3D Model Building

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The time has come where we can 3D design our models for buildings and rolling stock - anything we like - and 3D print them. What a terrific way to build an entire layout with customized D.A.R. buildings and rolling stock. Can you imagine printing Paul Charland's model of the Cornwallis Inn or whipping up some old D10s or CP combine cars? How about a Kentville train station or roundhouse? How about the Avon River or Bear River bridge?

http://ihphobby.tripod.com/rseries/rseriesintro.html
http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/ ... d-printing
http://www.pcmag.com/slideshow_viewer/0 ... o=3,00.asp
http://www.pcmag.com/slideshow_viewer/0 ... o=9,00.asp

[SamuelMClark]

Yeah I was thinking about that for a few months of how it would be nice to have a 3d printer and then just design the buildings on the computer and then hit print. Though from what I've found it seems the software side of things is still 2d and then you convert it to 3d for printing but I haven't found a good software program yet, I've tried several but they weren't straight forward for making buildings easy.

It would be nice if someone would make a program for rail fans which was simple and easy to use for making 3d buildings or even be able to take photos of a building input it into the program and have it use that for helping to build it.

Once I can figure out how to make buildings on the computer for exporting to be busy.

[Dan Conlin]

There is a really good article in the current issue of Canadian Railway Modeller about the potential - and the current limitations - of 3-D printers.

Dan Conlin

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I'd like to see that article. I've never seen the magazine on my local newsstands. I imagine the only way to get it is to subscribe:
http://www.cdnrwymod.com/body.htm

I wish they were digital. More paper I don't need.

As far as the subject goes, yes there's limitations today but it's already very usable within those constraints. Enough to invest today and get something out of it. Be prepared to upgrade as well if you buy today because it's going to go through massive improvements in the next few generations of products.

Remember when we only dreamed about colour laser printers and now you can buy them for a couple of hundred bucks?

[Dan Conlin]

Here is an example of 2-D digital model making. This barn on my layout is made from 4 digital photos of a real barn in Berwick. I cropped and enhanced them a bit with a simple image editor; printed them out to scale; and glued to mat board - adding a few paper layers to heighten realism. It is a great way to capture real textures and weathering. Easy, fun and cheap! Works best on smaller, simple buildings and you need enough room enough to get good shots at right angles of at least two side.

Dan Conlin

[Paul Charland]

That turned out great Dan.

Paul

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Real world example of the same technique a lot of digital 3D modellers use on their train sim models Dan. And the results are super realistic! Thanks for the photos and the great idea. I always said genius is the right idea in the right place.

[Dan Conlin]

Here is another digital model. I did this HO model of the Kingsport Engine house using the program Model Builder ( http://www.modeltrainsoftware.com/model-builder.html ) I liked their shingle texture, although I had to use N scale shingles to get the look of typical maritime 4-5 inch shingles. The doors are from an old photo I took of the Kentville car shop and the windows were imported from photos I took of windows on one of the fruit warehouses in Sydney. I printed out the walls on colour card stock and laminated them onto mat board. The card stock is stiff enough that the crease acts as hinge and the front doors can open and close.

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When you think about it, you could share plans like this quite easily. No matter what program you designed it with, you could scale in for N,HO and O, print it off as a PDF then anyone could print it on a colour printer and assemble it themselves.

That engine house is another fantastic job Dan!

[SamuelMClark]

Hey Dan I'll have to come over sometime to check out that software to see if I'd want to buy it my self. You free this Saturday (15th March)?