Over the years, many people suggested building an ultra-small scale model of a layout to try out the overall configuration and such. I've always thought that was a great idea, but way, way too much work for the return. However, with a 3d printer, the rules change...
I want to make Blea Moor/Ribblehead as large as possible, while still being able to fit in the car and be set up at home for testing. Determining the number and sizes of the boards to use becomes a lot easier with a mockup.
Since I tend to build my timberwork in inches and feet, I settled on 1mm to 1inch (1:25) as a really convenient scale for a mockup. All the CAD dimensions are simply in mm/inches.
One quick evening's work, and voila...
A model of a model of Blea Moor
Re: A model of a model of Blea Moor
It's a very good way of visualising how things will go together....and I've done the same for my new layout:
The only difference is that I've not actually printed mine!