Playing with Lugers in 3D

Olle · 12-17-2015, 12:46 PM

I'm trying to figure out how to create 3D artwork, and though a Luger would make it a bit more interesting. Found a nice 3D model, added frame and text, generated a tool path for the CNC-router and ran a simulation.

All that's left is to put a piece of wood in the router and run it, but I probably have to flatten the model a bit first so I can cut it from a 3/4" board.

What do you think?

hayhugh · 12-17-2015, 01:05 PM

I would buy one at a reasonable price. Nice work.........

Ron Wood · 12-17-2015, 02:02 PM

Looks fantastic but might use a couple of enhancements. There could be a more defined shadow line between the front grip strap and the grip plate, and the rear of the grip is a bit too straight at the heel (l think it might be a vestige of the stock lug showing up in the profile). Ditto nice work

!
Ron

rhuff · 12-17-2015, 02:07 PM

Very nice work. I think that you are on to something here.

lfid · 12-17-2015, 03:07 PM

Olle,
looks like an excellent idea !

maybe allow order and tailor to the interest - like
- DWM logo or Mauser or chamber crest eagle and etc logo in area under barrel rather than P08
- option for the new made 1970s Mauser lugers
- model like navy or artillery
- short frame or long frame
- full size or half size like centerpiece for cover of a pistol case
- wood like typical oak and others more exotic
- full 1/2 width like slice gun vertically vs thin relief version

good luck with project !
Bill

mrerick · 12-17-2015, 04:27 PM

Perhaps consider a negative (cutout) version of the other side of the Luger to make a custom fitting tray for display of a real Luger...

That would be a very interesting offering...

Also custom text for an individual's information...

Olle · 12-17-2015, 05:33 PM

I found the gun model on a site were people share their artwork, and the guy who made that said that he had been using original blueprints. You can still see some details that are not quite right, and I might fix these once (if) I get proficient enough with the 3D software.

That line between the grip and the frame is actually there, but it doesn't show in the rendering due to the artificial glare. And really, there isn't much of a transition with a well fitted set of grips so the lack of checkering almost makes it look like the grips just run into the frame without a seam.

Checkering would be nice, and I would also like to fix the "Indian gap" between the grip and the side plate. I suspect that the guy drew the right panel first, and simply mirrored it to make the left panel. The stock lug is there, not 100% correct but fairly nicely done.

The text can be whatever I want it to be, and you can add all kinds of stuff like insignias, flags etc. It's pretty time consuming to make the 3D model, even if you already have the gun itself, but it's a lot of fun as well. I actually made another one and ran it in the CNC last night. I gave it to a friend of mine this morning and forgot to take a picture, but this is what the rendering looks like.

As you can see, the gun is not 100% here either. The spring housing sticks out too far and the safety is in the wrong position, but it's still not bad for a free download

Edward Tinker · 12-17-2015, 05:41 PM

I bought one of those Craftsman wood cutters about 7 or 8 years ago, was disappointed in it - I would imagine they have improved a lot since then.

The issue I had was with detail and size, it would cut a 1/3 size luger from a scan that I did of my own luger, worked decently, but not as nice as I'd like

I would bet you can get a nice one done right nowadays!

Hey, the USMC never made 1911's

DonVoigt · 12-17-2015, 06:05 PM

Just use a thicker piece of wood!
I think more relief is better than less.

Looking good though.

Olle · 12-17-2015, 06:13 PM

Ed,

The one I have (a 3'x4' General CNC) is probably a more professional model than anything Craftsman would sell, but I don't think the concept of a 3-axis CNC router works well for smaller models than maybe half scale guns regardless. And of course, using wood as a medium limits the detail level quite a bit. You just have to look at it as "strictly decorative".

I haven't worked much with scans yet, got a laser scanner off of eBay a while back but haven't really made much of an effort using it. What kind of scanner did you use?

