Virtual Airplane – Modeling: Create realistic aircraft models using free software: Blender, GIMP, and Inkscape

The four volumes of the "Virtual Airplane" series will teach you how to create the model shown on the cover. This guide assumes that you may know nothing about the 3D modeling software, so it starts the course from the very basics. In subsequent chapters the author builds a computer model of the P-40B fighter. Every step of this workflow is shown in numerous illustrations.

The second volume ("Modeling") describes how to create all the elements of an aircraft model (except the landing gear and cockpit interior - these details are covered in the last, fourth volume). This book contains:

• Introduction to Blender 3D environment. It describes the UI, basic concepts, view navigation, object manipulation, etc. This chapter is for the absolute beginner;
• 19 detailed lessons on modeling. During this course the author starts from a very simple object (the spinner), then he gradually introduces new methods and tools. Most of the parts are created from the smooth (subdivision) surfaces. The result is a complete model of the P-40B, but the methods presented here are universal. You can use them to form various aircraft, cars, boats or ships;
• An example of practical approach to organizing complex computer models. This P-40B contains hundreds of different parts, joined into a hierarchical structure. You can learn how to create and manage such an assembly;
• In-depth description of the subdivision surfaces properties. This is the "basic material" used to build the computer models. As in every craft: when you know the material you are working with, you can create masterpieces taking advantage of its hidden potential.

In the 20^th century you could make an aircraft model from paper or plastic. At the beginning of the 21^st century the time has come for yet another variation of this hobby: computer models. The primary goal of the "Virtual Airplane" series is the popularization of this new branch of scale modeling. To make this hobby more affordable, the author exclusively uses the free (Open Source) software. However, this publication may also be useful to all who want to apply the free, powerful 3D graphics suite to other purposes. For example - you can use Blender for creating models for 3D printing. (Blender imports and exports the standard STL and OBJ data files). If you have access to a decent 3D printer, you can even think about creating your own model kit!

Supplementary downloads for these series include various additional resources (drawings, samples, add-ons) as well as the models and textures created in every lesson from volumes: II, III, and IV.

Technical note: "Virtual Airplane" is a "picture book". It contains 771 illustrations, which significantly increase its size (it may take longer to download this book). These illustrations look best on a color display of appropriate resolution. Thus the Kindle Fire tablets (especially the HD and HDX versions) provide the best reading experience. You can also read it on PC computers or other tablets, using the corresponding free Kindle applications (for Windows, Mac, and Android). The book from this site is not optimized for the iPads.