My first project

[markag]

Hi,

A week or so ago I downloaded Gmax with the intent of creating planes for Flight Sim X. I've gone through several of the Gmax tutorials and have read/skimmed through some of the few online tutorials I could find, and decided that I was ready to start my model.

I started modeling a Cessna 404 a few days ago and see the image below for my progress so far. I've come to a point where I think I can start adding the props, canopy, and control surfaces. I'm sure I can figure out how to cut out and animate the control surfaces (I've seen tutorials on that), but I'm not sure how to approach the propellers.

Does anyone have any advice for me going on from here. Possibly a link to a tutorial for modeling and animating the propellers and prop disc? I haven't been able to dig up much information on this segment of the process.



As a side note, all of my modeling experience has been with 3D CAD systems (Catia to be specific). It's tough switching over in my mind from a precise constraint approach to free-form, looks about right, type of modeling. I'm enjoying Gmax so far, though, and I'm having fun with my first Gmax model.

[Alejandro Rhodes]

Very well markag Remember its very important most of all its to export the plane into mdl (into the game as an mdl file) and make some of animation

[markag]

Thanks for the encouragement.

My first question to all of you is: How do I go about modeling the propellers? All the pictures I've seen show individual propellers along with some sort of disc. What is the procedure to do this?  

[Brett_Henderson]

There is no set way to do anything in Gmax

[markag]

Thanks! That should really help. I didn't realize I would need that many copies. This seems like a fairly complex step of the modeling, but also important. I'll be sure to keep you posted as I contue.

[Fr. Bill]

Another option for the "blurred" prop is to simply create a square polygon, then use the Alpha Channer to create the "prop's circle" with a transparency mask.

[markag]

I've got another set of questions.

I'm in the process of modeling the landing gear now and am not sure how I should link the items together. I assume all the geometry in the gear need to be linked, but I'm not sure on the hierarchy. Also, after I get the gear modeled, I'll be working on gear doors. Do I link the gear doors to the gear as well, or do I want to keep them separate.

I will probably ask about animation later when I get to it, but do I need to create multiple wheels for stopped, slow, and blurred like I did for the props?

One more general question. Which pieces should I use the mirror modifier for and which should I use a copy? For example, As my model is set right now, I've mirrored the wing, cowls, and horizontal stab. I've created copies of the Spinner & Props. I did read that I'm not supposed to use the Mirror tool at the top, but instead use the one in the drop down box on the right. That is what I did.

I appreciate everyone's help and support thus far.

Mark

[MeekRN]

i dont know if this can be done, or is even appropirate, but cant you just steal or copy one from an existing plane and modify it to be spacific to your plane?

[markag]

i dont know if this can be done, or is even appropirate, but cant you just steal or copy one from an existing plane and modify it to be spacific to your plane?

I have modeled or am currently modeling the components. I was just wondering what the appropriate way to get them on the other side of the plane was.

[Brett_Henderson]

i dont know if this can be done, or is even appropirate, but cant you just steal or copy one from an existing plane and modify it to be spacific to your plane?

Aside from the fact that you'd have to have the source code; it would be just as difficult to modify someone else's work, as it would be to do it yourself. Even if they're near identical gear.. you still have sizing, animation and texturing issues.


ANYway .. Gear hierarchy and animation can be as personal as modeling itself. There is no set way to do it.

The logic however, is the same. It's top-down, like you'd imagine, but the actual parenting is done bottom-up. With past MakeMdl versions, part naming was critical; as that's how base animations were applied. Now you can name to suit your method and then use the animation manager.

What get's parented, and where, and why, and to what; is part of the modeling process. It will seem daunting at first, but it will fall into place.

Here's a

[Fr. Bill]

One more general question. Which pieces should I use the mirror modifier for and which should I use a copy? For example, As my model is set right now, I've mirrored the wing, cowls, and horizontal stab. I've created copies of the Spinner & Props. I did read that I'm not supposed to use the Mirror tool at the top, but instead use the one in the drop down box on the right. That is what I did.

I appreciate everyone's help and support thus far.

Mark

If you haven't already done so, I highly recommend reading my mini-tutorial on "Mirroring Parts in Max/GMax Perfectly!"
http://www.aerodynamika.com/cgi-bin/yab ... 1183676822

(also available as a d/l PDF file: http://www.aerodynamika.com/gallery/Mir ... in_Max.pdf

What is important to note is that it's really a trivial matter to perfectly clone/mirror animated parts.  The hardest part is changing the sign of the animated axis, typically from a minus to a plus...  ;D

[markag]

Thanks guys

I'll have to take some time to process and try applying these techniques. I'm back at school now so my modeling progress has slowed down drastically. Thanks for the continued help.

Mark