X-47B design and build thread

[alfadoc]

If I were to build this, I would cut those two joints inside the black line to eliminate it. With proper edge coloring, it should almost disappear. Perhaps you could make those edges just have color, with a dash on either side to indicate the cut line.

[Alcides]

Thorst great work. The shape looks very accurate.

Originally Posted by thorst

Perhaps because it requires to do the full research (drawing panel lines is a pain!) before lofting the surfaces in 3D...

What method is using you to draw the panel lines? Because the project funciton generally saves the day.

[thorst]

Thank you Alcides!

Yes I use the project function, but the real work is to get them into the accurate positions, and to create a well defined starting surface. My workflow is the following:

1) drawing general shape outlines in 2D
2) creating a smooth 3D surface of the region (f.e. with the help of sections)
3) drawing panel lines in 2D
4) projecting them onto the smooth surface
5) photomatching with the real thing using the render-function and GIMP (EXIF data in reference pictures help a lot for getting the right perspective!)
6) looping through 2)-5) until everything seems to be correct
7) deleting the smooth surface and creating developable surfaces between the panel lines, which sometimes have to be simplified therefore.
8) projecting the remaining details onto the developable surfaces
9) develop, group, arrange & testbuild

The iterating process sometimes is a real pain. Some shapes just don't want to get caught correctly ;-)

Thorsten

[Fat Dragon Games]

What are you using to 'unfold' the Rhino model into flat parts for your 2D model drawings?

[thorst]

I'm using the "Unroll developable Srf"-command of Rhino 5. Then I use "DupBorder" to extract the outlines and delete the polysurface edges that won't be used as fold lines. That's the easy part.

[Alcides]

Originally Posted by thorst

Thank you Alcides!

Yes I use the project function, but the real work is to get them into the accurate positions, and to create a well defined starting surface. My workflow is the following:

1) drawing general shape outlines in 2D
2) creating a smooth 3D surface of the region (f.e. with the help of sections)
3) drawing panel lines in 2D
4) projecting them onto the smooth surface
5) photomatching with the real thing using the render-function and GIMP (EXIF data in reference pictures help a lot for getting the right perspective!)
6) looping through 2)-5) until everything seems to be correct
7) deleting the smooth surface and creating developable surfaces between the panel lines, which sometimes have to be simplified therefore.
8) projecting the remaining details onto the developable surfaces
9) develop, group, arrange & testbuild

The iterating process sometimes is a real pain. Some shapes just don't want to get caught correctly ;-)

Thorsten

Your process is the one we use everyone or at least when you try to make a accurate model. Saddly we can't avoid the iteration. Looking forward to see more.

Regards
Alcides

[thorst]

Hi,

I'm struggling with the air intake area. This is a very complex shaped region which gives the plane a very characteristic appearance.

The lack of panel lines leads to the need of one additional cutting line (red in the renders below) which is not present on the real thing. I hope the side view makes it clear why this can't be left out. What you see on the pictures are the final developable surfaces.

Thorsten

[legion]

It looks like it belongs there, so don't worry too much on it!

[TRAN NGOC TRUNG]

download?
link

[frederico]

its still in the designing process. we all have to wait a little longer to get this model.