Author Topic: A Graphics build? Using vinyl materials! (Read 9033 times)

Avaiojet · « **on:** November 10, 2012, 09:35:49 AM »

I always like to see modelers do their "own thing," in all areas of model building and finishing.

Even though I do model graphics for customers, I still, at every opportunity, attempt to convince modelers that they can "Do this themselves."

Yes, having software and a computer helps, but in many years gone by, I would hand cut material for art "past ups" and for airbrushing, long before PC's did the cutting with machines.

So, "YES" vinyl can be cut by hand and there's no limit to what can be achieved if one is willing to put in the time. The same with paint masks.

A few years ago I did a Thread on this exact subject. There's plenty of information there to get one started. Here's the link.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_8462647/anchors_8462647/mpage_1/key_/anchor/tm.htm#8462647

I'll be back shortly with photos and some description text about an actual graphics set I'm currently making for a Stunt Hanger CL customer.

I'm sure he won't mind this Thread, however, the seeing of his graphics, long before he opens the package, may take some of the surprise away? Nah!

Charles

Avaiojet · « **Reply #1 on:** November 10, 2012, 10:45:50 AM »

Well, I said I would be back.

Here's a photo of what I normally get from modelers wanting graphics. A bunch of copies of areas on plans or copies of related art or material.

Having the line art for the entire fuselage side is an advantage. Also gives me an outline for something I may want to build sometime down the road.

A beginning!

Charles

Avaiojet · « **Reply #2 on:** November 10, 2012, 05:33:05 PM »

If art is supplied on paper I have the ability to scan it in. Automatic tracing doesn't work all that well because of the clean up. That is, the lines won't be accurate and will need correcting. Resolution of the art determins some of this.

So, I take my drawing tool and make lines. Simply tracing the lines that are needed to produce the graphics.

One photo here is an example of what my drawing tool will do. Move it and "click" and the line goes to the click spot. Everyplace where the tool is clicked, the line changed angles. You can draw anything.

The other photo shows the outlined area of the Mustang's nose. I have to make checks for this outlined area.

Charles

Avaiojet · « **Reply #3 on:** November 11, 2012, 03:18:18 AM »

My software allows me to make checks a couple of ways.

I can draw a series of vector parallel lines vertically then horizontally and let the cutter do the rest. This will allow for the removal of each individual square separately.

Or I draw one square and duplicate it. I overlap these squares in the cornor ever so remote. I then can "weld" the two squares together. I can repeat this process till the cows come home, until I get the required number of squares in the required area. In this case, it's within the perimeter line I drew for the Mustang's nose. I can also make the drawing any size easily.

Here are those squares.

I can set my monitor/software, two ways visually. By line, or by solid fill in with color or solid fill in as B&W. Colors can be added, changed or removed easily.

Charles

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #4 on:** November 11, 2012, 09:20:21 AM »

Looking good Charles...
I guess your customer will be very pleased!!

Marcus

Avaiojet · « **Reply #5 on:** November 12, 2012, 07:27:03 AM »

The canopy area is an area that gets plenty of attention so some detail is needed.

Nothing complicated, just a simple outline and a background, two layers of vinyl. Left side right side. I have a mirror tool, quick and easy.

In this case, the clear areas will be white vinyl and the canopy frame will be dark gray or black. Maybe black, it'll show up better.

This canopy you see on my monitor is that of the Brodak Musting, so I'm told. It was traced from a scan of a copy of that area of the plans.

The kill markings are two colors also, simple square for the white, shown gray on my monitor, and red for the crosses. Two layers.

Charles

Avaiojet · « **Reply #6 on:** November 13, 2012, 05:34:22 AM »

The most time consuming thing about producing graphics, is when you have to draw an image from scratch.

There's no fun in this, you generally don't get paid for it, however, knowing you made a fellow modeler's airplane look great, makes up for all this. Yea right!

I was provided with a photo copy of art for this bird, the Phoenix. The art was poor, as usual, but I did get through it.

Two hours later, yes I know, you can do plenty of building in two hours, the bird is completed.

In some cases, details can be left out without taking much away from the original image.

Now this drawing was duplicated with my soft ware program, but in all honesty, it could have been traced and cut in vinyl by hand. Probably in the same amount of time.
The greatest advantage, with the drawing programs is, I now have this art stored. I can bring it up and make as many as I like.

The Phoenix will be 12" tall.

I'll be cutting and laminating this vinyl set vinyl next, the easy part.

Charles

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #7 on:** November 13, 2012, 08:27:45 AM »

I have to commend Charles for show some of the details. There are many cases where items can be traced from good views in pictures, and like Charles has said, once they are in the computer the can not only be reproduces, but they can also be sized to a specific need.

They can be used for vinyl masks or stick ons, the cutter doesn't know the difference. In the following examples I painted the graphics using masks.

