Hello all,
I'm trying my hand in scratchbuilding, but I ran into some problems with the planning phase.

I'm building a BT-SV, but I'm having trouble measuring and designing the armor part; the problem is most 3D drawings are in perspective. I'd like to know if anyone has a "folded out" plan of the tank (i think there is a paper model available; i could use the outlines of the model), or if it's possible to "descontruct" it using 3D Studio Max files. (There's a digital model available online for free. I don't have the software, though.)

Thank you

according to Sketchup, you can import .3DS files into it.
There are also plugins that will unfold drawings paper model style.

The down-side is that you will need the paid-for Sketchup pro in order to produce the layout needed in order to print them on paper.

The plus-side is that there are plug-ins to produce the necessary files to to print it directly?

http://www.tamasoft.co.jp/pepakura-en/download/viewer.html

If you have a 4 or 5-view drawing it's easier to just grab some light cardboard and starting with the hull top measure out each plate and work down each plate/area (the plans give all the dimensions needed).
I'll knock up a quickie SBS (photos) soon showing how simple it is.
Till then.

Thank you guys for the answer. I'll further investigate

What is the BT-SV? Is it an experimental tank derived from Soviet BT-7? If yes, I have its front and side views in 1/35th plus a dozen of photos and armour diagram with angles and thicknesses indicated.

If you would share them, I'd be really grateful.
:)

I will. Please wait for a few days.

No worries; I appreciate your help.

Dear Jon,

I've been playing around with Scetchup, but it's a tad too expensive for using one plugin... Do you have any suggestions?