Advice would be appreciated

[TimV]

Hi:

This is my first XSI model and I would appreciate some advice.

1. I would like to add landing gear which I hope to animate at some point later on. I have tried cutting polygons and adding points to build the wheel wells that will hold the gear, but I ended up creating a pretty big mess. What would be the best way to do this?

2. The actual aircraft uses hard edges on the surface. How do I create harder edges than the ones I get here from the shader?

3. When I add points and edges to create detail (I want to add the cockpit canopy and texture is as glass) is welding the points the correct method to add geometry and combine existing edges with new edges.

Thanks

TimV
ok. How do I add images that are on my local hard drive? When I click on Manage Attachments I get "Error on page". I'll try Opera instead of Internet Explorer

Ok. Opera worked

[Leo]

Hello TimV,

I am by no means an expert and I'm sure competent people will jump in here to help you out, but if I understood your issues correctly, for #1 and #3 I'd try using "extract polygons (delete)", select polys in the new geometry leaving all the border ones intact in order to make it easier to reconnect everything back to the fuselage later, then, use the local sub-division refinement tool to give yourself more polygons to create the details you need. After that, selectively add edge loops, bevels or creases (according to your needs) to get the shapes you want. Cut all the necessary holes (you can simply extrude and move polygons or use a new extract polygons - delete and then manually use the create polygons tool to reattach them from their new position/shape) for both the cockpit and wheel wells and afterwards, reattach the geometry to the fuselage.

For #2, selectively adding edge loops, bevels and creases should do the trick.

The F-117 is a heavily geometrical design, so you shouldn't have too many problems in that regard! ;)

Good luck!

Leo.

[TimV]

Hi Leo:

Thanks for taking the time to offer some helpful advice. There are a few things in your note that I will have to look up and read about, but I will do extactly that.

I appreciate the use of the specific commands as that is a big help

Thanks

TimV