# How to create a pilot stick/joystick?

**URL:** <https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-create-a-pilot-stick-joystick/29670>\
**Category:** Modeling Questions\
**Created:** [January 2, 2024, 6:56pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-create-a-pilot-stick-joystick/29670 "2024-01-02T18:56:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 11\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Robin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Robin](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Robin)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2024, 6:56pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-create-a-pilot-stick-joystick/29670/1 "2024-01-02T18:56:40Z")

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I want to draw and 3D-print a pilot stick, which looks like this:

 ![IMG_2824](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/7/d/7d491279cfb3f59a39489cf7546c937e0e3ddadc.jpeg)

I sketched a rough outline:

 ![IMG_2823](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/b/0/b0abb7a6d1bd260b5ddea225faaac8c0d42c13a9.jpeg)

But how do I get a body out of this asymmetrical drawing? I tried rotating, sweep etc. but nothing succeded. I am grateful for all tips! 😃

BR Robin

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**Author:** ![Jonas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/aeb1de/32.png) [@Jonas](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Jonas)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2024, 10:48pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-create-a-pilot-stick-joystick/29670/2 "2024-01-02T22:48:14Z")

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I think the best way must be to draw ceveral circles and use loft finktion

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**Author:** ![TheBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@TheBum](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/TheBum)\
**Post date:** [January 3, 2024, 3:56am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-create-a-pilot-stick-joystick/29670/3 "2024-01-03T03:56:22Z")

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Not necessarily circles but cross-sectional shapes. You’ll have to create multiple planes for the shapes.

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**Author:** ![Robin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Robin](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Robin)\
**Post date:** [January 3, 2024, 6:44am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-create-a-pilot-stick-joystick/29670/4 "2024-01-03T06:44:52Z")

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How many shapes or planes are necessary? A 90 degree shape rotated on the main axis or more?

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**Author:** ![TigerMike](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/tigermike/32/32650_2.png) [@TigerMike](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/TigerMike)\
**Post date:** [January 3, 2024, 6:45am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-create-a-pilot-stick-joystick/29670/5 "2024-01-03T06:45:27Z")

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Here is a very different approach. Note that I’m not trying to copy or emulate the handle design as you show in the picture. I’m merely sharing a way to manipulate a geometric shape into a more organic shape that can become a handle. I’m single stepping thru some steps to show how I made it.

Here are the steps-

**Revolve** a shape  
Use **non-uniform scale** to make it an oval body  
Use **Move-Rotate** to skew the body to the left  
**Project** a sketch above the top, **scale** it larger and move it over a bit  
**Loft** then **Union** then add fillet radii

This is meant to give you food for thought.

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**Author:** ![Robin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Robin](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Robin)\
**Post date:** [January 3, 2024, 6:52am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-create-a-pilot-stick-joystick/29670/6 "2024-01-03T06:52:34Z")

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Hi Mike  
Your way looks good for me 😃. I’ll try this as shown.  
Maybe there are some other ways? I look forward to learning some new things.  
BR Robin

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**Author:** ![TigerMike](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/tigermike/32/32650_2.png) [@TigerMike](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/TigerMike)\
**Post date:** [January 3, 2024, 6:56am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-create-a-pilot-stick-joystick/29670/7 "2024-01-03T06:56:20Z")

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Yeah, it was meant to be a start and give you some ideas. Similar things be done to the bottom of the handle, and the top can be reworked to be more like you picture. Keep us informed and good luck!

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**Author:** ![Peter\_Gy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/peter_gy/32/9251_2.png) [@Peter\_Gy](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Peter_Gy)\
**Post date:** [January 3, 2024, 8:10am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-create-a-pilot-stick-joystick/29670/8 "2024-01-03T08:10:59Z")

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Do check out this tutorial we’ve uploaded recently to YouTube:

[![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/e/5/e589524ecb60b8056d6a281380379d4164946339.jpeg "Shampoo bottle | Modeling Projects") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jM2aJGmWJg)

It expands on the same basic approach of drawing cross-sections and connecting them via loft operations that @Jonas and @TheBum suggested above to create a similar shape and also explains how the new features of the [parametric beta](https://www.shapr3d.com/download/beta) can be beneficial here.

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**Author:** ![Robin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Robin](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Robin)\
**Post date:** [January 3, 2024, 5:10pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-create-a-pilot-stick-joystick/29670/9 "2024-01-03T17:10:18Z")

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![IMG_2825](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/3X/3/e/3e2c1753f4e269b9c199c80d7e8f7feadec1691c.jpeg)

Got it! It’s not perfect but okay for me. Thanks to Peter and all the others for their advice.

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**Author:** ![TigerMike](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/tigermike/32/32650_2.png) [@TigerMike](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/TigerMike)\
**Post date:** [January 3, 2024, 5:36pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-create-a-pilot-stick-joystick/29670/10 "2024-01-03T17:36:01Z")

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Nice job. Looks great!  
I just saw the shampoo bottle video. I will have to get on board with the parametric version once it is officially released.

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**Author:** ![martinchou](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@martinchou](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/martinchou)\
**Post date:** [January 4, 2024, 4:32am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-create-a-pilot-stick-joystick/29670/11 "2024-01-04T04:32:29Z")

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I always hope that shapr3D can break through the surface modeling like rhinoceros software, and once it breaks through, it will give rhinoceros software a blow. The reason is very simple. Mobile can complete the creative demand of modeling anytime and anywhere. But rhinoceros software developers don’t understand the powerful relationship.