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How to develop aircraft for FS

BrodreskiftToma

BrodreskiftToma

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3
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norway
We are a project group developing a new amphibious aircraft in Norway, it is a diploma project that will be developed further after the first phase is passed. In these early stages of development we wish to produce models to make visual material for our advertisements and early marketing.

Under this topic I was hoping to learn how to create working models. We will build a CAD model of the aircraft, so digital material will be ready in about a month. Then the transferral into media like flightsim X would be perfect to achieve realistic visual pictures, and films.

Does anyone know how I quickly can learn the tools I need to do this?

For more info on the project visit http://www.equatoraircraft.com/weblogwww.equatoraircraft.com/weblog

Best Regards

Tomas Broedreskift
Manager
Industrial Design
Equator P-2 Programme

Equator Aircraft Company Norway
Hasleveien 10, 0571 Oslo Norway
Ph: +47 9703.9469
Mail: tb@equatoraircraft.com
www.equatoraircraft.com
 
Your projected models are already the lust of several flightsimmers. I've seen requests for them for FS-X.

I would not be surprised that some enterprising modeller has not already started trying to create one from available photos and descriptions (I know that in my many projects at home, I've looked into it as well)

Having said that, I sincerely hope that someone picks up on this request.

I would be tempted, but my flightsim modelling skills are not up to the skill that I expect will be required to do this model a decent work,

Having said that,

If you can export the 3D model to 3DS format, it can then be used in 3DSMAx to "finish off" the animations of the control surfaces, etc.

Considerations:
Do you want just the visual - external - model? In that case, you're using FS-X to merely "pose" the model in various attitudes. This is easily accomplished with a minimum of work - (even I could do that)


That's nice, but it would be even better to have it "fly" so that the propsective buyers can get a feel for it.

How detailed do you want the interior to be? That would be a good selling/marketing point. With working instrumentation, etc., again the prospective owner/pilot would feel at home ...

I will ink this post to the Freeflight Design Shop Design Forum to see if anyone there is interested.

Speaking of interest, ..... Bill (either one of you have some free time) ?


---------------------------------------------

Also, don't forget the modelling of your own facilites. After all, who wouldn't want to take off from the manufacturer's own home base?
 
Hey Tomas,

You will love using FS for this. You can make some prototyps planes fairly quick (basic models) and get them in FS and see what they look like. Park them next to AI planes for scale assesments, etc.

Good fun.

If you are really good, you can do a close to reality airfile set for proper handling.



There are some readily created models in Gmax format at www.freeflightdesign.com in which you can install one and see how it works in Gmax. Parts like ailerons and all are 'tag named' with specific names to allow for animations. That is FS2004... In FSX, animating is a bit more involved...


A good tutorial on making a plane in Gmax, is the 'Stupid Idiots Guide to Gmax'. Brilliant tutorial. Helps out alot of new people learning Gmax.

The Gmax tutorials are good, but only if you do them in order, and dont move forward until you have memorized the level and tools, then move to the next.

I am overloaded with work Felix. My apologies.


Great looking plane though! I hope it does well. Maybe post some screenshots occasionally at the Showroom here at FSDeveloper. I am really into concept planes myself and am making a Lancair like airplane, 4 seater, sleek lines... Good fun making a new bird. Trying to create a panel for it, and work the dimensions out for the cabin and overall fuselage size...

Bill
 
6 Hours Work :D :

eaco_p-2.jpg



The 3Sided View Material are not so good, I think somewhere will be better Material.

lionheart said:
A good tutorial on making a plane in Gmax, is the 'Stupid Idiots Guide to Gmax'. Brilliant tutorial. Helps out alot of new people learning Gmax.
Click to expand...

That right Bill, I learned from this my work.
 
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Nice prototype Sandra!

Your work is coming right along.

A fun thing you can do when 'sketching' in Gmax is to make a very basic, squarish model and use Mesh Smooth with 1 or 2 Iterations on it (levels of mesh enhancement). If you 'keep' the base level of the mesh, you can make small changes to the base mesh and re-activate the '2 iterations of mesh', and see the results instantly.


