3D modeling blog 1: Learning the basics

I initially researched many drawn blueprints of the F22-Raptor and started to test modeling with them.

I started my F22 model with the nose cone, and learning how I could turn a simple cone into a slightly more detailed shape, similar the the nose cone of the F22

Images of my first nose cone attempt

However I noticed I was having many alignment issues with these low resolution drawn blueprints. I Tested 4 different blueprints, however all of them had the same problem of being differnt scales and shapes to each other.

Images of the misalignment in the blueprints

I Had enough of other peoples inaccurate drawings and decided to use orthographic images of the F22 taken by Klanderud, T. (2025). Available at: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/9081638/f-22-raptor-front-orthographic-view [Accessed 30 Sep. 2025].

Because my reference images were not drawings of the jet anymore there was not really much discrepency between the images. I only had to slightly scale the images differently to fit align them perfectly.

To scale the images accurately I created a cuboid with the same volume as the F22 with dimensions provided by the U.S. Air Force (2015). Available at: https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104506/f-22-raptor/ [Accessed 30 Sep. 2025].

Image of the grey volume of the jet compared to the reference images

With the reference images centred I started modeling a low poly version of the F22. I extruded backwards from a cynlinder to create the entire shape of the nose and then outwards for the wings and intakes.

I realised that this was not creating very smooth curves and stopped modeling this version.

I left off here with my final low poly version, and moved on to research how to create a smooth version of the F22 in the next week