Another way to cut holes in objects

[Goran_M]

I was going to describe how I cut holes for gear doors, windows, etc... but Jason found a video that demonstrates it nearly exactly how I do it.  I personally think this video is better.

So, enjoy the viewing and make some holes.

http://www.cgcookie.com/articles/tip-hole-cutting-on-curved-surfaces

Goran

[gilbenl]

http://forums.x-pilot.com/index.php?topic=248.0

Same idea, more practical demonstration.

I would like to point out here that retopo is usually NOT the best method of cutting out flaps. Since flaps typically have edges that are parallel to the direction of the wing, the cutting procedure is very simple. Now, keep in mind, not all flaps are single surfaces, they are often composed of multiple sections (double/triple slotted Kreuger, for example). Nevertheless, what you cut out is still a big flat section. Here are the steps I like to use to do this:

NOTE: As Goran has correctly pointed out many times, there are multiple ways of doing things. This is simply the technique I find produces the best result when cutting out control surfaces.

1) Begin by placing your wing over an appropriately scaled reference image which has lines where the control surface is. It is absolutely critical that the model and the diagram are scaled identically. If not, your control surfaces will be incorrectly size/shaped/located. For the purpose of this tutorial, I am not going to use a background image simply because the "wing" is not representative of any aircraft.

2) Enter edge select mode, and using the loop cut tool (K-key), cut two loops that line up over the boundary lines of the flap.

3) Once you've done this, you now need to cut the line for the leading edge of the flap. Should the leading edge of the flap be identical in slope/location to one of the long edges running down the length of the wing span, then you can skip this step. Should it have a different slope/location, as in this example, you will need to subdivide the edges of the loops you made in order to create a line for the leading edge. If you did it right, your wing should look like this:

Note: The edges that were subdivided are in yellow, and the resulting leading edge of the flap is in orange. Also, it is important to use the vertex slide method to adjust the verticies. To do this, simply select one of the original verts in the loops. Press shift+s--> cursor selection, hit the period key (this should snap the arrows to the cursor), select the vert you wish to move, then press the S key to scale the second vert either closer or further from the cursor.

4) Once you have the shape laid out, you now need to enter face select mode, select all the faces that compose the surface, and press the P key, thus making it a separate object. Go to object mode, select the flap, and press center new. (Very important to do should you desire to use this surface as the final flap. If not, then simply erase the surface once you cut it and separate it.) If you've done everything correctly to this point, you should now have this:

Note: I moved the flap away to better show the resulting cut where the flap goes.

5) Finally, select the wing, and fill in the space. If your wing has a recess in the flap track, you will want to model this now rather than filling in with flat spaces as I have in this example. Typically, the top surface of the wing over hangs the bottom. You should note this when making your cuts for the leading edge of the flap, as well as when choosing the surfaces to separate.

6) In the end, it should look like this:

[Rafael Fernandez]

i dont know why but your pictures never show up could you try in a different format

[gilbenl]

They worked fine yesterday...odd.