Shaping a Fuselage (with flattened sides) Using FSDS. 

For this example I am using the Beech King Air since it has both a rounded fuselage and flattened sides. 

Step 1 - Just like any fuselage I think it's best to start with a tube. Add enough Points and Sections to cover all of the curves and sections that might be required. You can add sections later but you can't add sides. Make the tube approx. as long and as wide as your fuselage will be. Be sure to check the  Close Left... and Close Right... checkboxes as it's easier to do now that later. Be sure to align it along the Z axis. fig. 1
fig.1

 

Step 1 - Starting with your tube fig. 2, begin shaping the side ONLY of the fuselage by selecting the points of the first (right) section fig. 3. Switch to Scale mode (circled in red fig. 4) and then elect the Constrain X and Constrain Z buttons (circled in green fig. 4) to resize the section to the desired size. 
fig. 2
fig. 3
fig. 4

 

Step 3 - Alternate between Scale mode and Move mode to scale and position the sections as desired. Remember to keep the Constrain X and Constrain Z buttons selected when resizing. fig. 5
fig. 5

 

Step 4 - Continue the process until the length of the fuselage has been  completed. fig. 6
fig. 6

 

Step 5 - Switch to Top view and continue the resizing process. This time, use the Constrain Y and Constrain Z buttons fig. 7. You should not need to move the sections fore or aft as they should have been set when sizing in Side view.  Continue until you have resized all sections. Your fuselage basic shape should now be complete. fig. 8
fig. 7
fig. 8

 

Step 6 - Switch to Front view and notice that the sides are almost completely round and not yet flat like they need to be.  fig. 9 (Background turned off for clarity.) fig. 9b
fig. 9
fig. 9b

 

Step 7 - Switch to Side view and then Point mode and select the points for side panels you wish to flatten. Try to get all desired points select. You can select additional points by holding down the shift key after making your first selection and then selecting any addition points.  fig. 10
fig. 10

 

Step 8 - Switch back to Front view and Go to Scale mode and select the Constrain Y and Constrain Z buttons. Scale the selected points to the desired location. In this example, I scaled them inward slightly. Notice that the fuselage sides begin to flatten. fig. 11
fig. 11

 

Step 9 - Continue the process with other areas until the desired side flatness is achieved. fig. 12 and Fig. 12b
fig. 12
fig. 12b

 

Step 10 - Continue the process with other areas until the desired side flatness is complete. fig. 13 & 14
fig. 13
fig. 14

 

©2000 by David Eckert


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