Locate any existing drawings
Locate any existing protoype pictures
Locate any models done in other scales, I find this most helpful with roofs because roof pictures are hard to find for the average engine
Use existing 3d files and build off them if they have similar parts, here I use a basic frame that accepts both Aristocraft and USA Trains motor blocks
You can see on the right side of the above picture I can begin superimposing the drawing files on the frame
I can then begin to design the hoods and cabs
I try to make the sections follow the same lines as the prototype so that joints don’t have to be filled
I then can go back and add as much detail as I need to for the given model appearance
such as louvers
Draw 1 louver then copy and paste them till yer done
I’m now at the process of double checking the files and generating STL files to send to the printer, which might be a while got a few C-415’s to make for orders
Someday I will get proficient with 3D CAD. I began working with SketchUp a few years ago then got frustrated because I couldn’t figure something out and put it down. I’ve now forgotten everything I’ve learned (
