DIY: How to Make an iPad Mockup, 100% Scale Model

Monday, February 1, 2010

By OP Editor

Want to pull a Steve Colbert? Want to get your hand on the new Apple iPad tablet? Don’t want to wait 2 months? Apple’s new iPad tablet computer is not yet available at Apple Store yet, but here’s how you can get one: instructions on how to make a DIY iPad mockup, at 100% scale.

UPDATE, new Feb 7 Version here:
DIY iPad Papercraft Mockup: Improved, Apple Tablet V2 iPapercraft

If you are wondering about the actual size of Apple’s new tablet, this 100% scale, high resolution printable iPad mockup would give you a good visual idea.

Think the Apple slate tablet iPad black border is too thick? After having a real iPad or full sized mockup iPad in your hands, the border will definitely make sense.

Some Apple fans / prop makers with CNC machines or 3D printers probably already made 3D models of the Apple iPad already. But this basic DIY iPad mockup is for everyone who have access to a printer.

DIY: How to Make an iPad Mockup, 100% Scale Model

Requirement

Image editing app that respects DPI setting
Printer, scissors

Step 1

Download images here:

Note the “.something” files are mac icon / database files, which you don’t need.

Step 2

Open image with image editing program, such as Photoshop. Make sure:

Image is 150DPI
Resample image: NO

Do not print with your browser! The 100% Scale Model should have a printed dimension near: Width 7.5 inches (190 mm) and Height 9.6 inches (243 mm).

Step 3

Print. Cut it out.

Optional: Glue to cardboard layered to the right height of 0.5 inch (13.4 mm) and cut. You might need to cut it before gluing cardboard layers together.

UPDATE: instead of cardboard, foamcore and spray-mount adhesive can be used (mentioned by TUAW).

Challenges

Back of iPad is sculpted, which will be difficult to simulate unless you have model / set building skills. Too much to go into in a simple guide.

If you want a real glowing screen, and real GUI that rotates based on the iPad orientation, you probably need a lot more hardware and resources than discussed in this simple DIY guide.

The iPad weights about the same as 5 iPhones. So you can try to pull off a Yann Tiersen if you got some tape and got a bunch of iPhones. (Idea: 5 iPhones taped with gaffer tape to back of cardboard?)

Unless you make a model from metal you probably won’t get it to 1.5 pounds (0.68 kg) wifi model weight. Got any ideas for good way to simulate the weight?