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What reference to use to model aircraft parts without Blueprints?

T

Topswiss

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9
Country
switzerland
Hello everyone,

I have a question regarding the modelling of aircraft parts of which blueprints do not exist. What I mean is, how should i model things like the cockpit without an exact reference like a blueprint. (I've never seen something like a blueprint of a cockpit)
Of course I'm familiar to 3d modelling software like Blender, my question is about methods to accurately recreate something of the real world without a Blueprint.
Should i just look at pictures from the internet for this and hope that it is more or less accurate? What methods do other developers use?

If I would have the opportunity to visit a real aircraft *which I don't* I would also only be able to capture some photos, right?

Thanks in advance
 
johnman

johnman

Messages
212
Country
us-ohio
Hello TopSwiss, to visualize yourself creating a tack sharp pin pinpoint accurate model, even with blueprints, is a delusion of fantasy ! What you do create is a pleasing replica of of something you will enjoy creating, in its likeness, and enjoy flying in the sim. There is nowhere in the Sim that You will be able to appreciate the accuracy that You are trying to achieve. The enjoyment of creation, and appreciating Your creation in the Sim, that is where the REAL Enjoyment lies. Stand back and enjoy your creation, being as accurate as You can with the tools that You have. If the finnished product does not suit You, Go back and do it again !! My motto is KISS (Keep it Simple) - Johnman
 
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Rotornut44

Rotornut44

Resource contributor
Messages
563
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us-florida
Depending on what the aircraft is, there is usually a Facebook group dedicated to it. May be a good place to start, finding real-world pilots, owners or historians. You never know what kind of resources you can dig up.
 
n4gix

n4gix

Resource contributor
Messages
11,662
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unitedstates
Another "trick" that can be very helpful is that avionics equipment have standard widths and heights. So, if you can identify one such object, it can serve as a measurement tool to closely estimate dimensions for the rest of the objects.
 
T

turble

Messages
14
Country
unitedstates
I built my entire aircraft from sketches I found online of it. You can take a 2d plane (flat surface) in Blender or 3ds and drag that image right onto that 2d plane element. Lock it so that it only moves on one axis in your editor, to keep it from shifting off somewhere. It's best to edit that photo and get a nice square or even pixel ratio (16:9 / 3:4 etc) so your image is proportional when you import it. This way you can start by at least making an educated guess at the design. You can do this with photographs too, but again, it's best to use a good photo editor and make sure the angle is straight on from the side or front before just getting into it. If you have at least a top, side, and front, you can pretty much go with the whole thing from there.

When I refer to locking it to an axis, what I did was drag the image forward and backward (Left to right, etc) and pull it across my 3d image. I was able to line up all of the little details as I dragged it across the framework. In 3d, the flat image appears to shift or change on you quite a bit as you work. If you aren't looking at it straight from the side and panning (not rotating), then you'll at least get pretty close!
 
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