NZFF

by **Charl** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 8:04 pm

The latest version of the Recorder Module has landed, so time for a little play.
Woodbourne again, because there's nothing like it...

You can get pretty tight with these little aircraft, before the paint starts to rub

There's actually a movie, but I get despondent by the time it is Youtube size...
SAE if you want the widescreen DVD :rolleyes:

More in the slideshow, just click below:

by **Naki** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 9:03 pm

mmm nice shots Charl of an excellent aircraft - are the repaints something you have whipped up or are they freely available somewhere?

by **ardypilot** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 11:57 am

Awesome stuff Charl- I'm wondering the same thing as Naki!

by **Charl** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 12:32 pm

Thanks guys, repaints are from Sim Outhouse
Cap10_4packv2.zip

by **ardypilot** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 5:44 pm

Charl- could you please link me to the version I need to be able to edit text files for adding formation aircraft please?

by **Charl** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 10:30 pm

Trolly you'll find the latest on Matthias' site.
You need the Recorder Module and also the Conversion tools for FS Recorder.
If you have any difficulty, post and I'll put up some examples.

by **creator2003** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 7:38 am

Nice shots charls , so is it the recorder doing the close formation with some sort of tricks with the play back ?,
ive always just tryed to fly each one as close as i could to get the shots i needed, but would never get them that close

by **ardypilot** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 1:34 pm

Thanks for the quick reply- I've downloaded 'frcConv_1-0.zip' and had a flick through the manual, extracting 'frc2ascii.exe' and 'ascii2frc.exe' to a temporary folder as instructed. However, when I try to open 'frc2ascii.exe', it flashes the small back DOS prompt window then closes within a second. Any idea on what I've done wrong?

by **Charl** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 3:16 pm

creator2003 wrote:
QUOTE (creator2003 @ Jan 14 2008, 08:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
... is it the recorder doing the close formation ...

Yes it's done in the text file, later.
Stay with us, Trolly is going to take the plunge

Trolly wrote:
QUOTE (Trolly @ Jan 14 2008, 02:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks for the quick reply- I've downloaded 'frcConv_1-0.zip' and had a flick through the manual, extracting 'frc2ascii.exe' and 'ascii2frc.exe' to a temporary folder as instructed. However, when I try to open 'frc2ascii.exe', it flashes the small back DOS prompt window then closes within a second. Any idea on what I've done wrong?

Right you need a bit of DOS.
So you've saved a recording, and are ready to mess with it.
Mine go in a folder called "REC"
To make life MUCH easier, place the two conversioon .exe files in there too.
Open the Command Prompt (probably <Start>/accessories...)
This opens a DOS box

Navigate to that folder - use my keystrokes as an example, first go to the root directory (Type: CD\) then to your folder (Type: CD REC)
Then run the conversion tool to get the text file.
Once you've done that, just leave the Command Prompt open, and edit the text file in Windows Notepad.
Jump back into the CP and write the .frc file.
You can have FS running in the background with all this going on, because you will open the .frc file each time from the Recorder menu.
Experiment with different offsets, absolute and relative, and also try the time offset (which you can use together with position!)

This stuff is a true alltime FS great, right up with AFCAD and other brilliant programmes.
Have fun.

by **ardypilot** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 4:28 pm

Ok I get the bottom part of that, it's just entering the directory into DOS that I don't get.

My recordings are stored in My Documents > Flight Simulator Files > Flight Playback Recordings, and when I try entering that into the DOS console, it says the path is not recognized. Could you tell me how I should enter it please?

by **Charl** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 6:08 pm

Well now you know why mine are stored in C:\REC :lol:

And I would seriously recommend you do something similar, otherwise you will end up typing out:
cd\
cd My Documents\Flight Simulator Files\Flight Playback Recordings
every time you want to edit something!

by **ardypilot** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 7:39 pm

Cheers for that Charl- it was the 'cd' command that I was missing.

