As i’m an mechanical engineer by trade and worked with gas turbine engines several years ago, i always wanted to model one on my own, focusing on both technical accuracy as well as many details as possible.
This project was a good experience on modeling strategy and assembly organisation.The modeling approach was to combine boolean, subsurf and GeoNode modeling techniques.
Regarding the workflow, it all started with a heavy collection of references. Then a first rough layout was made to get the proportions right, starting with the main rotor. Then rotor was modeles as detailed as possible, using as much as non destructive modeling steps as possible.
A huge and exceptionally well-crafted piece of work, congratulations!
May I ask, given that it’s an engineering project, why you decided to design it in Blender instead of CAD software?
I think it would have been easier.
Hi, amazing work… any appreciation will fall short over your super detailed modelling!! Just one question what tool/addon did you use for precision modeling (I mean how did you did the calculation of all the dimensions etc.)
Hi M-777,
thanks for your reply. It is a project of interesst for an engineer, but not specific an engineering project. I just wanted to use blender to get better in hard surface modeling (and to built/update my portfolio), and also see how far i can push my current limits. Doing such a big project forces you to adapt your strategy.
As an mechanical Engineer, i use CAD software in my daily full time job, blender is a free time passion.
Hi abhi,
i used Blender standard installation exclusively. I only activated some standard addons such as Bool Tool, Loop Tools, and alike.
Regarding the dimensions, i started with a heavy collection of reference images (about 250). the early block-out of the rotor was mapped to a cross section reference photo. The rest was patience, eyeballing and some of my experience from my engineering backbround.
Oh, im currently cleaning up the model (fix booelans, proper naming of the parts etc) and will start adding materials. So stay tuned for some first renders soon.
Here are two first quick renders. I like the low key style, even tough it hides to details that were modelled first hand. I’ll dome some more shots over time, and learn more about the low key render technique. Its easier said than done with metallic surfaces.
This is amazing Argentum3d! Do you have an idea of how long this took you? I’m also in the gas turbines industry (utility) and would love to try 3D printing a simpler version to help our new engineers learn about these machines.
Hi Tanh,
regarding the overall working time its hard to guess, because its an on-an-off side Project. I estimate the overall working hours until now to be around 300hours (i’m not the fastest…), but i dont have a detailed hour log on this one.
Currently i’m working on the materials and the model clean up. If theres a need for someone for this model, i can put it on the blendermarket.
That’s crazy. What a nice piece of tech and a phantastic model!
It’s really cool to see how all this blades are mounted/connected and adjusted. Hope for an animation too.
Thank you for sharing the workflow.
