May Auld Aquaintances.......

These are not quite forgotten.... a few meshes I am revisiting. These will hopefully appear in FS X and perhaps CFS3 in the next 12 months.







There are other less complete models. More later :)

In case anyone is wondering.......

.....As can be seen from this week's blog entries, the Sopwith Snipe is definte for CFS3. It was postponed a bit for a variety of reasons.... real life, the FS X beta since May and other model projects such as the Boulton Paul Defiant for CFS3 (which is also ongoing) and other matters mentioned before. I'm not working to a timetable with the Snipe. It will be ready when it's ready. I may shortly again have another assignment in my normal vocation which will reduce time for 3D modelling. I'm making the most of this week while I can.

Again repeating the news that the FS X SDK will allow meshes of the standard which CFS3 currently provides, so even if FS X is my primary modeling target I will still be able to model for CFS3. Thus in most instances there will be a CFS3 version of my aircraft. Check out my other blog http://wing-fell-off.blogspot.com/2006/09/model-export-in-fs-x-beta-3.html

The Snipe will be released first for CFS3. Keep watching this blog.

Watching the grass grow.... more VC work

This week's blog is a bit of a pictorial diary. At least it leeps me on track :) Wednesday's VC work.

Another day.... a few more parts

Tuesday's WIP in the cockpit ..... a little more since yesterday.

Detail & more detail

Just a quick WIP pic to show that the Snipe continues - Some cockpit detail.

Snipe in FS X

The following pic' was just a quick test of the FS X exporter for 3DS Max included with FS X beta 3. The mesh is unchanged from the CFS3 version. I will be producing a seperate version of the Snipe for FS X using FS 10 materials. If time permits I will also experiment with a lower res mesh using normal mapping.



The main delaying issue for my FS projects is that I have to create period ww1 crew members suitable for IK skinning in FS X. I'll use non IK crew figures in the external model of both FS and CFS3 WW1 aircraft.

The work on the Snipe, albiet peacemeal, continues, as does the BP Defiant for CFS3. It's too early to show pics of the Defiant as I've only modeled the fuselage and tail, concentrating on getting the shapes correct. Next stop .... wings for the Defiant and more cockpit detail for the Snipe..... and also the elusive WW1 crew figures.

Brief update Sept. 3

I'm still working on the Sopwith Snipe .... now both for FS X and CFS3.

I have been a beta tester for FS X these last few months and Microsoft have lifted their NDA on that product. FS X is still in beta but I would guess it's not long before it goes gold. Anyway the good news is that the restrictions of the FS 9 export tools no longer exist in FS X. The 64k vertex limit is gone as is the .004 vertex resolution. For modelers that means the same basic mesh can be used for CFS3 and FS X .

The FS X SDK as at beta 3, is still incomplete. We'll have to wait for the product to be released to see the entire SDK. Currently there are export tools and scripts for 3DS Max 7, which also work ok in Max 8, but documentation on FS X materials and the new animation system will hopefully follow later.

I would say the CFS3 version of the Snipe may be finished first. I am also experimenting with new Bristol F2b meshes.

Things may slow down a bit with my modeling in the coming months as I am returning ot my normal vocation for a while.

I have posted a few FS X pics in my other Wing Fell Off Blog.

Updates

I have been busy with life in general and have been job searching. 3D Aircraft modelling projects are ongoing in my spare time.

Work on the CFS3 Sopwith Snipe continues. Most of the external model is now mapped and I have been planning on how to approach creating the airframe with a completely enclosed mesh and no open edges (manifold mesh) [i.e. if I choose to go ahead with a FS X version of the Snipe.] On open fuselage aircraft this involves use of the 3DS Max 8 shell modifier. At the time of writing not much is known about aircraft creation for FS X but I do notice that aircraft in the demo have opening doors etc. It will be interesting to see how FS X accomodates open edges from the model creation perspective.

I have also been working on a new model of the Bristol Fighter possibly for FS X. As with the Snipe I am hoping to create a manifold mesh - no mean feat with an open biplane. Interestingly the Gennadich Team have previewed pictures of a Fokker Dr-1 cockpit model for its forthcoming WW1 sim, showing self shadowing in the cockpit. I would be interested to know if this was a manifold mesh. I have read that some modern game engines no longer require manifold meshes to support self shadowing.

I have been assuming that FS X would have been improved to the extent that its model export tools would have equaled or surpassed what is currently acheivable in CFS3. At the time of writing this is not known, so it is perhaps best not to assume. If the capabilities and short comings of the export tools and 3D engine in FS X remain similar to FS 2004 then I will have to revise my current modelling plans as it will mean a different modelling approach for FS X to that which I employ for CFS3.

FS X looks very nice and makes use of modern shader technology on its aircraft and scenery objects. FS X also introduces enhanced animation techniques. However under the surface it is based on the existing FS engine. I guess we'll have to wait and see how it turns out.

Biff Walks on Water [in FSX]

Just having some fun in the Flight Simulator X demo released today. It is a preview release demo with a few bugs but on the whole very nice visually with reasonable frame rates too.

Just a few fun shots showing off the water effects and reflections. As to the Biff it's WIP for FS 2004.... can't let T-6's have all the fun water skiing. You can just tell that I'll be making a few seaplanes for FS X. {Note : Provided the dev tools are improved on the FS9 tools].

WIP update on the Snipe

I've finished the untextured external mesh of the Sopwith Snipe. I still have much work to do in detailing the virtual cockpit and also the LODS - and of course textures and surfacing.

The fuselage decking in front of the cockpit was modelled many times before I was happy with it.

Here are a couple of 3DS Max quickrenders.