Quick and Easy Model Building

3D ModelsPurpose: To represent the final design in a physical form that is as realistic as possible, computer-generated or fabricated

Advantage: Can be moved around and viewed from any angle; show interior and exterior details; the addition of scaled objects (people, furniture, vehicles) gives visual clues as to the actual size

Simple Cardstock Models

• Inexpensive models can be constructed by printing out the walls to scale on cardstock or printed on regular paper and then glued to file folders.

Supplies Needed• Cardstock or regular paper and manila file

folders• Scissors• Glue Stick• Clear Tape• Hot Glue• Printer• Revit file of completed building

Foundations

Models can be built with a foundation wall or as a slab on grade.

The procedure described in this presentation will describe the slab on grade construction.

Model with foundation wall

Model with slab on grade foundation

Set Up Your Revit File

• After the building has been drawn in Revit, use Save As to save your file using a different name.

• All of the existing elevations and sections will have to be modified.

• Change the sheet size in the model file to A size (8 ½ x 11)

• Use a 1/8 scale (or 1/16 smaller for larger buildings) for all views.

Floor Plan• Hide all dimension lines,

door tags, and anything else that obstructs the view.

• The section lines in this view have been adjusted so they don’t cross the floor.

• Note: If your model will be built with a foundation wall, then print the floor plan twice.

Elevations

• Hide all dimensions, planting, topography, and railings.

• You may hide the level lines or adjust them so as not to cross the elevation, as shown here.

• Elevations may be printed in color or black and white.

Hide That Roof

• Since roofs usually overhang the walls, they must be hidden in order to have the actual wall size shown.

Additional Exterior Walls

• If there are any exterior walls that are not completely shown in the elevations, print additional sections that show the walls.

Interior Walls• If possible, print sections that show the inside

of all the exterior walls. The remaining interior walls do not need to be shown.

Show these walls

Match Interior & Exterior

• Match the correct interior view with the exterior view.

• Glue them together using a glue stick.

Foundation Decision Time

• If the foundation wall will be constructed, then cut all walls off at the top of the floor and set those pieces aside for later.

• Otherwise, cut all walls at the bottom of the floor. A small strip of the foundation will be visible on the exterior side.

Line up the Pieces

• Compare all of the walls with the floor plan.

• Determine which wall edges will be connected.

Connect Adjacent Walls

• Carefully line up the adjacent walls and tape them together.

• When finished, the walls should form a continuous loop.

Start Attaching the Floor

• Using a small piece of tape, line up and attach the floor to the corresponding wall.

Continue Attaching Floor

• Continue attaching the walls. A small piece of tape in the center of the wall is all that is needed.

• This model required 5 pieces of tape.

Secure the Walls

• A hot glue gun can be used to firmly secure all walls to the floor.

• Interior walls can now be added if desired.

If There is a Foundation Wall• If there is a foundation wall,

then the model should look like this.

• Using the extra floor plan that was printed, attach the foundation wall pieces that were set aside earlier. Follow the same procedure that was used to connect the walls to the floor, except this time attach the on the underside of the floor.

• When finished, glue the two floor plans together.

Roof, Stairs & Railings• The easiest way to add these items is to measure

and cut them to fit.• A Revit file that includes texture sheets for shingle

roofs, stairs and railings is included in the curriculum. Print the sheets that are needed, and cut to fit.

Attach the Roof

• Porch roofs and portions of the roof that do not obstruct an interior view can be glued to the walls.

• The main roof should be detachable so that the interior of your model can be viewed.

Glue was used here.

Semi-Attached Roof

• A portion of this roof was glued onto the model using hot glue at one end.

• The roof can be lifted up to see the inside of the model.

Glue was used here.

This end can be lifted.

If There is a Second Floor• A second floor can be

constructed that is removable from the model so the first floor can be seen.

• Another method to include the second floor is to hot glue the second floor plan at one end so that the second floor can be lifted up.

If There is a Second Floor

Add Final Details

• Now add railings, stairs and columns to complete the model.

Finished Models

Revit Renderings

More Finished Models

Courtesy Greg Thiel

Credits

Bird-Whitley, Carolyn. PLTW CEA Master Teacher, James Island High School, Charleston, SC (unless noted otherwise).

Thiel, Greg. PLTW CEA Master Teacher, Lee's Summit High School, Lee’s Summit, MO.

Image Sources

Writer: Bird-Whitley, Carolyn.