Area 51 Sim Apache

[strikehawk]

Thank God Tuesday is payday! Might as well get the Sierra Cobra while I'm at it. If this bird is like the Venom and Kiowa then I'm going to be a happy rotor jock. Thanks for the heads up

A couple of things relating to this thread, I for one don't care about visible panel lines, I fly from the pit and hence seldom go to an external view, out of sight out of my mind, and two, they had a forum until their C-5 came out. At that point the devs where taking so much abuse from the rivet counters that they shut it down, I guess I would too if all I saw were ping and moaning about a "bad" product when it's the only one around and I was up front about this being a "learning" experience like they did. It did not help when the Fing pirates were asking then demanding support for something they stole. This being the case there really is no organic customer support forum for any Area 51 item.

[crusader101]

That's funny, because they practicly stole the airframe from DCS black shark and the cockpits from Arma2 operation arrowhead. this is an image A51 posted of their "WIP" http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lsxqeJh3g7...600/apache.jpg and here is the DCS, please note the questionably similar textures, from the weathering along the tailboom to the doors. http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.co...c65c6b87cf.jpg the shaders may be different but there are many similarities no?

[stovall]

Crusader101, the similarity could definitely be a coincidence. Please discuss the attributes of this bird without using the word stole. To be sure I am sensitive to such an accusation such as stealing. Thanks

[crusader101]

Firstly this is an image A51 posted of their "WIP" http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lsxqeJh3g7...600/apache.jpg and here is the DCS, please note the questionably similar textures, from the weathering along the tailboom to the doors. http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.co...c65c6b87cf.jpg the shaders may be different but there are many similarities no?

Now lets look at the overall shape, obviously a few things were changed to for a lower polycount but many things remain the same. Take note of the PNVS. http://area51sim.com/sphpblog-conten...es/apache2.jpg when you compare it to the one above they are amazingly similar aren't they? Here you can see the canopy width, the TADS day side texture and a small orange piece within the nose housing. http://www.fspilotshop.com/images/ARE-140d.jpg and here you see the EXACT same things. http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.co...ab634348e1.jpg http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.co...09120e5d19.jpg The sensors along the EFABS are in the same spot and size, the canopy frame is the same thickness as well.

The rotors are another common focal point, http://area51sim.com/sphpblog-conten...es/apache4.jpg compared to http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.co...8678ba305c.jpg and http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.co...ed40a8c00b.jpg note the weathering of the white boxes along the top, the creases and the screw details at the very edges.

There are many other amazingly similar parts, the landing gear is both silver (everywhere else you'll see it olive drab), the gradient texture is the same, M230 ammo feed texture is the same, and so are the gearboxes in the engine nacelles. I understand that when two people copy the same thing to the best of their ability there may be similarities but to such a degree is questionable would you not agree?

Now about the interior from Operation Arrohwead. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtJ5aYQTooQ http://images.bit-tech.net/content_i...d-review/0.jpg The shaders are once again different and there are a few texture changes this time around, however the majority of textures and especially model share are carbon copies. Note the curvature of the dash board, the DO NOT GRAB being the same quality and location on the glare shields, the thin overhead circuit board that should not be there (how could such enthusiasts of an aircaft sim miss such an obvious thing?) the MPD texture is exactly the same, the hanging wire beside the door has EXACTLY the same path and sharp angle, and the canopy has the same height and width dimensions. Furthermore if you look closely at the pilot dash, around the center where it "thins" are two points, the right point comes straight down while the left is at an angle...you see the same thing on A51's.

Likewise the CPG http://www.pcaviator.com.au/store/im...Longbow-01.jpg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d2SQBtXfw4 skip to 6:20 for best view. This one is a tad more difficult due to the viewpoint ingame but there are several things, firstly note the overall shape, the text on the CPG's equipment, (on the real thing there is no text on the left flap) the dash are the same shapes and same positions, essentially the thing right in your face looks the same. There are many other similar characteristics but hose are the most prominent.

If you saw the post earlier about the wall of text I apologize, I forgot noscript was activated thus voiding any formatting.

[stovall]

Crusader101, I repeat judge the Area 51 Apache for it's own merits. If you do not like it don't buy it. Please don't put a developer's product down or accuse them of stealing this or that. Again there may be similarities but the SOH FSX forum will not tolerate accusations such as stealing. Consider this a warning.

[crusader101]

But I provided the proof above, the carbon copy of textures and model pieces, I've worked with 3D enough to know that two people working on the same project will have similar outcomes but they will never be EXACTLY the same due to how they interpret what they see and what they feel deserves more attention, even if the models are similar the textures have the least amount of things in common due to UV mapping, tools availible, knowledge and so forth.

I don't accuse people of such things easily but it is difficult to turn a blind eye to this once you examine what the two share in common.

[stovall]

You need to take this up directly with the Sim 51 developer directly and not through the SOH FSX forum. Again our rules here state there will be no bashing of developers. Judging from your apparent experience and detail in your comments you should address the issue directly with the Area 51 staff and not on a public forum.

[Prowler1111]

...er...isnt it supposed to look like an Apache? i mean..an Ah-64 should look like a real one regardless of the sim, i find them similar because both depict the same aircraft..and regarding the external texture..the tail code is different..

Prowler

[Dangerousdave26]

The similarities only probably mean that both developers purchased the mesh from the same source.

You can buy your own 3ds max Apache and do with it what you want from Turbo Squid today.

http://www.turbosquid.com/FullPrevie....cfm/ID/372952

After purchasing the model a modeler just needs to added their own refinements but most of the work in the Mesh was already done.

[Shylock]

The similarities only probably mean that both developers purchased the mesh from the same source.

You can buy your own 3ds max Apache and do with it what you want from Turbo Squid today.

http://www.turbosquid.com/FullPrevie....cfm/ID/372952

After purchasing the model a modeler just needs to added their own refinements but most of the work in the Mesh was already done.

+++++1

Because of the recent claims I went out and bought this bird.