Anyway, I recorded myself in the DC3 cruising along in a straight line. Here is the code from the conversion of that recording:

Code: Select all: // Track 1 #Aircraft: "Douglas DC-3 - Warbirds NZ3546 (flipped logo)" #StaticCGtoGround: 9.90000 #Data: latitude longitude altitude pitch bank heading onground velocityX velocityY velocityZ throttle1 throttle2 throttle3 throttle4 elevators ailerons rudder spoilers flaps gear lights parkbrake engine1 engine2 engine3 engine4 timestamp -43.3691955048 172.7071076456 1608.905 -1.577 0.154 4.624 0 40.01060 -5.19030 274.81440 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0.0000 -43.3691135841 172.7071240228 1608.733 -1.575 0.150 4.628 0 40.03060 -5.16623 275.01645 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0.1681 -43.3689856585 172.7071495891 1608.467 -1.573 0.142 4.633 0 40.06058 -5.12816 275.33035 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0.3375 -43.3688905300 172.7071685942 1608.271 -1.570 0.137 4.638 0 40.08256 -5.09982 275.56189 13049 13049 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0.4633 -43.3687660463 172.7071934555 1608.016 -1.568 0.131 4.643 0 40.11106 -5.06229 275.86293 13049 13049 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0.6280 -43.3686296606 172.7072206830 1607.739 -1.564 0.124 4.648 0 40.14209 -5.02025 276.19065 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0.8082 -43.3684963305 172.7072472895 1607.471 -1.560 0.118 4.653 0 40.17210 -4.97892 276.50858 13049 13049 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0.9842 -43.3683661148 172.7072732641 1607.212 -1.557 0.111 4.657 0 40.20105 -4.93651 276.81652 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1.1561 -43.3682325765 172.7072998908 1606.949 -1.553 0.106 4.663 0 40.22955 -4.89153 277.13054 13049 13049 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1.3316 -43.3680991196 172.7073264893 1606.688 -1.548 0.099 4.668 0 40.25648 -4.84630 277.44199 13049 13049 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1.5072 -43.3679656063 172.7073530870 1606.431 -1.543 0.094 4.672 0 40.28334 -4.80014 277.75085 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1.6825 -43.3678249159 172.7073811018 1606.162 -1.538 0.089 4.677 0 40.31169 -4.75086 278.07392 13049 13049 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1.8671 -43.3676976703 172.7074064282 1605.922 -1.534 0.083 4.681 0 40.33705 -4.70549 278.36373 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2.0339 -43.3675678672 172.7074322530 1605.679 -1.529 0.078 4.685 0 40.36259 -4.65846 278.65700 13049 13049 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2.2039 -43.3674333512 172.7074590039 1605.431 -1.524 0.074 4.689 0 40.38861 -4.60799 278.95853 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2.3799 -43.3673304060 172.7074794681 1605.242 -1.520 0.071 4.693 0 40.40700 -4.56968 279.18778 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2.5144 -43.3671897628 172.7075074140 1604.988 -1.514 0.064 4.697 0 40.43193 -4.51728 279.49824 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2.6980 -43.3670844652 172.7075283277 1604.800 -1.510 0.062 4.700 0 40.45066 -4.47832 279.72839 13049 13049 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2.8353 -43.3669829006 172.7075484929 1604.620 -1.507 0.058 4.703 0 40.46864 -4.44134 279.94909 13049 13049 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2.9677 -43.3668820301 172.7075685135 1604.443 -1.504 0.053 4.706 0 40.48647 -4.40545 280.16671 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 3.0990 -43.3667813162 172.7075884962 1604.268 -1.502 0.053 4.708 0 40.50413 -4.37077 280.38257 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 3.2301 -43.3666728913 172.7076100013 1604.081 -1.499 0.047 4.711 0 40.52263 -4.33445 280.61350 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 3.3710 -43.3665714765 172.7076301087 1603.908 -1.497 0.044 4.714 0 40.53927 -4.30185 280.82823 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 3.5028 -43.3664722428 172.7076497768 1603.739 -1.495 0.044 4.716 0 40.55536 -4.27119 281.03685 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 3.6316 -43.3663686746 172.7076702967 1603.565 -1.493 0.040 4.719 0 40.57199 -4.24035 281.25316 13049 13049 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 3.7660 -43.3662668880 172.7076904564 1603.395 -1.491 0.035 4.721 0 40.58836 -4.21100 281.46449 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 3.8979 -43.3661670529 172.7077102228 1603.230 -1.489 0.035 4.723 0 40.60426 -4.18299 281.67049 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 4.0272 -43.3660635822 172.7077307019 1603.060 -1.487 0.029 4.725 0 40.62074 -4.15486 281.88264 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 