What is a 3D wooden maquette?
A maquette is a scaled-down replica of a real or fictional object, crafted from various materials such as paper, cardboard, and wood. Constructing a 3D wooden maquette is a process that involves both digital and manual steps. After the maquette is virtually modeled, it's time to assemble the wooden parts to create the final maquette. But why is an initial 3D phase necessary when the maquette is ultimately made entirely from wood?
Steps to Building a 3D Wooden Maquette
The 3D modeling helps clarify the methods in advance, considering volume, material type, and surface of the maquette. The virtual visualization allows examining the designed maquette from all angles. It also serves to reduce material waste and enable a perfect assembly of the wooden parts.
For the second step and subsequent steps, it's time to apply your knowledge of engraving, shaping, cutting, and gluing. The maquettiste needs to be skilled in using cutting tools and prepare a cutting mat beforehand. Following the virtual instructions created in the first phase is crucial to make the best use of them. This can be an exciting exercise but requires skill, finesse, and patience.
Wooden Maquettes Without Digital Support
For those who want to build a wooden maquette as a hobby, there are also kits available with the necessary materials and components. These kits include parts that need to be cut, colored, and eventually assembled. It's important to have all the necessary tools at hand to achieve a perfect result, such as a nail gun, paint, brushes, sandpaper, hammer, screwdriver, nails, and screws.
