Sketchup, Pepakura, Inkscape, Gimp, et al...

bclemens · 02-12-2008, 11:28 PM

The capability we have now is awesome. Sketchup is free and Pepakura is cheap. Between the two of them it looks like anyone (even me) has the chance to learn to design anything they want! I think these packages, coupled with a little common sense and an appreciation for the techniques the masters used in the days before computers, will allow any motivated person to design and create a fine paper model in any scale of any subject.

Then there are the open source illustration and photo manipulation programs like Gimp and Inkscape that allow us to infill the design with photorealistic details.

There is much to learn, but hey...it's all out there and available to anyone who wants it.
Here is my first attempt at learning Sketchup...

I really want to specialize in early jets- 1945 to 1965.
I'll be Beta-testing my designs on this forum.
Cheers!
Bruce

**Lex** · 02-13-2008, 04:40 AM

...Bloody awesome...! If that's your first attempt then we have much to expect from you!!!

Dragos · 02-13-2008, 05:14 AM

Sketchup is indeed easy to use. After dioramas I've started to make space crafts, but I don't know how to insert the blueprints

Can anyone help?

bclemens · 02-13-2008, 11:19 AM

Dragos,
in Sketchup, go to File > Import and when the dialog box opens you can choose image files of various types.

I found a good set of plans for my Yak on the web and, using Paint, made 3 separate images; front, side, and top. After importing them into Sketchup as .jpg, I aligned each one into the proper coordinate and scaled the image to 1/33 of the size of the real airplane. When I switch between views I am looking at the correct image. Then I can build my model right over the top of the images.

Cheers,
Bruce

OhioMike · 02-13-2008, 05:15 PM

Easier said then done, what do you me by "proper coordinate"?

bclemens · 02-13-2008, 06:08 PM

Good point, OhioMike-
In sketchup, besides a 3-D view you can select 2-D points of view with buttons. There is Top, Left, Right, Front, and Back. When I imported the three views, I aligned them such that when you select top view, you'll see the top view of the drawing, and likewise for left and front.

I did this by selecting each jpeg individually and, using the rotate tool, rotated each to the proper orientation.

The practice still goes on...
Cheers,
Bruce

OhioMike · 02-14-2008, 04:14 AM

This is great...I asked a question somewhere else, if and how you can import 3 or 4 views into Sketchup for development and it still is unanswered. This tells me you can . Now, figureing out how to work them into a model?

Dragos · 02-15-2008, 08:49 AM

Thank's bclemens

B-Manic · 02-15-2008, 12:36 PM

Aidan Chopra, the Author of "Sketchup for Dummies", has a web site with portions of his book online and very good tutorials including videos. Highly recommended . . . . www.aidanchopra.com - Google SketchUp For Dummies

~ Cheers

bclemens · 02-16-2008, 12:24 PM

These are very helpful, B-Manic. Thanks!

CJTK1701 · 02-16-2008, 01:14 PM

This is all very interesting and very informative. I started a Google Sketch-up thread a month, or so ago and it's good to see this info.

bclemens, did you buy the full version, or are you working with the free version. I ask because I was interested in purchasing this, but I was looking to hear from someone who had actually purchased it.

Thanks.

bclemens · 02-16-2008, 04:05 PM

I'm working with the free version. It seems to have all the tools necessary to do this.

CJTK1701 · 02-16-2008, 04:13 PM

Cool beans. I'm definitely going to follow your lead, thanks for sharing this and the link to the Sketch-Up for Dummies site. I can seriously use this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bclemens

I'm working with the free version. It seems to have all the tools necessary to do this.

bclemens · 02-16-2008, 05:43 PM

I've worked on the Yak design today. I'm juggling three different software packages and prototyping in paper. The learning curve is pretty steep right now

Above is my design in Sketchup so far...

...One assembly at a time goes into Pepakura for unfolding...

Then that part is traced in Inkscape for the final print. Below the first prototype parts are mated- the intake ring and the turbine face.

This is a tedious process with lots of opportunity to screw things up. Going through this process really gives me a great appreciation for all the work that goes into the many fine model designs out there.

Cheers!
Bruce

CJTK1701 · 02-16-2008, 05:57 PM

Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant. Thanks a lot, I'm seriously taking notes!

