A Suggestion For All the Great People At Simouthouse .

[1150]

Hi Everybody,

A couple of weeks ago SC7500 and several others were saying that it was very quiet ---because it was Tuesday. I agree as things always seems to die off between Tuesday and Friday and then more files are added and then all of us CFS2 nuts are happy.

My suggestion is that perhaps on Tuesdays, we could add a new aircraft--- I don't have any available but looking through the various sites; there is a Douglas B-23 Dragon by Paul Clawson that has never been converted to CFS2. There is also a Consolidated P2Y2 Ranger by Paul Clawson that has never been converted. Also there is a very nice Lublin R-XIII for Fs2004. These three are all at Simviation. Maybe if we converted one a week (with the designers permission of course),it might boost interest in the site and cut out those boring mid-weeks.

It would with a bit of luck draw some new blood to the site and encourage more activity and more conversions


Regards to All
1150:salute:

[misson]

Hi 1150, the problem of low activity on thursdays i think not only on thursdays. I have my own theory that can be wrong and so i reserve it. I think many of us makes conversions, i particularly have 150 or more aircraft converted by me, but no dp , no air file, no aircraft original file, and without permissions to modify and upload. I think we should support new members to make questions about CFS2.
Why i say this? . Because I think people here are very capable, that maybe intimidates to ask. Consequently we all lose to enjoy learn more.
I don´t understand (if i´m wrong) why ? with so many members but only a few posting.
This is not against somebody, any way is not my job to put dynamism to the trhead.

[simonu]

Hi all,

When you see an aircraft modelled for FS8 or FS9 on a download site and you want to fly it in CFS2...

You can use MK_MDLC to get the visual model to show in CFS2.

Use DXTbmp to extract and alter the texture alpha channels and file format.
Get a suitable .air file and .dp from a similar cfs2 plane .
Alter the aircraft.cfg, panel.cfg ect to get it all working right.
Anyone can do this for personal use without permission from anyone.
Try it and you will soon find that getting the files to work together can take a very long time,
Several hours to adjust a dp file (combat model) so the payloads line up on the visual model.
Several hours to get the airfile (flight model) balanced with the combat model so the plane handles in a convincing manner.
Several hours to set up a panel
Spread across a couple of hours an evening, it soon extends to weeks and months if not years.

But fun though it is for some, I do not consider this "converting",

Warplanes modelled for the civil sims lack the internal code structures that allow CFS2 planes to display damage and come apart in a convincing manner. Many of them also lack any sort of detail filtering or LOD models that allow the plane to be displayed in numbers without crashing the frame rates. Quite a few have animated parts that do not work in CFS2 even after MDLC.

To fix broken animations requires extensive code editing,
Crude breaking parts structures and detail filtering can be built in by editing code, but testing it by trial and error takes hours and hours, and so can lead to time scales of weeks, months and years.(I do have a folder of planes that have been in the workshop for years.)

It takes so much time to build a really good CFS2 plane it really is worth getting permission to share from the original artist, if you ask, you might even be offered the source files. (Its much, much easier to work on a visual model in FSDS or GMax were you can see what you are doing ).

In the past I have offered assistance to those seeking to fix broken animations,
these days I prefer to encourage chaps to take up the challenge of learning Gmax to build their own models specifically for CFS2.

It is far more rewarding to share something that is truly yours to share.

[Seagull V]

Would be nice for some CFS2 aircraft to be built where the FS2004/X crew are asking us for permission to convert them over !!!!!!!!!

[peperez]

this one?

67587

[1150]

this one?

67587
Yes , Mr.Pepe that was one of the ones I thought of quickly--- along with Paul Clawson's B-23 Dragon .


There are heaps more , but I was just picking at random.

Regards,1150:salute:

[peperez]

Yes , Mr.Pepe that was one of the ones I thought of quickly--- along with Paul Clawson's B-23 Dragon .


There are heaps more , but I was just picking at random.

Regards,1150:salute:

It's ready some time ago... But I need the original file to get the VC.

Cheers

Pepe

[1150]

Mr.Pepe,

Is there something I can do to help ?

