SOH A-26 for FS9 "glass" rework
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Thread: SOH A-26 for FS9 "glass" rework

  1. #1
    SOH-CM-2019 Bushi's Avatar
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    SOH A-26 for FS9 "glass" rework

    Hi gang,
    With 5686 FS9 downloads of this beautiful airplane, it does seem to be popular with SOH members.....um... okay.. I'll admit, it IS nearly seven years old now!
    I however stumbled across it just recently, and decided to try it out. I don't need to tell anyone who has downloaded it how nice it is, both to look at (inside and out) and how much of a joy it is to fly!!!! My greatest appreciation and thanks to the entire team who developed this airplane for us!

    Now... I can't leave well enough alone, and on my laptop screen, when flying the glass nosed C variant, the entire plexiglass nose seemed to disappear when viewed from certain angles, the end visual result being not too pleasing....as in... it looked like there was NO plexiglass at all!
    Unwilling to limit myself to the gun nosed B, I decided, while doing a repaint of the airplane, to experiment with the properties of the 'glass' file to try and rectify this issue. In short, I tried darkening the base colour, lightening the base colour, changing the reflectivity, until I think I have it where it look great on my laptop, with my settings.

    The first three screenshots below # 1,2,3 have a darkened glass property, while 7,8,10 have a lighter one. The lighter one has maximum reflectivity in the alpha channel and I think gives a really polished look to the canopies and nose. This is the one I now use on my A-26 fleet. It lightens anything viewed through it from the exterior, and gives some glare (fairly realistic) but is perfectly fine for flying when you look through it from the interior. A shot while sitting up in the nose is also attached.

    If anyone else wants to replace the texture, let me know. I'll upload it.
    cheers
    David
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails A-26-1.jpg   A-26-2.jpg   A-26-7.jpg   A-26-8.jpg   A-26-3.jpg   A-26-10.jpg  

    A-26, up in the nose.jpg  

  2. #2
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    Thanks David, I'd be keen to try it.

    Pete.

  3. #3
    Quote Originally Posted by PeteHam View Post
    Thanks David, I'd be keen to try it.

    Pete.
    Me too!!!

    Dave
    P3aewguy

  4. #4

  5. #5
    Yes, please.2
    ...things will go as they will; and there's no use hurrying to meet them.

  6. #6
    SOH-CM-2019 Bushi's Avatar
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    File has been uploaded

    If you too are having issues, with an invisible nose, give it a try. the difference on my screen is VERY drastic.Click image for larger version. 

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    For the first few who download, if the new texture works for you, please let me know by replying here, and anyone who installs it and doesn't see any changes, that would help too!! (and if that's the case, a screenshot and what video card you are using might be good too!)

    Cheers
    Dave

  7. #7
    Nice work David. I developed that on my old, slow computer with a motherboard video capability. Looked nice then but things have changed drastically since. We appreciate that someone out there takes the time to improve on a decent old flyer. Thanks again.
    Milton Shupe
    FS9/FSX Modeler Hack

    My Uploads at SOH - Here
    Video Tutorials - Gmax for Beginners

  8. #8
    SOH-CM-2019 Bushi's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Milton Shupe View Post
    Nice work David. I developed that on my old, slow computer with a motherboard video capability. Looked nice then but things have changed drastically since. We appreciate that someone out there takes the time to improve on a decent old flyer. Thanks again.
    You are very welcome Milton! And yes... seven years is a VERY long time where computers are concerned! I had this same issue with an older Discus sailplane and 'tinted' it a bit darker to fix it, so had a feeling I was on the right track. This one looks better lightened a bit.

    And she is far more than a 'decent' old flyer!!! How you guys managed to emulate an A-26's unique flying properties... wow....

    I might have to learn how to use Gmax and download your source file as I would like to do a paint that has almost no sheen to it.... a weathered, Olive Drab / Neutral Grey veteran with a few missions under her belly! From what I've read here in the forum, I think that property is embedded in the mdl file.

    And, see if I can move the pilot with the '50 mission crush' cap to the 'no gun' C version instead of the guy in the baseball cap. But I have no idea what I'm doing....LOL!!!! If I can dedicate the time!

    Again, thank you for all the incredible airplanes you have given us Milton!

    David

  9. #9
    Quote Originally Posted by Bushi View Post
    You are very welcome Milton! And yes... seven years is a VERY long time where computers are concerned! I had this same issue with an older Discus sailplane and 'tinted' it a bit darker to fix it, so had a feeling I was on the right track. This one looks better lightened a bit.

