How to Design Foam Airplanes - Part 1

by nerdnic | February 12, 2017 | (5) Posted in How To

Hey guys! I am creating a brand new design series as a much needed update to my previous videos. If you follow along with me through this series you will be equipped for success as I teach you all the ins and outs of foam plane design. I will be using the powerful vector based application Adobe Illustrator. But this technique will work with the free Inkscape program or Corel Draw.

I have used this design technique to create some of the most impressive foam board airplanes in the community to date and here are some examples:

One of the really exciting things about this new series is that I have created a templates file that will enable you to make a nerdnic quality design in no time! This file will allow you to build upon established design techniques so you don't have to do all the guess work.

We'll focus on the 'how to' aspect of Illustrator, teaching you the required tools while getting straight to the point.

My subject for this series will be the Yak 3 and I can't wait to see what plane you choose to design!

Please let me know if there is anything specific you'd like to see in this series!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM PART 1

Start with traditional style plane for your first design
Pick 3 view image that contains cross sections if possible
Google search “[plane name] 3 view”
Scale to 40" wingspan to make use of my templates
Set your artboard to the size of your foam

COMMANDS

A = Direct Select
Selects single line

V = Select
Selects all grouped lines

Ctrl + G
Group selected lines

Ctrl + Z
Undo

Ctrl + Shift + Z
Redo

Ctrl + -
Zoom out

Ctrl + +
Zoom in

Shift + command
Keeps proportions or snaps to 45 degree angles

GENERAL

Set units
Edit > Preferences > Units

Artboard
File > Document Setup > Edit Artboards

Fill
Inside color

Stroke
Line color

Windows needed

Layers
Stroke
Transparency

Line tool
Used to draw straight lines

Pen tool
Used to make curves

ACTIONS

Move entire grouped object
V

Move just 1 line
A

Group lines
Ctrl + G

Move line/group

Left click on mouse and drag
Arrow keys

COMMENTS

ChandlerRC on March 27, 2017

Over the years I have used a lot of tools including illustrator, often to the point of frustration. Already picked up several tips to use in future projects. Thanks!
Log In to reply

spetnazer on March 29, 2017

thanks for sharing....this is very helpful ...
Log In to reply

DIGO on April 2, 2017

I am actually going for a really ambicious project this summer, a plane with variable geometry wings like the F-14 so I can progress from slow flying to high speed and I'm actually hopping for it to be an edf so I don't have problems with propellers, this being my first foam board airplane and just finishing building a styrofoam airplane wich has no control surfaces and will probably have power issues since the eletronics are from a tiny rc helicopter, so it will probably be an adventure.
Log In to reply

Jogoo on August 26, 2018

Do you ever use 3d cad or only adobe illustrator style of apps
Log In to reply