[1] The model maker must be highly skilled in the use of many machines, such as manual lathes, manual mills, Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machines, lasers, wire EDM, water jet saws, tig welders, sheet metal fabrication tools and wood working tools.
Fabrication processes model makers take part in are powder coating, shearing, punching, plating, folding, forming and anodizing.
Most rapid prototyping technologies are based on the additive process, solidifying thin layered sections or slices one on top of each other.
Most milling and other machining methods are subtractive, progressively using smaller and finer tools to remove material from the rough shape to get to the level of detail needed in the final model.
Model makers are required to recreate many faux finishes like brick, stone, grass, molded plastic textures, glass, skin and even water.