How to create a 3D scale model is a question that I have often asked myself, as I am pretty good at creating my own dollhouse furniture, for example, but for other things like figurines, I really have no idea so far.
Of course, there is so much more to talk about this topic of how to create 3D scale models than just figurines, so today we are going to dive into the world of a 3D scale model room box, furniture, plants, and more!
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How Do You Make A 3D scale Model Step By Step? (based on a course by a 3D scale model maker)
(This tutorial is based on the online course by Julieta La Valle, a 3D scale model maker and her tutorial is available throughout this blog post)
1. Collect The Materials That You Need
Here’s a list of the materials that you need to craft 3D models:
- A cutter
- A crafting knife
- Scissors
- a metal ruler
- a triangular ruler aka Architectural Scale Ruler
- a drawing triangle
- a tape measure
- pencil and rubber to draw the plans
These are the basics, but there’s more:
- Different kinds of glues: glue for fabrics and polystyrene, multi-purpose glue for wood or cardboard, fast-grabbing glue like tacky glue.
- Optional: adhesive spray glue
- Paper tape (two-sided)
- Optional: spray paint (primer spray can be useful)
- acrylic paint
- paintbrushes or a paint roller for the walls
- varnish
- colored pencils for the miniature plants
- architect paper (foamed PVC)/wood (MDF)/cardboard, depending on what kind of material you want to work with
- wood veneer sheets
- Paper green sheets for the plants
- polycarbonate sheets ( thermoplastic polymers) for the windows
- sandpaper
- wooden rods
- fabrics
2. Learn About The Scales
First, I have written before about the different scales in the miniature world.
But how to calculate everything that you want to make in miniature size, is another thing to learn.
Here’s where the architectural scale ruler comes in handy!
Architectural Scale Ruler, Imperial Measurements 12”
Buy Now →- measure any object around you that you want to scale, like a table, with a measuring tape
- Draw the measurements of the table or other object on paper with a quick sketch
- after the quick sketch, you can draw a much better and neater drawing with the exact same size as your piece of miniature furniture
- If you want to, you can also use Adobe Illustrator, which is a professional vector-based design and drawing program.
- You can scale everything to a scale that is most used in the miniature world and make it easier on you if you want to purchase other miniature furniture in the future.
And finally, don’t forget to use my very own scale converter!
Convert any measurement in a known scale into another known scale.
Convert in scaleto in scale
3. Design The 3D scale Model
Before starting the project, you will need to think about what kind of interior you want and what inspires you.
Is it a place or room in which you live in or is it an image of someone else’s home or living space? The choices are basically endless.
Create a PDF file or a Google Docs file with all the rooms of your dollhouse in it. Based on pictures that you have found on the internet.
Everything doesn’t need to be exactly the same, as these are suited as just inspiration.
- Start by adding the general structure of the space you want to work on. And add the measurements of the floors, ceilings, walls, windows, etc.
- Add all examples of miniature furniture that you want to try and create
- Add the colors of the walls and if you are going to paint them or use wallpaper/ add examples of wallpaper
- And finally, add all the details, like the books you want to place or the miniature plants, paintings on the walls, etc..
- Draw the building plans for the basic construction and add them to the PDF file
If you would like more detailed instructions, please have a look at the online course.
4. Build The Basic Construction
Build your basic construction in this order:
- Build the floors
- Build the walls
- Build the enclosures and moldings
- Build the miniature furniture
- Build the rest of the miniatures: plants, book, etc etc..
- Assemble everything together
- And then finally: you could learn how to photograph your project, which is also explained in this online course.
A Detailed Course Review On How To Create A 3D scale Model by a model maker called Julieta La Valle
If you still have questions on the easiest way to make 3D models, I have found another online tutorial for you on this topic.
Who Is The Instructor?
This time, it was created by Julieta La Valle, who is dedicated to the construction of 3D models for audiovisual productions.
Her training started from a very young age when she went to an art workshop where her love for miniatures started.
Watching animated movies was another source of information for her and influenced her a lot.
After high school she went to study scenography at a school called EMAD and she also helped out her 2 brothers on their model buildings while they studied architecture.
After that, she also went to study cinema with art direction, so she had a perfect background to make our miniature 3D models!
Then she decided to open a model studio of her own, working together with other miniature influencers, where she still is active.
