Dimorphodon 3D model

Dinoreplicas · March 21, 2020, 10:15:57 PM

Quote from: stegosauria on March 16, 2020, 01:01:44 PMIf it means anything I like ALL the colourschemes you created. I can't even choose one as a favorite.

Thanks, I can be experimental and indecisive sometimes but I got there in the end

Quote from: Killekor on March 16, 2020, 07:27:37 PM
@Dinoreplicas I like too all the color schemes you've created, but honestly I think that the latest one is the best of all of them!
It is pleasing and natural, and those blue eyes give to the figure a lively look which I like a lot.
Congrats! I'm looking forward to see the painted figure!

Killekor

Cheers

@Killekor, even though I've simplified the pattern, I'm still daunted at the prospect of painting this

Dinoreplicas · March 21, 2020, 10:18:52 PM

Following a good sugestion from an RPF member, I've set up a 2-part stand with 2 variations, the 'pole' part is a bit on the tall side so it can be shortened if preferred. The underside of the base is hollowed so that some ballast can be added for stability.

Dinoreplicas · March 24, 2020, 01:15:05 PM

Between model and stand here's a peg and hole to hold everything in place, wasn't planning on buying a stand to test myself though I probably should. I'm also thinking the strut should be beefed to prevent bending under the weight of the model (although SLS prints are light), maybe change to a bar or lozenge cross-section. I'll probably try a second pass at the stand design during the week.

Dinoreplicas · March 26, 2020, 02:37:15 PM

A revision of the previous attempt, everything is beefed up and the base has a larger footprint. It's essentially one of those plastic-kit aircraft stands but that seems entirely appropriate to me

. It's a 2-part piece, the strut slides into a hole near the front. Base is hollow underneath for adding ballast if needed.

Dinoreplicas · March 27, 2020, 09:50:32 AM

Another quick pic, the little fin behind the base is intended as a brace and a guide, makes it look a bit Art Deco (IMO). If fact the whole thing is starting to look like a weird hood ornament!

Haven't made any GIF anims for a while, might do one to demo assembly.

Dinoreplicas · March 27, 2020, 05:19:05 PM

Coming back to this a day later the stand now looks maybe a bit chunky and intrusive. The thin brace behind the strut will print quite small so I might shorten or remove this part. I suppose if a buyer preferred a more low-key stand they could always make their own and I think this will be the better option for some.

Dinoreplicas · March 30, 2020, 06:19:01 PM

As an alternative I wanted to try a daintier, curvier version of the stand with a reversed-V so yesterday afternoon I set this one up. Calling it the v3 stand. Clearly this virus situation is giving me even more of an excuse to mess about in Blender than usual.

I think this one is a bit more harmonious to the model, not sure if it should be taller though, maybe a little.

Halichoeres · March 31, 2020, 01:08:42 AM

I like the stand! I've shopped aircraft model stands looking for something for my existing pterosaur models, although I never actually found one that works.

Justin_ · March 31, 2020, 10:11:04 PM

Yes, that new stand is best. It seems more discreet than the previous versions.

Dinoreplicas · May 01, 2020, 07:46:55 PM

Quote from: Halichoeres on March 31, 2020, 01:08:42 AM
I like the stand! I've shopped aircraft model stands looking for something for my existing pterosaur models, although I never actually found one that works.

When (If!

) I get to the point of getting this on sale, the stand is there as an option, probably better for most buyers to make their own.

Quote from: Justin_ on March 31, 2020, 10:11:04 PMYes, that new stand is best. It seems more discreet than the previous versions.

Thanks, not something I've thought about before so it needed a couple of revisions. Hopefully that's it .

Dinoreplicas · May 01, 2020, 07:47:44 PM

Been under the radar for a while but now I'm experimenting again. Noticed that Blender has a paper-craft exporter so I thought I'd try to set up a paper model of the Dimorphodon. Don't think I've ever made a paper-craft model let alone design one so I've no idea how this will turn out. If it does work the plan is to make it available somewhere.

I've got as far as making this blocky low-poly version of the model and I've been experimenting with the exporter. Results seem promising so far, I'll try to construct a basic version basic paper version this weekend.

The pastel colours are just a preliminary way for me to keep track of which parts are which, a final flat printed version will have to have some kind of key/part ID system. I'm hoping I can put a painted texture on the finished item.

Dinoreplicas · May 03, 2020, 05:45:57 PM

Got a bit further with the paper-craft Dimorphodon. Made this manual arrange on to 3 A4s for proof of concept, 41 parts so far but that may go up. Currently the cutout sections are widely spaced because I haven't worked out where to put the tabs yet, I'll draw them in pencil while I'm assembling. The final version will really need to be printed on card but I'll test it on paper first to see how it's working.

