The Photoshop paths would not be too comfortable to use in this case, as you'd need to draw by hand and afterwards manipulate (move, erase, change, align,...) multiple anchor points until the lines fit the template of the original model.
So my first step really is to open the PDF files from the model directly into Illustrator. Then, I set the original design as the template (at the bottom layer). Then I start placing one point and a second one... the program draws the line between them and I have to ajust de curve. I proceed like this dozens of times until I complete all the lines. At the same time I separete them in the mentioned groups...
This is exported layer by layer to photoshop, and here is where my tutorial starts... maybe I should do another tutorial just for this? Like "Getting started"?
Btw, Chip and I know each other well from the times I designed the
Sikorsky S-39 for him, back in 2006. So don't worry, if he agrees all I do from his models will end up in his collection
Thanks for your interest and see you all soon!