I’ve been considering getting Model Builder software from ModelTrainSoftware.com to make some paper buildings. It looks great on their web site but I’d sure like to get some opinions from anyone who has used it before I buy it.
I’ve fooled around with it a little. Look on their website and download the outhouse. I like their textures for roofing, walls and windows. If you layer up the trims and windows you should be able to come up wirh some nice stuff. Would also help to know your way around a CAD program a little just to make things easier. They have a pretty good tutorial but it goes too fast for me. I need to print it out and go thru the exercises. BILL
I have used it a couple of times. Went through the tutorial to build the gas station and it turned out pretty good. IMHO, the software is good for getting a bunch of temporary buildings in place quicker than you could build kits (and cheaper). But I plan on replacing the Model Builder buildings with traditionally built structures as time and finances allow. In the meantime, the layout looks better than empty spaces or plain cardboard blanks for buildings.
The results will not win any contests by any stretch of the imagination. The results look better if you take the time to cut out doorways and windows to give them a little depth rather than leaving them on the same plane as the walls of the buildings. I have seen some folks who have assembled buildings with printed parts just like you would assemble a kit and got results that looked just as good. So the results depend on how much time and effort you wish to spend.
Your results will depend on the paper you use for printing as well as your printer. I highly recommend using the matte photo paper they recommend. Normal copier paper comes out looking faded and tends to smear when you glue to the the building blank (I use corrugated cardboard for bigger structures needing strength and card stock taken from things like drapery packages for smaller structures needing thinner walls).
All in all, I think it is a pretty good tool to purchase for the money. Just don’t expect contest quality results from it…
I think I have an early version but did not attempt to make any of the buildings. I did design and print some background building.
Judge for yourself.
Thanks for the replies. I did download one of their freebies and it doesn’t look too bad. The lack of relief isn’t too noticeable in N scale. Your background flats look pretty good, Bob. I think I’ll get the program. Maybe Santa will bring it for me. That’s only 70 days away.
When your done making the building, make additional copies and use them to add depth to the windows, trim, doors/doorways, don’t forget pillisters and roof trim. The added depth, (depending on the thickness of the Paper you use, card is better than the thin sheet)
It really depends on how much work your willing to put into it.
R
I bought the Model Builder software earlier this year. It is easy to use, but having some experience with graphics software helps. I have used it to design some backdrop buildings. I use photo paper and have an Epson inkjet photo printer. It is important to seal the building with a UV resistant clearcoat spray - there is one recommended in the software notes. The only problem I have is the program does not talk to my printer, so I can not change portrait to landscape paper orientation, and I have to change the paper selection from the printer setup outside the program. I am thinking of buying their windows and signs programs to add some more variety to the selections in the basic program.
Rebel, thanks for the hint on adding depth. I hadn’t thought of that. George, I have a spray called Krylon Preserve It which I got at Michaels. It’s for protecting computer printed photographs so it should work well.