Mozart

11 hours ago, Kevin Futter said:

 

I'll definitely go ahead with it, I just need to find the time to set it up! Hopefully this week.

 

Kev

Excellent Kev; I'm into the painting and masking stage of my Hawker Fury, I've been keeping a record of progress so will post it there when you've set things up.

9 hours ago, Kevin Futter said:

Terrific result, Mike! Looking forward to your glamour shots.

 

Kev

Agreed Kev. Any further thoughts about a WiP section for the site, or shall we do as Mike has done and put progress pics in the Gallery? 
Max 

So to be clear, what you’re doing is putting the mask onto the decal film rather than onto the plastic, spraying through then when dry applying the decals in much the same way as usual? 
Max 

7 hours ago, WoodyV said:

Well, I've been lurking here, but not much to contribute. I notice that most of the questions involve around just how to create a file for cutting and I can't be of much help there because of my 30+ years using Adobe Illustrator which I use. Cutting masks and painting markings is enticing but it's similar to 3D printing in that it all sounds so great until you actually have to build a 3D model to print. It all sounds so easy.

It's not easy Woody, but equally, it's not hard!  All it takes is application and a willingness to learn a few straightforward techniques, and the "tutorials"and tips here are designed to help you through that.  Then it's a matter of routine - sure I still make mistakes after using the Silhouette for 7 or 8 years but I try to learn from them.  Have a look at Mike's Meteor in the Gallery, he's new to all this stuff and has produced exemplary work. The Silhouette software is not at all complicated, if you can use Adobe Illustrator it'll be a walk in the park for you.  Have a go! 😁

Glad to see you've un-lurked by the way.....welcome to our growing happy band!! 🤪

Max

You’re right Mike, removing the masking is one of the great delights providing things go well, but as you say, even if a correction is necessary it’s usually done in an instant. 

, 

Right on the money Mike, she looks splendid…….and what a great “advert” for using masks. Looking forward to seeing the final masterpiece.

Max 

It’s good to see another intro from a new member, glad you’ve already found it of some use Gary but if there’s anything specific just ask away…..no guarantees of answers but we’ll damn well try our best. 
Max 

Good to see you here, you'll not regret venturing into your own mask making!  I'd echo Kev's comment about preferring Silhouette to Cricut, though I hold my hands up and confess that I haven't used, nor seen a Cricut in operation......however....to my knowledge ALL of the tips and advice on this forum at least concern work with either the Silhouette Portrait or Cameo machines.  That for me would be good enough reason to opt for Silhouette. 

Max

Sounds promising Kev 👍

Can’t argue with that at all Mike, you’ve put it very eloquently. However I can’t see the need for detailed cockpit builds for example, or undercarriage bays including pipe runs etc where in my experience masking isn’t usually applicable. Users of the forum need to be able to locate the aspects of a build for which they have joined the forum easily and not have to wade through page after page to find it.

Max 

From my own point of view Kev, I wouldn’t be interested in doing a full build log on this forum, that will be on LSP, but of course I realise that not all members here build in 1/32 scale nor belong to LSP.
 

So for me, the two forums would be complementary because I’d cover the entire build on LSP, but the painting and mask-related in more detail here. For instance with the Fury, I’d be starting at the point I am now, show the scheme chosen, the design work on the Silhouette, masking and painting but not latterly rigging etc. I’m hoping to use Bare Metal foil for the front panels and will be trying to use the Silhouette for cutting those, so that’s about my limit here. A finished picture will go in the Gallery just to tie things up.  
 

Others’ thoughts will vary depending on their own circumstances so perhaps a degree of latitude could be allowed about how much is logged here?  
Max 

I've just started preparations for the painting stage of my Hawker Fury I (1/32 scale AlleyCat resin and white metal) having finally decided on the scheme:

It's quite a complicated scheme which will require a lot of masking at various stages, and because of this I had more or less decided to use the transfers supplied with the kit, shock horror!! 😱  But no, fear not dear friends, t'was not to be.....just couldn't do it.  So I found myself yesterday happily seated in front of my computer scanning the markings, importing said scans into the Silhouette screen, tracing etc etc.  

An idle thought came into my head, wouldn't it be a good idea to have a WiP thread in the forum specifically related to the masking part of the build.  It would demonstrate people's differing techniques and experiences and be a good teaching/learning resource, which in turn may encourage more footfall in the forum. Any thoughts mates....and Kev, El Supremo?

Well that’s great news Mike, another mystery solved! Who’d have thought it could be something so “simple” or straightforward, but it often is. So…..off you go discovering the wonderful world of producing your own masks! I really enjoy every stage from research to design to cutting and then applying. 
 

Kev, a trouble-shooting section would be really worthwhile. 
 

Smiles all round. 😁 😁

I’d be thinking that it’s defective and send it back whence it came, asking for a replacement.

Max 

Any further progress Mike? 

I think it's A4 Mike, not A5?

Max

Whatever the outcome, this has developed into a fascinating thread!  And the file cuts perfectly well:

I’ll try later Mike. You could do the reverse and download one from here that is proven to work and try! 
Max 

Thanks for the explanation Dave, maybe a case of “a trick too far”!? Is there an option to turn the Autoblade off, if it’s that clever? 
Max 

Are you actually taking the blade out of its holder and setting its depth manually Mike? I don’t understand how it can be reverting to zero, that’s not physically possible on mine. 

I’m sorry to read of your initial problems Mike, I agree that making sure the blade is latched in place is the thing to check, because you seem to have covered all the other points well. Let us know how things progress!

Max 

Remarkable examples of what can be done using home-produced masks, well done Gaz. 👌

8 hours ago, Kevin Futter said:

 

Welcome aboard, Winnie! Yes, mask cutting is indeed a niche, but a valuable one, and one that more modellers will start to experiment over time, I think. It's a shame that the cutting machines remain relatively expensive, but an entry-level unit like the Silhouette Portrait doesn't really cost much more than a decent airbrush or compressor.

 

Kev

I haven't bought any decals for the past 8 years (I rarely if ever model what's in the box) so my investment in my Cameo was a good one in my opinion - gives me so much freedom and control of what I model.

Max

It’s always worth reading and sharing places where you get good, reliable and prompt service Mike, so I think it’s a worthwhile idea. Any thoughts Kev? 
Max 

25 minutes ago, MikeC said:

 Basically it can't sit permanently next to the computer; it could sit temporarily near enough to plug a USB cable in, so I think the next solution is to store it and set it up only when actually cutting.  Does that sound viable?

I think you’ll get more satisfaction using it that way Mike, I can envisage quite a lot of frustration trying the Bluetooth way on different levels. Mine sits alongside my PC and is “permanently” connected but not used that often. 
Max