The Awesome 4Some project

[J_Eden]

As some of you will be aware, both Jon and myself have been working on modifying the default FSX DC-3 model so it can have individual textures on both sides of the tail rather than the single mirrored image it comes with.

This was carried out by cutting the fuselage into 2 seperate pieces and remapping (thanks to ACES making the DC-3 a sample project with the SDK). Then we got talking....and thanks to Ian, I had a bunch of photos to reference off to cut and mould the default aircraft into 3 other different variants - the Viewmaster, a cargo version, and the USN LC-47.

Why? Several reasons:

1) Why not?

2) As far as we know, noone else has done this to the default aircraft

3) For myself, allowed me to bite my teeth into modeling again since my Avro Shackleton a little over a year ago.

First off, the models have the new textures, and a few more features that thanks to XML (which I am currently learning to play with in FSX and curse its name several times when it doesnt work ), yet are not overly detailed to bring systems to their knees. I could have gone all out adding people and animals, GPU's, luggage, but I was limiting my polygons in order to try and get the maximum performance.

Are these perfectly modeled? Nope, and to be honest, I am not concerned whether the rivet on the 2nd window from the door by the corner is located 22.5mm lower than it should. They are based on photos and modeled to get the average feel of the aircraft owing to the fact that you would have hundreds of different variations if I were to model them all.

Hopefully, this package will continue to grow and add, and hopefully sometime down the track, I will manage to sit down and convert it to FS9.

Once Jon has finished with the textures and the aircraft have been on their testing flights to check for any last errors, heres hoping that it will be ready to be shared

James

[Charl]

Well it completely boggles the mind...
Does MS encourage reverse engineering of their models??
Do you work in GMax? Where does the XML fit in with the modelling?
What kind of time commitment has it taken?
And yes please, for all those FS9'ers, a reverse edition Dak would be a splendid gesture

[J_Eden]

I'm not sure if MS encourage it, but its not really a reverse engineering process, more of an enhancement.

With the Service Pack 1 update for the SDK of FSX, they included the 3DS Max files and textures for the DC-3 as a sample. I've used it as a base for doing everything so far. Havent been hacking away at the MDL code or anything (bit beyond me hehe), so really, its using the tools and objects that have been provided by MS to create a freeware enhancement to the default DC-3.

The way you export a model from 3DS to FSX is by a tool called XtoMDL. The model gets exported from 3DS to a X file via a plugin from MS, then the seperate program then generates the MDL file from the X file. The XML file contains all the animation/display information in it eg

Code: Select all

     <PartInfo>    
      <Name>chock</Name>    
   <Visibility>    
      <Parameter>    
        <Code>
    (A:SIM on GROUND,bool)
    (A:BRAKE PARKING POSITION,percent) 0 &gt; &amp;&amp;
    (A:GENERAL ENG COMBUSTION:1, bool) ! &amp;&amp;
    if{ 1 } els{ 0 }
        </Code>
      </Parameter>  
   </Visibility>  
     </PartInfo>

This is the code I use for a conditional display of the wheel chocks when the engine is shut down. The conditions for the chocks to display are:

The aircraft must be on the ground, parking brake on, and the engines off.

The beautiful thing about this method is that you can add any animation you wish as long as you can figure out the XML code in order for it to work. Its a great asset and can really enhance a model greatly.

For the 4 models to be produced, this has taken about a month or so. Keep in mind this is only modifying, so not having to create fuselages/wings etc. A full blown model can take up to a year to make depending on the level of complexity. Once you get to know the modeling program, it becomes a lot quicker. I hope that the next model I choose to build (hopefully the Harvard) will be easy to model due to the fact every time I use 3DS theres a new tool that helps me out in some way and cuts the time factor in half.

[Charl]

Certainly looking forward to checking those chocks
BTW what's your sig about, since this is question time?

[JonARNZ]

I'll be interested to see what FSDS FSX does with this. I have held off doing anything to date to wait and see if XML type commands that were possible in FSDS 2 will be available. I might then venture forth on aircraft models, or at least update my FS9 ones, otherwise me thinks I will hang up my design boots and focus on skins and missions.

[J_Eden]

Hehe lyrics from a song from a band consisting of two F-16 drivers. Song's about formation flying and a guy flying in the number two spot.

http://www.dosgringosrocks.com/home.html

Don't listen to the samples if your around kids or easily offended. Very Un-PC and clever guys. Ordered both of their CD's last week and for 2 CD's + shipping from the US under $50NZ, you can't really go wrong!! B)

James

[Charl]

I'll be interested to see what FSDS FSX does with this. I have held off doing anything to date to wait and see if XML type commands that were possible in FSDS 2 will be available. I might then venture forth on aircraft models, or at least update my FS9 ones, otherwise me thinks I will hang up my design boots and focus on skins and missions.

It's in the blood mate, you know there is one more model you absolutely have to do before the spurs go on the wall

Edit: And James, thanks for the HU on what F16 drivers do in their spare time

[JonARNZ]

What could that be Mr Charl?

[Charl]

[hinch]

this is great news, i will wait patiently if you decide to do the FS9 conversion.

I hear the FSX DC-3 has the props rotating in opposite directions - have you managed to fix this also?

[Dark Moment]

Well, well, James, Jon and friends. A pal at DC-3 Airways - from your own shores, no less - has just alerted me to this interesting forum and even more interesting thread about 'doing stuff' with the DC-3.

I shall listen eagerly to all that comes next! And give input where I can be useful, if at all.

Hi, anyway, and keep 'em flying,

Mark

[JonARNZ]

Hi Mark, welcome to the forums.

You might want to check out THIS topic as well, plenty of screenshots etc.

[Zöltuger]

to be honest, I am not concerned whether the rivet on the 2nd window from the door by the corner is located 22.5mm lower than it should

you put the rivet where?!?!
seriously tho, nice work, I look forward to it

[J_Eden]

How did I know that you would show up at some stage Mark?

Glad to have you around, will be glad to get some feedback from someone as passionate about the Dak as you are B)

James

[Charl]

Well, well, James, Jon and friends. <...>I shall listen eagerly to all that comes next!  And give input where I can be useful, if at all. Hi, anyway, and keep 'em flying,
Mark

Hello Mark
Clearly the Derelict Dak Dudes are known to you...
Perhaps a line or two here so the rest of us can get to know you a little better?

[Ian Warren]

Welcome Home Mark Dak city maybe

[Dark Moment]

Well, well, James, Jon and friends. <...>I shall listen eagerly to all that comes next!  And give input where I can be useful, if at all. Hi, anyway, and keep 'em flying,
Mark

Hello Mark
Clearly the Derelict Dak Dudes are known to you...
Perhaps a line or two here so the rest of us can get to know you a little better?

Will do, Charl. And hi, Ian! Good to hear from you, for sure!

Mark

[JonARNZ]

A quick update, now that james has done such a spiffing good job on the 4 models, and completed the eye candy we havnt shown you yet, I am working through textures for the final two.

With the upcoming airshow and travel this is taking time, being FSX I am also bumbling my way through speculative textures as well (theres an interesting place to go if you want to pull your hair out), but I hope to have my side of things up to speed in the next few weeks.

[ZK-Brock]

What's the latest on this project Jon? Was the Forum field release the final one?

[JonARNZ]

What's the latest on this project Jon? Was the Forum field release the final one?

James has updated info on another thread, and no, it wasnt the final model just an intial beta.