Can help you get the original file?

Can I contact Paul Clawson for his permission to post ?

Or is there anything else I can help with ?

I just remembered sometime ago someone posted a Consolidated Commodore(Civil Version of P2Y2) in the Cfs2 Section but I can't seem to find it.

Let me know if I can help.

Regards & Best Wishes

1150

[misson]

hi all, I think the important thing is what 1150 attempts: give us some idea to get better the things. Another idea is from R.J. with your magazine. Welcome to the interests and ideas.:icon29:

[1150]

Muchos Gracias Senor--- you hit the nail on the proverbial head. Better models ,better scenery etc for all of us.:applause:


Regards
1150

[simonu]

More people doing is best.
Want better scenery? get Ground2k version 4 here (http://library.avsim.net/esearch.php?CatID=fs2002util&DLID=33006) and the needed dlls here (http://library.avsim.net/esearch.php?CatID=fs2002util&DLID=33007)
Want new and better planes? Gmax is free... (http://www.turbosquid.com/gmax)
There are plenty of people around who are prepared to help those who are prepared to try.

[Allen]

But do we have th Gmag plug in to export to MS MDL?

[simonu]

Good point Allen,
To export CFS2 model direct from Gmax you do need the plugin from FS2002 Pro disk. 4 bucks on amazon here (http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Flight-Simulator-2002-Professional-Pc/dp/B00005N9AD)
However....
Since this discusion started along the lines of, converting FS9 planes to use in CFS2...
The FS9 makemdl sdk is available here (http://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/downloads.php?do=cat&id=10).
The structuring required for a good CFS2 plane is all done by linking properly named parts in Gmax anyway.
"Something that FS9 modellers seldom bother with"
You export the model as FS9 then use MDLC to convert it to CFS2 model format. If its your model, no permission needed to upload, just lots of gratitude to Ivan Hsu for allowing us to use his great converter for free.

I'm not saying it's easy, nothing that is good is easy.

These progies take years to learn how to use. I'm still learning.

[Allen]

Has any one thought of asking MS if they would make the FS2002 plug-in for Gmax freeware?

[simonu]

Yes, Guess what they said.

[Allen]

I'm guessing No.

But how long ago did some one ask? If the lask ask was 3 to 5+ years ago maybe they will change their mind now that FS2002 is 12 years old...

[simonu]

Actually I did ask several times. Not only with regard to the redistributability of the "Makemdl plug in" but also FS stock planes, textures scenery objects and all things that might contribute to a Combat Flight Simulator 2 service pack.
Until last year the answer was always... silence
But february last year I did recieve a reply, rather convoluted in terms of the question I asked. However


Hello Simon,


Thanks for contacting us about 2nd hand software.

Microsoft? has no problem with 2nd hand sales of our software. We also have no problems with it being given away. However we do still insist that these are original, legitimate, licenses and that the "legal proof of license" is passed onto the new owner. Duplicating and giving away copies any of our older software is still not permitted, (but you may give away originals) even under the usual abandonware assumptions.



So yes, we still hold and protect the copyright of our software as far back as Dos 1 and even the basic provided to 8bit computers in the early 80?s (yes, even the basics we provided Commodore for the 64, Tandy for the TSR 80 and the MSX project).

We do consider the distribution via any means, of our older software and keys that are not accompanied by original licensing as a form of Piracy. Some library sites however might have specific permission to hold copies for download for the purpose of academic curiosity or the replacement of a faulty disk. They should not however distribute the keys.

If you spot any, we encourage you to contact ukpiracy@microsoft.com

This "legal proof of license", is usually the retail box and its' contents (in effect everything inside the cellophane) and the receipt. All this must be passed onto the new owner (though we accept the receipt will very likely be missing from older software, so if you have all the rest, you are OK to pass it to a new owner, that is the box, with COA (Certificate of Authenticity) on the outside and its contents includes the manual, media and key). WIth some distribuions of our software (what we call OEMs) the COA is usually attached to the outside of the computer, though back in the 90's it was on a manual (that came with the disk), this always has the product key on it.

