Modelu's Workbench

Alan, I am most impressed, as usual. I need to delve into all this a lot more, before diving into the deep end myself.

 

One question regarding SketchUp. Do you construct the parts in real dimensions and then scale down to 4mm:1ft? It would seem that this technique would lend itself to multiple scales as well as getting things like rivets right first time? This does presuppose that good drawings and/or the real thing is available to measure.

Alan, I am most impressed, as usual. I need to delve into all this a lot more, before diving into the deep end myself. One question regarding SketchUp. Do you construct the parts in real dimensions and then scale down to 4mm:1ft? It would seem that this technique would lend itself to multiple scales as well as getting things like rivets right first time? This does presuppose that good drawings and/or the real thing is available to measure.

 

I've found it best to draw in real dimensions and then scale down as you say, Sketchup struggles at very small dimensions so drawing at 4mm:1ft you will find certain functions like follow me, or offset don't work properly as there is not enough resolution in the dimensions to create the wireframes (something I found on the Missenden Abbey 3D course).  Good drawings make everything a lot easier as you can import the drawing directly into sketchup and use it as a guide - if you have 4 hours to spare watch this rather intense video of a chap creating a 'working' Flying Scotsman in Sketchup from the works drawings:

 

 

It's impressive to see his mastery of the product, I'm far from that level and just creating these test parts posed some head scratching, especially the top feed.  

 

Also now the excitement of something actually printing out in Spot HT, I can look at the results a little more critically this morning! They are not to the standard I'd expect (based on the W&LLR print), there is some banding, I'm sure the finer detail should come out better and there is some flashing on the steps.  All solvable I'm sure but it will need some more tinkering

Thanks, Alan, most helpful.  Since last night's post I have been mostly awake with an ongoing Christmas virus but determined to forge ahead.  I have downloaded the b9c software and the .stl export extension.  I scaled down my simple turntable electric control panel in SketchUp to 4mm scale and, as you say, discovered that some of the detail was either lost or displaced.  So I then scaled in b9c software and was able to load the vat (virtually) with a number of control panels.

 

I have also been working on a SketchUp drawing of Stratford Old Town station, using a floor plan as a guide.  It will be too big to print on a b9c but is a useful learning exercise.

 

Well, I probably have 4 hours available at the moment.  I'm not going anywhere!