Can someone point me in the right direction? - Page 2

**tedparkes** · #11 10-26-2010, 06:16 PM

that is a very true statement... does anyone else go through the day seeing things as paper model parts? certain things I look at I cant help but try to figure the parts out in my head... but sadly I dont think anyone wants to build a paper model of my oven, or bathroom sink....

**Phil** · #12 10-26-2010, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedparkes

that is a very true statement... does anyone else go through the day seeing things as paper model parts? certain things I look at I cant help but try to figure the parts out in my head... but sadly I dont think anyone wants to build a paper model of my oven, or bathroom sink....

"whatever it is I think I see becomes a paper model to me"
I would want a model of an oven...or a sink...
I cannot even think of anything I would not attempt to build in paper.

Please don't test me on that. ;p

**corduroy** · #13 11-15-2010, 02:52 AM

I finally found that program Touchcad. They seem to do a lot with boats... but I think it too may be rather expensive.

Lundström Design, TouchCAD, Vectorworks, Artlantis

has anyone used this?

**ciefish** · #14 11-28-2010, 04:04 AM

Hi all... I'm using an open-source goal method to design paper models. I use Blender 2.5x to model and apply color texture maps with UVs. I use GIMP for 2d color bitmap artwork and Inkscape for vector work. Blender has been a long road for me to model in but the 2.5x interface is really nice IMHO. Getting used to unwrapping a mesh and then applying texture maps was a challenge. I like how you can use the "bake" method to render out textures. Ambient occlusion makes for some nice shadow effects on the output model texture too. Blender has a built in unfold script as well, but it seems a bit limited for use. I might eventually cave and start export OBJ, then pay to use Pepakura Designer for unfolding. I've used PD before and the interface and unfolder are very easy to use. If you're interested in Blender to 3d model and you're new I recommend BlenderCookie.com. A great tutorial site with several clear vids on using Blender. They have a whole series for "blender newbies" starting with how to download and install.

**Ron40** · #15 11-28-2010, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corduroy

I finally found that program Touchcad. They seem to do a lot with boats... but I think it too may be rather expensive.

Lundström Design, TouchCAD, Vectorworks, Artlantis

has anyone used this?

I have an old Touch-3D version 2.0 that I purchased in 1998
for a Mac. This is an earlier software version of the one now
offered by this company. You can tell how out of date it is
because the software came on floppy disks that are no longer
supported by Apple machines. It was rather expensive at
$395.00 back then. It was rather good for designing and
unfolding at that time so I suspect it has been improved
over the years....Ron

**hobbleknee** · #16 02-12-2011, 10:50 AM

To the 2D guys:

How do you make your instructions?

I'm a 2D guy myself, and I use Adobe Illustrator for the modeling, and Photoshop for the texturing. But now I've come to the point where I need to make instructions and I'm wondering what to do.

**airdave** · #17 02-12-2011, 11:13 AM

If you are modelling in a 3D program you can use captures of the model or its parts to create your Instruction diagrams.
Then ally these images to document pages for your Instructions.

You can also use photos of part or assembled models in your Instruction pages.

If you are like me, and design in 2D, then you have to use your artistic abilities to create 2D drawings of 3D objects for your assembly diagrams.
You can draw a 3D cube in Illustrator the same way you draw a Square (or 2D cube).
Colours and shading add even more 3D effect.

**codex34** · #18 02-12-2011, 12:46 PM

I always used 3D for my 2D stuff as I didn't have a camera.
Simple drawings in raster or vector are good, anything is better than nothing, but the most popular method is to take photos as your building it, you can always draw on your photos or turn them into line drawings.

**Stan** · #19 02-13-2011, 09:52 AM

There is a free book on using Blender to create 3D paper models right here on this site:
New Free E-Book About Paper Model Design With Blender 3D

I prefer working in 2D myself and use the Free and Open Source program Inkscape for it. You can download it at inkscape.org.

Zathros · #20 02-13-2011, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedparkes

that is a very true statement... does anyone else go through the day seeing things as paper model parts? certain things I look at I cant help but try to figure the parts out in my head... but sadly I dont think anyone wants to build a paper model of my oven, or bathroom sink....

Have you seen how much they get for doll house furniture!!