Wide Body Jets Inc. proposed a new small commercial commuter jet with a unique “lifting body” aerodynamic design. The jet has a cabin over 20 feet wide, with a first-class seating capacity of 34 passengers and two aisles. To facilitate the introduction of the wide-body jet design to the commuter jet industry, the Imaging Research Center created a four-minute visualization of the aircraft, illustrating the engineering behind the design and the ergonomics of passengers aboard the jet.
Animation
Students in the IRC internship began with 2D CAD drawings provided by the engineers designing the wide-body jet. From this, they created a full 3D model defining the look of both the exterior and interior of the jet. Working together with Wide Body Jets, the project included problem-solving in various areas of engineering such as landing gear design, storage space for baggage, and seating arrangements.
To depict the passenger cabin space and variations in passenger traffic flow in an aircraft design that is different from the industry standard, the IRC built a full-scale set of the boarding area and passenger seats and performed full-body motion capture with the IRC’s Polhemus Ultrak system. The motion capture was then applied to over 20 detailed human models which board the jet and move about the cabin.
Researchers and Creators
Client: Bob Hahl, Wide Body Jets, INC
Project Director: Alan Price
Lead Animator/Technical Director: Tim Best
Students
IRC Graduate Research Assistant: Paula Durette
UMBC Interns: Nidhi Adya, Brian Berge, Kim Jung, Jodi Kravetzker, Dennis Moelllers
Imaging Research Center, UMBC © 2024