The flying fist on my Sea Vixen was a simple trace from a photograph. it was simple because it was mostly straights lines.(see Photo #1)

Another example is the Top Hat on my "Top Hat" stunter. This was traced from a post card and then slightly modified. It was easily sized for the Wing and the fuselage sides. Mirror image allows you to make the image for left and right sides of the fuselage with on click of the mouse.(Photo #2 and #3)

In other cases it can have varying degrees of complexity, as in the dragon that Charles drew. I recently did lettering for a Caudron for a customer. While there are similar fonts available, none really match the hand lettering on the actual airplane. Rather than try to modify existing fonts it was easier to trace the photos and then clean it up. The results are very pleasing. (I don't have the resulting graphic with me, but I will show it at a later date.

These are some more examples of what can be done today. My intent is not to hijack Charle's thread, but to support it. Again I commend Charles for unselfishly showing some of the details.

Avaiojet · « **Reply #8 on:** November 13, 2012, 09:09:14 AM »

Tom,

Thanks for the reply, photos and info.

Nice work! Kudos.

I welcome Thread hijacking, that's better than no participation at all.

Especially when it's done with kindness. Kidding again, but thanks for the kindness.

Yes, this Thread is geared toward the "do-it-your-selfer."

Yes, you don't need a complicated graphics program.

Just a little courage and the spirit to try this this stuff yourself. A #11 blade does help.

Keep up the good work and thanks for the reply,

Charles

Avaiojet · « **Reply #9 on:** November 13, 2012, 07:30:00 PM »

This is not the way vinyl comes out of a cutting machine.

What you see here is what is left when the unneeded vinyl is removed. It's called "weeding."

There's nothing here that couldn't be cut by hand! The most difficult item would be the .675" numbers.

Takes a bit of time, but the rest can be cut by hand.

Charles

Avaiojet · « **Reply #10 on:** November 14, 2012, 08:31:07 AM »

I layered the vinyl up for the benifit of the photo. In most cases the customer does the applications, including layering. Layering, for two or more colors.

Brodak's Mustang's graphics must look farmiliar to some, those that have actually built this model? Looks like a winner! The gear is in the wing!!

Charles

Avaiojet · « **Reply #11 on:** November 23, 2012, 09:27:24 AM »

There's no more for me to do because this set has been shipped! Couple of days ago in fact.

We'll see if the modeler will do a "Vinyl apply" build?

Hope so, hope the stuff fits also!

It'll fit!

Outstanding!

Charles

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #12 on:** November 23, 2012, 11:43:40 AM »

Quote from: Avaiojet on November 23, 2012, 09:27:24 AM

There's no more for me to do because this set has been shipped! Couple of days ago in fact.

We'll see if the modeler will do a "Vinyl apply" build?

Hope so, hope the stuff fits also!

It'll fit!

Outstanding!

Charles

Yeah, it will...

Marcus

Scott Bauman · « **Reply #13 on:** November 25, 2012, 05:12:00 PM »

Very nice! Yes graphics for models is not so complicated as I thought. I got myself a vinyl cutter and some software earlier this year. Just takes a little time and like you mention once you have the graphic created you have it for all time and can reproduce it or tweak it as needed for later versions.
Here is one of my first graphics I made. It took about a week of evenings from first opening the software, then learning how to use the graphics software, cutting and finally painting the model.
First picture is the full scale aircraft and the second picture is the model. It was about a weeks worth of evenings to get it figured out. Now I can make all kinds of graphics quickly.

ooopss forgot to take a picture of the model with the words under the flag that I created and printed on waterslide decal material.

-Scott

Avaiojet · « **Reply #14 on:** November 25, 2012, 05:15:59 PM »

Scott,

Excellent and kudos!

That's what we need more of! Keep up the good work.

Where have I seen those photos before?

Got photos of other work you've done?

Thanks for the reply and interest.

Charles

Scott Bauman · « **Reply #15 on:** November 25, 2012, 06:59:49 PM »

Maybe saw them on USCutter.com forum. It's one of the first model airplane projects I did when I got my vinyl cutter and software.
I have been painting mine and other friends jetskis lately using vinyl and waterbased automotive paint.
Thanks for the compliment. I have been wanting to learn basic graphics for awhile. It's not terribly difficult just a little bit of a steep learning curve.
You can also make signs for events as well with your vinyl machine. Works like a charm.
-Scott

Bill Little · « **Reply #16 on:** November 26, 2012, 08:11:00 AM »

I have been making water slide decals for plastic models for several years using coreldraw. A vector program that will do all that is needed.

I did a couple water slides for Aaron's SATONA. Turned out great! I will be needing some "blocking" masks for my big Johnny Mantz P-51 racer #46. I will paint a whit undercoat, apply the blocking masks and spray the red. This will leave the numbers, etc., white.

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

Avaiojet · « **Reply #17 on:** November 26, 2012, 09:24:26 AM »

Quote from: Bill Little on November 26, 2012, 08:11:00 AM

I have been making water slide decals for plastic models for several years using coreldraw. A vector program that will do all that is needed.

