F-80 Texture Redux

**Mach3DS** · August 20th, 2016, 01:34

Update:

Henk and Toby have been working hard on allowing a TacPack model to coexist with the standard models. They've succeeded! Henk has really outdone himself. Many additional features. Just a simple screen showing manual ripple release.

Getting closer gents...

***bob407*** · August 20th, 2016, 06:09

Coming along mighty fine! Thank you gentlemen!

**mig21bis** · August 20th, 2016, 08:07

Tested latest updates and gunsight works great in VC, Henk! We appear to have full function in all other gauges too, so we've avoided creating conflicts in the system.

I see the trim wheel has been relocated down at bottom of panel. I plan to put a mark on it for takeoff trim, as the model is significantly nose heavy otherwise. We want this model to rotate easily at the correct speed, and setting trim will help.

It's probably a good time to lock in our improvements with a new package. I'll combine Henk's recent improvements with my changes / streamlining of TP-related code, and get it out to the test team via PM.

I'll repeat a question I asked about rocket type earlier: the 5" rocket generates twin flame/smoke trails when launched, which to me looks silly. Should we replace with the 2.75" rocket, which looks better? I think TP models damage differently, and it appears that the F-80 used the 5" in combat, but that twin trail looks weird from the cockpit. Check Checkers and Dischem Specials. Should we deviate from reality on the ordnance in order to achieve a more real-looking flame/smoke trail?

Toby

**mig21bis** · August 21st, 2016, 12:50

TacPack update: trimmed away more unused code. In process of adding audio confirmation of weapons selection and safe mode. "Gun selected", "Rocket selected", etc. Also will add rocket launch and bomb drop sound effects.

***Willy*** · August 22nd, 2016, 07:34

Thought I'd add a little more Lockheed porn to this. Just finished this one less than an hour ago.

**mig21bis** · August 22nd, 2016, 07:44

Beautiful, Willy! Would be so great to get in formation with you guys in MP with these incredible paint schemes. I guess we need a good smoke effect for the demo teams?

***Willy*** · August 22nd, 2016, 08:41

I've been using the exhaust smoke for R. Richardson's Sea Venom. Nice dark early jet engine smoke. Just like they used to do.

**mig21bis** · August 22nd, 2016, 09:10

Current smoke effect for our P-80 looks thin and wispy in P3Dv3. It's there, but probably not the more robust, realistic effect you guys are seeing in FSX.

***hschuit*** · August 22nd, 2016, 09:26

Originally Posted by mig21bis

Current smoke effect for our P-80 looks thin and wispy in P3Dv3. It's there, but probably not the more robust, realistic effect you guys are seeing in FSX.

Toby, try this:

**mig21bis** · August 22nd, 2016, 15:05

Thanks, will replace with this smoke and see how it looks. Rick, you're running P3Dv3 too, see what you think about this smoke versus the one currently used.

Willy suggested we look at other gun/tracer effects out there, and see how they're done. I can see, for example, that Tim Conrad used a smoke effect technique on his Skyraider to create muzzle flashes - can try that approach, unless Rick finds something more promising in his search.

**Mach3DS** · August 22nd, 2016, 16:40

This is fantastic Gentlemen. Toby, all TP features now work flawlessly for me in P3Dv3. With our extensive beta testing TP for other aircraft, I think it's fair to say in all likelihood it should be code 1 in FSX? I will indeed look for a solution for muzzle flash effects and tracers.

**mig21bis** · August 22nd, 2016, 18:04

Rick, I retained FSX with TP, will test to verify Code 1 on that, good thinking to nail that down.

**mig21bis** · August 22nd, 2016, 19:10

I confirmed, TP function is perfect in FSX/A.

**mig21bis** · August 22nd, 2016, 19:39

Originally Posted by hschuit

Toby, try this:

Henk, that new smoke looks better in P3Dv3 - thicker/larger diameter that seems to match the tailpipe, not thin like previous.

**Mach3DS** · August 22nd, 2016, 21:00

Toby, I can't get the smoke to work...can you enlighten me?

All, here's a beautiful update set of screenshots...Willy has outdone himself. Some of these I thought looked like a real picture at the time when I was taking the screen capture...P3D looks so good with REX!

**Mach3DS** · August 22nd, 2016, 21:03

***Willy*** · August 23rd, 2016, 06:12

Now that's better than porn!

**mig21bis** · August 23rd, 2016, 06:30

Beautiful, Rick! That dramatic sky is fantastic, as you observed - REX adds great realism.

Smoke: engine smoke doesn't work for me either in the TP version, but works and looks fine in the non-TP ones. I think TP is impeding smoke, due to the "SMOKE_ON" and "SMOKE_OFF" commands associated with the gun. And I need that in there to tie to muzzle flash / tracer effects I'm building in now.

If we can figure out a way to have one smoke effect always playing, and the others controlled by the TP gun control, we'd have everything. I'm sure we can figure this out, just don't know how much more time we have.

For now, I think I need to focus on getting the flash/tracer done, so we can put a bow on this project and release. We can go back with improvements later, maybe as an SP1?

***hschuit*** · August 23rd, 2016, 07:01

Toby, I can implement multiple smoke channels. Example:

smoke.0 = engine smoke
smoke.1 = TP guns flash
smoke.2 = TP guns tracer
etc.

If you can share the xml code which controls the TP effects I can integrate it with the existing engine effects code.

EDIT: Don't worry about it, I found it in the FA-18C.xml file you added to the panel. The gun only needs 1 smoke channel, piece of cake. I will share the updated files later today for testing.

**DaveWG** · August 23rd, 2016, 07:02

You can control multiple smoke effects individually. I'm not at my PC at the moment but I'll check on the correct syntax when I get home.

Edit: looks like it's already in hand.

**mig21bis** · August 23rd, 2016, 08:17

Originally Posted by DaveWG

You can control multiple smoke effects individually. I'm not at my PC at the moment but I'll check on the correct syntax when I get home.

Edit: looks like it's already in hand.

DaveWG, your input is much appreciated. It might be good to look at your approach, as it may prove useful yet in this project, or may be useful in the future.

**Mach3DS** · August 23rd, 2016, 08:22

Originally Posted by mig21bis

DaveWG, your input is much appreciated. It might be good to look at your approach, as it may prove useful yet in this project, or may be useful in the future.

Toby if I understand correctly, I believe that what Henk posted is what/how Dave was.suggesting to.proceed.

By the way. For.those that want every model in this pack TP enabled, all you'll have to do is change the panel callout in the aircraft.cfg. Very handy. Thanks Toby and Henk!

**mig21bis** · August 23rd, 2016, 09:17

Originally Posted by 000rick000

Toby if I understand correctly, I believe that what Henk posted is what/how Dave was.suggesting to.proceed.

By the way. For.those that want every model in this pack TP enabled, all you'll have to do is change the panel callout in the aircraft.cfg. Very handy. Thanks Toby and Henk!

You're right, Rick - just had a quick PM back-and-forth with Henk, and he had modified both sides of code (I thought it was just aircraft.cfg, and we might still hit snags with the TP side). He's ahead of me, and all is on track. Once we verify his approach works, I'll just plug in the muzzle flash/tracer effect where he's currently using smoke as a placeholder, and we'll be done with that part.

I have two of the six machine gun effects in place, lined up. Four to go, it's a little tedious... I'm glad you pushed for it, adds a lot to the visual experience.