Questions About My Plane ...

Playdo

I still have difficulty with modeling curved hard surfaces - they take me ages. I'm making a Spitfire and would like to know if I'm going the best way about it and any other good advice. This isn't for game design, I'm looking to make a high poly model for visualisation.

Initially I block out a low poly model to get the rough proportions and position correct. Then I go for the high poly.

To be true to the object and to get filleted joins, I'm trying to model the body, wings, tail fins, exhaust hole (side of the nose), vent (under the nose) and cockpit hole all as one form.

I'm working with a 24 sided cylinder (I feel maybe 32 is needed) for the main body. If I use less than this, I feel there isn't enough geometry for all the parts but I find working with this high number of polys very busy and frustrating :poly127:. I haven't got to adding the hard corners yet neither.

I'm using 3DS Max 2010

Eric Chadwick

Read the
Sticky: FAQ: How u model dem shapes? Hands-on mini-tuts for mechanical sub-d

Playdo

I have, several times. I'm looking for some confirmation that I'm going about this object correctly (ie modeling as one part at this density) and any tips to help speed up/ease my workflow if working with high poly.

Wells

hard to offer any advice without pictures of your model.

Mark Dygert

It's hard to say if you're on the right track without seeing it. It really shouldn't matter what you start off with as long as the final edge flow and polygon distribution are solid. You can hack in edges and loops wherever you need them to be, you don't necessarily need to chunk up the original primitive to give you more edges.

Playdo

Cool. Here are the wires so far.

Eric Chadwick

You don't need nearly that much mesh if you're doing subdivision surface modeling. Going to be more difficult to work with.

A couple quick examples, I googled "aircraft subdiv".
http://www.cgal.org/Tutorials/Polyhedron/
http://www.fallingpixel.com/3d-models/3456

EarthQuake

I dont think that is an excessive amount of geometry, you go too basic and you'll regret it in the long run

DarthNater

I think you need more refs. The wings are way too wide and should be a little longer. The body is a bit too flat on the sides. Personally, I would model the wings and tail pieces as a separate mesh, it will give you more control over the shape.

Eric Chadwick

Yeah, I'd listen to EarthQuake over my advice, he has more experience with sub-d. The first link is way too simple, the 2nd link is more like it. Still, your wings and tail seem oddly modeled for a sub-d cage.

Tumerboy

Find some good Orthographic views to base you mesh on. There should be plenty available for the spitfire. I agree with EQ that the mesh density is ok. I've certainly been bitten in the ass by going to low to start with. You're fine, just keep going with it.

Mark Dygert

You'll need to log in or register to get a higher res version but these should work.

http://www.the-blueprints.com/blueprints/ww2planes/ww2-supermarine/24974/view/spitfire/

Playdo

I've got more references than I can count. It's modeleled on blueprints. The front blueprint is a problem and doesn't match the top+side but that wouldn't effect the wing size. I'll look into the flat sides.

I would model the wings and tail pieces as a separate mesh

How could this be done while keeping a smooth curve onto the body? Is this a better way to do it?

Still, your wings and tail seem oddly modeled for a sub-d cage

Can you explain more?

just keep going with it

I will. I just find it takes me much longer than it should.

Playdo

Excellent Vig. The ones I had off of theblueprint weren't as clear as that.

DarthNater

Playdo wrote: »

How could this be done while keeping a smooth curve onto the body? Is this a better way to do it.

Sorry, my suggestion won't work on the front wings. I thought it was a hard edge, only the back looks hard

GarageBay9

Playdo, do you have ICQ or AIM?

I can put you in touch with some of my colleagues who worked on IL-2 Sturmovik and MS Flight Sim. We can give you alllll kinds of tips about modeling aircraft. References, too, for that matter.

Playdo

Thanks for the offer Garagebay9. I don't have either. I'm fine for references but if you have useful tips for aircraft modeling then please share here. I'm sure it'll benefit others as well as me.