Complex Structures

[nyowrr]

Several months ago I received a commission to design and build an N scale model of a person’s home. A group of photos showed many of the proportions, but some I could only “guesstimate.” The home had many intersecting roofs, several dormers and a variety of protrusions or “kick outs.”

In a fashion similar to parts design in a mechanical industry you have to think how the different parts will be assembled and how the model will be assembled. A schematic drawing is a good step to detect possible assembling difficulties and to make compromises. For beginners, the first project must be a simple box. Structure models are often easier to design with simplification and high reduction of detail. Only afterward more complicated shapes.

Fortunately I was a mechanical designer for many years and still use AutoCAD. Many hours of input and adjustment went into a complete multi-view drawing. After 3 mock-ups and more adjustments, I felt that I could assemble a reasonable copy.

The uploaded photos show this completed project. It is the most complex model I have designed in Model Builder and assembled. Hope you enjoy and that it might stimulate everyone.

Nyowrr

1and2 03.jpg

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1and2 03.jpg

(44.37 KiB) Not downloaded yet

1and2 03.jpg

(44.37 KiB) Not downloaded yet

1and2 03.jpg

(44.37 KiB) Not downloaded yet

[evande]

Wow! Great project, thanks for sharing the pictures!, I like how all the dormers came out. Very nice!
Thanks for sharing the details of your project.
I also am a Mechanical Engineer, but in my first job I worked on instrumentation and controls as computers were taking over back then. A good background for designing Model Builder.
Dave