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Geometry Overview

The geometry of a fixed-wing UAV in the Setuav Standard is defined through a set of independent but interconnected components. This modular approach allows for complex airframes to be built by combining wings, fuselages, and other structural elements.

Core Concepts

The geometry system is designed with the following principles:

  • Parametric Definition: Instead of storing static 3D meshes, we store the parameters required to generate them.
  • Station-Based Lofting: Most components (wings and fuselages) are defined by cross-sections (stations) that are lofted together to create smooth surfaces.
  • Reference Frame Consistency: All components are positioned relative to the SETUAV_BODY frame.

Component Types

In the following sections, we will explore:

  1. Fuselage: Defining the main body using parametric cross-sections (sections) lofted along the longitudinal axis.
  2. Wing: Defining lifting surfaces, stabilizers, and control surfaces using a section-based approach with absolute positioning.
  3. Wing Attachment: Positioning and orienting wings on the fuselage, including automatic fairing generation for aerodynamic integration.

Coordinate Integration

All components are positioned in the SETUAV_BODY reference frame (origin at nose tip, X+ aft, Y+ right, Z+ up). Wings use local coordinate systems that are then placed via Wing Attachment parameters using nested position and rotation objects. The position object contains x, y, and z coordinates, while the rotation object contains x (roll), y (pitch), and z (yaw) angles. This ensures the final model is a cohesive unit ready for aerodynamic and structural analysis.