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Making complex cylindrical shapes
vladut_cadar
Member Posts: 4 ✭
I'm looking to make this plane into a 3d model, so far this is the only way I found to make the body because I am new to 3d modeling. Is there any better way to make such shapes? Having to keep placing planes is tedious and seems like a bad idea in the long run. Is this platform even meant to be used to make stuff like this?
0
Answers
There are multiple aerospace companies creating real planes etc. with Onshape. Is it easy to make complex shapes like that? No, not for a beginner. There are other tools out there which could be used to quickly make something that is roughly plane-shaped. Would a real company use those CAD models to base real production off of? No.
Aerospace and automotive is where CAD began. The Parasolid kernel that Onshape is based on is used by countless CAD tools including NX (nee Unigraphics), which got its early start at McDonnell Douglass (which became part of Boeing).
So can you make planes with Onshape? Yes? Is it easy without spending a bunch of time learning the tool? No.
@vladut_cadar
Yes, it is absolutely possible. Your approach does not reflect the best practices approach, though. Yes, you will need to create several cross sections, but pribably less than you expect, and you should pay more attention to the guide curves (which run from front to rear of your plane) and analyse which are those that actually define the shape (and these are certainly not including the canopy or any of the fins in side view!). It would probably be wise to work through the surface modeling section in the learning center first.
Understanding curves
Intro to surfaces
More complex surfaces
See, they don't start with planes for a reason … ;0)
Good suggestions by the other guys here. I work in the aerospace industry and do complex aircraft parts all the time. Onshape is a great tool for designs like this. Like @S1mon said, complex shapes that need fine/precise control can be a challenge in any CAD system.
It's not that deep man, I just asked if I'm doing it wrong because it feels wrong.
I think you're running into trouble getting a clear answer because the question is too broad. Also because it's less about "right and wrong" and is more about "better or worse for your goals".
But to answer your questions as they're worded: Yes Onshape can make shapes like this and yes there are better ways.