backofanenvelope

I guess if money was no object I would consider one of those fancy moveable standing desks. I used one for work some time ago and found it a revelation to my back health and general health. But there must be a more DIY solution for modellers

Just found your thread and looking forward to following along another RhB Nm9 layout

11 hours ago, JCL said:

It's probably best to trial a couple of different packages and see which one works best for you. For example, people say Sketchup is a lot easier then Blender, but I've never could get the hang of it.

Thank you that is good advice and I will take. I have limited experience of Blender, dabbled a few years ago but could get it to click.. Sketchup too, I find problematic, Fusion360 doesn't seem to want to run on my old computer. So I will keep looking for some thing that works for me.

Thanks Kris & Carl

I currently have blender as it’s what runs on my laptop but I don’t feel it’s easy to learn. I think I might have tried Fusion360 in the past but never got into, but I’ll try it again.

I also wondered how and if you mix solid shapes and sculpturing modelling or again is it one or the other?

Thanks for advice.

Tom

Hello,

I have a basic question that is more about the fundamentals of modelling in 3D and something I have wrestled with since my faltering first attempts years ago. Please excuse my ignorance of terms as I have no formal 3D education and am just trying to get back into it.

So.. Should one model in solids or in surfaces (or faces, depending on how you look at it) I am unsure of how best to start off a model as sometimes it seems simple to use a solid and the transform and others would seem to be easier creating walls.

Look forward to being educated via the group.

Tom

3 hours ago, JimFin said:

Buy a dremel and mirror - far more useful. 

well it could be a rusty pair of pliers

Haaa.. I think you’ll find ones never enough.. Actually when they first came out I though eeeewwww.. but now I really like them.

I really do need some more Allegras.. but..... things like dentists to pay for!

Nigel, I really like your efforts and the wall certainly looks the part. I spent a rather long time talking to David about his methods and techniques at the Stafford show one year and came away inspired to try DAS out. I think it’s really relevant to Swiss modellers

I think the whole combo really catches the “Little Red One”

Yes, these do look good. Think I’ll I’ll stick my pre order in now.

I hadn't thought about RPi being used for CAD  Sounds like a plan so good luck with that if Laptop doesn't cooperate.. and no hurry from me

5 minutes ago, jonhall said:

 

Sorry yes thats what I'm trying to communicate - we should aim to have an in effect open source file that I can draw, then Paul or you can send to Grainge and Hodder, I can cut on my own, and we put online so someone in (for the sake of argument) Switzerland, can send to a Swiss cutter. I think if we ask G&H to do that file it risks becoming proprietary.

I totally agree with this.. In practice we'll all use G&H but for whatever reason we need access.

10 hours ago, jonhall said:

or send it to another cutter (perhaps in Europe? 

 Won't that make it way more expensive due for shipping? Think a feely available template file for non UK or people wanting to use local to them companies would be a good option?

I think as long as H&S are working off a CAD file there shouldn't be any variance and once artwork agreed then it would be supply issue that they would need to correct. I think that a general curve shouldn't be a problem, even for people cutting their own.

* Just seen added comments after scrolling so this maybe irrelevant.

19 minutes ago, PaulRhB said:

Oh I just give Allen permission to produce for anyone it’s free of ip I don’t want a business, all they ask is minimum of 12 of each design at a time. 

Ok understood, well I'll wait till the dust has settled.

I meant to add I think a bit of a curve would be better as that helps with contouring scenery to it,

Paul at the moment I would want 4 flat ends and 2 of the profiles as I am planning 2 station modules but I realise we will need plenty of country mods to space stations and curves also. I am happy to cover my postage if a single order goes in. Am I right in thinking that once H&S have artwork it would be possible for individuals to order those endplates albeit in bulk or would they need to be ordered by you who owns IP, it just the quantity people would want I guess.

33 minutes ago, PaulRhB said:

No we’ve had no problems with the 50x50ft HO setups or the 10x20ish with 009 modules and you need a heavy knock to push them out. The most common problem on show layouts is the piggybacking and someone leans on it pushing it down one side or ends that are too thin that deform.

 
That’s good to know. I had planned to use 9mm before the modular idea came about. I just need to get another jigsaw now since my last one packed up.

Ok understood. Just thought that any movement of modules on legs would have potential for derailments whilst crossing joints.

41 minutes ago, PaulRhB said:

Ok much like we’ve already talked about losing that top front bolt hole on this profile we could do away with both holes and move the stringer inside a bit, as the yellow rectangle, or keep the bolt hole and move it further in, the blue rectangle, with just a cosmetic hardboard fascia?

I like the idea of moving the stringer in and having the hardboard fascia as this allow for more fluid transformations between modules.

With the stringer moved back to the blue position, would three holes be enough to keep the pressure between the boards, i.e like

    o

o     o

Yes it doesn’t matter as long as ends meet. I follow Paul’s idea about sitting flat as I plan to use at least one in the way.

Yes I hope we can return to in person personal browsing! Thanks a lot Jim. Ordered.

2 hours ago, JimFin said:

Vallejo actually do a nice set of washes which I have found really good for stock, buildings and figures, you need to find the mixed colour set.

 

Jim, you dont have a link for a mixed set as there's a bewildering array of products?

Thanks Jim, I’ll look for those. I’ve not used Vallejo paints before but heard lots about them.

Ok, I’m going to have a go. I’ve got some n gauge coaches I can try out on along with as you say Lego. I’ll put order in for paints tomorrow and the see what happens. I’ve been watching RhB webcam and quite a lot of the Allegra’s are reasonably gritty around the roof and upper sides.. the Ge loks seem a bit more cleaner

Ok Paul. That weathering is very impressive. I know its in a bigger scale but even so.. What are the paints you are using for the washes? 

Ok Paul, I always thought it best done with airbrush, but I might just need to get some more paints then!