    And she is far more than a 'decent' old flyer!!! How you guys managed to emulate an A-26's unique flying properties... wow....

    I might have to learn how to use Gmax and download your source file as I would like to do a paint that has almost no sheen to it.... a weathered, Olive Drab / Neutral Grey veteran with a few missions under her belly! From what I've read here in the forum, I think that property is embedded in the mdl file.

    And, see if I can move the pilot with the '50 mission crush' cap to the 'no gun' C version instead of the guy in the baseball cap. But I have no idea what I'm doing....LOL!!!! If I can dedicate the time!

    Again, thank you for all the incredible airplanes you have given us Milton!

    David
    The model "sheen", also known as specular lighting (sun glare), can be modified by a utility available. Many here have it and someone will likely step up to do that for you or at least tell you the name of it. (Model Shine? or "MDLC" may do it)

    As for the pilot change, I have so many model variations that doing that would be cumbersome and would only be available for the FS9 native versions.
    The FSX native gmax source belongs to Bomber_12th and I do not have it.
    Milton Shupe
    FS9/FSX Modeler Hack

    My Uploads at SOH - Here
    Video Tutorials - Gmax for Beginners

  10. #10
    SOH-CM-2019 Bushi's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Milton Shupe View Post
    The model "sheen", also known as specular lighting (sun glare), can be modified by a utility available. Many here have it and someone will likely step up to do that for you or at least tell you the name of it. (Model Shine? or "MDLC" may do it)

    As for the pilot change, I have so many model variations that doing that would be cumbersome and would only be available for the FS9 native versions.
    The FSX native gmax source belongs to Bomber_12th and I do not have it.
    LOL... no worries on the pilot change. I just had an idea rattling around about doing some "Stateside" Generals personal transport. A khaki baseball cap will work too.

    Thanks for the info on the specular lighting utility.

    I have never installed FSX on my laptop. Worried about performance issues. The cooling fan runs quite enough with FS9... even with my double fan cooling tray, so I'll stick with it for now.

    Oh, one other thing. to get my Olive Drab over Neutral grey repaint, I used John's 3rd bomb group textures and modified them in photoshop. That included repainting the interior in zinc chromate and cockpit green to match my old plastic kit. I couldn't find the paint kit and was unable to send a PM to John (Bomber_12). Still, it worked out okay! I'm quite pleased with the result.

    Cheers
    Dave

  11. #11
    The paint kit is here in the SOH library I believe but here is a link from my site:

    http://www.gjsmith.net/Milton_Shupe/xterra/paintkit.htm
    Milton Shupe
    FS9/FSX Modeler Hack

    My Uploads at SOH - Here
    Video Tutorials - Gmax for Beginners

  12. #12
    SOH-CM-2019 Bushi's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Milton Shupe View Post
    The paint kit is here in the SOH library I believe but here is a link from my site:

    http://www.gjsmith.net/Milton_Shupe/xterra/paintkit.htm
    Thank you Milton, now downloaded!

  13. #13

    Question

    Can you send me the correction texture ?
    Thank you before

  14. #14
    Looks great, I would say it is a big improvement over the old one! Yes, I would like that so will download it! Thanks Bushi!
    Mark


  15. #15
    Hi Bushi,

    First of all thanks for the glass issue correction on the A-26. Looks much better!

    I have been working on many window textures for the last couple of years and there are several issues. They are the most neglected files in FS.
    Not so much with the old warbirds such as the A-26, as they have standard perspex, but from the 1950's onward a shatter proof coating was introduced,
    creating a rainbow effect.
    The phenomenon is called 'thin film interference', and is obviously only visible from the outside.
    This is quite easily achieved in FS with 'psychedelic' looking glass textures instead of grey or even black.

    The other issue is how the aircraft was modelled.

    Some have the glass texture alphas set to change transparency, others to reflections.
    Many other, mainly older aircraft, don't have window textures at all, just holes in the fuselage.

    Overall this is quite a complex issue, every AC is different, and up to the user's taste.

    Here are few examples from the 50's and today, plus a bmp sample...

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Regards, Stuart
    Last edited by stuartcox; July 27th, 2014 at 03:15.

  16. #16
    SOH-CM-2019 Bushi's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Navtech View Post
    Can you send me the correction texture ?
    Thank you before
    Uploaded to the warbirds library yesterday Navtech. Hope it works for you!

