question for designers

[micahrogers]

Hi Y'all...

How do I take a picture and scale it to fit a given size on a model? I have a 25mm scale TARDIS, and I need to make the POLICE public call BOX to go around the top, and the all calls answered sign for the front door, and at this scale the will be tiny...

Thanks in advance
Micah...

 

[Gandolf50]

I use sketchup free version... it allows you to import a graphic file, the you can use the measure tool, in the lower section there is a read out on what it gives you for the measurement, before doing anything else, enter via keyboard what you want the size to be... say 1.75 for the width 1 3/4 " (assuming that your photo is already ratioed width to height)and it will ask if you want to resize the model..say yes... and voila your pic is now sized to what you need! PM me if you need help! Printing will give you some troubles, it always ( for some reason no one can explain), wants to print on 4 sheets of paper! I use it all the time to re-scale blueprints to full scale 1:1 ratios and import to 3d programs, or to print out as scaled plans in 1/24th scale or what I need!

BTW I already have the Call Box letters and the sign on one of the other computers, made them for a full scale re-pro for around the door to my work room!

 

[Revell-Fan]

Another way is to unfold the model and measure the size of the signs. Then use a graphic program to either create the sign or rescale an already made sign to the desired size. A very important factor is the resolution. Use 300 dpi as default. Do not go below that or your image will become blurry and useless. Rescaling is done best by keeping the size of the image intact and changing the resolution instead. If your image is 1 cm wide at a resolution of 300 dpi it will be 0.5 cm wide at a resolution of 600 dpi. That way you print a sharp image and avoid a decline in quality.

 

[zathros]

If you wish, I could scale them in Rhino, I just need the dimensions of what you want it scaled too. Posting the pic would be the fastest way, and the data needed.

 

[micahrogers]

olay, so now to find a good pic, and get the actual measurements

 

[Revell-Fan]

Could be helpful:

https://rocketmantan.deviantart.com/art/Doctor-Who-The-Doctor-s-TARDIS-Papercraft-362505766

 

[zathros]

Need permission from Rocketmantan to use it like that. Send him a P.M. Micah, I am sure he would not mind and he is a member here.

 

[micahrogers]

Need permission from Rocketmantan to use it like that. Send him a P.M. Micah, I am sure he would not mind and he is a member here.

I sent him one... Thanks for reminding me that was here.

 

[micahrogers]

I found sample artwork on the interwebs, The stripe Police Public Call Box art needs to be tiny, 2.1 mm tall by 15.4 mm long.
this art I just need the letters on the black background inside the blue border

and the Police Telephone art needs to be 5.5 mm tall by 4.1 mm wide.


this whole TARDIS is only 53.4 mm tall

Of course at these sizes they will most likely not be legible.

 

[Gandolf50]

I found sample artwork on the interwebs, The stripe Police Public Call Box art needs to be tiny, 2.1 mm tall by 15.4 mm long.
View attachment 163280 this art I just need the letters on the black background inside the blue border

and the Police Telephone art needs to be 5.5 mm tall by 4.1 mm wide.
View attachment 163279

this whole TARDIS is only 53.4 mm tall

Of course at these sizes they will most likely not be legible.

Due to the ratios of your pictures there are some very slight errors in the sizes. in .1 ranges but with a little judicial trimming should be just fine! By the time you print these tiny things it won't really be an issue, would upload but picture posting is down for the time being so put a zip of them on my cloud drive... here is the link...

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bWoRPBE_bfWsZcg3SZEeehYk7BIPC5Wp/view?usp=sharing

let us see the result...

P.S. higher quality graphics you get higher quality results... I don't even search for a graphics file with out the LARGE filter turned on and then select the largest file I can find, then when printed , you get a far superior image when reduced..

 

[micahrogers]

Thanks Gandolf50, I'll be sure to post the results, but i've hit a snag, my printer died, even Epson support said "buy a new one"...

 

[Gandolf50]

Thanks Gandolf50, I'll be sure to post the results, but i've hit a snag, my printer died, even Epson support said "buy a new one"...

