Here’s how I scale helmets to fit perfectly:
I use a
generic head model from Thingiverse along with
Windows 3D Builder.
Then I take
two photos of the person’s head – one from the
front and one from the
side – with a
ruler placed in the middle of the head, facing the camera so the numbers are clearly visible in the photo.
In 3D Builder, I import both images and
overlay them in a cross view (front and side), using the ruler in the images to
set the correct scale.
Once the images are properly scaled and aligned, I drop in the generic head model and
scale it to match the photos. When done, I save the scaled head with the person's name so I can easily reuse it.
Helmet Scaling Workflow:
- Open the helmet model in 3D Builder
- Import the scaled head model
- Use the built-in X-Ray view to fine-tune the helmet’s size
- Make sure there’s enough space for padding, possibly fans, and most importantly – that the nose doesn't touch the visor
Once I find the right size, I check the scaling percentage – for example, if it says
102.45%, I just
round it up to 103% for simplicity.
Important tip: Always use
uniform scaling!
Otherwise, add-on parts might no longer fit correctly.
If you
do need to scale length and width differently,
make sure to apply the exact same scale to all related parts.
And one more pro tip:
Create a
text file where you save the scaling values. That way, even if something gets lost or breaks years later, you’ll still have the correct settings for reprinting.