Dog Star
Western Thunderer
So the new colour is BR(WR) Maroon?
Computer Aided Wagonry
- Thread starter Pugsley
- Start date
So the new colour is BR(WR) Maroon?
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SteveO
Guest
Thanks iploffy. As long as you put it on your layout you can have it after the competition!
Pugsley
Western Thunderer
Wow Steve, that is very impressive. I never fail to impressed by people working in 2mm scale, it's far too small for me! I'll check out the full story, over there, later on.
There is a possibility of the vans being available at some point in the future, assuming I don't make a complete fist of the design!
The Polybulks will have to wait....
There is a possibility of the vans being available at some point in the future, assuming I don't make a complete fist of the design!
The Polybulks will have to wait....
28ten
Guv'nor
I know the feeling
and doesn't it just suck up time?
Pugsley
Western Thunderer
Doesn't it ever! I reckon I'm up around 30 hours on this project so far, it still only exists virtually, and isn't even anywhere near finished! On the plus side, I'm hoping that the physical construction should be quite quick, but the number of parts to assemble is mounting up - there's around 60 in there already.
28ten
Guv'nor
I can believe the time taken, and the 3d is more time consuming than 2d. By the time you have flattened it all out and laid out an etch etc etc it really mounts up.
Blimey - that is quick considering what you have shown on here!
I have spent well over 120 hours on our new Bogie Bolster wagon artwork [2D for etching] - researching as I went - but I didn't consider that as a lot - and I still have instructions to do! I think our Class 60 was about 8 weeks full time work for just the etching artwork.
David Parkins
Pugsley
Western Thunderer
Thanks David, maybe I'm doing better than I thought then! There's probably 10 or so hours research time to add to that, the 30ish hours are purely slaving away over the computer drawing stuff (although I could have miscounted, I don't think it's any more than 40 hours at most).
There's still a long way to go though, I reckon it will be somewhere around 100 hours, once I've got everything completed, there's still the doors, roof section and a lot of casting masters to create.
There's still a long way to go though, I reckon it will be somewhere around 100 hours, once I've got everything completed, there's still the doors, roof section and a lot of casting masters to create.
28ten
Guv'nor
So do you work solely in 2d?
A lot also depends how proficient you are with the software, especially the parametric stuff. It does save some some cock ups, but there is no substitute for getting the parts in yer sweaty mits and finding mistakes
For etching artwork yes - but parts are sketched out in 3d space to scale material thicknesses to guard against interference fits etc. Large scale mock-ups are printed and made up as test assemblies - that is why your tank wagon kit is [in your words] the only etched kit you have made that almost clips together. This gives the mfr. the confidence to go straight to production in that the design has already been proven. I am not alone amongst manufacturers in using this approach. However lets not go into too much more detail!
It is not the drawing that takes the time - it is the research + the checking & re-checking. I'm sure that if any of you guys add up all the hours you have spent studying photos or drawings or books beforehand then you will arrive at a more serious accounting of your time spent on a project.
A professional kit manufacturer MUST include this time and remember, I come to each project 'cold' on a 'Monday Morning' so to speak, and in my time estimates given in my earlier posting, I include all of my research from point zero. You might be prepared to sit reading books for nothing but I would rather be watching Max Keiser or Julian Assange on Russia Today!
Of course it also comes down to proficiency with the software, as you say - and there I obviously do lack experience with only 700+ photo tools in production [due no doubt to my slow speed!]. I henceforth retire and hand over to you Cynric!
DJP
tomstaf
Western Thunderer
28ten
Guv'nor
Totally agree, its the research, sketching, and general thinking time that is the unseen cost, and i dont think the average punter realises the amount required for even the most simple project.
I dont think I would fancy etched kit production, so dont get too excited about retirement
adrian
Flying Squad
I'd like to think some of us understand as it isn't always unseen time, i.e. it's obvious when that time hasn't been invested in a kit. Some of the "value for money" kits have quite patently cut costs by skipping at least one or more of those steps.
Pugsley
Western Thunderer
Thanks Tom, I'm glad you like it - feel free to point out any problems if you see any! Are you managing to do much modelling at the moment?I'm liking the progress at 'Pugsley Productions'
Pugsley
Western Thunderer
I have no doubt that I'll have got something wrong - nothing I've designed has been spot on so far!A lot also depends how proficient you are with the software, especially the parametric stuff. It does save some some cock ups, but there is no substitute for getting the parts in yer sweaty mits and finding mistakes
Pugsley
Western Thunderer
You and me both!
Progress has been frightfully slow, with the suspension mounts taking up far more time than they should have. It took ages to get the shape anywhere close, and I'm still not convinced that I've got them completely right.
I'm happier with the other small bits that have been added though, including the ferry eyes and hooks, and some handrail mounting brackets on the ends. There's still all the support stanchions down the sides to add, then I'll need to get my head around the door mechanisms that mount on them.
Here's an overall view of things as they are currently:
Do you get the feeling that I'm putting off the difficult bits, such as the doors and roof, for as long as possible..