'm looking for a place to sell them again.
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Old 03-27-2020, 12:54 PM
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Thanks for your input

I'll give them a trial... once I pluck up enough courage ;-)

cheers
Mike
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Old 04-03-2020, 11:54 AM
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I am in the process of doing the same thing.

For 2D raster art I am using GIMP.

For 2D vector art I am using Inkscape.

For 3D art I am using Blender.

All three programs are freeware with very active development and user communities. All have over 10 years of development effort behind them and regularly push out new versions. All have extensive tutorials in both text and video format. All can do almost everything possible in equivalent commercial programs.

The programs above all include many tools and options resulting in a steep learning curve. You will not design a super duper card model in three hours. Blender requires the most effort by a good margin but also offers the potential for creating extremely accurate designs for both 2D and 3D printing.

I have not yet decided on the best tool for breaking a 3D model down into 2D panels but a lot of people recommend using Papekura which costs $50 US.

Good luck!

Last edited by Damraska; 04-03-2020 at 12:13 PM.
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Old 04-03-2020, 02:48 PM
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Mike Stamper Mike Stamper is offline
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Thanks for the help - I'm not sure about the "Steep Learning Curve"

But now that I have more time at home, perhaps it's a good time to start

Cheers
Mike
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Old 04-18-2020, 11:49 AM
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Sketchup, it has a plugin called 'flattery' which flattens the model so you can print it face by face.
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