SOH A-26 Invader, the story continues ...

[Milton Shupe]

The project has 'gone dark' since Gordon's computer crash and each of us has moved on to other things. However, I said in July/August I'd put something together on the 'K' but never really got a clear steer as to whether the others would agree. I've also got some workable WWII/Korean A/B-26 models but these lack Gordon's refined VC. I will put some packages together after Christmas but people will have to live with their limitations until such time as we can take it further. I will have to get permissions from Milton and John Terrell (who did the A/B-26 VC's) and the rest of the guys but we should be good with that.

DaveQ

You have all permissions from me to do whatever you wish with the A-26. Looking forward to it.

[gman5250]

The current status of the K project.

The K is working in Prepar3D up to V4.4, but needs to be optimized for FSX...reduce polys.

There is a problem with the model that I am trying to sort out. The model loads beautifully and will fly without any issues. However, when I attempt to load another scenario, or model...P3D will CTD. I've put in a tremendous amount of time trying to find the needle in the needle stack that is causing this anomaly. The problem arose when I moved into the P3DV4 SDKs. Prior to that the plane was without any issues. The problem persists with all of my airplane models at the moment, so it is not unique to the K.

As of this time the model is correct, with flap animations matching real world and the new VC working without issue.

The attached photos are of the model, as of this stage of development. I regret the issues that arose through this project, but these things arise from time to time. I am working on resolution of the glitch and will pass it on to the team the minute I have a reliable model.

[DaveQ]

Many thanks Milton for permission to use your original material, much appreciated. I'll put out some A/B-26 conversions after the festivities. These will use a conversion of the original VC and be fairly straightforward MCX conversions. They will sport a range of armaments from none to 14 fixed guns in the nose and wings plus dorsal and ventral barbettes. I could do with an early forward-opening cockpit hatch version but I'm not that clever...!

As Gordon is clearly bringing the 'K' to a much higher standard for P3D/FSX, I will obviously leave that alone. The screen shots look epic! Have you used PBR Gordon??

DaveQ

[gman5250]

As Gordon is clearly bringing the 'K' to a much higher standard for P3D/FSX, I will obviously leave that alone. The screen shots look epic! Have you used PBR Gordon??

DaveQ

I've spent the last week on my PBR skill sets, specifically adapting to the current SDK, which is not fully PBR but very good none the less. As of today, I am adapting a set of the K textures to be full PBR. I figured the K might be the best candidate for my first full PBR airplane.

Screen shots coming, once I fully convert the PBR model.

[MrZippy]

I've spent the last week on my PBR skill sets, specifically adapting to the current SDK, which is not fully PBR but very good none the less. As of today, I am adapting a set of the K textures to be full PBR. I figured the K might be the best candidate for my first full PBR airplane.

Screen shots coming, once I fully convert the PBR model.

It's gonna be great!

[gman5250]

Some update shots of the K in PBR. Workin' on it.

[greenie]

Looking forward to this - looking just great !

[Priller]

Gordon,
Bro,

After all the years that we know each other, you know how to bring tears to my eyes! That is breathtakingly beautiful!

So looking forward to this beauty!!

Priller

[docjohnson]

Absolutely a work of fine art!

I do have a question for the development team, is there a visibility condition/Lvar or some function to remove the weapons, and if desired, pylons?

[gman5250]

Absolutely a work of fine art!

I do have a question for the development team, is there a visibility condition/Lvar or some function to remove the weapons, and if desired, pylons?

Yes to all of the above. There will be a clean model without pylons, and a model with load out options. Possibly TacPack...but I'll need to bring in a consultant on that. lol

[docjohnson]

I'm your man...I'll pm you the particulars.

[gman5250]

Best viewed in motion. Here's a brief 360 pan of the PBR skin for the K. I'm working on a longer "inflight" video today. I'll post that up as soon as it's finished.
Enjoy friends.


Video Link:
https://www.brighteon.com/5982963103001

[TuFun]

Wow! Beautiful work done "G"!

Merry Christmas!

[gman5250]

As promised, I put together a twenty minute "beauty" video of the B-26K re-skinned in PBR.

At this stage of development the basic airframe skins and canopy materials are fully PBR. The rest of the model translated quite well, but will be updated to full PBR as well.
Enjoy the video and please feel free to add your comments, suggestions or questions.


And...Merry Christmas to all.

Video Link
https://www.brighteon.com/5983175262001


B-36K Counter Invader in Prepar3Dv4.4

[stansdds]

Looks awesome!

[Milton Shupe]

It would great to see even a WIP release for the holidays. The rest of our A-26 world is about 10 years behind you.

[jankees]

Very pretty!

[Sundog]

Thanks for the vid Gordon, it really highlights the capabilities of PBR, especially when you see how the reflections are so realistic in the retracting flaps.

Regards,
Ken

[gman5250]

It would great to see even a WIP release for the holidays. The rest of our A-26 world is about 10 years behind you.

It's on top of the priority pile Milton.

The glitch is the bug that causes the CTD when changing scenario or vehicle. Once I isolate that I'm home free...the K can go to P3D beta and I can economize it for FSX. It is still a project subject to team approval, so the release will be a group decision.

Not sure about the ten years thing...lol. But thanks.
Most of the time I feel like I'm only now just catching up!

[TuFun]

Question "G", does v4.4 has bloom or the sparkle from the suns reflection?

[gman5250]

Question "G", does v4.4 has bloom or the sparkle from the suns reflection?

V4.4 does have bloom Ted, and a very effective Lens Flare. Much improved...and I'd absolutely love to see the DAK in PBR.

The ChasePlane camera system I use also has a bloom over ride slider/hotkey that allows changes on the fly without disrupting video recording.
The bloom is much improved with PBR due to the way the engine renders light. For the video I used a modest amount of bloom, which seems to develop the overall light and color saturation by adding light where it is occurring in the three dimensional space. It's subtle, but very effective...in my humble opinion.

[TuFun]

V4.4 does have bloom Ted, and a very effective Lens Flare. Much improved...and I'd absolutely love to see the DAK in PBR.

The ChasePlane camera system I use also has a bloom over ride slider/hotkey that allows changes on the fly without disrupting video recording.
The bloom is much improved with PBR due to the way the engine renders light. For the video I used a modest amount of bloom, which seems to develop the overall light and color saturation by adding light where it is occurring in the three dimensional space. It's subtle, but very effective...in my humble opinion.

Cool! Don't have v4.4 probably jump on v5 and only using FSXSE for now. At about 5 fps it's not working for me. Just taking snapshots with it. I think Jan is working on the C-47, but don't know if he converting it to PBR. Manfred is working on the GCA system for it. Tomorrow will be putting together a new computer. Have alot of stuff to catch up on.

[gman5250]

Update:

The K Invader is nearly ready for beta. I've been focusing on internal and external details along with the PBR conversion. The VC has been the focus of the work this week, bringing all of the switches, knobs and levers online and adding/tweaking many small details. The VC is very close to SEA spec, with only a few details left to chase down and add to the work.

I thought a couple of shots would be appreciated.

[Sundog]

Nice! Thanks for the previews, I'm definitely looking forward to flying the beta in P3D with all of the great updates you've made.

[Switchblade408]

Awesome! I just got P3D up and running properly again, so this will be a great airplane to get me used to actually flying in that sim. And the guys working on Special Kay will be very happy to hear this, as well.