Scale prototypes

[dynax]

Not sure where this is best placed so Mods feel free to move if necessary.

I remember many years ago that Rep's and sales people used to have scaled down models of items their respective employers manufactured, just wondering if anyone still adopts this practice, main reason for asking is i have a few design ideas for my garden planter project, and i thought about making some scale versions to see how they would look etc, then it sparked a memory that this was done in the trade, i guess that with 3d modelling and printing it takes some of the handcrafted element out of it, i could do a drawing in sketchup or similar and view on a screen, but to me that lacks the appeal of actually making a scale miniature using the same materials of the full size version, would like to hear your thoughts and experience of this practice and if people still do it, cheers,

 

[bugbear]

Since a CAD design can also be rendered, it makes sense to go that way. In one process you get accurate working drawings, and a fully viewable prototype.

You could even put your virtual (e.g.) bookcase into a virtual room to see how it looks.

BugBear

 

[Brentingby]

You could certainly make scaled models in wood. Or, if you are making a SketchUp drawing, you could have it 3D printed. Or get your own printer and print your models in your shop.

Of course if you are doing this for a customer, the benefit of leaving the model virtual is that it is very easily modified if the customer asks for changes. And making a new rendered image with the updated model is the work of only a few more minutes. Bugbear's point of putting it in context is a good one, too.