Construction methods in 5 steps. Printable version in PDF format

(1) Plan. First, draw a plan of the building you want to build showing the face, side, and floor to have a general view. Then, determine the number of pieces required for construction as if it was a puzzle. Draw the pieces on paper to get a template. The model will be built of a series of pieces to assemble.
+Advice: A squared sheet of paper makes drawing easier by avoiding many measurements.

(2) Measurements. Now, choose the dimensions of your model: length, width, height. You will need a ruler, a note pad and maybe a calculator.
· If you want a small size model, you can transpose the measurements of the drawing directly on the material to cut by redrawing each piece on the material. The model will thus be the same size as the drawing.

· If you want a large size model (larger than the drawing), you must use a conversion scale by multiplying all dimensions of the drawing by a common factor. Example: If you want your model to be 5 times larger than the drawing, multiply each measurement of the drawing by five: 7 cm x 5 = 35 cm.
· If you are using the plans of a building whose measurements are in meters or feet, you must use the opposite method by dividing the dimensions of the plan by a scale allowing to reduce them to model size. Example: If you want your model to be 100 times smaller than the real building, divide each measurement of the drawing by a hundred: 35 m = 3500 cm / 100 = 35 cm.
+Advice:
*It is important to multiply or divide all measurements by the same factor to preserve proportions.
*If the model has a large quantity of pieces, it is preferable to number them and compile de measurements in a table (length, width, thickness). Example: No. 1: 22 cm x 30 cm x 7 cm.
*An easy method to convert real dimensions in model dimensions is to transform meters in centimeters and feet in inches. Example: 35 m = 35 cm.
*Don't forget to account for the thickness of the material in your calculations.

(3) Cutting. The cutting is done with knives and rulers. First, you must draw the pieces on the material with a cut-out template or a table of measurements. For Styrofoam, a felt pen is ideal while for Foamcore a pencil is preferable.

A square ruler will allow you to draw right angles while a metal ruler will allow you to cut straight. The width of the blade to use depends on the thickness of the material to cut; the thicker the material is, the larger the blade must be as a larger blade is also stiffer. To sculpt details, a small blade is preferable. To get a angled cut, tilt the blade while cutting. Make sure of always using a sharp blade for a clean cut.
+Advice:
*Greasing the blade with oil or petroleum jelly makes cutting easier by reducing friction.
*Styrofoam can also be cut with a hot wire.
*To avoid leaving pen traces on the pieces, you can mark them with dots.
*You must be careful to hold the knife straight to have straight edges for the assembly.