Advice on producing a canopy

Vulcan_to_the_Sky! · Post by **Vulcan_to_the_Sky!** » 16 Jul 2007, 22:32

Hi All,

I've had a quick scan at the tutorials post in this area, and may well spend more time in there as I go on.

I've decided to enter the world of aircraft modeling, for my first real project, (yes, the "flying jet brick" was a first attempt) I have chosen the yak 52 as its relitavley simple to have a go at.

The problem I am having is working out a good way to make the canopy as its just like the Harvard's/T-6. Most of the tutorials I have come across so far deal with producing windows, such as on the front of a 747 or something, but not a canopy like the one I would like to produce.

I've placed a screenshot of the yak "wip". Obviously this will not be as good as the creations on this website, and feel free to leave constructive criticism such as "x is the wrong shape, it should be y" and so on,

Thanks in advance,

James.

Post by **DelP** » 17 Jul 2007, 06:57

Hi James,

Good start mate

A few points (excuse the pun :roll:

)..it's better practice to make the fuselage as a straight tube, that way you'll maintain the correct cross-sections throughout the length. The canopy can then be either be 'extruded' from that or built up from another tube.

This tutorial on making a framed canopy will point you in the right direction:
http://www.daviator.com/viewlets/canopy ... ewlet.html

Same with the wings, tail, etc...make them all one piece to start. Line up points and cross-sections against your 3-views where the ailerons, flaps, rudder etc. are, then when you're happy with the shape you can split the control surfaces off to form separate parts later

Sorry, short reply for a big subject

ATB,

Derek

Brian Franklin · Post by **Brian Franklin** » 17 Jul 2007, 10:36

Hi James,

Dereks spot on.

Always make your major parts from a tube and make sure it conforms to your 3-view BEFORE cutting out (either Boolean or manual).

Brian

Vulcan_to_the_Sky! · Post by **Vulcan_to_the_Sky!** » 17 Jul 2007, 19:14

Thanks for the replys!

I'll consider that for future projects regarding the fuselage.

TVM for that canopy tutorial link Derek, I'll be pouring a lot of thought into that one ( :think: make next plane with a bubble canopy!)

Thanks also Brian for your advice,

I may be back with further questions in a week or so!

Thanks!

James.

kit · Post by **kit** » 17 Jul 2007, 21:59

Derek,

DelP wrote: This tutorial on making a framed canopy will point you in the right direction:
http://www.daviator.com/viewlets/canopy ... ewlet.html

That's amazing, I've never even heard of a 'Viewlet' before. Really informative and a good way of shwoing the intricacies. Is that unusual or are there loads of these tutorials around the place?

Post by **Garry Russell** » 17 Jul 2007, 22:07

I've never been able to get on of those to run :sad:

I get an Applet error........pr something like that.

Garry

Post by **DelP** » 18 Jul 2007, 00:18

Hi Guys,

Time was when there were a few 'viewlets' around..there was a free limited use version of the viewlet maker..which is what Daviator used, I think. It leaves a watermark on the image.

Nowadays I think only the full payware version of ViewletCam is available..I actually bought it a year ago with the intention of making tutorials...but never quite got around to it...

:redface:

The viewlets are in .swf format and need Macromedia Flash Player plugin to run

dang!..now I'm going to have to moderate myself and send this to the Payware forum....

ATB,

Derek

AndyG · Post by **AndyG** » 18 Jul 2007, 11:59

All good things in moderation Del. :redface:

AndyG