Cad Drawings & Scratchbuilding

[Centauri]

I`ve been Brass Etching my Rolling stock for about 10 months now, and would like to
Etch my first Diesel Engine, but therein lies my problem.
I`m using "Turbo Cad" to draw my Artwork for this Project, needless to say I have a
Black drawing on a White background, For Etching I will require a Negative type
Drawing, Eg` a White drawing on a Black background. I have completed the Artwork
but cannot find any "command" to reverse the drawing into a "Nagative".

The cad is "Turbo Cad ver` 7.".
I would appreciate any help I can get.

Thank you all
John.

[central.vermont]

John,
Have you tried saving your drawing as a .jpg and then open up a photo
shop program and using the negative effects in the program on it.

Jon

[Centauri]

Thanks for your suggestion, but I`ve fluked it, Just draw a square and fill it with black!.

best regards,

John.

[engineshop]

I don't have a fancy paint program but it has an easy color changer (replacer) tool. It changes they colors with the same RGB value with the selected color.

Now I got a question. Do you use a service for your etching or do you use a home kit for it. Either way I would like to have some more information if you are willing to share.

Thanks

[Centauri]

Hello Engineshop,
I`ve really only been at this for around 10 Months, a little on the expensive side to setup,
but, no pain no gain, or so I tell the Grandchildren. Being retired I work at home in my
Shed, me, the dog, cat and cocky.
I set up using the" Dick Smith Etching Kit" and Ferric Acid,
Firstly, I do the Artwork for the Model on my steam powerd computer, using a Drawing Cad
for accuracy & scale, when I`m satisfied with this I then use a Laser Printer to print the
drawing onto a product called "PNP" {it`s a plastic sheet, looks like the old Carbon paper},
from there the Drawing is "Burnt, transfered, Ironed" on to a 10 Thou` brass sheet which
in turn is lowered into the Acid tub for 20 minutes or so using a fish tank pump to move the
Acid around and speed up the process.

From there you take the model, cut out your pieces and solder them together.
Now, I don`t wish this to degenerate into a Commercial, but if your inclined to, you can
view some of my results, {the good ones that is} on my page, otherwise ask any questions
you wish and I`ll see if I can answer them for you.

regards,, John.

[Allentown Hump]

If Turbo-CAD has any similarities to AutoCAD, then just find your display options and look for the background color tablet...

[diezmon]

...but if your inclined to, you can
view some of my results, {the good ones that is} on my page, otherwise ask any questions
you wish and I'll see if I can answer them for you.

And this page would be??

How do you do your heat transfer? do you use an iron, or do you have laminating machine?

Tim

[Centauri]

Hello "Diezmon",
I assume you refer to the transfering the "Artwork" with heat to the brass sheet,
I use my Wifes Iron, or I did, I now use a second hand Iron I bought for the job.

It must be set very hot, After cleaning the Brass with a "Steelo Pad" {wire wool},
and then wiping the Brass down with a "Metho" soaked rag and allowing it to
dry. I turn up the heat as said, have the Brass clean side up, "Artwork" face down
on that, a clean sheet of white paper over the "Artwork Sheet" and Iron on for
3 to 4 minutes keeping the Iron moving all the time, after which you take the
Brass sheet and douse it in cold water, peel off the Plastic "Artwork Sheet" and
you should have your Model Artwork ready to work on.
It has to be said, I`m no Genius, I learn`t this project from an "Australian Magazine"
called A.M.R.M., " Australian Model Railway Magazine". The Issue 244, February 2004
Vol.21 No:7. For those as interested as I am. The Authors name is Richard Stallard.

If it`s any help, my Homepage address is:"http://www.upnaway.com/~bbml/"
There you can view just what can be done in your spare time in the back shed, I am
just about to have a go at Etching my first "Diesel Engine" using this method.
Any questions, just ask.

John.

[diezmon]

I bought some "Press-n-Peel" etching paper, but I haven't had the time to try it yet.  I've been anxious to get into etching, so I try to pick everyone's brain who've already done it

Press-n-peel sounds like it's similar to what you're using.. you use and iron then run under cold water.

I'm excited to try it, just have to build my etching tank!

Tim

[Centauri]

Hello Diezmon,
Yes, {Press n Peel} or "PNP" is right on the ball, you wont be disapointed
with a little practice. Good Luck,

regards,
John.

[Centauri]

Sorry folks this is only a test.

John.

[Chris333]

Here is a site of people who can etch for you:
http://www.metal-etching.com/

I've also always wanted to try etching, has anyone bought the micro mark set up?

[Centauri]

Well, thanks to a couple of suggestions from you Folks, I`ve got it
right at last. I can now go ahead and Etch my first Brass Diesel, I`ll
let you know how it go`es.

Thanks again to you all.

Regards.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Anyone know of any freeware CAD?