Designing without software?

RocketmanTan

RocketmanTan

Well-Known Member
Mar 21, 2010
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rocketmantan.deviantart.com
It seems that a LOT of people here who design card models use software such as Rhino 3D, pepakura, and others, just to name a few, to unwrap 3D designs. I was wondering if there is anyone out there who designs their models the old-fashioned way (rulers, the eye, and the good old brain). Here's my technique if anyone is interested: I use Microsoft Office Publisher to draw. I paste images on there and view in full size. I resize the image until it seems like a reasonable modeling size. After that, I cut the side-view into sections and "unfold" them using the appropriate mathematical formulae and some mental imaging (the ruler comes in handy at this point). By unfolding, I mean I choose/draw the appropriate shape with the appropriate proportions and size based on my mathematical formulae. Once these parts are laid out, the model's good for texturing and eventual building.
 
I understand in the past all the models from fiddlersgreen where designed in that way:

http://www.fiddlersgreen.net

One of the best designers of FG Rob Carleen designs by hand. FG has a bunch of tutorials too:

https://www.fiddlersgreen.net/tutorials/


and I know Getter1 who is member here and in papermodelers design by hand too.

Personally, when I tried to design something ( and I'm still trying) because I'm a computer guy was natural to me choose a tool in the computer to helps me.
 
As I remember Paragon made a tutorial which inpired me before learning how to design by using 3D software
 
I've designed my models the old old fashion way. I usually just cut out paper, or cardstock and fold/bend parts to get it to look like what I want it to look like. Sometimes I have to modify the piece by cutting out a section, sometimes I have to glue it back on. Then when I get it reasonably close, I make sure the pieces are outlined in black, and scan them into my computer. Then, using MS Paint, I clean up the lines and print the parts out. (At this point they are just black outlines on paper). Then I try to assemble the parts and note on a second printout what needs altering. This may take several tries and alot of cardstock before the model comes out right.:cry: Eventually I get it where I want, then using ms paint again I begin to color the pieces in to whatever I am working on.

I've already done the Boeing Bird of Prey on this site and another, and the Boeing X-32A, using these techniques. I actually used a plastic model of the X-32 (un-assembled) to create the model I put out. That went real quick because I had something to go on more tangible than pictures and views. I can say at the moment I am working on several others, including the Valdore from Star Trek Nemesis:thumb:, (a way to go on this yet:cry:). Also the Desert Fox from Crimson Skies HRTR. These are a couple of my designs I am in the middle of right now. Don't ask when they will be finished, I pick one up once in a while, then put it down and work on one of the others. Hopefully I can have one of my models done in the next 2 months. When they are finished I will post the pictures.

I'd like to try some software, but at the present I really can't afford any of them. Pepakura seems to be the cheapest, but still has me a bit baffled. I find the problem with Pepakura is when you try to unfold something with curves, it breaks it up into thousands of pieces. I try to open a cylinder for instance and get way too many pieces. I would love to take a class somewhere, perhaps online, (I prefer real human interactionthough), and learn to use something that makes nice models without costing over $100 dollars, and can be done by simpletons like me. I've tried several, but I always have problems with the views. What I mean is that when I draw something say top view, then switch or swing to a side view the lines are skewed and when I straighten it that way then switch again to top view or oblique then the lines are skewed another way. It got so frustrating, that I quit trying for now. The best program I used for making something 3D like on the computer was the old X-Plane creator program. I could start with a cylinder or cone and the lines stayed where I wanted them.
I really admire all you people who can turn these great models out so very quickly:thumb:, (less than a year-like mewall1).
 
I do it the old fashioned way for now, I use MS Paint and a bit of trial and error.

I've dabbled in metaseq but not spent much time with it. Nice piece of software but not found the time really.

With a bit of time, I'll move into the 21st century, but for now MS Paint (despite it's frustrating lack of an effective variable rotate function) is OK for now.
 
The first papercraft I ever designed was an emperial shuttle from star wars. and if I ever get the gallery to work for me then I will post pictures.
I used a ruler, a sharp pencil, and my brain and lots of paper.
 
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