If you want to recreate an existing object in a 3D program, you can measure everything and then draw the object line by line using those measurements, but I find it much quicker and easier to just scan it from as many angles as possible, and use those images as reference.By importing the scans into your 3D program, you can quickly trace the outline to get the basic 2D shape, and then extrude that to create a basic 3D shape.
Then, you can edit it and add the details. The outer side of a LEGO minifig's leg for instance is a little bit angled, and it has several holes in it. Using scans from the other sides, you can work out how big and where exactly those holes are.
The basic leg is pretty simple, although the top hole is a little bit more complicated, because it is intersected by the hole for the axle from the hips.
Of course it will be fun to make all the parts move just like a real LEGO minifig, so it will require a bit of testing to make the axles not too small and not too big, but just the right size. ;o)
And I think I will really recommend using thicker paper this time, because thinner paper might simply tear apart if you try to rotate the leg when it's a very tight fit...
Stay tuned!
