Modeling Strategy

what’s the model type of aircraft?

step 1 is finding better images imo.

one would need specific angles and vanishing points etc.

I have around 200+ images… I shared some here https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/modeling-strategy/192267/11?u=rhinonoob, but if needed I can share more.

the more the merrier

depending on the quality of the images you might be able to use photogrammetry as I may have already mentioned or you may have seen mentioned in other threads of similar subjects.

oh I see this thread is pretty rich with ideas already.

I will ponder more about this model and see what we’ve already brainstormed about so far.

I found more images like before I think, but might have got more accurate ideas this time.

I will need to study these too before I get too carried away:


not sure how accurate this is.

imagine if 3dcoat was merged with rhino :face_holding_back_tears: :melting_face:

this is kinda funny

Thank you for brainstorming with me. I truly appreciate that. Especially the video was awesome.

I am coming from solid modeling, which is a pretty straight forward approach. Nurbs modeling is somewhat new to me, so that is the struggling.
I liked @sgreenawalt’s approach so much, I watched his tutorials multiple times. I try to use his approach everywhere possible. I also watched the tutorials you have mentioned, including the paid airplane modeling one. Except @sgreenawalt 's tutorials, those are too “basic” to my taste, where good modeling principles are ignored mostly.
They improved my technique, for sure… But, I want to get better (production quality is what I am looking for)
I guess, what I am looking for is the approach to modeling, rather than how to do it. Good surface continuity is my target.

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FLAMINGO.3dm (2.1 MB)
And, here is what I have got so far… Not much, but it is a start.

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wing_corner_00_tp.3dm (3.6 MB)

some initial surfaces - just extrusions for a quick demo.
the violet surfaces are
_filletSrf with option deformable and Degree 3

the right edge of the green surface is a
_split IsoCurve Shrink, to get an untrimmed edge
the split point is given by the violett pseudo-Fillet.

now the green surface:
an initial
_loft
tangent to both edges
_matchSrf from the upper edge (refine, G1 only,

create a shortend (_split Isocurve shrink) version of the green surface to manage the limitation of the _filletSrf will not find the entire stripe. (this surface is not in the file anymore, sorry)
_filletSrf
now the missing part of the fillet is a again a
_loft
_matchSrf

… its a nice detail (and nice CAD dessert for a long day) - thanks for share the photos.

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Thank you for the demo and the file. I am not able to open the file as I have R7.
However, nice explanation. I will definitely look into that.

Hi RhinoNoob -

You can use a Rhino file version converter so that you don’t depend on others for help. There are two different solutions available from this thread:

-wim

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Thank you so much. I wasn’t aware of this tool.
Best,

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That’s a corner!!! :sparkling_heart:

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When modeling a shape like these wing tips I begin by trying to understand

  • How the shape was conceived and designed.
  • How the part was manufactured.
    Then I use this information as a major input to the modeling strategy.

Based on the photos the shape appears to have been created/designed by slicing the lofted wing with an inclined plane (flat surface).

A notch was cut for the landing light.

The edges of the flat surface were filleted, probably with something close to simple circular arc fillets.

The shape of the lens over the landing light lens was created by sculpting in wood, clay or similar.

Continuity - The overall tip appears to be composite and lens plastic. My guess is final shaping of the plugs used to make the molds for the composite parts probably resulted in close to curvature continuity along the fillets.

I would create the wing tip by:

Extending the wing surface past the tip.

Triming the tip with an inclined plane.

Cutting the notch for the landing light.

Filletting the edges between the plane and the wing surface.

Sculpting the lens cover outer surface to match the adjoining the surface.

If the details of the rabbets for the lens cover are desired I would create the rabbets after creating the lens cover outer surface.

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Images taken for other purposes are rarely sufficient or suitable for photogrammetry software for several reasons.

For photogrammetry to work the object needs to have sufficient visual texture. The wing tip with it’s smooth, clean painted surfaces does not have sufficient visual texture.

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Thank you so much for the suggestion. I will continue playing with it.
Best,

I’m stuck… Again… I feel very dumb. How do we fill this gap with a good surface condition? Edge Surf or Sweep2 don’t yield anything good. I am sure it is simple, but I cannot see it.


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Check the workflow i posted above.
Including file and descriptions.
Check the commands in the help.
Follow the workflow and ask features you miss

If you want to close the gab you posted
Try x nurbs plugin or onshape or plasticity fill function. Or rhino 8 Wip s npatch command.
Native rhino commands will struggle with the sharp v shaped corner of the opening. The setup is not nice/ typically.

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Thank you so much for the reply.
The method you have mentioned makes sense, but does not satisfy the blend condition originally on the wing tip. Close, but not exact. Yours look a bit “puffy” :slight_smile:
Let me try to explain:
The diagonal cut is not planner. It starts as angular/planner at the leading edge, but transition into horizontal and blends into trailing edge.
There is a multiple surfaces blend into each other where the plastic cover meets with the leading edge of the wing. The edge of the wing tip (that travels from behind the wing to front) blends into the leading edge… But, at the same time, it splits and travels back. That’s the fillet between slanted surface and the bottom of the wing.
I tried to draw it earlier and it is also below:


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try the workflow I posted on your data / geometry and mark the areas that you do not like - I am happy to help you fine-tune it to your needs / to make it less “puffy”.

upload your the latest .3dm file

and please show this “puffyness” with characteristics on an actual surface, and with some sections / sketches / reflections / analysing tools / curvature graph /… - and not with text refering to a 2d photo… this will make it much easier to find something that suits you.

kind regards -tom

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Thank you so much, again. Here is the latest file:
FLAMINGO2.3dm (2.2 MB)
Also, here is the latest screenshot:


Also, this is what I am aiming for:

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FLAMINGO2_tp_rh7.3dm (1.7 MB)

this is your surfaces combined with the same workflow I recommended above.
hope this helps - kind regards - tom

Edit:
you might want to play around with these trimming position:
(0) (.) (x)

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