As a lciense advisor, I can confirm that this is what you will need to know regards licenses in the 2nd hand market.

Microsoft has 5 main license types.

OEM: That is what is shipped with a new computer. That is tied to the motherboard and will die with it. It can be sold on, with the computer it is tied to. All manuals and disks supplied with it must also go with it to the new user. These will be marked but not consistently in a manner like any of the following:

-OEM
-Original Equipment Manufacture
-For sale with a new PC/Computer only
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Unless these come with a computer, or are an unopened system builder pack, they are not valid licenses.

Fully Packaged Product (FPP): This is what you can buy in the shops. It is the box with manual, media and key within it. These are not tied to a specific computer.

In the case of desktop software the following is true:

- It is generally licensed for installation on one PC, that license may be moved to another PC at a later date, but we oblige you to remove the installation from the first PC when you move the license.
- With applications (anything that is not the Windows Operating system) You may generally also install the software on a 2nd portable device, as long as the primary user of both computers is the same person.
- I say generally as there are a few exceptions.
- That license is perpetual.
- The license can be sold on.


Fully Packaged Product (FPP) Upgrades:
Exactly the same as the normal FPP, but these are incomplete licenses on their own. They must be assigned to a computer with a valid prior license. They take on the install rights of that license they are assigned over. They can be moved, but only to another computer that also has a valid prior license.

Notes:

OEM and FPP licenses have something called a certificate of Authenticity, with OEM licenses; it is attached to the computer, pre 1999 it was attached to the manual. With FPP packages, it is on the outside of the box. There is a library of them here:

http://www.microsoft.com/howtotell/ (http://www.microsoft.com/howtotell/)

Licenses marked Academic Edition/AE may only be sold to matriculated students (for the UK that is students at colleges and universities) or any other valid educational user.

http://www.microsoft.com/uk/education/schools/software-licensing/who-can-buy-education-licences.aspx (http://www.microsoft.com/uk/education/schools/software-licensing/who-can-buy-education-licences.aspx)

This also applies to the Student and Teacher edition of Office 2003 and before (with the addition of teaching staff). This morphed into the Home and Student edition with Office 2007 (for everyone but commercial/business users).

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Support.
The following is for new software:

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FPP: 2 free support incidences.

However support for a particular product has a lifecycle, there are details here:

http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/#tab1 (http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/#tab1)

Items in mainstream support are subject to complimentary support. This includes your 2 free cases with FPP, Install support with others, and various free support options for partners.

In the extended phase, these are no longer valid.

When the extended phase ends, only the online support articles are available.

Support can be extended by the release of a Service Pack.
http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/#tab2 (http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/#tab2)

You can look up the lifecycle of individual products here:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifeselectindex (http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifeselectindex)

Other uses:

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http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/pages/downgrade_rights.aspx (http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/pages/downgrade_rights.aspx)

XP Pro and tablet had the right to go down to Windows 2000 professional. Windows 2000 pro had the right to go to NT4 Client or 98/98SE and 95. This is the use of media and key from one license, to make use of a right under another license.

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Licenses within the European Union/European free Trade Association are all considered to be the same region, and valid in the countries within those organisations.

http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/licensing-options/open-regional.aspx (http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/licensing-options/open-regional.aspx)

Licenses outside that region are not valid for use within that region.
If you bought a license outside that region, you may bring it back and use it for personal use only, but may not sell it on or pass it on.

Other useful:

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If you have any more questions please give us a call on 0844 800 2400. Our lines are open Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm. Of course if you prefer, please send me an email.



Kind regards,
Jon-Paul Filkins
Customer Service Professional
Microsoft Customer Services

[Allen]

A copy and paste bot that had no idea what you were asking....

[simonu]

A copy and paste bot that had no idea what you were asking....
Non the less, the MS position is clear and unflexible.

[dmaloof]

LUFT'46 planes. theres tons of what-ifs. Some like the 1079 nightfighter i posted recently could use a conversion. I for one would like to see a return to this.

[Seagull V]

Very nice site for what-ifs:-

http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php