4.1615 -43.3659641423 172.7077503766 1602.897 -1.485 0.025 4.727 0 40.63650 -4.12849 282.08528 13049 13049 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 4.2897 -43.3658577314 172.7077714231 1602.725 -1.484 0.026 4.729 0 40.65258 -4.09971 282.30064 13049 13049 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 4.4272 -43.3657515469 172.7077924169 1602.554 -1.482 0.024 4.732 0 40.66795 -4.07183 282.51433 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 4.5643 -43.3656462526 172.7078132269 1602.386 -1.481 0.019 4.735 0 40.68285 -4.04513 282.72514 13049 13049 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 4.7002 -43.3655386301 172.7078344887 1602.216 -1.479 0.021 4.737 0 40.69777 -4.01862 282.93905 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 4.8389 -43.3654313058 172.7078556835 1602.047 -1.478 0.002 4.739 0 40.71305 -3.99279 283.15085 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 4.9772 -43.3653272454 172.7078762261 1601.884 -1.477 0.010 4.741 0 40.72746 -3.96829 283.35521 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 5.1112 -43.3652251276 172.7078963779 1601.726 -1.475 0.005 4.743 0 40.74196 -3.94469 283.55482 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 5.2425 -43.3651156463 172.7079179751 1601.557 -1.474 0.002 4.745 0 40.75719 -3.91979 283.76738 13049 13049 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 5.3833 -43.3650096489 172.7079388772 1601.395 -1.473 0.007 4.746 0 40.77134 -3.89573 283.97135 13049 13049 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 5.5195 -43.3649091175 172.7079586941 1601.242 -1.472 0.013 4.748 0 40.78463 -3.87345 284.16359 13049 13049 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 5.6485 -43.3647992592 172.7079803416 1601.077 -1.470 0.012 4.750 0 40.79904 -3.84953 284.37282 13049 13049 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 5.7894 -43.3646555388 172.7080086491 1600.861 -1.469 -0.014 4.753 0 40.81747 -3.81823 284.64520 13049 13049 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 5.9737 -43.3645550796 172.7080284272 1600.712 -1.467 0.000 4.754 0 40.83017 -3.79661 284.83381 13049 13049 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 6.1023 -43.3644324604 172.7080525587 1600.531 -1.465 -0.010 4.756 0 40.84573 -3.77020 285.06258 13049 13049 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 6.2592 -43.3643268877 172.7080733273 1600.377 -1.464 -0.017 4.757 0 40.85919 -3.74724 285.25843 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 6.3942 -43.3642245640 172.7080934495 1600.228 -1.462 -0.011 4.759 0 40.87170 -3.72453 285.44712 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 6.5250 -43.3641199970 172.7081140054 1600.077 -1.461 -0.014 4.760 0 40.88408 -3.70149 285.63894 13049 13049 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 6.6585 -43.3639737009 172.7081427518 1599.867 -1.459 -0.021 4.762 0 40.90144 -3.66937 285.90528 13049 13049 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 6.8452 -43.3638405629 172.7081689000 1599.678 -1.457 -0.013 4.764 0 40.91688 -3.64014 286.14547 13049 13049 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 7.0150 -43.3636956627 172.7081973446 1599.474 -1.454 -0.019 4.766 0 40.93378 -3.60809 286.40541 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 7.2002 -43.3635527670 172.7082253819 1599.275 -1.452 -0.020 4.767 0 40.95030 -3.57560 286.65938 13049 13049 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 7.3815 -43.3634467729 172.7082461701 1599.128 -1.449 -0.026 4.768 0 40.96249 -3.55100 286.84597 13049 13049 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 7.5163 -43.3633482059 172.7082654950 1598.993 -1.448 -0.025 4.769 0 40.97347 -3.52760 287.01853 13049 13049 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 7.6416 -43.3632418630 172.7082863371 1598.849 -1.446 -0.023 4.770 0 40.98488 -3.50234 287.20378 13049 13049 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 7.7766 -43.3630997014 172.7083141873 1598.657 -1.443 -0.030 4.772 0 41.00006 -3.46847 287.45013 13049 13049 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 7.9571 -43.3629654372 172.7083404778 1598.478 -1.440 -0.027 4.773 0 41.01415 -3.43606 287.68056 13049 13049 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 8.1273 -43.3628246555 172.7083680318 1598.292 -1.436 -0.030 4.774 0 41.02912 -3.40161 287.92017 13049 13049 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 8.3057 -43.3627185343 172.7083887935 1598.153 -1.434 -0.032 4.775 0 41.04036 -3.37520 288.09962 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 8.4401 -43.3625789962 172.7084160818 1597.973 -1.430 -0.032 4.776 0 41.05515 -3.33948 288.33397 13049 13049 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 8.6166

