Blueprints

Today I used some of the blueprints I found during researching yesterday. As the the different views were on the same image, I cut and cropped the different views in photoshop. I saved each individual view in a folder.

I then opened a new folder in 3dsMax. I am going to import each view into the software and use these as a base of my model, and then I will use poly modelling to begin making the plane.

When I had a new 3DS document open, I first created a new plane, I ensured that the dimensions of the blueprints (visable in windows explorer) matched the dimensions of the plane. This was done by changing the length and width of the plane in the object perameters.

When I was happy with the dimensions, I opened the material editor, I selected the diffuse box then selected bitmap, this opened a window that allowed me to browse the files on my PC. I selected the first blueprint and dropped the material onto the plane to apply the material, I then selected the 'show map in viewpoint' so I am now able to see the blueprint on the plane.

To save confusion, I gave each plane a sensible name, corresponding to which blueprint was on the plane.

I had a slight issue with the front view of the aircraft. when I applied the material to the plane, the material was the wrong way round, so I went into the modify tab and added a UVW map and used the gizmo to rotate and re-size the blueprint until it was in the correct position.

Nakajima B5N

The main bomber planes used in the attack were the Nakajima B5N's. All in all, 198 of these aircraft were used in the attack, coming in two waves. These planes carried general purpose torpedo bombs, these bombs weighed around 800kgs each. The plane itself had low placed wings and could carry a three man crew.


Production of this model began in 1937 and by 1941 it was the best carrierborne torpedo-bomber in the world. Production stopped in 1943 and it gave way to its successor the B5N2.

First Glance

In our first class we divided ourselves into groups of four before undergoing the first stages of the project. Our group came up the the name infamous, as Roosevelt described the day of the atack as "The day that lives in infamy".

We discussed who would like to do which part if the animation, based on our skills and expertise, and also based on the individual challanges and interests of each member.

My main part of my task will be the aircraft, I chose this as this is the aspect that I find most interesting and also as I feel that I gained some useful experience and skills in last year's Di Vinci project to enable me to get a good start on the aircraft. I am very much looking forward to improving on my skills and to begin the modelling stage.

Before I can begin I am looking into the different models of Japanese aircraft used in the attack, gaining knowledge about how they move and manouver, the coulourings and patterns in order to create the most realistic outcome.

Reaction to brief

This year, our task is to portray the attack on Pearl Harbor. I'm really excited about this task as I'm interested in WW11 history, and this was one of the most significant happenings in this period as it catapulted the US into the mostly European war.

There will be many things to consider even before we start to plan the animation. We will need to research into the happenings of that day, we'll need to decipher fact and fiction between the conspiracies and what the officials said happened; we'll also need to look into the specifics of warfare at that time, the structure of Pearl Harbor, the structure of the US battleships and subs and also the models of both US and Japanese aircraft.

The animation could have many different approaches so as a group we need to come up with a creative, different and powerful re-enactment of the attack - "a day that will live in infamy", Franklin. D. Roosevelt