Design planes

[Enzo2]

Is there some kind of software for making rc planes that is free?

I really want to design a ton of planes

 

[Mr Man]

Is there some kind of software for making rc planes that is free?

I really want to design a ton of planes

Onshape.

 

[Mr Man]

But Inkscape is a must no matter what. I use to format my designs and turn them into usable plans. I’ve also designed some planes in Inkscape as well.

 

[Enzo2]

But Inkscape is a must no matter what. I use to format my designs and turn them into usable plans. I’ve also designed some planes in Inkscape as well.

Thanks

 

[Mr Man]

You’ll also need Adobe reader to tile the plans. It is also free. Unless you get the pro version.

 

[SP0NZ]

If you want to try 3D I highly recommend Autodesk Fusion 360. Not only can you design planes with it, you can design 3D printable parts as well.

 

[Mr Man]

If you want to try 3D I highly recommend Autodesk Fusion 360. Not only can you design planes with it, you can design 3D printable parts as well.

It is very difficult to export curved surfaces though.

 

[SP0NZ]

It is very difficult to export curved surfaces though.

What do you mean?

 

[Mr Man]

What do you mean?

I once tried to design in fusion, but I couldn't flatten and export skins.

 

[Mr Man]

Which is why I switched to Onshape.

 

[Enzo2]

Onshape.

Will it work on a bad pc?

 

[Mr Man]

Will it work on a bad pc?

Should, Fusion won't. Onshape is an online software, so it'll work as good as your internet and pc will with any other website I think.

 

[Enzo2]

Should, Fusion won't. Onshape is an online software, so it'll work as good as your internet and pc will with any other website I think.

I have good internet but a slow ass pc but i will try it btw

 

[Mr Man]

I have good internet but a slow ass pc but i will try it btw

ok

 

[quorneng]

Hmmm. They did design & build planes before PCs were around. I am really old so I still do even when using foam board.
The only thing I have to use my PC is to post pictures. comments and videos on forums like this!

 

[Flying Monkey fab]

Hmmm. They did design & build planes before PCs were around. I am really old so I still do even when using foam board.
The only thing I have to use my PC is to post pictures. comments and videos on forums like this!

I've been around since before people owned computers but never afraid to start using a new tool.

 

[Captain Dunsel]

I did a lot of paper-and-pencil designing (balsa models), then started using CAD when it became available and have used quite a few different CAD programs over the years.
I have to admit I don't do 3D work, nor do I do the kind of 'unwrapping' design many of you do. If anyone wants to do simple 2D designing, LibreCAD is available for free and will run on Windows, Apple, etc. (I use LInux Mint). Attached is a simple model I drew up for KFM airfoils, draw in LIbreCAD.

 

[Captain Dunsel]

Almost forgot, for model proportions, here is a set of rules published in Radio Control Modeler. Despite them being nearly a half-century old (!), they still work well.

 

[Mr Man]

Almost forgot, for model proportions, here is a set of rules published in Radio Control Modeler. Despite them being nearly a half-century old (!), they still work well.

Those control surface sizes don’t suit me.😏😉😂

 

[Captain Dunsel]

Those control surface sizes don’t suit me.😏😉😂

I'm assuming you want larger surfaces, for 3-D type flying. In that case...cheat! Keep the wing and tail areas the same, but increase the control surface proportions by copying them from models you like.

Heck, the first models I designed were drawn on the back of plans I'd built, using the same areas and airfoils, but with different airframes. Just turned the plans over on a white table top and traced the important bits.

Remember that proportion guides like these were based on statistical averages of proportions for successful models. No complex aerodynamics. I modify them, as needed, when designing a model. If it's a faster model, I'll decrease the ailerons, elevator, and (maybe) rudder. If it's a slower model, I'll keep the areas at least the recommended size, but I often increase the fin and rudder areas (I like to do slips and spins).