Now how do I add Harvards on each of my wingtips? Copy and paste the whole thing underneath and change the aircraft name and adjust the lat/long slightly?

Sorry for the many, many questions...

by **Charl** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:50 pm

Great, don't give up now!
OK first a little sketch of how the offsets work:

You are right: first, copy and paste the whole thing underneath, as many times as you want wingmen.
Let's have two wingmen, so paste onto the end twice, a total of 3.
Number the additional tracks, 2 and 3.
Then, change the a/c name (use the "Title" from the aircraft.cfg file.)
Change the #StaticCGtoGround to match the plane (Look in the aircraft.cfg for "static_cg_height=")
Insert the offset line after the "timestamp" header:
$Offset: -30 0 15 for track 2
$Offset: -30 0 -15 for track 3
(The 0 is for zero height difference)
Save the file
Run ascii2frc

Done!
SAMPLE
// Track 1
#Aircraft: "Douglas DC-3 - Warbirds NZ3546 (flipped logo)"
#StaticCGtoGround: 9.9
#Data: latitude longitude altitude pitch bank heading onground velocityX velocityY velocityZ throttle1 throttle2 throttle3 throttle4 elevators ailerons rudder spoilers flaps gear lights parkbrake engine1 engine2 engine3 engine4 timestamp
-43.3691955048 172.7071076456 1608.905 -1.577 0.154 4.624 0 40.01060 -5.19030 274.81440 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0.0000
-43.3691135841 172.7071240228 1608.733 -1.575 0.150 4.628 0 40.03060 -5.16623 275.01645 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0.1681 etc etc
// Track 2
#Aircraft: "Trolly's A/C No 2"
#StaticCGtoGround: 3.20000
#Data: latitude longitude altitude pitch bank heading onground velocityX velocityY velocityZ throttle1 throttle2 throttle3 throttle4 elevators ailerons rudder spoilers flaps gear lights parkbrake engine1 engine2 engine3 engine4 timestamp
$Offset: -30 0 15
-43.3691955048 172.7071076456 1608.905 -1.577 0.154 4.624 0 40.01060 -5.19030 274.81440 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0.0000
-43.3691135841 172.7071240228 1608.733 -1.575 0.150 4.628 0 40.03060 -5.16623 275.01645 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0.1681 etc etc
// Track 3
#Aircraft: "Trolly's A/C No 3"
#StaticCGtoGround: 3.20000
#Data: latitude longitude altitude pitch bank heading onground velocityX velocityY velocityZ throttle1 throttle2 throttle3 throttle4 elevators ailerons rudder spoilers flaps gear lights parkbrake engine1 engine2 engine3 engine4 timestamp
$Offset: -30 0 -15
-43.3691955048 172.7071076456 1608.905 -1.577 0.154 4.624 0 40.01060 -5.19030 274.81440 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0.0000
-43.3691135841 172.7071240228 1608.733 -1.575 0.150 4.628 0 40.03060 -5.16623 275.01645 13081 13081 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0.1681 etc etc

