Model complex solid shapes with cardboard.

Step 2 Slice your model

Try to slice your model in the direction in which you get less slices, this will save you cutting and gluing time. Make the separation of the slices equal to the thiknes of the cardboard you have. Slice the part of the model that you find convenient for this method (non geometric shapes you can't get by folding or curving other materials). Fo the saw I only sliced the body since I needed it to be solid and strong to support the weigh of the blade, base and protection of the blade.
Rhino has a special tool to slice your model in any direction you like. Just type "_Contour" and hit enter to start the tool. Make sure "grouping objects by cutting plane" is on so all the curves of each slice are grouped togheter.
In the second example shown I have chosen to slice the model in a diagonal direction. This tool only creates curves, it doesn't really cut your model so don't worry about your model being cut.

Keep in mind that the thinner your slices are, the thinner and easier to cut your cardboard will be BUT you'll have more slices to cut. You'll also get more exact models with thinner cardboard. It all depends on what you'll do and what results are you looking for.

Comments

[mj_b90]

 Has anyone tried doing this in CATIA? I can only get it to export one slice at a time, that'd take forever. Any tips?

[cynical_chemical]

anyone know how to slice on blender? preferably for a mac

[arcano01]

subdivide in edit mode.