A New Record
Trader Sam | July 1, 2009
Well, I hope you’re looking forward to a whopper of a paper model. I’ve done some calculations based on preliminary parts testing, and it seems that the Sleeping Beauty Castle model is going to be the tallest yet. Here are the projected dimensions: 31.2” high, 25.14” wide, & 30” depth. That’s taller than the TWA Moonliner, which holds the current record. Of course, you can always scale it down.
I’ve also been testing the Craft Robo on a few of the more delicate model pieces. There are a lot of “lacy” pieces that would look far better if they were fully cut out, which is where the machine comes in handy. There have been a few damaged areas due to thin parts, so that’s being looked into.
While the machine aligns solid cuts almost perfectly, it was way off when cutting dashed lines for some reason. I have a theory about that, but only more tests will tell.
There’s also a problem with fitting the registration marks onto the pages. They have to fit within a certain area, and there cannot be anything too close to them. This may create a problem with page layouts. I’ll have to resolve all of these problems before considering releasing the cutting templates for the model. Perfection, perfection, perfection!
For some odd reason, my machine has suddenly decided to make a horrific grinding sound as it takes its sweet time reading the registration marks. It cuts just fine, though. I may have to contact the company about it if it doesn’t resolve itself soon. Thank goodness for the 12-month warranty!
Work on the model has been slow, and it will be slowing. I am currently working with Tor.com on a project that will steal some of my attention from the castle model for a little while. Mums the word on the project, but I’ll let you all know about it when it is made public. I’m also completley revamping Roxie Art & Design with a new name (Nava Designs), a new logo, and a new website.
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That’s great news, i can’t wait to get started!
Hi Trader Sam,
i was wondering if you got any further on the Adobe Ilustrator program for the castle model….
I’m still building on the Californian model, its nearly fineshed, i’m thinking to do no bridge because the model scale is 190% in Adobe Reader and it wil not fit in my bedroom, i’m thinking to put HO moss from a trainset on the castle wall’s just like the real thing!
I’m also working on the Disneyland Train (from Walt Disney) i’m making myself along with your Mainstreet Station that’s going to be also put up in 190%. with a platform and a rail track. I have almost vacation so i can work further on my hobby’s.
I am just starting to number the parts and begin the page layouts.
Aaaah, that’s the trick!
Here’s what I do. I buy peel and stick laminate at staples and print the model as usual. But you also have to print it a second time in black and white. (why waste color ink?) You laminate the colored parts only and cut off all the tabs and glue surfaces. Then you glue the laminated pieces to their b & w counterparts and viola! You have your glue surfaces back and free of laminate.
It works well and does help extend the life of ink jet printed parts, but it also requires extra parts. You have to build internal supports out of basswood, cardboard, foamcore or whatever to take the load off the walls. It’s best to build from the platform up and “hang” the castle walls to the edge of the roof rather than think of them as sides of a box. Let the internal bracing take all the load, and have a strong backing for the roof. (i.e. the greenish-gray roof of the base section of sleeping beauty’s castle.) Build the upper section of the castle as a strong box and the add the wings and towers after the core is installed, rather than building the upper level as a single piece. It’s also easier.
I did sacrifice details to build as a dollhouse. I found it best to leave thin frail parts like the delicate spires on the buttresses off. Even small hands will bend them to death very quickly. I also left off some of the internal pieces for the stone “fingers” around tower sections. The pieces that look like as string of inverted “U”‘s? I very carefully slit the laminate on the round tower faces to get somewhere to glue the “fingers”.
Those are the basics anyways. I was going to do anther DL S.B. castle dollhouse this year, but the challenge of doing the chateau as such is just too tempting! It will make an awesome playspace! All those levels, the cave, the hillside! Oooh! Can’t wait to sink my tools into it!
I think you just took paper models to a completely different level.
I’d like to take it all the way to printing on styrene but so far the technology eludes me.
Hey, I just thought of something…where’s the dragon?
No dragon. Just a cave.
Now that you’ve jogged my memory . . . in the past, I’ve thought about doing a Maleficent dragon model. I thought it’d be a nice change of pace from doing buildings and vehicles.
Oooh! That would work!
P.S. I’m already planning a laminated “dollhouse” version of the Chateau just like I did with S.B.’s!
You’re a glutton for punishment, aren’t you? Just how do you assemble the models when they’re laminated? I’m assuming regular glue doesn’t cut it.
say a dragon might be quite good a nice adition to the castle
I can’t wait to start to build this one!!!
This is looking spectacular! I particularly like what you’re doing with the stained glass windows. Can’t wait to get started…
I’m very interested in your comments on the Craft Robo. I have been thinking of getting one. There are several different brands on the market here. I want to make sure I get the most suitable one.
Becky want too!
Me want more!!!
How is the Cinderella’s Castle coming? Last I saw of it, it was looking very good. How about an update?
I’m assuming you mean Sleeping Beauty Castle. No update yet. I’ll post something when there’s something new to report. I just got my computer back.
If you we’re talking about cindy’s WDW pad, it hasn’t had much done to it in quite awhile. I’ve been contemplating a redesign of the whole project and hadn’t worked on it because of that issue.
Funny enough, I had decided to go back and build the ground level over (to get better instruction sheets) a couple of weeks ago, but a family emergency limited my time and printing supplies. (it’s over 100 pages already asnd that’s just the base!) In the meantime, I checked on what our host here was up to and almost fell off my chair!! If he wasn’t as far along as he is I would have challenged him to a castle race! :)
He has inspired me however, and I may get back to work if he doesn’t keep coming up with other things to distract me! :)
Becky
100 PAGES!? Geez, I don’t think I’ve ever gone over 60 for an entire model. That’s got to either be an extremely detailed model, a very large model, or both!
Almost 3 feet accross and somewhere between 12 and 16 inches high for the base towers. Believe me, I’ve jammed and crammed everything as tight as I can get it on the parts sheets!
That . . . is . . . big! It would make an impressive table centerpiece!
Daddy want, daddy want!
So now the dimensions are down, do you know how the scale works, and this castle’s relationship to your DL Sleeping Beauty Castle?
I never do anything in any particular scale. I just make it whatever size I feel is appropriate.
The Disneyland Sleeping Beauty Castle model is roughly 16.5″ tall, 17.5″ wide, and 20″ deep from front to back, including the ramp. So the Paris Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant model is roughly twice the height of the Disneyland Castle model and a third again as wide and deep.
I found 1:48 scale figures look good, but 1:64 trains look better than 1:48.