I can't build real world models but VW can

[barkest]

So I was asked at work to produce a model and its not something I have done before so I kicked off the process this week and have my first draft model. My next move is to print the textures and the rebuild it but that will be after my holidays. I will share when done but it will be a while.

 

It really is a case of just using a combination of unfold surfaces and extract planar surfaces and then manually adding tabs in VW before laser cutting and glueing.

 

I can't build a real world model but I can now with VW

 

 

[Andy Broomell]

Great job! Reminds me of grad school... I had to build a lot of scenic design models, and my process was quite the same - model in VW, lasercut, and assemble. My mind can work it out much better in a digital environment.

[Andy Broomell]

4 hours ago, barkest said:

 

 

BTW - when creating a white model in VW and working in OpenGL, one thing I find helpful is to go to View<Lighting<Set Lighting Options and turn on Ambient Occlusion. I also usually  turn on Draw Edges under View<Rendering<OpenGL Options. Makes it easier to differentiate all the white.

[barkest]

2 hours ago, Andy Broomell said:

Great job!

 

Thanks Andy

 

this is only part of the process:

 

Model in VW > Flatten in VW > Illustrator > Arizona Printer (any medium and double-sided printing using the illustrator file) > laser cut the printed material using the illustrator file.

 

I have tested the process end-to-end now and it works very well as you only have one driver file which is VW.

 

That creates the Ai file (easy as copy and paste from VW) which is then used for colour printing and laser printing. Having a colour model is a real differentiator and I hope I can do it all justice with a good model. I am happy with my first production model and expect by the end of summer to be building some highly polished stuff. 

 

I have to teach it next January so need to get good at it

 

I also use a scoring process which allows me to bend materials (see attached). It works very well and allows for a one-direction bend.