DH114 Heron Upgrade WIP

[fuzz1]

I'll try to cover all of your questions here.

The glass reflection is controlled by the file called Tran_T in the common texture folder. Removing the GlobalEnv_AC_Chrome file will affect the overall reflection of the aircraft skin. The skin will now fall back to the default texture folder and call the GlobalEnv_AC_Chrome from there. I can provide a modified Tran_T file to kill the interior reflections.

The 144_Wings.dds file in the common texture folder is 32 bit and requires twice the memory of the DXT5 file in the dedicated texture folders. This file can be removed, as it is not really needed. It is an artifact from the original structure that I failed to catch when I uploaded the files.

The sound file is exactly as I downloaded it. To add the flaps and gear sounds it would need to be edited. I didn't do any mods on the sound file...yet.

The common texture files that appear to be duplicates are intended to be fallbacks for people who want to do their own skins. The original aircraft has all of the common files duplicated in each skin folder. I changed the structure to use fallbacks to be more efficient.

Hope that answers your questions.

I love flying the Heron. One thing I learned right away was to calc fuel for flight duration. A loaded airplane can be a challenge, especially at high elevation airports.

Most obliged for your response. I've simply renamed the Tran_T.dds files in the common texture folder and where located, the individual texture folders. This appears to have 'cleared things up' for me. I would certainly welcome your revised Tran_T file if it's not too much trouble, assuming this is a better solution.

I also replaced the 144_2.dds file as suggested by Roger and the ceiling now appears fine.

I'd be most interested in your or anyone else's modded sound file if ever developed.

Nice bird and outstanding effort on your part gman.

Oh, and if anyone decides to give the cockpit panel a little makeover (something a little lighter perhaps) to also elevate it to the standard now apparent with the exterior model, please feel free to do so!

[gman5250]

Oh, and if anyone decides to give the cockpit panel a little makeover (something a little lighter perhaps) to also elevate it to the standard now apparent with the exterior model, please feel free to do so!

I dedicated quite a few hours to the cockpit panel, LM lighting, window frames, side panels, roof panels etc. The work was very subtle, but significant. Details on the window frames including screws, bolts, shadowing and wear enhancements. I added subtle weathering, grime and use wear to the panel itself.

The 144-2 was also modified to show shading under windowsills etc. The blotches on the headliner were a result of noise texture added. Removing the 144-2 panel will remove the shading I provided for the side panels.

The cockpit work was livery and model specific, so removing or modifying the files from their current texture files will alter the appearance from what was intended.

If anyone wishes to do additional work on the cockpit they are free to do so.

[fuzz1]

I dedicated quite a few hours to the cockpit panel, LM lighting, window frames, side panels, roof panels etc. The work was very subtle, but significant. Details on the window frames including screws, bolts, shadowing and wear enhancements. I added subtle weathering, grime and use wear to the panel itself.

The 144-2 was also modified to show shading under windowsills etc. The blotches on the headliner were a result of noise texture added. Removing the 144-2 panel will remove the shading I provided for the side panels.

The cockpit work was livery and model specific, so removing or modifying the files from their current texture files will alter the appearance from what was intended.

If anyone wishes to do additional work on the cockpit they are free to do so.

Regret my insensitivity here. Had I understood your work on the cockpit my suggestion for further refinement would not have been made. I confess to having spent all of 5 min's with the default aircraft before installing your versions so did not really get an opportunity to compare interior that much. I somehow missed the fact that you worked to the panel also.

That said, panel looks fine the way it is, thanks again for your efforts. Unfortunate that I get that ceiling 'blockiness' prompting me to remove 144-2 and missing the extra work you've done on the shading. I've tried to determine why this is apparent. Perhaps it has something to do with the original 144-2 being DX5 and your revised version is apparently DX1?

[Wild Bill Kelso]

With your new textures and the sounds, it's a whole new model!!!

Couldn't agree more!


This one is about to get finished and rolled out:



There's just one nasty glitch I wasn't able to get rid of by now:
Where is the texture of this central front window frame located?
This red brace doesn't match too well yet...

Cheers,
Markus.

[IFlySWA]

She looks great Markus!

Brian

[Wild Bill Kelso]

Thanks, mate!

After lots of trial&error, I've finally found out where this central window frame takes its texture from:
Unfortunately, this area is located at the foreward bottom fuselage, just aft of the front wheel well (marked green here for better clarity):




So in order to show the front window frame not in the red bottom colour, this lower fuselage part had to be painted white.
This doesn't look too well seen from below:





But I think this is still better than a red window frame, doesn't it?

Cheers,
Markus.

[DaveB]

Yup.. that looks cool Markus

ATB
DaveB

[Roger]

Really nice Markus!

[Wild Bill Kelso]

Thanks, guys!

This marvellous Heron has been my trusty ride when discovering the FTX UK package from Land's End up to Sumburgh, along with her rather stiff-legged sisterships:





All three repaints should be rolled out soon...

Cheers,
Markus.

[DaveB]

I'll drink to more G paints

I'm sure Scottish Airways came with the original set as we queried the colour at CBFS. Is this one a repaint using Gmans updated base paints? Forgive the impertinence but I've not seen it for a while

ATB
DaveB

[Wild Bill Kelso]

Indeed, G-ANXB is part of the original package ("texture.BEA 70"), but the stock version bears only the BEA logo.
The stylish 70's "scottish airways" lettering caught my eye when browsing the web for repaint templates, so I've done a complete new BEA livery from scratch with handmade letters (no appropriate font found).

Both repaints were done (but abandoned prior to release) before Gman laid his magic hands on the textures. And although neither the Channel nor the Scottish variant will show any natural metal surfaces (?), both ships will be returned to the paint shed again. I shall see if they could benefit from those massively improved textures...

Cheers,
Markus.

[DaveB]

That's cool mate.. looking forward to them

ATB
DaveB

[Portia911]

Very nice work, Markus - looking forward your future efforts with Gman's templates.

[gman5250]

These are really great skins. I've been juggling quite a few projects, but I think it's time to put the paint kit up on the site so you gentlemen can take advantage of the layers.

[Wild Bill Kelso]

Very nice work, Markus - looking forward your future efforts with Gman's templates.

Thank you!

His templates even improve painted surfaces:









(Scenery: Earth Simulation's Alderney)


Cheers,
Markus.

[DaveB]

Lovely crisp lines there Markus

ATB
DaveB

[Dumonceau]

Markus,

Could you do this one?



Johan

[Wild Bill Kelso]

@ DaveB:
These "still photographs" don't show that the cheatlines received a massive stress on the alpha channel to increase their golden shine...

Could you do this one?

That's a nice classic airliner scheme! I have to admit that Belgium is absolutely uncovered by my repaints yet - for some reasons it doesn't seem to be well represented in the Flightsim world at all...
Time for a change, isn't it?
I'll see what I can do about it!

Cheers,
Markus.

[Dumonceau]

@ DaveB:
These "still photographs" don't show that the cheatlines received a massive stress on the alpha channel to increase their golden shine...




That's a nice classic airliner scheme! I have to admit that Belgium is absolutely uncovered by my repaints yet - for some reasons it doesn't seem to be well represented in the Flightsim world at all...
Time for a change, isn't it?
I'll see what I can do about it!

Cheers,
Markus.

Cheers Markus! Highly appreciated!

Johan