Jim Barry Posted November 9, 2017 Author Share Posted November 9, 2017 The forum has really lit up with more scratch builders and it's really inspiring my own work. My workshop is moving to the basement for the winter and so until I'm done with some renovation, I'm not building much, however I have had time at the computer and pushing my 3D design skills. This is the rudder (most of it anyway) which I'll print here soon. I started with just one former, the base rib. From there I copied one to the top and then scaled it down. Then I created a loft from one plane to the other which make a smooth rudder. I then inserted blocks where the ribs aren't and then by intersecting the parts with a "Cut" the ribs you see here remain. It may take some experimenting to see how I'll cover it to get the desired ribby surface. It think I may use masking tape and then paint with Mr Surfacer. If this works then I'll have some proof of concept for the other fabric covered control surfaces of the Bearcat. Derek B, LSP_Paul, Trak-Tor and 5 others 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncarina Posted November 9, 2017 Share Posted November 9, 2017 This gives some great insight into how your work is coming together. Thanks! Also, good luck with the move downstairs. Cheers, Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bil Posted November 9, 2017 Share Posted November 9, 2017 (edited) Its going to be fun to see how that prints for you. Don't forget to add the trailing edge and the trim tab cut out to your 3D model, though maybe you have plans for those after printing. Here is the structure and covering plan for the F8F rudder.. hope it helps: Edited November 9, 2017 by Bil HerculesPA_2, Out2gtcha, Derek B and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Barry Posted November 9, 2017 Author Share Posted November 9, 2017 (edited) Tom, Thanks! Bill, yes. I just got on the Air Corp Library and can now dig deep at the underlying structure of things. Yep, I have those features to add here soon. But thanks for the reminder. Should print pretty well from my experience so far with Shapeways. I had originally tried to stay cheap with my scratch builds but have decided that actually compromises the quality and as it turns out, I'm pretty into hobby so if money needs to be spent, money needs to be spent. ( PS. Oh, the rudder has a complex rounded leading edge. I need to model that too, I think). Edited November 9, 2017 by Jim Barry Uncarina, Bil, MikeMaben and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeMaben Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 if money needs to be spent, money needs to be spent. My sentiments exactly !! LSP_Paul 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Barry Posted November 11, 2017 Author Share Posted November 11, 2017 Ok, So more progress on the rudder. It was a stumper to figure out the geometry solution of the top form. I tried to make all kinds of shapes (t-spline bodies) that could be manipulated into this position. Not a lot of luck but then at work today I realized (light bulb moment) I could make a sphere and then smish it *scale it on the x axis) and then cut the parts away I did not need. I'm getting better at how to solve the problems. It's all much like physical scratch in my mind since the "how do I do it?" question is constant. I like it! Should make a fine part to add to the growing collection. Derek B, Sparzanza, TorbenD and 6 others 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Barry Posted November 13, 2017 Author Share Posted November 13, 2017 (edited) More control surfaces continues. The weekend was about the ailerons. I just love the mirror function. The first aileron takes hours but the second one takes just seconds. And next they'll show up in the mail. I have this bad habit of spending (wasting time) creating a 3D file with all the parts in their respective place. This is simple amusement and might spurn some thinking, but mostly it's a waste of time. I've got to cut it out! Elevators next. Have a great day everyone. Edited November 13, 2017 by Jim Barry 109, Bil, Harold and 4 others 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncarina Posted November 13, 2017 Share Posted November 13, 2017 Jim, It looks good! Bad habit or not, it's coming together! Cheers, Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bil Posted November 13, 2017 Share Posted November 13, 2017 Very clean 3D work Jim, looking forward to seeing the prints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Barry Posted November 14, 2017 Author Share Posted November 14, 2017 Thanks Bil and Maru. Bil, your dedicated Stearman work gave me a nudge to push a little harder on the skeletal side. One can ignore it and build mostly surface effects as I did with my Fury, but I do not think the tricks to get the spar effect like embossed plastic card will work with this era. Feels like I need to build it like Grumman did. Let's see how it goes. Bil 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Barry Posted November 14, 2017 Author Share Posted November 14, 2017 (edited) Elevator detail Edited November 14, 2017 by Jim Barry Derek B, sandokan and Uncarina 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Barry Posted November 14, 2017 Author Share Posted November 14, 2017 Here's a work in progress shot doing the CAD work. I've made the basic shape of the elevator with a loft between two teardrop profiles. Then I made a bunch of boxes to serve as cutting tools. By intersecting the boxes with the elevator loft and then removing the boxes and the intersection, I'm left with just the good part. From there I cut out the trim tab. Working in 3D is like having a laser beam cutter of infinite configuration. That said, I still love the good old Exacto knife. This is a muted pleasure. Note the tip of the elevators are not modelled in 3D. I think it'll be easier to just do these manually with some Magic Sculpt and sand to spec. HerculesPA_2, MikeMaben, Uncarina and 9 others 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCRATCH BUILDER Posted November 14, 2017 Share Posted November 14, 2017 Sorry i missed the start of this Jim, I'm a bit on hold at the moment with the new house. But this is looking great! Your on my follow list with this one. Derek B 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Barry Posted November 14, 2017 Author Share Posted November 14, 2017 Welcome back, Rick. Congratulations on the new house. The Doodle bug is waiting for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCRATCH BUILDER Posted November 15, 2017 Share Posted November 15, 2017 I know, I know. Actually had a request to do it with more detail so it was back to the drawing board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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