I am trying to cut out the black windows printed on my paper model building to plass clear plastic behind it to simulate windows…however, whenever I attempt to cut the black window space out with an exacto knife, the hole is neither perfectly the size of the window or the card stock tears. Is there any suggestioin on how I can remove the paper winow leaving a perfect hole? Many of my paper building models have different sixe windows, so I need a solution that would work for different sizes - smallest 1/16 inch suqare and up…
Is it built yet? Must be or else you’d slice and dice. Never underestimate the use of a good pair of scissors, which have the advantage of self-anviling. I use them a lot on card models. Since you don’t have interiors, right?, I would not bother with smaller than 1/4" square, and no they’ll never be “perfect”. Good luck!
If the paper is tearing with an Xacto knife, then either the blade is dull, or you are using too high of an attack angle. Try lowering the blade so that is is around 22 degrees above the horizontal. You want to shear the paper, not just cut it. A higher angle will pile up the paper fibers before it shears, and that’s when the tearing starts.
MAke sure you’re using a new blade. Then cut on something hard (a sheet of glass, is usually best). And use a straight edge (metal ruler) as a guide.
If all else fails, micro-mark carries a corner punch (usually used for making dollhouse windows). It’s a sharpened, beveled punch, with a 90 degree angle - made specifically for cutting out windows.
Hi ROSHELL; I believe that you do have a situation. The advice about the angle and newness of the blade is excellent. Thing is When you use that metal straightedge make sure the ruler or device does NOT have any substance fastened to the bottom. Use a small stainless steel rule.Hold it steady and go for it. tankerbuilder