3D designing

[stump]

Hey guys,

Kinda throwing this out there.... I need some help.
With the growth that 3D is currently experiencing, I am after some help in getting a few ideas made into reality, but I am absolutely no good at 3D rendering/drawing.

They are large scale related (1/12), but given the broard range possible with 3D, there is no reason they could not be used across all scales.
At this time, I am in a slump with a big project, mainly because I need these parts to continue.
What I hope to find here, with such a large user base at AF, is someone willing to share their knowledge and expertise with drawing up several items.

The items in reference are really quite basic....tyres, wheels and carburetors.
Though, being large scale, I am totally unaware of any pitfalls or obstacles we may encounter on this journey. The wheels and tyres are for a drag car project, the carburetors are for a different (street car) project.

I do not expect help for free, and if someone is willing to help, I am also willing to negotiate.
Replies can be left here, or a PM if you would prefer.
I am happy for this thread to stay open for public input, as I fell it may benefit a lot more people who may be interested.

Thank you in advance.
Cheers
Greg

[cjsbosox]

I'm in the same boat so I'll keep my eye on this one

[avd]

Well Since you trying to do 1/12 or 1/24 scale. I remember c1 model or 81 help you since they both use 3D printing and 3D CAD. I usually saw that on facebook.

[Ettore]

It's easy. Download Sketchup - a free program with numerous tutorials and blog support. Teach yourself. Use Shapeways to 3D print. I've been doing it for a year now. First image is a screen shot of a design I've made for rims, front and rear hubs and an intercooler for a Miller front drive race car. Second pic is hot off the printer. Third are the parts after a coat of Alclad. This afternoon I'm stringing the wire wheels.
Ettore
Proud member of ACME....where they call me "the mad scientist".

[stump]

Thanks avd and Ettore.
I shall look into both those avenues for possibilities.
I already have several items made from Shapeways, but they are other peoples ideas....now it's time for my own.

[hirofkd]

My first 1/24 tire from Shapeways should arrive in a few days, so I'll post some pics. One of the greatest advantage of digital design is easy modification of 3D data. I've done three revisions to my current wheel project, and there's no need for making different physical part each time.
I have an engineering degree, so I'm already familiar with the overall procedure. I wouldn't say using 3D CAD is easy to anyone, but if you have already scratchbuilt some parts, you should be familiar with the thinking process of how to shape an object, and you do this thinking on the computer instead. Once you have the mindset, all 3D CAD programs behave pretty much the same, so once you go though a dozen or so of tutorials, you'll be comfortable with the new tool.
Question is whether you want to sit down and invest your time and effort in teaching yourself, which should save your money, or pay someone else to do it for you, which will save your time. And this goes back to the easy modification thing. If you do it yourself, it's economical because you are the one who own and manipulate the data.

[stump]

Thanks Hiroaki.
Advice from someone who has been there, is appreciated very much.
Guess I really should look for a program like Ettore mentioned, Sketch up, and get to work.....see what I can make of it.
Look forward to seeing your wheels when you have pics.

[andybmw7272]

Sketch up is easy to learn.
There are a lot of youtube help videos.
Ettore got me started a while back and the possibilities are endless!
Andy

[stump]

Thanks Andy.

Just finished the download/install and I can see I have heaps of learning ahead....
Just hope this old head of mine gets a hold of it quickly.

[JeremyJon]

Sketchup is a good starter program, but also limited in it's abilities too
Autodesk Inventor is a good next choice, and much more capable

Shapeways is decently priced and fairly quick & straight forward service, the only real issues I have with them, is that even using their finest resolution material leaves some striation pattern in the surface
I'm trying out some other options who use different process, including liquid poly cured with ultra-violet light for a smooth finished surface, if so a little extra cost initially will benefit the trouble of preparation and lost detail

People say full kits in 3D printing form are here, and there are some individual efforts, but the in mainstream is still a ways off in terms of price and print quality

Here are a few pics to illustrate, the first are wheels for my Vector kit, printed by Shapeways, the second is a photo of Vitan's RX7 wheels printed in the other method I mentioned ( I don't yet have an example of the method of my own to show), and the third is a tire designed in Inventor for use in my Shelby kit, yet to be printed in the second method

edit: this site's "manage attachments" upload is utterly useless, I'll have to post one pic per post, grrr

[JeremyJon]

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[JeremyJon]

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[JeremyJon]

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[stump]

Thanks for your input JeremyJon.
I really like that tyre.....very nice work.

Yes, I agree about the texture from Shapeways, my only real gripe I guess. Something smoother would be a huge bonus.
My last big purchase (and it was BIG @ 1/12) was a complete body kit.




For a large piece, the textured effect may not bother me greatly, as there is enough surface area to allow adequate smoothing myself.
Close up shows the graininess.....




A good coat of super-glue helps to give it strength and a good base for sanding....yet to start that....

[Lownslow]

I did these on inventor, now i master wheels for other resin casters in due time ill have time to cast for myself, but so far ive done a little bit of everything im working on going back to school to learn how to use a 3d drawing program and scratchbuild a interior for a Veyron.