noob max array question

Bagelz

hey everyone, i am really new with 3d and i'm just trying to learn it by doing lots of tutorials on the web
i am following a tutorial to make an airplane but i am stuck on a certain part, i just can't figure it out!! this tutorial has been tough cause it doesn't really explain everything exactly you kinda have to figure it out, but now i'm on this step that i can't figure out

the tutorial is here:
http://www.techtut.com/Tutorial/3D-studio-max/69-How-to-create-airplane-model/3-Create-airplane-model-part-3.html

i am stuck on the part that reads "Now switch to the front of the plan to create a propeller.
The easy way is to create one wing and apply array tool to get the other copy’s of the same wing. At the end group them in one object."

so... how exactly do you get the nice arrey of all the 'wings' of the propeller (the chamfer box) going nicely around the cylinder? do you just select the chamfer box or the chamfer box and cylinder?
i suspect this may have something to do with 'pivot points' but just cant figure out how to do this step!
also, is there a way to get the cylinder exactly in the middle of the hole in the airplane or do i just have to eyeball it?

thanks guys. i really really want to finish making this airplane, damnit! :poly124:

EDIT: oh yeah i forgot to say i'm using 3ds max 2010

MoP

Yes, you're on the right track regarding pivot points.

The Array tool works based around your current object's pivot point. All transformations will be around that point.

You can use the Affect Pivot Only mode in conjunction with the Align tool to place the propellor blade's pivot point at the centre of the hole.

You could use the Editable Poly method of "Create Shape From Selection" to break off the hole's edge loop as a new object, then use Center Pivot to place that new pivot point in the exact average centre of the hole. Then use the Align tool to align the propellor blade's pivot point with that object.
After you've done this, you can delete the shape you created (it was only needed to determine the average centre of the hole) and then you should be able to use the Array tool and now it will pivot nicely around that point.

If you don't know what any of the things I just said are, look them up in the 3ds Max Help documentation, it will explain where to find the tools and how to use them.

Bagelz

sweet, thank you very much! it took awhile but i figured it out

Bagelz

ok, i actually have another quick question about this tutorial if someone could help me out again?
soo, i'm on this page, in the part where you create the wings
http://www.techtut.com/Tutorial/3D-studio-max/69-How-to-create-airplane-model/4-Create-airplane-model-part-4.html
basically i got my line to look perfect, as in this image:
http://www.techtut.com/showimage.php?image=69/32.jpg
but now, i'm a bit confused about what to do in this image?
http://www.techtut.com/showimage.php?image=69/33.jpg
i can't seem to understand how to get my wings to match the shape in the image using the FFD modifier. i mean i have tried moving the top middle 'control points' to the left and the control points on the far edges of the wings backwards like it looks like in the picture, but none of that works. i don't understand how to get the wing into the shape it's supposed to be in.

also, i assume i'm supposed to just add little cylinders to 'connect' the top wings to the body of the plane?

thanks again for helping me out, im a total beginner!