Dinoreplicas · May 05, 2020, 12:23:19 PM

Always had the greatest admiration for paper craft designers and I never thought it would be easy to just jump in and have a go myself...

...but blimey! This is tricky stuff.

Of course being me I can't just start with something simple, anyone know any cube shaped prehistoric animals? Oxosaurus?

Dinoreplicas · May 08, 2020, 05:34:38 PM

looking about as tidy as un-ironed corduroy, 75gsm copier paper and PVA far from ideal combo for a paper-craft model. Good enough for this 'alpha' test though. wingspan about 42 cm (16.5 in), that's roughly 1/3rd scale, might be able to scale up a little more if I optimise the layouts.

During glue drying periods I've managed to get the texture mostly painted (Blender and Krita) for the cardboard 'beta' version. The pattern is going to need much vector pathing and fix-ups to make it usable, maybe get this done this weekend.

Kapitaenosavrvs · May 08, 2020, 07:45:59 PM

What a great Idea. Tough work, you did. Also it is quite big. If i had a Printer at home, i would ask you if i am allowed to try one myself, haha.

No really. I like it alot. I never would have any idea where to start. Maybe thats because my knowlege in sculpting and especially digital work is very limited.

...does he fly?

Dinoreplicas · May 10, 2020, 02:20:17 PM

Quote from: Kapitaenosavrvs on May 08, 2020, 07:45:59 PM What a great Idea. Tough work, you did. Also it is quite big. If i had a Printer at home, i would ask you if i am allowed to try one myself, haha.

No really. I like it alot. I never would have any idea where to start. Maybe thats because my knowlege in sculpting and especially digital work is very limited

Thanks, I'm hoping to release the finished paper-craft as a free PDF kit so anyone can make one. You'll need access to a printer along with some A4 card, glue and scissors/craft knife but I think that's pretty low entry requirements.

Quote...does he fly?

Bizarrely enough with a little ballast in the nose it's not a bad flyer and the wing has a natural airfoil section carried over from the sculpted version. I've flung it around the room so much it's pretty much destroyed now. The final version will match the left-twisting pose of the 3d print so it shouldn't fly (I would hope anyway).

Also I keep getting this strong compulsion to draw ailerons on the damn thing! managed to resist so far

.

Dinoreplicas · May 14, 2020, 09:01:56 PM

3D model for paper-craft Dimorphodon now with painted texture based on the colour concept from Reply #37. I've changed the tail markings a little. Just need to recreate the flat layout for another physical test, should be able to fit that in over the weekend.

Underside view, this version will really need to be tested on card, not paper. Pretty sure I've got a few sheets stashed in the back of a cupboard.

Dinoreplicas · May 16, 2020, 06:35:23 PM

Updated flat layout for the coloured paper model. 3 A4 sheets. Hopefully this is fairly close to the finished layout. I've added some tabs in test positions based on what I hand drafted for the first test. No attempt yet at making a key or part identifiers but will be added at some point. Found the card I was looking for, it's a bit yellow at the edges (unused for ages

) but it'll be OK for this test.

Made a couple of turtable GIFs (scene was already setup after texture paint).

Kapitaenosavrvs · May 19, 2020, 03:00:05 PM

Quote from: Dinoreplicas on May 16, 2020, 06:35:23 PM
Updated flat layout for the coloured paper model. 3 A4 sheets. Hopefully this is fairly close to the finished layout. I've added some tabs in test positions based on what I hand drafted for the first test. No attempt yet at making a key or part identifiers but will be added at some point. Found the card I was looking for, it's a bit yellow at the edges (unused for ages ) but it'll be OK for this test.

Wow. I really really want to try it. A good Coloursheme btw.

Dinoreplicas · May 20, 2020, 07:32:51 PM

Quote from: Kapitaenosavrvs on May 19, 2020, 03:00:05 PMWow. I really really want to try it. A good Coloursheme btw.

Thanks, hopefully not long till I can release this, I'm close to finishing the colour prototype. Smoother assembly second time around, card is easier than paper to work with. As I've been assembling I've been scribbling down a list of fixes and modifications to be incorporated into the next version of the model.

Made a couple of changes to my logo today, cut down 'Dinosaur Replicas' to just 'Dinoreplicas' - been heading that way for a while. Also wanted a shorter and more generalised tagline.

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Dimorphodon 3D model