12-17-2015, 12:46 PM	#1
Olle User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,149 Thanks: 159 Thanked 663 Times in 318 Posts	Playing with Lugers in 3D I'm trying to figure out how to create 3D artwork, and though a Luger would make it a bit more interesting. Found a nice 3D model, added frame and text, generated a tool path for the CNC-router and ran a simulation. All that's left is to put a piece of wood in the router and run it, but I probably have to flatten the model a bit first so I can cut it from a 3/4" board. What do you think? Attached Thumbnails

12-17-2015, 02:02 PM	#3
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,017 Thanks: 1,089 Thanked 5,164 Times in 1,700 Posts	Looks fantastic but might use a couple of enhancements. There could be a more defined shadow line between the front grip strap and the grip plate, and the rear of the grip is a bit too straight at the heel (l think it might be a vestige of the stock lug showing up in the profile). Ditto nice work ! Ron __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

12-17-2015, 04:27 PM	#6
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,907 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,108 Times in 1,509 Posts	Perhaps consider a negative (cutout) version of the other side of the Luger to make a custom fitting tray for display of a real Luger... That would be a very interesting offering... Also custom text for an individual's information... __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

12-17-2015, 05:33 PM	#7
Olle User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,149 Thanks: 159 Thanked 663 Times in 318 Posts	I found the gun model on a site were people share their artwork, and the guy who made that said that he had been using original blueprints. You can still see some details that are not quite right, and I might fix these once (if) I get proficient enough with the 3D software. That line between the grip and the frame is actually there, but it doesn't show in the rendering due to the artificial glare. And really, there isn't much of a transition with a well fitted set of grips so the lack of checkering almost makes it look like the grips just run into the frame without a seam. Checkering would be nice, and I would also like to fix the "Indian gap" between the grip and the side plate. I suspect that the guy drew the right panel first, and simply mirrored it to make the left panel. The stock lug is there, not 100% correct but fairly nicely done. The text can be whatever I want it to be, and you can add all kinds of stuff like insignias, flags etc. It's pretty time consuming to make the 3D model, even if you already have the gun itself, but it's a lot of fun as well. I actually made another one and ran it in the CNC last night. I gave it to a friend of mine this morning and forgot to take a picture, but this is what the rendering looks like. As you can see, the gun is not 100% here either. The spring housing sticks out too far and the safety is in the wrong position, but it's still not bad for a free download Attached Thumbnails

12-17-2015, 06:05 PM	#9
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,441 Thanked 4,350 Times in 2,040 Posts	Just use a thicker piece of wood! I think more relief is better than less. Looking good though. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

12-17-2015, 01:05 PM	#2
hayhugh User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Florida/Penna Posts: 893 Thanks: 856 Thanked 513 Times in 275 Posts	I would buy one at a reasonable price. Nice work.........

12-17-2015, 02:07 PM	#4
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,289 Thanks: 2,704 Thanked 971 Times in 716 Posts	Very nice work. I think that you are on to something here.

12-17-2015, 03:07 PM	#5
lfid Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Wichita, KS USA Posts: 453 Thanks: 573 Thanked 96 Times in 53 Posts	Olle, looks like an excellent idea ! maybe allow order and tailor to the interest - like - DWM logo or Mauser or chamber crest eagle and etc logo in area under barrel rather than P08 - option for the new made 1970s Mauser lugers - model like navy or artillery - short frame or long frame - full size or half size like centerpiece for cover of a pistol case - wood like typical oak and others more exotic - full 1/2 width like slice gun vertically vs thin relief version good luck with project ! Bill

12-17-2015, 05:41 PM	#8
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,928 Thanks: 2,028 Thanked 4,525 Times in 2,090 Posts	I bought one of those Craftsman wood cutters about 7 or 8 years ago, was disappointed in it - I would imagine they have improved a lot since then. The issue I had was with detail and size, it would cut a 1/3 size luger from a scan that I did of my own luger, worked decently, but not as nice as I'd like I would bet you can get a nice one done right nowadays! Hey, the USMC never made 1911's

12-17-2015, 06:13 PM	#10
Olle User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,149 Thanks: 159 Thanked 663 Times in 318 Posts	Ed, The one I have (a 3'x4' General CNC) is probably a more professional model than anything Craftsman would sell, but I don't think the concept of a 3-axis CNC router works well for smaller models than maybe half scale guns regardless. And of course, using wood as a medium limits the detail level quite a bit. You just have to look at it as "strictly decorative". I haven't worked much with scans yet, got a laser scanner off of eBay a while back but haven't really made much of an effort using it. What kind of scanner did you use?