Designing model buildings: software?

[WuZhuiQiu]

When I used to scratchbuild model buildings, I would draw plans on paper, and then re-draw the dimensions on the card or material that I was working with.

Now, I'd like to build some model buildings, and perhaps a few of each design, and would like to save a few drafting, measuring, and laying-out steps.

How do people go about designing (or building) them these days? Do you use a software application like SketchUp? Alternatively, do you re-scale and print-out paper building model kits as templates? Or do you design as you build?

Thanks!

[Elk101]

I have been using CAD to draw building elevations so I can print out templates to scale. Then I never build them! I have a few Victorian buildings drawn up at the moment that I was considering getting laser cut. I have also drawn up a few buildings from line tracing photos in CAD. I find it much easier than using sketch up, which is fine for looking at building massing and planned table set up, but I'm nowhere near good enough at it to do much else.

[OSHIROmodels]

Sometimes I design as I build, sometimes I draw it all up in autocad to be cut out on the laser and sometimes it's a mix of the two. It depends what I'm doing  

There are advantages to both methods and as mentioned, it really depends on the type of job  

cheers

James

[Silent Invader]

I just draw it in MS Paint, often starting with an image that is a graph paper. I find it to be a pretty quick process.  NB: save as a PNG rather than a JPEG.

It's easy to distribute the images as is or if I want to include explanatory text I just copy them into word and save as a PDF.

For one off, simpler buildings I usually don't bother to draw a plan

[Cherno]

There is Pepakura, pretty nice program. It imports *.obj files so you can create your model in a 3d modelling application like 3D Studio Max and export it. In Pepakura itself you can change the scale, cuts, folds, tab sizes, and much more. I recommend it, it's pretty cheap as well.

[zemjw]

There is Make Paper Structures: Model Builder software that is designed for railway scenery.

I don't own it, although I've been thinking about buying it...

[Cory]

I normally just wing things and start gluing, but for large or complex builds I do use Sketchup. That way I can export for laser or 3d printing if needed.

[Connectamabob]

SketchUp is the best, hands down. It's free, lightweight, very capable, and has a HUGE amount of plugin support for nearly any task or tool, including unfolding meshes into paper model templates. That model train program would be a waste of money since you can do all that and more just as easily with SketchUp or other free programs.

If you prefer working in 2D, there's InkScape ( http://www.inkscape.org/en/ ). Basically the GNU alternative to Illustrator.

Peppakura is for if you're using models from a different program. Like if you downloaded an .obj model off the web, or are extracting models from video games. If you're building your own stuff in Sketchup, you don't need it. That said, Meshlab ( http://meshlab.sourceforge.net/ ) will enable you to convert mesh formats to SketchUp importable ones, so technically you don't need it for those things either.

Single licenses for professional industry programs like Autocad and 3D Studio Max will cost you as much as a used car. People who use these professionally or as students tend to forget/ignore that a lot in conversation, so take mention of those with a large dose of salt. They are badass programs, but they are not practically affordable to the average hobbyist.

[WuZhuiQiu]

Thanks, all!

[Thunderchicken]

I have a few Victorian buildings drawn up at the moment that I was considering getting laser cut. I have also drawn up a few buildings from line tracing photos in CAD.

Ooooh! Can I have a peep?
 
I use the old fashioned way of pen and paper but will look into the software mentioned on this thread, might improve my designs.

[Elk101]

Ooooh! Can I have a peep?
 
I use the old fashioned way of pen and paper but will look into the software mentioned on this thread, might improve my designs.

I'll try and get the PDF'd tomorrow. If you pm me your email I'll send them over. They are buildings near my work that I've photographed, line traced and corrected.

[sundayhero]

Google sketchup is the way to go ! Or if you want to add textures and all (for print and play for example) you could take a look on Blender, maybe.


But for your purpose I always heard about Sketchup.

[Connectamabob]

Or if you want to add textures and all (for print and play for example) you could take a look on Blender, maybe.

You can do that in SketchUp too. Can't do things like displacement, normal, or specularity mapping since it's not intended for that type of CG rendering, but diffuse texture mapping (which is what you'd be using for printable card models) is a standard feature.