by **ardypilot** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 9:47 pm

Thanks for taking the time to explain that mate- I'm nearly there:

Is this section of code correct for aircraft #2, the number 15 Harvard flying in front:

Code: Select all: // Track 2 #Aircraft: "ALPHA T-6 Texan RNZAF NZ1015" #StaticCGtoGround: 5.44 #Data: latitude longitude altitude pitch bank heading onground velocityX velocityY velocityZ throttle1 throttle2 throttle3 throttle4 elevators ailerons rudder spoilers flaps gear lights parkbrake engine1 engine2 engine3 engine4 timestamp $Offset: -30 0 15

I've followed your instructions as per the diagram above but it seems to not be flying 30 feet behind but more parallel to the dak?

by **Ian Warren** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 1:25 pm

Andrew ! now that is one wicked Random screenshot ... :thumbup:

I no it only a test , but away from the camera , be the norm to float around in close formation .

Charl , The great formation leader

by **Charl** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 2:23 pm

OK that is looking pretty good!
Not sure why the No2 isn't where it should be, may be your co-ordinate settings in the sim.

But this is the easy part, a few iterations and you'll be tight as a drum.
Start flightsim and start Recorder<play>to see what it does.
(you need to be in the lead a/c in the sim, prior)
Open your txt file and change those numbers a bit, save, & leave it open.
Open the command Prompt, run ascii2frc, leave it open.
Flip back to FS, run Recorder<play>to see what it does.

Open your txt file and change those numbers a bit, save, & leave it open.
Open the command Prompt, press F3/Enter (repeats the last command, neat huh?)
And so on, repeat until you are happy.
It's quite quick, try various combinations - they give interesting effects, especially if you originally fly a few banks and turns.
Here's one with the middle number fiddled (+ and - for tracks 2 and 3)

by **victor_alpha_charlie** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 5:50 pm

Wait so with Recorder Module you can program other planes to fly in formation with you? Sounds too good to be true!

by **ardypilot** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 5:59 pm

QUOTE

Not sure why the No2 isn't where it should be, may be your co-ordinate settings in the sim.[/quote]
Co-ordinate settings? Huh?

QUOTE

But this is the easy part, a few iterations and you'll be tight as a drum.
Start flightsim and start Recorder<play>to see what it does.
(you need to be in the lead a/c in the sim, prior)[/quote]
This may be my problem- I recorded the original flight in the DC3, then closed the sim, later loaded up in the default 172 at Meigs and played my recording. Suddenly I found myself above Christchurch with the two Harvards on my wing, so I had to swap into the DC3 to get the screenshot I posted before.. do I need to alter the way I play a recording in order to see the correct result? Love your ANZ trio by the way

QUOTE

Wait so with Recorder Module you can program other planes to fly in formation with you? Sounds too good to be true![/quote]
Yep, everyone has been doing that since the original version was released. You recorded yourself flying, then restarted the flight in another aircraft and flew along side as if your original aircraft was AI. (As seen here). However, all the effort has been taken away with this new converter tool that lets you edit your recoreded file and add more aircraft to your formation via simple copy and pastes, allowing the 'AI' to fly exactly in formation with your original flight.

Last edited by ardypilot on Tue Jan 15, 2008 6:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.

ardypilot: NZFF Pro; Joined: Wed Apr 26, 2006 10:01 am; Posts: 6802; Location: Auckland

Top

NZFF

Four Times CAP10

Who is online