    SOH A-26 Invader, new 'glass' texture (FS9).zip

  17. #17
    That does look good to me on the plexi-nose. I should have designated that area differently from the canopy for a better effect overall.

    Attaching two pics: 1) to show a cannon test I do not recall seeing before (how big is that bad boy?), and 2) an early A-26 with the gun pods on the wings and the early canopy arrangement.
    Milton Shupe
    FS9/FSX Modeler Hack

    My Uploads at SOH - Here
    Video Tutorials - Gmax for Beginners

  18. #18

    Lightbulb

    Uploaded to the warbirds library
    Oki thank you

  19. #19
    SOH-CM-2019 Bushi's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Milton Shupe View Post
    That does look good to me on the plexi-nose. I should have designated that area differently from the canopy for a better effect overall.

    Attaching two pics: 1) to show a cannon test I do not recall seeing before (how big is that bad boy?), and 2) an early A-26 with the gun pods on the wings and the early canopy arrangement.
    THAT is one seriously huge cannon!!!! I think I would be clenching my teeth, bracing every muscle....and pull the trigger! I wonder what they did to absorb any damaging recoil? Not a 'pretty' installation, but I would suspect, rather effective!

    And as for the plexi on the nose, my Discus canopy had an outline on my desktop's motherboard video card, but virtually disappeared on this laptop. Might be a result of the 'anti-aliasing' settings or something.. heck.. I have no idea!! LOL

    This airplane has had SO many downloads!!!!!! Maybe this new discussion reminds people that haven't flown it in a while how nice it is, and gets a few that have languished in the back of the hangar back in the air!

    cheers
    Dave

  20. #20

    A26B - A26C Model Additions

    David and others (and I) really like faded, weathered schemes and some have requested different tire treads for the A26B/C so I have invested a few hours to honor that request with the attached.

    FS9 A-26B and A-26C Model Additions with new Tire Textures for the A26-SOH


    Included are:


    1) two new models - One A-26B with guns; one A-26C with Guns
    2) Two new tire tread textures for these models (Diamond and "Plus")


    These models are in addition to your current FS9 A26-SOH model folders. (They are not replacements)


    The new models can be used with any B or C textures you currently have as long as you read the simple included instructions.

    This is a vast improvement over the original tire textures. (Thank you Duckie for the textures) :-)

    Hope you enjoy them.
    Milton Shupe
    FS9/FSX Modeler Hack

    My Uploads at SOH - Here
    Video Tutorials - Gmax for Beginners

  21. #21
    Hey! Tire treads on the A-26s and two new models! Thank you Milton!
    Mark


  22. #22
    Quote Originally Posted by mrogers View Post
    Hey! Tire treads on the A-26s and two new models! Thank you Milton!
    I apologize to the OP for this OT-ness, but he inspired these new models. :-)

    I have just uploaded the "No Guns" new wheels versions to include the original uploaded models so it is a full package of 4 models updates for the wheels/tires.
    These are new model folders for your existing A-26-SOH aircraft folder.

    http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforum...Models-Updated
    Milton Shupe
    FS9/FSX Modeler Hack

    My Uploads at SOH - Here
    Video Tutorials - Gmax for Beginners

  23. #23
    Lovely, I dusted my A26's off and am having a ball!

  24. #24
    SOH-CM-2024 Duckie's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Milton Shupe View Post

    1) two new models - One A-26B with guns; one A-26C with Guns
    2) Two new tire tread textures for these models (Diamond and "Plus")

    This is a vast improvement over the original tire textures. (Thank you Duckie for the textures) :-).
    The tire treads that helped inspire two new models!! NOT!

    I kinda think of it as maybe the $50.00 neck tie that helped bring out the $5,000.00 Armani Suit that's been in the closet way too long!

    Glad to be able to contribute in some small way to this iconic model.
    Duckie

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  25. #25
    SOH-CM-2019 Bushi's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Duckie View Post
    The tire treads that helped inspire two new models!! NOT!

    I kinda think of it as maybe the $50.00 neck tie that helped bring out the $5,000.00 Armani Suit that's been in the closet way too long!

    Glad to be able to contribute in some small way to this iconic model.
    Hey Duckie... with these tire tread designs being used on many WW2 American aircraft, I applaud your efforts to have them included in not only the new Lockheeds, but now for Milton's 'iconic' A-26 model as well. Maybe the future will see them installed on... oh... I don't know... An XP47??? LOL
    That's one nice looking $50.00 tie by the way!!!
    Cheers
    Dave

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