The Ship Model Forum

Without my comp I would be dead :)
I use it for virtually everything in modeling - from viewing the plan details, photos, to CAD applications for scratchbuilding. I also have a large collection of eBooks, which are also impossible to view without a PC. I use the stationary PC however, not a laptop. Usually over a 22" screen, but sometimes also over a beamer, just to see better the flimsiest parts...

I would be dead without my computer and all the pics I have.

Hi johndon As a throw back I still rely on hard copies pinned to the plans board close to the corresponding area on the plan or profile. That way I can see at a glance what being modelled. Then if I need more information I'll use the lap top .
Dave Wooley

I usually have my laptop to my right when building especially when I'm detailing a model - rather than printing out photos, I just view them on the screen.

John

Hi Art Now that program sounds rather good . In the past I've either enlarged or reduced using a photographic or photocopying process, which as you say is quite expensive and the odd thing is it can cost more to reduce scales !
Thanks again for the information
Dave Wooley

Hi Art Yep you quite right "back it up" is a first priority . I like the idea of your Scan2 cad .How do you use it ?

The programme enables you to scan any picture or plan into the computer and convert it into a Cad drawing for further modification, enlargement, scaling etc. as if you were creating an original in Autocad.

The cad result will only be as good as the original quality pic, so some 'cleaning up' of the scan is sometimes required/or abandonement as the case may be.

I find it particularly useful to scan large plans ( tiled), join them up into one plan again and then print out different scales. This is time consuming but the end result of scaling the 1:200 scale IJN Shinano plan into a 19' 1:48 scale plan was nigh on perfect. Far better, ( and cheaper! ) and more accurate than having them photocopied to a larger scale.

I am in the process of putting all my model sheets, ( 200 + ) onto disc this way and it is an on-going process as you can imagine. :dead:

Photo's are also scanned and drawings made off them. You *do* have to know the actual measurements of something in the pic, but once that has been entered, everything else scales up accordingly and you have a very accurate rendition.

Still learning and playing with the programme.

There is a free 14 day trial for download at http://www.softcover.com

I can thoroughly recommend it for modellers wanting to get that obscure/unavailable plan and not wanting to go to the hassle of learning an autocad programme.

[quote="Art"]Hi Dave,

I could not be without the laptop now for model making, and with 'Scan2Cad' being fully operational, scaling and sizing odd-ball fittings is a breeze.

I have to keep reminding myself to back-up daily, as a couple of crashes hurt badly.[/quote]

Hi Art Yep you quite right "back it up" is a first priority . I like the idea of your Scan2 cad .How do you use it ?
Dave Wooley

Hi Dave,

I could not be without the laptop now for model making, and with 'Scan2Cad' being fully operational, scaling and sizing odd-ball fittings is a breeze.

I have to keep reminding myself to back-up daily, as a couple of crashes hurt badly.

[quote="William J BB 39 fan"]Nice lookin set up you have there Dave.

Bill :wave_1:[/quote]

The reason I use the lap top is to highlight detail. Unlike a conventional photo I can go in and ID a particular spot on the picture that may be almost invisible when viewing a hard copy. It's certainly a useful tool but as Ron has stated in the end it all boils down to the skill of the builder and how that builder interprets what is there on the screen or in the photograph. Also how best to use that information to build up the 3D image in the mind and as Ron has said that's were the old grey matter comes in.
Dave Wooley

Yes Dave, they are comming more in to modelling than ever before, but it still comes down to the best computer there is, the Brain, if you cannot interpet what your seeing into a shape on the model the lap top ends up for just pritty pictures, thats why I do my builds to show whats is required, you yourself have all this experiance, and have gained it over years the same as I have, ARH :wave_1: :wave_1: :thumbs_up_1:

Nice lookin set up you have there Dave.

Bill :wave_1:

Yep, I'm using it for modelling too. Indeed for getting the close-up pictures and checking out sources. Especially when scratchbuilding it's handy to have your picture source with you. But lately I've been using it for the kits too. Grabbing pictures from some sites and then move the laptop to my working space/desk.
It will become a very handy tool in the future of modelling.

Interesting point raised by both Govert and AndyG
regarding the use of lap tops for modelling. They
are a valuable tool especially when using them to
display photos for close in detail work or as AndyG
for calculations. The two photos below show a rather
untidy workshop but as I try to convince myself a
productive workshop.LOL Make room for Kiev but were?
Does any one else make use of lap tops to help with modelling?
[img]http://warshipmodels.com/~users/dwol/L2.JPG[/img]
[img]http://warshipmodels.com/~users/dwol/L1.JPG[/img]
Dave Wooley