Fiddlers Green

Hi,
I am interested in attempting to design my own paper model, and I would like to know if anyone has information about the process of designing a paper model from 3-view drawings or other sources?
Thanks!

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Ditto! John Dell, we want your secrets!

In the meantime, have y'all tried doing your own repaints from existing plans?

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Edward Merica
AKA "The Sarge"

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This is an excellent way to get the feel of it. This is essentially how it IS done in many cases. Its how Chip does it. He'll modify an existing design 'til it looks like what he's after. See the discussion in the "What is the Process?" thread. This has been covered there.

If you have specific questions, please post them. I and others will be more than happy to help.

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Mike in Dayton

I think I'm on to something...

Many of us are looking to transition from model builders to designers. I know there are a few planes I'd like to see Chip carry, and it's looking like if I want them bad enough, I'm just going to have to bite the bullet and design them myself. But how does a builder make that leap to designer?

I downloaded something I heard about in another paper model discussion area called Pepakura Designer. It takes already built 3D images and breaks them down into flat planes. From there, only minor reworking is needed for the curves and the gluing tabs. The kicker is getting the aircraft you want in a 3D format without having to do it yourself.

Enter the flight simulator enthusiasts, of which I'm also one. They aren't happy with the existing planes in Microsoft Flight Simulator, and are eager to download more. Within their numbers are the designers. They've already made their leap from just sim pilots to sim aircraft manufacturers. But how can they they help us paper modelers?

Enter GMAX. It is used to create airplanes. It makes a 3D rendering of the plane that can later be painted. That very same 3D rendering can be imported into Pepakura Designer, flattened out, and painted.

Muahahahahaha!!!!

Look out, John Dell!

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Edward Merica
AKA "The Sarge"

Evil minds think alike....

I figure that a good UVW mapping can produce an "unfolded" set of parts, then it would be a matter of trial and error.

now, 'fess up where'd you find the program?

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Felix/FFDS

Pepakura Developer is at:

http://www.tamasoft.co.jp/pepakura-en/

It's a free download, and in English! I've got emails out to flight sim developers stating that is they share their 3D images with me, I'll send them a paper model. Sounds fair to me!

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Edward Merica
AKA "The Sarge"

Sarge - for starters - check the file libraries at Freeflight Design Shop, http://www.freeflightdesign.com - while the source files are in native modelling program (AF99/FSDS/gmax) format, if you want to try your hand at any of them, pop me an e-mail, converting any of them to 3DS or dxf format is a matter of minutes...

I would suggest starting with some of the "older" AF99 models (listed as FS5 or FS98 models, since they would be "simpler" The newer models gmax/FSDS include moving and VC parts so ....

An option would be to build specific originals in the modelling programs (thinking of simplified landing gear, etc.) and then trying out the papermodelling program on them?

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Felix/FFDS

A few years ago, whilst surfing for some cool freebies, I cam across the web site of a Brazilian AF guy named Carlos Liberato. He had done models of several interesting Brazilian planes including Santos Dumont's Demoiselle. I don't think his web site is still up...last time I tried, it was gone, but his email address was at the bottom of a PDF file titled "How I did My Model." It's liberatocr@bol.com.br. Maybe he's got his site back up again under a new address. The pdf gives good basic instructions on how to convert 3 views into 3d without expensive software.

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-Rob-

Currently working on: see avatar

http://liberatocr.sites.uol.com.br/

Not sure what's on it now.

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-Rob-

Currently working on: see avatar

I've seen his stuff. My son is building his Caravel Portugese sailing ship!

Thanks for the GMAX tips. I was gonna use GMAX anyway. Until I can get the Cessna 337, I'm gonna work on a Piper Tomahawk I found. Cool!

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Edward Merica
AKA "The Sarge"

Thanks for the tips there, Felix! I've downloaded a tremendous amount of stuff from your site, and I may skip the whole Cessna 337 thing if I can build a Boeing 707! The 707 is work related: I need to make RC-135s, AWACS, and J-Stars models.

I'll start with the Piper Tomahawk first...

_________________
Edward Merica
AKA "The Sarge"