Thought I would try and get back into doing some basic 3D illustration, and my new AK74M seemed an ideal subject for my creative outpouring! :)

I've used a free 3D software package called Google SketchUp before for some work projects, and although it's primarily for architectural modeling it is a fun piece of software for drawing anything. Seeing as I just wanted a very simple model of my AK to use elsewhere on the site, I thought a quick and dirty SketchUp drawing would be just the job. So here's part one of a series about the progress of my drawing.

1. Import reference diagram and size to scale

First job is to import the reference drawing that I will base my model on into SketchUp. Essentially, SketchUp allows you to 'trace' over diagrams like this, but in a 3D environment. Here I have placed my reference drawing - from the Kalash AK74m AEG manual - into the work area and scaled it to match the size of the real AK74. I can double check any depths, widths and any other measurements from my actual Kalash airsoft gun.

2. The first component - the flash hider

I am starting at the front of the gun and working to the back, and so my first component in the model is the very distinctive AK74 flash hider. I have in mind a level of simplification and am also working by eye at times, so this isn't a true dimensionally accurate model.

The AK74 flash hider is a very interesting design, and despite the fact I have chosen to ignore some of the more elegant curves and finer detail it is a really fun little object to model.

3. Front sight and barrel assembly

Moving on, the next component to model is also an iconic part of the classic Kalashnikov design - the front sight. Again, I simplified, but even so I think the final 3D drawing is close to do the overall model justice.

Notice I am thinking of each part of the assembly as a 'component'. The reason this is - aside from good drawing practise - is that the AK series is a modular design, and I could reuse many of these component groups again in other models in the Kalashnikov family.

Next time

In the next post of this series I will be putting the final touches to the barrel assembley and starting the foregrip.