This plane is one I am working on in my spare time. I use a very bland, basic mesh (looks like crumple foil) and then turn on Mesh Smooth/2 Iterations. I am bouncing between using windows like on a BMW, or windows like a Lancair. Its a difficult call. Structurally, the Lancair windows are more reaslitic, but I want a plane that has the latest automotive features in it.


Scrshot2992-1000x640.jpg


Scrshot1962-1000x641.jpg


Scrshot2102-999x639.jpg


Scrshot3012-1000x639.jpg


Scrshot3064-1000x640.jpg


The last one is the platform shape that is shown in the unsmoothed state, 'base platform, base shape mode'.




Scrshot264-945x714.jpg


Scrshot2472-945x716.jpg


This fuselage was created using Splines which are lined up, adjusted, then joined, then 'Cross Section' and 'Surface' are added to create the skin on the ribbings.

This type of fuselage modelling is far more precise and can be used to create a sophisticated fusealge in quick order.



For future reference, the people are created in a program called 'Poser 5.0'. I think Poser is up to 7 or 8 now and you can buy it cheaply in the box from online stores for fairly inexpensive prices.

You'll want to make a person though with very low mesh or your model will not compile into a MDL file for FS.



Bill
 
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Wow! i can see that making it might not be the issue at all. With some help I might be able to do it. But we are now at a fairly early state in the design. The CAD model will be completed during April / Mai month. The problem is that I work in Catia And Alias, but I think Alias is linked to 3ds files, and can export them, but animating all the moveables, will be a problem for me, as that is something I have limited experience with.

What I can make though is renderings such as this attachment of the SeaSTOL VLJ 5 seater Jet I made in 2007.

For more pics you can check out my personal portfolio site www.tomasbrodreskift.com, under jet seaplane, just to get a feel for my level of skill. But it is mostly done with photoshop, Putting self designed aircraft into FS is a completely new world to me, and I have little experience with 3Dsmax.

Well in the process the question will always remain. If I get time to do everything? So in the case where I stand with a CAD model / Technical line drawings. How much would it cost us to have someone proffessional do it? Would it take long for a pro, with the various moveable surfaces, like gear, ailerons and so on, with good technical drawings?

Primary idea for this semester was to create a small film showing our ideas (scenarios) where the P-2 will be explained piece by piece. First I was thinking just rendered pictures, but later I thought why not go all the way and simulate it in FS, since I knew it was possible.

The P-2 will have the exterior done during this spring, and we will continue developing the cockpit during the fall. Finally ending up with what we hope will be a full size mock up of the aircraft cockpit section for customer viewing. I´ve been playing alot with the thought of developing this mockup into a life size simulator linked to FSX so costumers could actually fly the P-2. Adding all the features you mentioned, like Factory and color specs. But in this case we need a company like Garmin to deliver us working cockpit systems in order to have a fully virtual cockpit, a request has been sent, so I´m hoping.

Thanx for all your support so far.
 

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Material

Some of my favourite aircraft are Lancairs. So your model is really cool by the way, sleek. Hope we get the P-2 Lines to flow in a while:)

See you´ve worked with Epic too. Very interesting indeed!
 
Hey Tomas,

WOW.... That P2 is brilliant!

The floats will act extremely stable in rough waters.. Deep slicing blades are what the Navy designs and Cats are now using.

I love that pod and the elevators. Awesome work man!

That would be one wild plane to see....



Just hollar if you have questions on things, (like animations). Its easier then you think. The hard part is making some 'new' gauge part animation code, but you may not have to do any of that. I do a ton of goofy things like animating sun visors, ash tray lids, having cargo show up outside the craft, etc. Not the norm and something you probably wont need. (But you could have things like hiding back seats, doors opening, door handles animating, etc).



Cool plane man......


Yep on the Epic. Great people over there. I am working on the Victory VLJ also. Its interior is being redone presently.


Bill
 
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