HOW TO DESIGN FOAM AIRPLANES - PART 1

DOWNLOAD TEMPLATES

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7

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. 

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