DHC-7 Digital Twin
A visual digital twin of the DHC "Dash" 7 to be used in renders and virtual reality visualizations.
Role
3D Modeling Intern
TOOLS
Blender, Substance 3D Painter
TIMELINE
2 Weeks
As part of the Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project, NASA and partners are creating hybrid-electric variants of select aircraft. The DHC-7 showcases a collaboration between NASA and magniX.
The GVIS lab needed a mesh model that was flexible enough to be used in both 3D prints and used in XR visualizations.
With only 11 remaining active DHC-7, reference was taken from available photos and similar aircraft on a trip to the NASA Glenn hangar.
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Variable pitch propeller reference
Wing flap and riveting reference
General aircraft paneling reference
The model references original 1977 orthographic drawings and was created in Blender using a combination of hard surface and subD techniques.
Frequent, iterative saving and version control were two techniques used to remain organized throughout the modelling process.
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The aircraft was textured in Adobe Substance 3D Painter using a combination of projection, hand-painting, and procedural techniques.
Mirrored UVs improve organization and editing.
Objects with logos on them have higher texel density to ensure clarity.
The aircraft uses 7 texture sets so that it can be modularly updated if the design changes.
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A GIF showcasing the final PBR (physically-based rendering) texture maps.
Aircraft components are labelled with consistent naming schemes.
Propellors, doors, landing gear, wing, and tail flaps are animation-ready.
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