3D details

[AMJ]

An idea for those who do 3D design/scanning would be for a stove for fitting inside of a guards van as a detail accessory.  In O and OO could possibly be an ideal item to fit a nano LED inside that could eventually be given a flicker glow.

 

Taking this a bit further a similar item would be the brassier commonly used to ensure that water towers don't freeze up in winter.

 

I'm not a designer/scanner nor have a 3D printer so just throwing the idea towards folks who do.

 

[monkeysarefun]

On 25/06/2020 at 06:14, AMJ said:

I'm not a designer

 

Yes you are, you just don't know it yet!

 

The fact you are thinking these things shows it.

Seriously mate, just get stuck in  - its a lot easier than most people seem to think. If you have Windows 10 you probably already have access to 3D builder, or at least its an easy download. Its a free simplistic 3D modelling tool that will get you started in the concepts. Or theres Tinkercad  - thats also free, its been teaching primary school kids how to 3D model for the last few years but is capable of quite complex results with a little time.

 

Once you've mastered the concepts its time for Sketchup or Fusion 360 which will seem less daunting because by now you'll have knowledge of how 3D modelling works.

 

Then its just a case of practicing. I taught myself sketchup by finding a set of  free engineering drawings on the net of a 3 inch scale  Allchin traction engine with all the parts layed out and just started modelling them.

Its  about two thirds finished and I hope to get back to it, and print the bits out for assembly, maybe 0 gauge.  It'll be like producing my own plastic model kit, a fantasy from my childhood but now  realisable in this age of low cost resin printers:

 

Then theres printers. Resin printers are capable of insane details these days, the resin is gradually getting developed so the brittleness that was an issue with the first ones has been bypassed with the introduction of specialist resins by various manufacturers like Monocure etc. . Apart from the cleanup and post-processing they are as simple to use as an inkjet printer.

 

 

Basically if you can draw it you can make a model of it, and with photogrammetry packages (also free ones available) with many subjects - if you can photograph it you can have  a model too!

 

 

 

 

 

Another past time its introduced me to is virtual lego. You can find the specifications of most of the lego bits and pieces on the net, and model them as components. Then you download the free lego instructions for any lego kit the've produced and model it using these components, without the risk of treading on bricks in the dark..

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 26, 2020 by monkeysarefun