So you've got a hard-disk full of scanned images .... well, I have - what are you all waiting for !!
Now we want to clean up the image to make it a bit more plan like and a lot less 'smudgy photocopy' like !!
At this point, I would like to welcome our friends without scanning facilities - you can build an image from scratch using the following guidelines, but scanners save you a lot of hard work and the cost is coming down everyday ..... if all else fails, pull in some of those favours from friends with scanners !
For the non-scanner users, I will add annotated details in yellow
Let's say our image is a coach plan showing both sides (which are different - typical ! ) and an end view. As we are using computer graphics, we have the ability to 'Copy and Paste' so start work on the most complicated side first, as we can use a lot of this detail in the other side without having to re-draw it !
Do the most complicated side first - life gets easier after this !
The best place to begin is track-level - establish a straight line for the track-bed ... this will ultimately be a datum line for a number of crucial measurements.
Any other horizontal lines could now be added, noting that using the right mouse button will delete lines so you can get rid of all of those horrid dots that the scan left behind in it's attempt at figuring out your straight line - you could use the Eraser too, but be careful and remember that 'Edit , Undo' is a useful command !
Vertical lines can also be added at this point as well - a box like structure is forming and the image looks crisper already ..... save regularly at successful stages - it saves a major re-do of a part when things go wrong, or the power goes off !
Remember to use that magic calculation from Part I that gives pixels from millimetres - getting it right here is really important !
If you're doing coaches, then flip the View size to a much larger image size, enable the grid (I'm not telling you how to do this - figure it out, and learn while you're there !!), and use the Pencil to add and remove dots to make one correctly sized window.
Now you can rub out the other similar sized windows (Suggestion - leave a bit behind for positioning purposes !) and use 'Copy, Paste' to sort out all of those windows at once ...... that saved you some time !!
Do the doors and the rest of the windows - the easy bits are just about done now, and it's time to put some thought to those curved sections. Now this is the time for some trial and error - use Large Size image to add and remove using the dot-by-dot of the Pencil, then look at the end result in normal size until you're happy with the curve.
This is a really time-consuming part - but remember that you might be able to 'Copy, Paste' these curves elsewhere, so take that time to get things right.
You might want to experiment with the Circle drawing part of Paintbrush at this point (away from the area of the curve - 'Cut, Paste' later and slide into place), cutting out the remainder of the circle when done to leave a curve .... else, go dot-to-dot until you're happy / insane !
Hopefully, we've got one side done now, so the other side beckons.
Use 'Copy, Paste' as usual but before you place the image in it's new home (underneath the existing section ?), consider whether the command 'Image, Flip/Rotate' might be useful for reversing some detail, as the sides may not be symmetrical about the centre-line ...... say a coach with 4 compartments one end and 3 at the other - so non-symmetrical ?
You should now have two coach sides with no underframe detail - so time to look at that underframe.
Most coach bogies look unduly complicated until you've played dot-to-dot with them, and they will look quite realistic when printed ..... you'll probably use existing bogies anyway, so if this is the case then don't go mad, but if you were me, then go absolutely nuts on detail as this helps those who want to scratch-model these items (assuming that you will share your plans ...... you will, won't you !) A bit more work adding battery boxes and air reservoirs will complete the underframe detail.
Last lap now - it's the end view.
With coaching stock, this is relatively easy but the curves can be daunting because of the tumblehome of the coach-side .... dot-to-dot time (you must be getting good at this by now !) and remember that you could always mirror the end about a vertical centre-line (Copy, Paste, Flip/Rotate), so it doesn't seem that bad as a finish-off.
You've now got your finished plan but it doesn't end there ! Maybe some of the parts of your plan will form a basis for another similar plan - always think back to previous plans when you start a new project, as a number of the components can be yours with a simple 'Copy, Paste' to use in your next plan !
That's all there is to Plans by Paintbrush - remember to use previously drawn items and the most difficult plan will be the first plan you ever do !!
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