modeling help or advice

[martin54]

I had no trouble at all learning 2D graphics many years ago as a signmaker but 3D is proving to be a bit more of a challenge, the good thing about 2D is it doesn't matter how many layers you have or what you add it always stays flat Once I had learnt to draw, node edit & use layers I pretty much had it cracked

So here is my question, I have been making a few plates & some of them have parts that stick out from the side of the plate & end up being very thin & fragile, the Ladybird plate I made is an example of that because one of the antenna broke off when I knocked it I have glued it back on & I think if I drill a small home & glue in a short piece of stainless steel rod that would work for this example. BUT I would like to try & find a way to make these small parts a bit less fragile without making them to big.

The back of the pepper Pig plate shows just how thin the arms, legs & tail are & these parts would quickly break off so I would like to be able to make then thicker but still retail a sort of vertical shape if that is possible Hoping some of the modelling experts on the forum can make some suggestions that would work

[herbausa]

Martin, who am I to teach you anything. That's exactly the opposite.
But try to add some draft, won't make it perfect but a little stronger.

[highpockets]

Martin,

Just a thought. You might try using copper wire bent to desired shape and glued into a hole in the side of the carving instead of using wood which you have found out can break off really easy. And if the copper wire gets bent in use, no problem just bend it back. It would also be an accent to the carving.

My two cents.

[ChiloquinRuss]

Couple of questions, what is the material, what are the dimensions (height, width), what is the thickness of the material? What will the piece be used for IE trivet? Russ

[Pete Cyr]

The easiest way to overcome your issue
Leave aprox 3mm (1/8") of material below the model in the design
Create an offset (outward) of the outline vector of the model of 1-2 mm (1/16")

When you cut the offset perimeter it will give the general shape but reinforce the thin appendages.
The appendages should be proud of the material you left below the model.
You can edit the offset to only be around the appendage's and cut the models true perimeter.

[mtylerfl]

Make separate models of the thin parts from vectors that are drawn larger/wider (or offset) from the originals. Then set those models to Merge with the body.

You may be forced to compromise between parts that are bigger than you originally wanted, but are stronger.

EDIT: After posting, I see Pete made somewhat "similar" suggestions

[martin54]

Thanks for taking the time to reply, all help appreciated, Just to address a couple of questions, John yes I have considered using other materials & imagine that some of the time it will actually enhance the overall look but not always. This is only one design & I made this one deliberately so I could look at different options to try & make them a little stronger, that & the Grand daughters both like Pepper Pig
Russ these are wooden plates but it was a general question really as I need to learn more about 3D modelling, size & thickness will vary but these are basically Kids plates in different shapes, the same sort of principle may apply to other things as well