Well that is a shame... but hopefully it was already time for an upgrade and not fairly new one! I would recommend as long as you do not need any scan functions a Pixma ix6800 series. They are large format up to 11x17 and with 3rd party ink packs from Amazon with 5 new sets of ink for 20$ it can not be beat for quality and affordability... I have one and absolutely love the results! But I do have a flat bed11x17 scanner also so I don't need an all-in-one type printer. There is also a pixma with scanner, but the price does go up as you can imagine. Still I recommend the Pixma, after researching and comparing and needing the large format..that is the one I picked and have not one complaint!

 

[zathros]

Go to www.inkproducts.com, and buy the Epson printer they recommend. These guys are the best. They don't sell the printers, they have reviewed them extensively. I have an Epson Printer, A320, I think, I got from Walmart for $49.99 dollars, and to them it was an odd printer. It sold for $150 everywhere else. Ink Products.com had recommended it, I was shocked to see it had an SD card input, and a built in scanner!! I have purchased my ink exclusively from them and for $100 dollars, I get enough ink to last for years with their refillable Pigment Ink cartridges. You want to get an Epson that uses Pigment Ink. That ink does not face in the sun, and does not run easily with water, so water forming is possible.

 

[micahrogers]

had to go with what was cheapest and in stock, a Kodak Verite Eco 50... $49 at Wally World, and in stock

 

[zathros]

Kodak makes good printers. Follow this link for all the many options for refillable cartridges. They cost a fraction of what O.E.M. cartridges cost and they all use the same ink. Can't tell you how it know this, but it's all made by DuPont.

https://www.google.com/search?sourc...j46j0i131k1j0i46k1j0i22i10i30k1.0.tmXN4bgxhNI

 

[Tonino]

I often have read about the dye vs pigment ink question. But this is still not completely clear to me.
I mean: once established that pigment ink is better for model printing, how to be sure to use the right product for your existing printer (or the one you are going to buy specifically to print the best way your models)?
When you buy original ink cartridges you don't have the choice between the two ink types, for what I know, you have a cartridge item code as a reference and you have to buy it, stop. I don't know if it's clearly stated on package whether the ink is dye or pigment (I don't think there's any trace of this information on the cartridge I bought from Epson or HP in the past).

Is this a choice you can take only if you buy refilled - non original cartridges?
And, if so, there is some european modeler here buying this kind of catridge somewhere? Unfortunately inkproducts.com doesn't sell outside USA.
Any alternative reference?

 

[Tonino]

Go to www.inkproducts.com, and buy the Epson printer they recommend.

...and, speaking about Epson, it seems to me they don't recommend to buy an Epson anyway

 

[Gandolf50]

It is just like buying anything else .. talk to anyone or a hundred different people and get a hundred different answers.. I looked for what I NEEDED the printer to do.. then looked for a printer that could DO IT, at a cost that I could afford, taking into account the cost for ink and all the rest. I would have liked a tank printer that would print from refillable tanks and at least a 11x17 sheet B3 I think overseas. But when I checked they did not exist. Since I have a large flatbed scanner I don't need to double the cost of the printer for an all in one, so went with just a large scale printer, which saved a lot of cash. Ink cost for this one I am able to buy a set of 4 refills which are Y,C,M B and Photo Black for 20$. Since I paint every thing anyway.. I really don't care about the ink, but it is a high quality ink that is not affected by water or even spray lacquer. Someone will always complain about a product being garbage and others praise it as the best ever! It all boils down to What do you want and how much are you willing to spend for it! Is Amazon selling over there across the pond?

as far as finding ..just do a search for pigmented ink retailers europe you will get most of the major brands + some Tattoo inks,, but thats google for ya!

 

[zathros]

...and, speaking about Epson, it seems to me they don't recommend to buy an Epson anyway

This site updates their reviews, something I like about that. The printers I own, an Workforce 1100 and an A320 are now legacy models. I got my Workforce 1100 for $169 when it first came out, it is a 13' by 19" (up to 9 feet) printer, by the time they were done selling, they were almost $500 bucks. The A320, I think that's the model number, came with a scanner, and Inkproducts.com had recommended it, as it used all pigment ink and had a great scanner, I got it for $39.99, brand new, in the box, from Walmart!! I haven't purchased a printer in a long time, I just keep taking mine apart and cleaning them. I too noticed they have no Epson they recommend. It used to be they had no Cannon. However, if you do have an Epson, their Ink is the way to go.

 

[micahrogers]

AnyWho... My Happy February present, ordered in December, finally arrived from Japan...


I'll get that Tiny TARDIS done then this will be next.