Subdivisional Modelling Solutions

[Skyraider3D]

Below are some solutions for common aircraft subdivisional modelling trouble spots.

Wingroot:
http://skyraider3d.military-meshes.com/images/wire_wing_root_01.jpg

Wingtip:
http://skyraider3d.military-meshes.com/images/wire_wing_tip_01.jpg

Wing cutout for flight control:
http://skyraider3d.military-meshes.com/images/wire_wing_cutout_01.jpg

Flight control:
http://skyraider3d.military-meshes.com/images/wire_wing_flightcontrol_01.jpg


Engine:
http://skyraider3d.military-meshes.com/images/wire_engine_01a.jpg

http://skyraider3d.military-meshes.com/images/wire_engine_01b.jpg

http://skyraider3d.military-meshes.com/images/wire_engine_02a.jpg

http://skyraider3d.military-meshes.com/images/wire_engine_02b.jpg


Round nose:
http://skyraider3d.military-meshes.com/images/wire_nose_01.jpg


Air intakes:
http://skyraider3d.military-meshes.com/images/wire_ca-15_02a.jpg

http://skyraider3d.military-meshes.com/images/wire_ca-15_02b.jpg


Whole aircraft:
http://skyraider3d.military-meshes.com/images/wire_ca-15_01a.jpg

http://skyraider3d.military-meshes.com/images/wire_ca-15_01b.jpg

[kevjon]

Its great to see this thread back up again. We get a lot of new modellers here at MM who ask how to do these sorts of things and the images illustrate it very well.

I've learned quite a few things from these images over the past year. It is always interesting to see how other people tackle sub-d modelling problems.

PS I've sent the missing images to you via email.

[nistrum]

lol where are the maya aircraft modeleing gurus!! BTW kevjon thanks for the crits on my tempest i might post it on here see if anyone can find more wrong with it.

[Skyraider3D]

Many thanks Kevin! Original post is updated :)


Nistrum, subdivisional modelling works the same in Maya :)

[deltacharlie]

yeah, I do the same thing in Maya, Nistrum...but I thought my techniques were just things I found that worked for me...didn't know that was actually a good way to do it. :)

~DC

[Skyraider3D]

yeah, I do the same thing in Maya, Nistrum...but I thought my techniques were just things I found that worked for me...didn't know that was actually a good way to do it.Well, same for me. I discovered most these techniques by myself (thanks Evan/Wiek for the elevator though!), so there's no rule that says it has to be done this way. I guess everybody finds ways that work for them and people naturally come to similar conclusions :)

NB. I would probably do the aileron cutout differently now, as the way it shows causes minor pinching in the corners. Another ring around the cutout would be better.

[Spinner]

Another ring around the outside of the cut out, or the inside?
I'm getting to where my parts meet the software's needs and work but still struggle with some of the subtle variations in shape.
Returning to these examples repeatedly for insight and inspiration. Thanks, they're a big help.

[Skyraider3D]

Outside. The uncut area has an ever so slightly different curvature at the point where the cut starts, when looking along the airfoil. This causes some minor pinching.

[Pablo_nemesis]

Very usefull images, a little hard to "duplicate" when modeling, but if we take some work can get good resluts :)

[Lukem]

Yep, but it does give an idea of what to aim for.

Thanks alot Skyraider.:) Very useful images.

[coffeebot]

This is very helpful. Would there happen to be another view of that air intake picture? I can't quite figure out what's going on in it.
Thanks.

[Archetype]

strong edge subd modeling also has some nifty need to know stuff

theres a right and a wrong way too chamfer hard edges


heres a small example

the front box has the right chamfer keeping all the edgeloops

the rear has useds max's chamfer funtion wich only supports 2 edges.. in this case creating Tri's this needed too be chamfered TWICE with max's base chamfer wich increases the amount of poly's significantly but doesnt allow for sharp corners.

the right way too chamfer is by always using 3 edges.. this way the end result wil always be a quad

[neilh8888]

I'm curious how you achieved the chamfer on the front cube. I tried chamfering just 3 edges but it still gives me a triangle on the corner. The only way I've found to achieve your quad chamfer is connecting the edges and then scaling the edges so they're close to the edge.

Am I missing something?

[Skyraider3D]

You need to use Solid Chamfer. This is a function that comes with the Meshtools MAXScripts (www.scriptspot.com).

Alternatively what you can do is detach a poly, select an edge and chamfer by a certain amount. Do this on all edges.

[kevjon]

You can also use the setting button next to extrude under editable poly edge mode. Set extrusion height to 0 and then set Extrusion Base width how far you want your lines apart.

[Skyraider3D]

Nice one :)

[Gizmo]

Try This ....

http://www.vg2max.spb.ru/download.html

EdgeChDx.dlm

Phil

[VFXWest]

Thanks for the tips! This thread has been very helpful since I'm a SubD noobie.

KJ - that extrude on an edge is very helpful!

Sky - Thanks for the tip on meshtools and cspolytools! There should be a warning on the opening Max screen that says you should not start modeling until you have installed those scripts!