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Creating a template of a vehicle
Hi/Hello all
I need to create a template of a van, the reason for this is the graphics are gonna be replaced quite a few times over the coming year and I don’t have the time to keep taking parts off cars.
Let’s take the door for instance, I need to somehow make a pattern of the door minus any hardware such as handles, mouldings etc and then digitise it. I’m trying to get to the point where I can print and cut the graphics and apply not having to worry about handles sticking out or trying to fit round them.
Now in the past when making templates for recesses, I remember using clear application tape, tracing around the recess line and laying it on the graphics and cutting it out by hand. Now I could do this for the door but how do I then digitise it?
I also have another method where I would put a 16 x 20" magnet on the van, stand back and photograph it. I would then resize the van in illustrator so that the magnet was 16 x 20" again and then my van should be to scale, the only thing is lens distortion! Although my 16 x 20" magnet will be correct, the left, right, top and bottom are all out.
Has anyone made their own templates and can help?
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10 Replies
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if i have ever needed to do this i have used app tape to cover say the door then used a sharpie to draw around any obstacles,
i would then remove the app tape lay it flay on the ground and take a photo then import the picture to sign software manually drawn round with nodes etc then marry the new outline up to impact template for sizingDave
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Thanks Dave
I’ve tried that and I think the photo I’m taking is the issue.
I make sure a certain part is the same size and rescale it but when I cut the graphic, although that part I measure is correct, the overall shape is out like it’s distorted.
Do you use your phone or dslr?
If a dslr, what lens do you use?
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Scan the template, or if no scanner pop into a local copy centre. Photo will work(ish) with some adjustments in photoshop (in photoshop / RAW converter you will see lens correction option), as you will get lens & angle distortion – possible but it adds a layer of work to the process that sounds like you’ve discovered already.
We’ve made templates before via the template route, scanning and tidying up in illustrator.
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Hi Daniel I’ve always used my phone never had the distortion other ways I’ve done it by using a crayon to get the shape of the panel needed but more time but more accurate I found
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The most accurate way I’ve seen is using a printed grid, draw on top of that on the vehicle then it’s easier to scale when you take a photo or scan to computer. Still not easy and always requires some tweaking to make fit.
Best of luck!
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Why don’t u just use the impact vehicle outlines?? We have branded loads of garage vehicles & it’s accurate. Allow a bit of a border & goes on in minutes.
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Hi Bernard
I think daniel wants to create really accurate designs for vehicles that he can print and cut without having to trim anything on the vehicle without having to leave any border.
The impact templates are great but for doing what daniel wants they’re not accurate enough, as you say, you need to leave a border.
I personally would love it if the templates were extremely accurate so we could print and cut infill panels on vehicles without having to knifeless tape
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Go really far away with a really long lens
That will minimise any distortion from the lens. -
Thank all.
Alex, you’re completely right. The impact libraries are good but not 100% so not gonna work for this job. I also have other requests like this so I would like to try and get good templates that I can just print and cut.
I like the printed grid idea and might try that.
Simon, when you say ‘use a long lens’ do you mean stand as far back as I can and zoom in?
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Your camera only has a digital zoom.
That is not the same thing as a long focus lens
You need something more like a wildlife photographer has.
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