3D Printed Vehicles

[IronPenguin]

Thanks, guys.
Wish I had a local hobby shop. Nearest is 1 1/2 hours away. By the time you pay for gas, it's cheaper to pay shipping.

[Mark W]

Surprised @Chris333 hasn't done one of these yet. 
Little newer than he's used to though.



https://i.imgur.com/7Qz2pRr.jpg



https://i.imgur.com/FIfK1po.jpg

[Chris333]

I had a 2000 a while back 


Yours looks like the CUP/RSI race version with wider fenders and bumpers

[Mark W]

I like how we can tell it's yours because of the background. 

[John]

how hard is it to scale one of the thingyverse models to nscale?  Is it simply pulling into the cad program then shrinking it?  (oversimplified probably)

[rodsup9000]

how hard is it to scale one of the thingyverse models to nscale?  Is it simply pulling into the cad program then shrinking it?  (oversimplified probably)

 Somethings I just scale it in the slicing program using the width of the model for scaling.

[Mark W]

Yes, scaling a 3D model is probably the easiest modification you can make to a virtual object.  However when printing, you have to be conscious of details and volumes. 

Sure, I could take any of my N Scale prints and scale them 184% for HO scale; but then it would blow through resin eight times faster!
Likewise, I could scale the Drybulk Trailer down to Z scale, however then the handrails, levers, and rivet details would fall below minimum thicknesses and either they wont be able to withstand the printing process, or the slicer could ignore them all together.

Of course those are extreme examples.  It all depends on the level of detail you want, and how much you want to minimize resin waste.

[IronPenguin]

I've been playing around with some of these same vehicles off Thingiverse.  To help scale them up or down, I looked up the wheelbase of the proto, then converted that to actual N scale length. Then I went into Tinkercad and made a small rectangle that length. I import the vehicle, move it over the wheelbase template,  and then scale it to fit the wheelbase. Works pretty well.

[John]

Thanks .. I know these are basic questions -- but I'm considering getting one of these, but my cad skills are zero .. so I would have to rely on currently available files until I actually learn them .. ..

[Stephane]

but my cad skills are zero

So were mine when I started a few weeks ago, but I've been printing various vehicles now, and none of them were designed for N scale.  I've rescaled and fixed to various degrees every single one of them in Meshmixer.  There is one file where I used Tinkercad, but since then, I've learned the technique that would have helped me fix it only in Meshmixer.

Tinkercad has a super tutorial when you first log on that takes your hand and guides you step by step in learning the program.  As for Meshmixer, it's a little more confusing at first, but Autodesk has very good help files online (https://help.autodesk.com/view/MSHMXR/2019/ENU/).  Start with reading the entire section on "Meshmixer basics".

The great thing about Meshmixer are the analysis tools.  When you first open the STL file, you may see some blue or red lines.  Those indicate problem areas to focus your attention on, and in some cases can be fixed automatically.  Then there's a measure tool that will tell you exactly how thick any part of your model might be.

For resizing, just open the Analyze -> Dimensions tool.  Google your vehicle's real world height, width or length, divide by 160, and punch in the number.  Done!

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These were some of the very first models I printed, and I used only Meshmixer to fix these up.  In the case of the tractor, I even used Meshmixer to increase the thickness of the rearview mirrors.

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You don't need to be a 3D guru, so long as you're willing to spend time reading websites and viewing the countless Meshmixer tutorials on youtube!

[Mark5]

That truck looks hot.

[DKS]

That truck looks hot.

Agreed. The mirrors are amazing.

[IronPenguin]

I've got to sit down and make myself learn the intricacies of Mesh mixer. I'm using it for some basic things but I know it'll do so much more.

[nscaler711]

Mark.
Toyota AE86 Trueno. Please!

[Mark W]

I think this offers a pretty fair comparison between FUD, UV Resin, and Injection Molding. 


https://i.imgur.com/6ok7zD4.jpg



https://i.imgur.com/UcYZqno.jpg