Hi numbthumb,

Probably the paint scheme would be something like this:

ultimatez

Hi numbthumb,

no, I'm not planning to get rich, scratch that post. Actually I think that I have no absolute reason why I model them low poly. Also, I'm probably wrong about that whole low poly thing too; I don't check out those websites too often. I'll probably make a new plane with more polys soon, but then again I can't stand the sight of that black gooeyness, so I'll make one with no more than 20.000 polys. Ok then, that's my limit.

ultimatez

Thanks for the comments guys!
Numbthumb, I keep them low-poly as I plan to sell them someday and currently all the planes I know in the market except in formfonts are high poly. Also, high poly destroys my laptop
Anyways, just to let you know, all the planes I've made so far are all under 5000 polys; actually my highest poly plane is about 3600 polys.

ultimatez

Granted, your the person in your avatar

I wish I could model a single aircraft in sketchup in one hour

Thanks for the link numbthumb! Anyways, a tiny update, added the cockpit and fixed that cockpit hump.

ultimatez

Hi Fritz,

No, there won't be any more polys in the main fuselage body, as I would like to keep my planes low-poly. I got those cross-sections from colacola, Just click those airplane renders and there's a download link below giving the blues and cross-sections. As for your first plane, I would recommend the spitfire, not really hard, yet not really easy too. (Sorry, don't have cross sections for that). Anyhow, here's the basic wing shape completed.

ultimatez

Well here's another airplane I'm working on, the hawker tempest. The shape's difficult but good thing is I have the cross sections so it becomes easier to model the shape. Here's where I am so far.

@niko said:

because I have 7 pro..

Haha I use 7 pro there too! As for your problem there, it looks like the lighting's wrong.
I don't really know, as I don't use that software.

Alright here's the video as promised.
[flash=800,450:yvu5suo0]http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=10321666[/flash:yvu5suo0]

Hi Niko,

After you delete the excess, you are left with a sort of frame right?
If so, select the frame, then go to Edit-Cut. After that double click
Hull and then go to Edit-Paste in Place. If you still don't
Understand this, I'll make a video showing this process in a
Few hours. Currently I'm quite busy so I can't make the video
Right now.

Ultimatez

A small update:

ultimatez

Well, currently I've been working on another aircraft, the messerschmitt bf 108 taifun. Progress so far:






ultimatez

Niko, just click the attachment. OR, try this link:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/download/file.php?id=45107

Hi Niko,

Here's a tut, if what I'm thinking is the same as what you want. Hope it helps.
Tutorial projecting a material into a curved shape.skp

ultimatez

Hi dolf,

great stuff so far! I've also been modeling aircraft for a while now, here's a thread I posted a while back with some of my airplanes: http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=81&t=26709

ultimatez

nice updates! what's the poly count so far?
I'd like to render it too (ultimatez.n.s at gmail.com)

no need for plugins...
Tutorial creating a wider curve.skp

Hi TBG,
Here are the steps for creating the sketchy images:

1. Build your model
   
2. Render your model, use the render engine of your choice, although make sure that you render it unbiased, and around 10-15 passes.
   
3. Export a 2d linework image of your model (Hidden line, no shadows)
   
4. Open an image editor of your choice, and then open both images
5. Paste the linework image into the render image, and then merge the two layers.
6. Go to Filter -> Blur -> Gaussian Blur and then add a slight blur about 0.4 - 0.6. (I use PS)
7. Done!
   

Well, currently I've been working on a few planes and also a few NPR renders using twilight and PS.

A.D 1 Navyplane 1916
Edges = 7513
Faces = 3893

Grumman XF5F Skyrocket
Edges = 4901
Faces = 2241

Cessna 172 Skyhawk
Edges = 3452
Faces = 1766

Supermarine 224
Edges = 5369
Faces = 2718

ultimatez

My Duh! of today...

I just noticed you can use 'paste in place' for moving ungrouped geometry inside an already grouped geometry. It helps a lot when you are outlining something in a blueprint and then paste in place in a group, like a plane's wing for intersection.

ultimatez