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Thread: Very easy smoke and flame markers

  1. #1

    Lightbulb Very easy smoke and flame markers

    [Part 1: how not to do it!]

    Hello tout le monde,

    here's the tale of my first attempt at making my own markers.
    The idea was to make them as easy and low cost as I could, using the materials I would normally use.

    First, I've designed and printed the makers on paper:
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    Then, I wanted to glue it on some foamboard:
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    But of course, as Murphy would have it, just after having applied the glue, the foamboard fell down (wrong side down) in the dirt (observe the mouse droppings):
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    I - or rather my wife - managed to save the foamboard and to glue the printout onto it:
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    First cut in chuncks:
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    Then cut the finer parts:
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    Drill the holes and slip the marker onto the topmost peg, voilą:
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    And, finally, discover that it looks like SH!T...

    So, that's not it then, is it?

    Well, we'll see what it's become since in the next post!

    petitbilbo from Brussels
    Last edited by petitbilbo; 05-18-2011 at 05:58. Reason: typo

  2. #2

    Default

    Nice. Great idea. I think spending a little tine making the markers less uniform might improve them a bit. I really like them.

  3. #3

    Default

    Sculpt the edges a bit so they are not square and I think you will have a nice set of markers.
    (Round the smoke into irregular 'billows' and follow the curve of the fire.)

  4. #4

    Default

    Yes Bilbo, i think you have the makings of a good set of markewrs here. We all get those butter side down days. Try living wit three cats who shed hairs even in rooms they arn't allowed into. With a bit of development on the edges as Chris and John suggests they will look fine.
    Have you ever firmed up the edges of foamboard by playing a hair dryer set to max on them. Do it outside and be very gentle.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  5. #5

    Default

    Looks like you have a great item that just needs alittle tweaking. Rounding out the edges w/ billows and I think they will be done.

  6. #6

    Exclamation

    [Part 2: lessons learned!]

    Thanks for the remarks chaps, but I actually did something else!

    I printed my design on transparents and cut them out
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    a small hole (2mm)
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    put it on the plane's peg, set it back on the base
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    and voilą!
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    I like this one much better than the first!

    petitbilbo

  7. #7

    Post

    [Part 3: oh and by the way...]

    Here's the PDF!

    Fire and Smoke Markers.pdf

    Do with it as you please...



    petitbilbo (the mussels from Brussels)

  8. #8

    Default

    I opened it, but it self destructed in 30 seconds. Seriously, they are great. As luck would have it I have some OHP transparent film that I am going to try out soon.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  9. #9

  10. #10

    Default

    OHP transparencies: mine are about 10 to 15 years old, but still in top condition.
    I really like to use it for stuff like this, the transparent nature gives your project some sort of 'natural 3D' effect.

    Keep me posted, will ya?

    petitbilbo

  11. #11

    Default

    Thanks for the pdf, I will be making some.

  12. #12

    Default

    Those are really nice! thanks for the great explanation.

  13. #13

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by petitbilbo View Post
    OHP transparencies: mine are about 10 to 15 years old, but still in top condition.
    I really like to use it for stuff like this, the transparent nature gives your project some sort of 'natural 3D' effect.

    Keep me posted, will ya?

    petitbilbo
    Hi Bilbo. What setting do you use on your printer for OHP?
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  14. #14

    Default

    The paper type should be "HP Premium Inkjet Transparency Film" and the print quality "Best".

    I'm working with a (very) old HP DeskJet 990cxi from the year 2000 that suits my limited needs AND does double-sided printing automatically. A feature I don't want to miss, that's why I haven't replaced it yet.

    petitbilbo

  15. #15

    Default

    That's fine Bilbo. I can aproximate to that on mine. I do miss the duplex drive so know how you feel.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."



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