Hello from Scotland

[BlackMike Models]

Hello Folks, my name is Duncan Black and I have recently bought a Cricut Explore 3 as a retirement gift to myself.

 

I am a keen aircraft modeller and airbrush painter with plenty of experience of using commercially purchased paint masks but have always wanted to be able to create my own. Unfortunately I am a luddite when it comes to drawing software so I guess I have quite a learning curve ahead of me.

 

To start I will be happy to reproduce basic markings like RAF roundels, US 'Stars and Bars' and WW2 Luftwaffe markings and the various code numbers and letters. I use a lot of canopy masks so that's another application I will be having a go at in the future.

 

For now I will start by learning how to produce basic files and load them into Cricut Design Space. My first project will probably be RAF Interwar roundels for a 1/48 Hawker Hart kit I am currently building. I have EazyDraw for Mac already installed on my computer so may as well try that out.

 

Expect lots of stupid beginners questions in the near future lol.

 

Duncan B

[Kevin Futter]

Welcome aboard, Duncan!

 

 

Kev

[Hannover]

Welcome Duncan,

 

Another luddite here, still learning!!

 

Peter

[MikeC]

Hi Duncan,

[Mozart]

Morning Duncan…..funnily enough I’ve been replying to your thread on colours over on BM! Hope all’s going well with your venture into masks, plenty of advice and examples here for you to find out about masking. 
 

Max 

[John Zed]

Hello

 

I'm John Zaranek from Buffalo, NY and have been building scale models for over 30 years. I've owned a Cricut Explore Air 3 for several years now and  have been unable to use it due to software incompatibility issues (first, couldn't use my Chromebook, then Cricut Design Space wouldn't allow Windows 11 on another laptop). I was considering selling it and replacing it with a Silhouette unit, but for giggles I checked today and found that Cricut now supports Windows 11.....anyway, I'm looking forward to trying out making my own masks. Thanks very much.

[Kevin Futter]

Welcome aboard, John!

 

 

Kev

[BlackMike Models]

On 8/4/2024 at 7:40 AM, Mozart said:

Morning Duncan…..funnily enough I’ve been replying to your thread on colours over on BM! Hope all’s going well with your venture into masks, plenty of advice and examples here for you to find out about masking. 
 

Max 

Hi Max

 

Your help with the roundel colours was most appreciated and I have now purchased the Mr Paint colours.

My foray into the Cricut world hasn't really taken off at all for various reasons. Lack of knowledge in how to use my drawing software combined with my dyscalculia are the major handicaps at the moment. I simply can't make sense of how to convert the 1:1 size into any given scale even though I know it must be a simple process. So just trying to draw simple RAF roundels is proving to be utterly bewildering and my enthusiasm has taken a tumble. The thought of drawing serial numbers and letters is even more off putting.

 

Duncan B

[MikeC]

On 8/18/2024 at 10:26 AM, BlackMike Models said:

I simply can't make sense of how to convert the 1:1 size into any given scale even though I know it must be a simple process

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[GeneK]

On 8/18/2024 at 4:26 AM, BlackMike Models said:

I simply can't make sense of how to convert the 1:1 size into any given scale even though I know it must be a simple process.

I'm sure Mike will give you the best "tutorial", but for others who may have the same quandary (or who are looking for shortcuts):

 

1. Convert 1:1 measurements into your desired units, for example inches or mm.  https://www.calculator.net/conversion-calculator.html

2. Divide by your desired scale, for example 72 or 48. 

3. If you change your mind on the scale, you can start again, or https://www.scalemodelersworld.com/online-scale-converter-tool.html

 

Gene K