Evolution of a Paper Model
Posted by Germy | 1st
March 2010
I thought some people might find it useful to know more about the
process I use to make paper models. What follows is a look at making
the 15mm Sci-Fi vehicles, my most technical and time consuming in
terms of development time spent on their production.
When I built the 15mm paper vehicles I went through more practice
stages than with any of my other paper models. This was mainly because
of the shape of the vehicle chassis.
As with all my paper models I use MS Powerpoint to draw the net
or shape of the model. Powerpoint was never designed for making
paper models. In fact there are specific software programs available
but I have not had the time to learn how they work.
The initial development stages are just to see what works without
using up too much printer ink so they have no textures or detailing.
As you can see from the picture below I first created some practice
versions of tanks and I had a go at a supply truck. The tests were
to mainly test angles and sizes.
Continuing with the practice versions the picture below shows the
completed missile vehicle. I also put it next to two 15mm figures
from GZG to check I had the right size. You can see I also started
with some detailing just to help visualise the vehicle. It was then
time to move onto some textures and other details. The tank model
shows my first attempt at the desert camo pattern. At this point I
also thought of adding more detail to the model in the form of reactive
armour plates, as you can see on the front of the tank.
Having made progress on the camo patterns I turned to a plain metal
version and increased the level of detailing for the models. You can
see here the plain metal versions of the APC and light tank. It also
shows more clearly the reactive armour plates. These worked well as
separate pieces to be stuck onto the vehicle chassis. Mainly because
by doing so the model seemed less flat and also meant you didn't have
to stick them on if you didn't want to. I thought about making the
hatches so you needed to also stick those on but decided against it.
But I did include in the models different service panels and number
plates to be stuck on as desired.
Sometimes when I'm making models I either run out of time and need
to move onto other projects, so some designs get shelved. The dropship
shown was such a model. I may return to it at some point but for now
here is as far as I got.
