Simple CAD Programs Ease Model Plane Design
Easy to learn CAD programs simplify plan preparation
CAD, or computer aided design, is the common nickname for a family of computer programs that are used to create plans and construction drawings. Simple CAD programs are ideal for the RC hobbyist to prepare a set of construction plans for a model airplane design.
Before the age of today’s powerful home computers employing a mouse combined with a practical user graphical interface, model plans, drawings and blueprints were all prepared by hand. There were literally thousands of hand drawn model airplane plans prepared over the years.
CAD efficient for preparing plans
CAD is a much more efficient way to draft plans for RC model airplane kits, as the software creates the lines, circles and other drawing elements as a series of vectors based on mathematical equations. CAD programs allow any drawing to be easily resized, moved, copied, or altered on the computer screen.
The Robin's plans are drawn with TurboCAD
A CAD program will allow the RC plane designer to perform a variety of drafting tasks. Some of the more common actions performed by even the most basic of CAD programs include a zoom in or zoom out command; ability to rotate images; ease of changing an object’s scale; and the use of snap and trim commands for precise alignments. More advanced yet still simple CAD programs allow for preparing three dimensional drawings.
CAD programs save countless hours of work as repetitive drawing tasks, such as finding a line’s midpoint, can be accomplished automatically. As you will see in my TurboCAD tutorial video, this simple CAD program is used to draw one half of the Snapper’s wing. Using the mirror command, the other wing half is drawn and perfectly matched to the first half. In the old days of hand prepared model airplane plans, it could be half a day’s work drawing the other half of the wing.
TurboCAD uses a clear and intuitive desktop interface
If you have never used a CAD program before, the learning tasks before you can seem daunting. Two dimensional CAD programs speak the “same language,” in that similar tasks are performed by all the various CAD applications. For preparing something like a RC model airplane plan, you will need the ability to draw a line, a circle, parallel lines, and some sort of curve. The trick for making a CAD program simple is the clarity of the program design combined with helpful background information.
TurboCAD's intuitive interface
TurboCAD inspector bar shows next step for drawing a line
TurboCAD is intuitive for the new CAD user. The graphical layout of the program is logical and appealing. A key benefit of TurboCAD is the use of an inspector bar that cues you on what step should be taken next based on whatever tool is accessed. TurboCAD can easily anticipate the next step if, for example, you wish to trim a line or add some text. It is helpful for both the new and experienced user to be able to glance down and review the inspector bar regarding any next actions required for your drawing.
For the tasks associated with preparing a normal radio control model airplane plan, there really is no need for a complex high end CAD program. You will not need to prepare associated databases or any type of dynamic files for an RC plane design. I would caution, however, in your search for a simple CAD program to not confuse ease of use with low cost. Some CAD programs are available for free. But the user interface of these basic applications is just too cumbersome to justify the time spent trying to become proficient.
Snapper fuselage drawing - a FREE plan you can download
Illustration programs
Close to three hours of video TurboCAD training
The beginning RC plane designer may try out a basic drawing program to prepare plans, one that is not a CAD application. Graphic programs like PowerPoint, Freehand and Illustrator can certainly be used to sketch out a model airplane outline. But with the pure illustration programs, there is no easy way to obtain the precision needed for a truly accurate model plan. Perhaps the best use for these types of programs is working out the initial dimensions of your model airplane design prior to preparing the final design in CAD.
In summary, the effort spent learning a simple CAD program will pay off in time saved and productivity for years to come with any of your design efforts. You will gain the ability to quickly draw professional looking model airplane plans. And you will find other helpful uses for your CAD skills, from working floor layout plans for a new house to helping a colleague with a design project at work. There is no downside towards gaining proficiency with computer aided design skills.