One of the most amazing projects that they worked on was the miniature kitchen for Ikea 🙂
What Are The Influences Of The Instructor?
There is more information about her influences in the course itself, but it is mostly by the cinema, movies like:
- ET
- Jurassic Park
- The Adams Family
- The Wizard of Oz, etc
But also ‘the making of’ is what she most is interested in, of course 😉
What Is Going On In This Course?
First, I need to tell you that I have purchased and seen this course myself so that I could write about it. So I have a clear and personal opinion and review on it.
What you will learn in this course is:
- An into-depth explanation of scales
- How building plans are drawn
- How to make a general basic structure (like a roombox)
- and add the floors, walls, and windows
- how to build miniature furniture, miniature plants, and all smaller accessories
- How to photograph everything
Included are also several PDF files of all the references/images/plans/constructions, which serve as a guide throughout the course.
By the end of the course, you will have a finished miniature project and you will have learned how to create a 3D model!
Overall Rank
Price
First of all, if you use this code : EVERYTHINGVERYSMALL, you get a discount of 10%!
This course is only $9,99, which is totally worth it!
If you buy 3 courses as a bundle on Domestika, you only spend $24,99, limited in time!
Pros And Cons Of This Course On How To Create A 3D Model
The Good.
- The instructor is a very professional scale model instructor with lots of own experience in the field of making decors for movies, etc..
- Very affordable course
- This course explains everything in detail, from the materials, building plans, and design to the making itself and even how to photograph it is included!
- You don’t need to leave your house to follow this online crafting course
The Bad.
- sometimes the translation in English isn’t correct, especially regarding the materials, the rest seems fine. (check out the correct translation for the materials in my tutorial above)
- No English audit
- The project is on a scale of 1:10, so not the usual 1:12 scale, but that is easily adapted to the scale you prefer and is explained throughout the course on how to do that.
My Conclusion
I have purchased this course and besides a few translation mistakes, I loved it and learned a lot of extra stuff about the miniature world!
My Final Conclusion
I hope that you have found out everything you need to know on how to create a 3D scale model, but if you have any more questions, please feel free to ask them below or join me on (one of) my social media channels or Facebook group.
I wish you happy crafting!
Kind regards,
Lizzy
PS: similar topics:
Check out the 6 best DIY miniature courses here.
Hi everyone!
My name is Lizzy, and I am an amateur miniaturist obsessed with everything in the dollhouse and miniature world, ever since I was a teenager.
So far, I have created 2 dollhouse projects, a backyard shed and a miniature treehouse, tons of DIY dollhouse kits, and “hacked” some.
I also created a fairy garden, and lots of small and simple miniature projects on my YouTube channel. (mostly made from trash or everyday items).
I love to write as well about all things happening in the miniature world, hence the reason why I created this blog!
I wish you happy reading and crafting!
Lizzy
This is an interesting topic and quite an educative article. Creating 3D designs can be fun for someone with creative skills and talent. This is something I would like to learn. And the course reviewed in this article also has a lot to offer and is quite affordable. I will save this article and go for the course during my leave.
Thanks for sharing
Hello Bethel
Thank you for your comment and I wish you much luck with the course!
Kind regards,
Lizzy
I learned basic lessons in the school when I was a third fourth grade, but we weren’t doing too complicated models like you are showing in the post.
Actually is not that simple to draw on a paper and then cut it and assemble it.
In my opinion, it is a very good skill to create miniature models. But I didn’t know people still doing this work.
What are the benefits of doing such work in today’s world, if there are 3d printers and advanced programs that will do a better job?
By the day, it was a great post, reminded me of my school years.
Hello Moses!
Thank you for your wonderful comment and nostalgic reminder of my and your youth 🙂
About the benefits of still crafting this by hand, I wrote an article on this, please have a read !:-)
13 reasons why kids and adults should still play with dollhouses.
I wish you happy crafting!
Kind regards,
Lizzy
3D modeling can be a good hobby for someone who wants to create things and have fun, as long as you’re willing to put some effort into learning about the subject. Creating your own 3D models can be rewarding when done correctly, but there are many pitfalls along the way. Therefore, you should definitely take this course if you want to learn more.
Thank you for your positive comment John and I hope that you will enjoy the course, I think it is totally worth it!
I wish you happy crafting!
Kind regards,
Lizzy