Make a Detailed Paper Model Plane Template/pattern Using Sketchup + Inkscape (2024)

Have you seen those amazingly smooth, complex paper model planes and you just wonder how on earth are they designed?

Well I might have cracked the code as I have designed an SR-71 FROM scratch using the methods I will share soon. (Still in progress its been a year so far...)

I hope you can learn something from this! (3D modeling has a learning curve so get a You-tube degree before attempting :))))

Now this is not a 100% complete tutorial (that would be better suited for a video) But this is meant to give a decent guide-line on what you need,what to do, and basic procedure :)

For this tutorial you MUST have:

1. Sketchup (I am using the 100% 2017 version)
2. Flattery plugin
3. InkScape (Latest version with shape builder)
4. Unwrap & Flatten plugin (for Sketchup)
5. Gimp (for cutting blueprint into chunks)

Links for download: (I Beleve these are safe sources but download at your own risk)

https://download.cnet.com/sketchup-make-2017/3000-6677_4-10257337.html

https://inkscape.org/release/inkscape-1.3.2/

https://www.gimp.org/downloads/

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/ec349d5c-2d0a-407c-958b-37023f2614e8/Unwrap-and-Flatten-Faces

https://sketchucation.com/plugin/1301-flattery

Lets get started.

You can find them off of google. Or if you want something more premium I like to use "the-blueprints.com" for all my blueprint needs.

If God is blessing you then you might find a blueprint with cross sections!!! this is PURE GOLD.

Now I used Gimp to cut the images into sections: TOP. SIDE. FRONT.

& I imported them into Sketchup and made the layout in image #3.

Using the blueprint trace the front (Cross section) silhouette and placi it on the corrosponding area on the top view.

Using the "Extrude/pull" tool pull the first cross section to "fit" the blueprint contours.

Continue as long as the blueprint allows.

NOTE: (Sometimes you will come to a point in which the original blueprint no longer fits. example: You build up to a point where the cross section changes shape. in this situation it is SIMPLE!!!:

1. draw out NEW cross section with pen tool and MANUALLY draw connecting lines from the new part to the old part using lines in a triangle-like manner.)

To make a paper model you need to have some kind of inner structure to keep the "skin" in the right position.

To do so:

1. DUPLICATE the completed shape (reference step 3 Img 5) SAVE ONE COPY FOR LATER
2. DELETE connecting lines
3. RECONNECT any broken cross sections in the shape

See Gif :)

Using the pen tool draw a line to make a center-line between EACH cross section.

If it just WON'T close and INSISTS on being open, then do the following:

1. Take a deep breath
2. Double check to make sure you are clicking on the right node
3. Be sure you are drawing vertically down the cross section in a STRAIGHT LINE

Here are the steps:

1. Make sure that everything is un-grouped
2. Click on one of the cross-sections if you did it right one cross section will be made up of two halves.
3. Right-click and scroll down to Unwrap and flatten faces > Unwrap and flatten
4. 
   

Now back to the hollow skin that you have (hopefully) saved. We will use FLATTERY for this.

1. Click once on the unfolded cube graphic on the tool-bar
2. Click on the first facet of the shape and continue clicking on all of the facets until you have a flattenedsheet.

Now we will use the "Unwrap and flatten" plugin.

1. Make sure the part is ungrouped
2. right click and go to: Unwrap and flatten Faces > Unwrap and flatten

You should have something similar to img#3 :)))

Export using the Flattery: "Export as SVG"

Now we need to clean it up using Inkscape using shape builder.

This will make it into one shape instead of broken lines.

IMPORTANT: you must offset the 'Bone' parts by double the width of the paper you will be using :)

No this is actually a real project I am doing on and off.

I printed the templates and they work very well. I have attached an image of the entire bone structure comleted.

And an image with the skin applyed. I used black paper cause its a blackbird.

If you try this method with an airliner, or an F-86, or star-fighter it will be EVEN easier.

I built what you see over the span of a month. It looks complicated but believe it or not this was my FIRST experience with sketchup, I just started and learned as I went.

I hope this helps in a way! and see you later!!!!!!!