Hey Scotty, interested in designing.....

[Tim M]

a Diorama? I bought these two models, one a Cobra Mustang, the other an Shelby Cobra, and figured I would merge the two to make one model to look like mine. However, I've been seeing the diorama's this guy on FFC (Fluge - http://www.ffcobra.com/forums/showthread.php?t=178981&highlight=diorama) has been doing and I think I want to do that now. In your field, I assume you have made a few models of the buildings you are doing right? Where do you get materials for something like that? My idea is to have a single car garage display with the Shelby painted black on a body buck and the Mustang out in front all disassembled. WDYT?

 

[STL-Scott]

3D Studio Max

Timbo,

I had a client ask the same thing (to build a real scale model) recently. It's a rare thing these days. We construct all of our building/site models in the computer now. Autocad, 3D Studio, and Photoshop. Amazing results. Often the renderings look better than the finished building...

Try Hobby Lobby or Michaels for what you are thinking about. Maybe look online for "Doll House Supplies". Sounds like your Diorama is a Factory Five donor-build style display.

Craig may have some other pointers...his firm may do or know of model builders. Last one I did was in college almost 15 years ago...takes a lot of time to make them realistic.

 

[Tim M]

Thinking of balsa wood rafters and wall studs. Balsa wood walls, doors and such. Looking at the exampls that Fluge has built, he took a lot of images, shrunk them down and stuck them on the wall like posters. I think I have to make sure I don't try to match what he is doing because his stuff is beyond anything I can do, but kind of what I want to model off of. Look here for another cool one http://www.ffcobra.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91904&highlight=diorama

 

[STL-Scott]

Balsa wood is a good start. Bass wood is harder and looks cleaner, but more expensive. It's a hard wood, whereas balsa is a soft wood. Chip board, museum board, or any color presentation boards work well for substrates and walls. Some of them can be spray painted. Take your time, sounds like a fun project. There are two sayings that get us all the time..God is in the details, or the Devil is in the details...depends on how it turns out.

Here is an example of the modern day computer modeling we do for clients (one of my past projects):

...and the finished product:

 

[Tim M]

The cars on the fake don't match the real one's

 

[rednour1]

We still build quite a few models for one main client in our office. Dick Blick has a lot of good model making materials. Basswood is typically cheaper online. Sorry to but in, just my 2cents

This is a pretty good spot for online items

http://craft-supplies.misterart.com/index.cfm

Here are a couple pics:

Bass Wood model of same building:

Overall:

I have had the best luck actually drawing and rendering on autocad, and using spray adhesive to the board, to creat very detailed models, that match my drawings exactly.

Sorry to but in.

 

[STL-Scott]

Craig...your not butting in, just offering your feedback, something I suggested to Tim.

You guys still build real models? I thought only HOK's model shop did that? Would you like to sub-contract a project? We can discuss by email.

 

[rednour1]

I have to admit, I'm not the most talented model maker in our company, but shoot me an e-mail. I know the guy who is very well. I'm sure something could be worked out.

 

[6stringcobra]

Thinking of balsa wood rafters and wall studs. Balsa wood walls, doors and such. Looking at the exampls that Fluge has built, he took a lot of images, shrunk them down and stuck them on the wall like posters. I think I have to make sure I don't try to match what he is doing because his stuff is beyond anything I can do, but kind of what I want to model off of. Look here for another cool one http://www.ffcobra.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91904&highlight=diorama

How about using Delrin, GS Nylatron, or Bakelite

 

[STL-Scott]

Oh yeah...and don't forget to use those Phenolic "washers" for your garage door!

Sorry, couldn't resist!

 

[Tim M]

I have a smiley for you two, but can't use it here, although I didn't use the words Dick and Blick in the same sentence like someone did... Craig, that isn't buttin in, that's the kind of feedback I was lookin for.