How to Separate a 3D Model Into Layers
Building plastic models is a popular pastime for hobbyists everywhere. Museums and other educational venues also use a wide variety of models, some specially built, to show students and visitors a physical representation of important pieces of technology, organisms and natural phenomena like volcanoes or glaciers. A popular approach for educational models is to build a cutaway or cross-section model showing the interior layers of a device, vehicle or structure. The base for such a model can be a typical plastic model kit, which you can turn into an attractive and informative cutaway model with tools and materials available at most hobby and hardware stores.
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Things You'll Need
- Plastic model kit
- Model paint
- Hobby knife
- Model glue
- Rotary tool (with saw attachment)
- Sandpaper
- Plasticard
Instructions
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1
Lay out the plastic "trees" or "sprues" to which the parts are attached on your work surface and check the instructions to make sure that all the pieces are present. Paint the larger pieces while they are still attached to the sprues and allow them to dry.
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Remove the parts from their sprues in the order stated in the instruction manual and assemble them into the various sub-assemblies of the model. Now is where what you do will begin to differ from what is in the instructions. First, determine along what plane or planes you will cut the model to create the cutaway view. This plane should not intersect any small or detailed pieces, but be through a bulk section of the model so as to show off the interior detail to the greatest extent possible. A good example would be doing a cutaway of a WWII bomber. You wouldn't put the cut plane through the cockpit, but perhaps just behind it and before the bomb bay. Another way to do the cutaway is to cut a "scoop" out of the model, for instance, cutting an irregularly shaped section out of the top of the bomber's fuselage to show the details inside.
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Cut along the the plane or lines you selected using the saw attachment of the rotary tool. Smooth the cut edges with sandpaper until they have no more burrs or surface irregularities.
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4
Construct the rest of the model as shown in the instructions. Use plasticard, spare pieces and paint to build up any details inside the cutaway section of the interior that were not included with the original model (the example bomber might include the cockpit because it is visible through the windshield, but probably won't have the navigator's station, radios or other details).
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Tips & Warnings
A variety of books are available that show cutaway views of various vehicles and pieces of machinery. These can serve as an invaluable reference when making a cutaway model.
