rue_d_etropal

It might surprise some , but there are actually quite a lot of very satisfied customers for Shapeways products. Most good modellers are capable of finishing off models and it just seems to be a few that expect everything to be supplied perfect. in a way they expect. For some designs finer plastic is more suitable, but for others it is less important and with a bit of time and using the right tools it is possible to smooth off the rougher finish. It is also stronger, and far easier to paint using low cost paints, That is not what this thread is about, I have tried to show people how to finish off models but some seem to prefer not to listen to y advice. Anyway I have set up part of my website for a small number of new designs to be downloaded for free, Apart from the freelance test coahI did, it wili only be buildings, and then only those which in my opinon would cost too much to get Shapeways to print. Finally, for any business to exist it has to be sustainable,and it can't operate at a loss. Sometimes companies will have special offers to atract new business. A free trial product is a good way to promote a business , so I think offering some of my designs free for downloading makes sense. I enjoy designing and would rather see a design being used rather than being put in my discard box.

with Shapeways you are not selling anything(which might be one reason why stl files can't be bought from it). You design the models, they are put on their website, and anyone who wants to buy a model, buys one from Shapeways. The contract is between the customer and Shapeways. Shapeways then, pay in effect a royalty to the designer.

Comparing apples and oranges is not the best way to decide which is best for someone. Shapeways offer a worldwide service, without any of the hazzle anyone running their own worldwide service would have. Even for own country , if anyone wants to start using their quality home printer to supply models then please go ahead. But, have you taken everything into account? Firstly you need to take print time into account, then materials and maintenance. Then there is time it takes to set up delivery(eg package and take items to post office), and then sort out any problems such as non delivery, or damage caused in transit. And finally are you paying all the bills you need to pay for such as public liability insurance and possibly more local tax because you are manufacturing at home. If you want to set oveseas then it gets more complex, and insurance may be much higher. Many try to get away without paying for insurance but may eventuallly find out that was a mistake. I prefer to just do the design, and not have to worry about manufacture and delivery, worldwide.I can take days off, get sick and everything still keeps running.My markup is not high but is enough, and by doing a wide range of scales, gauges and subject matter, I now have a pretty good idea of what people want. It is because of this that I know when something will cost too much, so will consider offering those designs for free download.

Tom, pleased to see you here. I seem to remember you mentioning something about 'hand holding' before. One reason I will probably just offer designs for free download. I can still use the SW platform, which means they will sit alongside my other designs only available to buy through Shapeways. I will add a rider to say that I can't advise about printings problems.

I am looking at offering a few sample designs for model buildings for free download. Only buildings and ones which I consider too expensive to get SW to print, but ones I have enjoyed desgning and would rather they were out there, even if that means they are free to download. Often find free to download 2D print deigns, as test samples. My designs for 3D printing will be done partly for that reason.

One reason why people don't copy 2D print designs is that initial cost is low,so not worth the effort. It does happen but not enough to cause a problem. There is no such thing as 'secure' when you are looking at digital. There is always a way to get round barriers. Remember that computers were originally designed to break codes. The only way to reduce risk of copying is to limit access to designs, which is in effect what happens with Shapeways. My design stl files are only on Shapeways so if anyone does copy a design then I can find out where it came from hopefully, or certainly have a better chance than if I was just selling through several platforms. What is the practical maximum size for 3D printing at home, without adapting a design? I am only considering offering buildings as the way I design them is slightly different , and I will alter design more for different scales, whereas for locos and coaches I can usually use only one or 2 differences.

what I am looking for is a set up similar in many ways to Shapeways which can operate as a secure platform fo selling stl files. Nothing more. It is a different market to that which Shapeways have developed. The SW market is specialised and is dependent on selling a few good quality items whereas selling stl files would be more like selling a large quantity of lower cost items. It is more like the small number of companies selling 2D print designs to build models, and those are mainly for model buildings. With those there is nothing to stop someone buying a copy, then passing it round to their friends or adapting the design to create something different themselves. Once something becomes digital it is virtually impossible to stop it being copied so it requires a different approach to selling. FRom my own exerience in 3D design, I think there are essenually 2 different groups of design. One group is small and complex, the other is large and simple. Small and complex tend to have bigger stl files, and would probably end up being split up by someone to create other designs, whereas the other is best printed in its complete state as its components are very basic, and it would be far easier to create them from scratch. The design I have been working on falls into the latter group. I think that these types of design are also probably easier to print and would make good designs to less experienced people printing at home. This is very much a project in development. I suspect there is no online patform to market stl files in the way I want at the moment, so best way might be to actually offer this totally separate range for free download. I actually enjoy doing the designs for buildings,but when it works out too expensive to get SW to print it is a big let down.

Reason why I would not use anyone, but a proper set up might be OK.

The designs I am considering are for buildings. As they can be quite big, but not too big to be printed in one piece, I am thinking that if there was a safe secure way to market these designs then I would do it. They are on the whole simpler designs so hopefully would be less prone to some of the problems newby 3D printers encounter.

