Trouble in Exporting Control Surfaces to STP/IGS/STL Files

Xue Yan

unread,

Mar 15, 2026, 10:45:50 PM (2 days ago) Mar 15

to OpenVSP

Hello everyone!

Openvsp is an amazing tool to quickly and professionally to build 3D model airplane. I'm trying to build models and export to 3D print.

Everything goes well untill I tried to buil control surfaces(aileron, rudders, elevators), I failed to export the contril sufaces to 3D cad models, ethier there was nothing left on the model, or just curves left on the sufaces.

What I expected was cutting the surfaces or making separate solid, so that I can 3D print the seperate components and assmeble then.

Is it possible to do that? I appreciate that if any one would help.

Best regards!

Zach Hazen

unread,

Mar 16, 2026, 4:58:23 AM (yesterday) Mar 16

to OpenVSP

For 3D control surfaces, you will need to model them separately. This is best done by using the LE and TE trim feature. So if you start with two identical wings (one a copy of the other), then you trim one to say 0% - 80% chord and one to 20%-100% chord to arrive at two separate surfaces. Things can get fancy with leading edge treatments such as round, as well as hinges for rotations, and creating gaps by trimming a bit more.

FWIW I've typically handled my control surfaces in CAD after exporting a STEP from VSP.

Zach Hazen

unread,

Mar 16, 2026, 5:06:43 AM (yesterday) Mar 16

to OpenVSP

here is a great video https://youtu.be/zOoXH5xoZXo?si=F9YevhXMFjL0fD3y&t=580

Xue Yan

unread,

Mar 16, 2026, 11:43:32 AM (yesterday) Mar 16

to OpenVSP

Wow, it looks like a solution for my trouble, thanks a lot! Let me have a try!

Reply all

Reply to author

Forward