Newbie -- model builder program

tulsadutch

New Member
Hi all,

Just joined up today, trying to learn about scratch building using Cardstock. I was given the Model Builder program as a gift, does anyone have any experience using this program?
 

steamhead

Active Member
Welcome to the Gauge....I don't know a thing about the program...but if you're into cardstock, check out the Academy and take a look at Robin Matthyro's threads.
Will look forward to seeing your efforts.:thumb:
 

Nomad

Active Member
Welcome aboard. Yours is a very timely post. I have had that program in mind for awhile and will be interested in how you like it.
As far as cardstock goes, I think it is a great option for a layout, especially for background buildings. I bought two from Scalescenes and like the way they look and the ability to reprint a page if you goof.
Please let us know how you make out with the program.

Loren
 

tulsadutch

New Member
Model Builder Program

I thought it was a great gift as I saw several building done by this program at the OKC train show this past week-end. I didn't get to talk to the person that actually built the building but one of the guys mentioned that their friend had used the program to make the buildings with.

My layout is going to be a representation of the old downtown Tulsa Freightyard of the 1950's to early 1960's that I remember, and since it is to be a night time layout I didn't see the need for a ton of fine-detail you couldn't see anyway.

I'm just starting out in doing Scratchbuilding and felt I could make a ton more mistakes with Cardboard since I work around the stuff everyday without that much expense.

Thats for your help.

Tulsa dutch
 

nkp174

Active Member
I suggest getting yourself plenty of new x-acto blades, a scale, and a caliper. If modeling in HO, G, or N, get a scale ruler from your hobby shop. If modeling in S or O, go to an art store and get an architect's scale...a far better tool for the money (For less than the price of a 6" hobby scale, you'll get a 12" long device that is useful for reading many different scales). The caliper can be ordered or bought from a place like Harbor Freight tools...and of course x-actos can come from anywhere.
 

60103

Pooh Bah
Yes, the worst part of card modelling is wearing out the end 1/8" of millions of Xacto blades. When 2 strokes don't go through the cardboard, you're near the end. If 3 strokes don't do it, get a new blade and give the old one to your doctor.
I demo building card kits at railway shows.
 

BigBadgers2001

New Member
What program is it buddy?

Hi all,

Just joined up today, trying to learn about scratch building using Cardstock. I was given the Model Builder program as a gift, does anyone have any experience using this program?

Hi. Can I ask what program you use and where can I get it from please?
 

Russ Bellinis

Active Member
Yes, the worst part of card modelling is wearing out the end 1/8" of millions of Xacto blades. When 2 strokes don't go through the cardboard, you're near the end. If 3 strokes don't do it, get a new blade and give the old one to your doctor.
I demo building card kits at railway shows.

Scalpels work better than Exacto blades and are made of better quality steel. There is also a tool company that makes a tool for sharpening scalpels, but I can't remember then name of the company, or the product.
 

nkp174

Active Member
Although I doubt that it will help with cardstock, when you start playing around with wood and styrene, I've generally found emery boards to typically work better than files.

Classic 1950s techniques involved basswood frames with cardstock sheathing.

I went to an NMRA meeting in October and was horrified when the presenter was asked a question about cardstock (which he used) and despite being a skilled modeler, he had no clue that it was just heavy weight paper and available at any craft or art store :eek:
 

TrainGuyRom

New Member
You should try a simple model, like a small shed with two windows, and a door. consitering the era, make it clapboard.

...Oh nd one more thing: make the shed a basic one piece roof with one angle. that way you don't have to wory as much about getting both slants perfect.
 

Art Decko

Member
Card is an excellent material for scratchbuilding, and well-suited to MRRing. :thumb:

If you need any ideas/tips/advice about cardstock scratchbuilding, don't forget there is an entire forum related to it right here at Zealot! :) Including lots of railroad-related modeling!

Regarding knives ... here's a tip widely known among card modelers: Excel blades are superior to Xactos. Cheaper, stronger.

Here's another to get you started: if you don't know about scoring ... learn that technique! It's vital to card modeling!
 
Micro-mark generally runs good deals on a box of 100 #11 blades. IIRC, I think they're Excel blades, actually. I can attest to what the guys are saying about wearing down the blades.

My first scratchbuild with cardstock was a house based on company housing in WVA. I did not even know about building with 100% cardstock at the time, so I naively built it with card as the base, roof and framing, and scale stripwood for the battens & porch as well as the windows. The chimbley is a metal casting. Walther's Goo worked well to join all these disparate parts together at major joints. Smaller joints, I think I used white glue or CA. It turned out fine and I am still happy with it, although it needs foundation pillars...eventually...

Anyway, I tried a Scalescenes kit (you can follow the progress in this forum, somewhere...I'm not going to track down the link right now, sorry) and after having built a solid cardstock kit, I like the multimedia method better! Card has its advantages and I think the skill is in deciding where it is best used alongside other materials.
 

clevermod01

designer at clever models
-Shameless self promotion warning-
Clever models card stock craftsman kits are the best made. Don't take my word for it, there is a freebie available for the next couple of days at our website.
wwwdotclevermodeldotnet
theres also a movie clip on our blog of my HOn30 "city harbor line" It's all paper including the trains.
Thom
PS. I do like what scale scenes is doing. they do make a very nice kit.
 
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