Basic Modeling Questions

Support Modeling
1

I have been working on a modest project, designing a bi-plane, and I have some basic questions maybe someone can help me with.

  1. The plane itself is one mesh, but i have added other meshes for various parts. Is is better to add meshes in Object mode rather than Edit mode?
  2. If I make a separate mesh in Object Mode should I join it to the main object or parent it?
  3. I noticed that my object center (pink dot) is about ten units south of my plane. How do I move the object center back into my object?
  4. The propeller is the only mesh that will move independent of the plane. What is the best way to attach it to the plane so it still spins correctly?

Thanks

I am using 2.49

2

1.) More times then not, Yes (there are exceptions). No matter which you choose, you can join or break pieces apart later though too, so you can always fix it later.
2.) Parent
3.) In Object Mode, 3D view there is “Object” -> “Transform” then 3 options of “Geometry to Orgin”, “Orgin to Geometry”, or “Orgin to 3D Cursor”.
4.) Parent it to the body of the plane.

3

Thanks Quandtum - precise, concise and helpful.

4

Np, any other questions you know where to find us.

P.S. I was just noticing you are using 2.49b, the answer for 3 should have been instead:

F9 (for the Editting tab in the Buttons Window) -> Mesh Tab -> “Center”, “Center New” “Center Cursor”. “Center New” will make it the middle of the geometry.

You can also still get it Obect->Transform->“Center New” “Center Cursor”, “ObData to Center”.

The nomenclature is just a little different. I apologize about that.

5

Thanks, I went into object - transform…I placed the 3d cursor into the middle of my plane and locked the data to the cursor…you gave me a good head start. When I get all the decals in place this thing will look good…(even if the geometry isn’t good on the tail and on the wing tips…(hah)