I am sure somene must have asked before, but the world of 3D priinting is moving fast. Now while some would like all 3D print files to be available free to download, that is not going to happen, especially when 3D printing at home becomes even more popular, so was wondering if there as a recommended online site where 3D printfiles could be offered for sale, reliably. I know Shapeways have been thinking about this but nothing yet set up, all downloads are free. Before people start thinking they will be able to get some of my existing designs, then sorry, no, I am thinking of a new direction for designs which are even too expensive for me to buy on Shapeways(and probably most other 3D print services).

I think I have got the curves as close as I am going to. Computer will throw a wobbly if I ask it to do anytying more complex! MTVS No. 24 Les Automotrices Billard.- not something I have seen. I am always interested in more drawings, please . Just surprised I have not come acoss any drawings of the articulated units before.

4mm to a foot!!!!

it would be nice, but suspect one problem migh be copyright, especially for articles by people no longer around. I think similar reasons are used for some books which are out of print.I would like to se some of Jack Nelson's work republished such as his book on the LNWR published by Peco.

Just started on the articulated railcar. That front end photo was very useful. Found a lot of small differences between the articulated fersion and the single car version. The radiator width is same as that on other A150D railcars, so the window above is wider. This means windows next to it are narrower, but the second windows are almost the same. Sideview shows where difference is. Windows and doors have moved slightly. The luggage doors are also wider. I checked and double checked measurements of front end, as radiator appears to come down lower as well. As far as I can tell all windows are same height as on single cars, but the body is actually raised up higher by a couple of inches. This means buffer/coupler/tampon fits just under radiator, but only just. I have again left roof clear, otherwise I would have to do versions for different periods. Also left dummy radiator as per original, as it can be covered easily. Need to leave something for modellers to do.

Another request was for an ex NER P3(LNER J27). Eventually got hold of drawings which combined with some others sent to me, showed just how many small variations there were. Will be interesting to see which ones Oxford eventually do(apart from the ones already shown). I started with one of the last versions as running in BR days with 57A boiler.

that looks better, seing front end. I have found that I can work out these angled windows using a couple of tricks I have developed. Having a decent front end view will help, which I can use with the side view drawing. I get a lot of useful stuff from that forum.I think I did join, but have not signed on for a while. Quite often find things by google, which gives me a start point in a thread.

I have wanted to do the District/LTSR train coaches for a while. Along with the District electric loco. One set of the coaches ended uo on the S&MR duringf WW2, and a couple of them survived (modified) till line closed, and then transferred to Long Marston Depot. http://www.rue-d-etropal.com/3d-print-photos/metropolitan/ltsr-district-brk-3rd-coach-1a.jpg http://www.rue-d-etropal.com/3d-print-photos/metropolitan/ltsr-district-3rd-coach-1a.jpg

Somewhere I read that because the engine was bigger the windows were different, and the side plan certainly suggests that. The radiator is bigger(wider) than the one fitted to the single railcar with an external radiator. I did wonder if it might be similar to other 150D radiators, but they are even bigger and upright, not sloping backwards.

Added version with external fitted radiator. Found photos of one in Northern France. Took opportunity to remove fittings from roof, as they varied fro railcar to railcar, sometimes altered. Next will be the articulated version hopefully.

I found a photo online with articulated railcar next to one of the non articulated ones. https://www.flickr.com/photos/47704640@N02/8624426066 looks like the radiator on the articulated one is slightly wider, so centre window is wider and two small windows are narrower. From the side drawing it is possible to work out that the small windows are slightly further back , so must be set further apart. Without a proper front end drawing, I will have to work out position using side view. Considering one of these articulated railcars is preserved , it is odd there are no other published drawings.

he truly is an inspiration, but his models are based on examples in northern France, so some things are different. As for dilapitade state of buildings, I would recommend getting photos of local buildings taken in the 50s. In many ways the area is similar to parts of the northern Britain- rural industrial.

I designed the loco body to fit the Bachmann diesel 03/04 chassis. It fits backwards, oddly then the brakes are correct way round. I found a photo of the B2 chassis in this review. I think it actually looks bulkier than the 03/04 one, and certainly costs more. The earlier Bachmann/Mainline versions are not suitable though. https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/reviews//Hornby-b2-0-6-0st-peckett

For buildings, just remember period you are modelling, pre tourism . Very much more a working area. A lot of buildings are cement rendered(easier to model), I noticed around St Pons that removing rendering was a new phenominan. In St Pons there is quite a mixture of styles, from very old to art deco, and the occasional interloper more norther French style. Local council have made it easier by putting info boards on some houses. Odd how type of door and types of windows relate to build date. As for thin buildings, the house at the end of the row my house is in is angled just like that.

I wasn't quite happy with side profile of front and back, so had another go. Looking at photos the side priofile of the end windows loos straight not a continuous curve, which makes sence from a construction point of view. Lots of curves going in different directins so better to get rid of one. Finished one version now up and running. wide bodied version with internal radiator. http://www.rue-d-etropal.com/3D-printing/3d_printed-french-metre-gauge.htm Have added more scales, making 12 in total, but can more. Thinking 1/50 might be one. Trying to work out how far radiators stick out on other railcars, as they look differnt in different photos. The drawings for the articulated version suggest it is angled backwards. other railcars have radiator upright. Obviously modifications were done over the years, in particular fitting of new engines.

I would not want to mess around with some of these motor bogies.Often don't go back together properly. in 1/100 bogies are not that visible, unles you are planning to have track at eyelevel.