I did a couple water slides for Aaron's SATONA. Turned out great! I will be needing some "blocking" masks for my big Johnny Mantz P-51 racer #46. I will paint a whit undercoat, apply the blocking masks and spray the red. This will leave the numbers, etc., white.BIG BearRNMM/AMM

Bill,

Do you mean Paul Mantz, or am I all wet?

Bill, you know I'll be glad to help you with anything you need.

What kit is your P-51C?

Charles

Scott Bauman · « **Reply #18 on:** November 26, 2012, 07:02:23 PM »

I have been using Inkscape to draw up vector graphics. Its free software from www.inkscape.org

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #19 on:** November 28, 2012, 08:36:52 AM »

Here is the simple graphic for the "Riley's Swift" prototypes that Larry Borden and I are building. This is a Stunt Wing designed by Riley Wooten.

Instead of a paint mask, in this case they will be stick on. It was just a few minutes work.

Avaiojet · « **Reply #20 on:** November 28, 2012, 09:20:20 AM »

Tom,

Nice,

What is that the model your graphics are going on? I see those half ribs. Were they added?

Did you create/draw the font?

Looks Good!

Charles

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #21 on:** November 28, 2012, 09:57:12 AM »

Charles,
That is Riley Wooten's stunt wing design. Go to the building thread and you will see more.

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #22 on:** November 28, 2012, 01:23:51 PM »

Quote from: Avaiojet on November 14, 2012, 08:31:07 AM

I layered the vinyl up for the benifit of the photo. In most cases the customer does the applications, including layering. Layering, for two or more colors.

Brodak's Mustang's graphics must look farmiliar to some, those that have actually built this model? Looks like a winner! The gear is in the wing!!

Charles

Charles

Your customer is really pleased!!
Thanks for the great work...

Pics very soon.

Marcus

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #23 on:** November 28, 2012, 01:42:44 PM »

This is the "Phoenix".
It's a salvaged from a bad, teally bad crash, hence the name.
I asked CFC Graphics to make me some stickers for my brodak's profile Mustang and decided to order some for this model as well.
Liked a lot.

Thanks again Charles

Marcus

Bill Little · « **Reply #24 on:** November 29, 2012, 10:43:43 AM »

Quote from: Avaiojet on November 26, 2012, 09:24:26 AM

Bill,

Do you mean Paul Mantz, or am I all wet?

Bill, you know I'll be glad to help you with anything you need.

What kit is your P-51C?

Charles

Hi Charles,

Yes, it was a typo on Mr. Mantz. Should have said Paul.

It is not a kit, but rather built from plans by Bob Hunt and modified from his "D" model. 60" wingspan, PA .51 powered with a can muffler off the header. SLC on the open bays and silkspan over that. Works really nice.

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

Scott Bauman · « **Reply #25 on:** December 10, 2012, 09:09:54 PM »

What font is the word phonix on the wing? I haven't seen that one before.
One of the best tools I have bought is a vinyl cutter. It's been well worth the time and effort to learn the basics of using it.

-Scott

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #26 on:** December 11, 2012, 06:27:10 AM »

Matura MT Script Capitals

That's the font

Marcus

John Stiles · « **Reply #27 on:** August 08, 2015, 07:20:04 AM »

Hard to find big stuff:

Avaiojet · « **Reply #28 on:** August 13, 2015, 08:52:27 AM »

John,

Is that the large Ringmaster you built? If that's my graphic, it's sized for the normal Ringmaster.

I would remove that and I'll send you one twice the size.

You sent me that art didn't you?

Craig Beswick · « **Reply #29 on:** December 03, 2016, 06:38:56 PM »

Charles,
very impressive.
when you put vinyl on is it fuel proof or resistant or is there another procedure that needs to be followed?
Craig

RknRusty · « **Reply #30 on:** December 04, 2016, 12:18:27 AM »

My Inkjet waterslide decals are fading in the sun way too soon. My Twister's Red on Black Blue Oyster Cult symbol, the "Questioning Cross" turned yellow between July and November. Next time I'm going to try laser printer colors and see if they are more resilient.

My First home-made job was with red Monokote and lots of Exacto blades, and it's 5 years old now, but not in the sun so much. It was my re-designed Li'l Jumpin Bean which I called the Refried Bean. The flames are just pencil drawn and cut out, applied with Windex.

I thought my Osprey, a kit-bashed Skyray, looked good too. Same method on the wings, and a waterslide eagle head on the silver nose and rudder. I kind of botched the sky blue wing editing this picture to get the eagle to show up.

And you've seen my Windex 'Koted Baby Streak wing in George's traditional color scheme, except blue instead of black on the wing. The rest of thje plane is rattlecan paint.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #31 on:** December 04, 2016, 10:02:36 AM »

waterslide decals are greatly enhanced by clear coats with Ultra Violet protection, like most two part clear urethane auto clears. Dope has no ultraviolet protection