02-12-2008, 11:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
bclemens Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Springfield, Missouri Posts: 425	Sketchup, Pepakura, Inkscape, Gimp, et al... The capability we have now is awesome. Sketchup is free and Pepakura is cheap. Between the two of them it looks like anyone (even me) has the chance to learn to design anything they want! I think these packages, coupled with a little common sense and an appreciation for the techniques the masters used in the days before computers, will allow any motivated person to design and create a fine paper model in any scale of any subject. Then there are the open source illustration and photo manipulation programs like Gimp and Inkscape that allow us to infill the design with photorealistic details. There is much to learn, but hey...it's all out there and available to anyone who wants it. Here is my first attempt at learning Sketchup... I really want to specialize in early jets- 1945 to 1965. I'll be Beta-testing my designs on this forum. Cheers! Bruce

02-13-2008, 04:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
Lex Dollmaker Card Models Moderator Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Beijing -- 1400m from the Olympic Stadium! Posts: 2,177	...Bloody awesome...! If that's your first attempt then we have much to expect from you!!! __________________ Model design isn't hard, finding reference is! Recent works: Hanzel/Gretel, De Havilland Comet-4B, F-25, Meirin and the White Knight

02-13-2008, 11:19 AM	#4 (permalink)
bclemens Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Springfield, Missouri Posts: 425	Dragos, in Sketchup, go to File > Import and when the dialog box opens you can choose image files of various types. I found a good set of plans for my Yak on the web and, using Paint, made 3 separate images; front, side, and top. After importing them into Sketchup as .jpg, I aligned each one into the proper coordinate and scaled the image to 1/33 of the size of the real airplane. When I switch between views I am looking at the correct image. Then I can build my model right over the top of the images. Cheers, Bruce Last edited by bclemens; 02-13-2008 at 11:25 AM. Reason: Correction

02-15-2008, 08:49 AM	#8 (permalink)
Dragos Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Romania Posts: 659	Thank's bclemens __________________ Est modus in rebus. My Blog Dragos Cardmodels

02-15-2008, 12:36 PM	#9 (permalink)
B-Manic Peripheral Visionary Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Beautiful British Columbia Posts: 570	Aidan Chopra, the Author of "Sketchup for Dummies", has a web site with portions of his book online and very good tutorials including videos. Highly recommended . . . . www.aidanchopra.com - Google SketchUp For Dummies ~ Cheers __________________ "you can't confuse Rimmer with a book. For a start, a book's got a spine. " ~ Lister, Red Dwarf, 07-02 Stoke Me A Clipper

02-13-2008, 05:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
OhioMike Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 168	Easier said then done, what do you me by "proper coordinate"?

02-13-2008, 06:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
bclemens Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Springfield, Missouri Posts: 425	Good point, OhioMike- In sketchup, besides a 3-D view you can select 2-D points of view with buttons. There is Top, Left, Right, Front, and Back. When I imported the three views, I aligned them such that when you select top view, you'll see the top view of the drawing, and likewise for left and front. I did this by selecting each jpeg individually and, using the rotate tool, rotated each to the proper orientation. The practice still goes on... Cheers, Bruce

02-14-2008, 04:14 AM	#7 (permalink)
OhioMike Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 168	This is great...I asked a question somewhere else, if and how you can import 3 or 4 views into Sketchup for development and it still is unanswered. This tells me you can . Now, figureing out how to work them into a model?

02-16-2008, 12:24 PM	#10 (permalink)
bclemens Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Springfield, Missouri Posts: 425	These are very helpful, B-Manic. Thanks!

02-16-2008, 01:14 PM	#11 (permalink)
CJTK1701 Banned Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,835	This is all very interesting and very informative. I started a Google Sketch-up thread a month, or so ago and it's good to see this info. bclemens, did you buy the full version, or are you working with the free version. I ask because I was interested in purchasing this, but I was looking to hear from someone who had actually purchased it. Thanks.

02-16-2008, 04:05 PM	#12 (permalink)
bclemens Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Springfield, Missouri Posts: 425	I'm working with the free version. It seems to have all the tools necessary to do this.

02-16-2008, 05:43 PM	#14 (permalink)
bclemens Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Springfield, Missouri Posts: 425	Yak Progress I've worked on the Yak design today. I'm juggling three different software packages and prototyping in paper. The learning curve is pretty steep right now Above is my design in Sketchup so far... ...One assembly at a time goes into Pepakura for unfolding... Then that part is traced in Inkscape for the final print. Below the first prototype parts are mated- the intake ring and the turbine face. This is a tedious process with lots of opportunity to screw things up. Going through this process really gives me a great appreciation for all the work that goes into the many fine model designs out there. Cheers! Bruce

02-16-2008, 05:57 PM	#15 (permalink)
CJTK1701 Banned Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,835	Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant. Thanks a lot, I'm seriously taking notes!

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