F-4B/C FSX

TheRedBaron
Posts: 185
Joined: 31 Aug 2012, 20:11

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by TheRedBaron »

Sigh...you are REALLY making me feel terrible about myself lol. I love what you did with the "burn" effect. It looks bloody amazing!

Alexis
Posts: 444
Joined: 02 Jul 2009, 02:03

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Alexis »

For some reason, 3dsmax keeps crashing and I can't work on the model...
Reinstalling it. Good thing I'm on a student license!

Airbus Fan
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Joined: 08 Aug 2012, 08:04

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Airbus Fan »

It's hard to use this program?

Alexis
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Joined: 02 Jul 2009, 02:03

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Alexis »

Airbus Fan wrote:It's hard to use this program?
It isn't hard once you get the hang of it. If you find a good tutorial, you'll be able to make nice stuff within a week.

Working on the nose gear, btw.
Image

Alexis
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Joined: 02 Jul 2009, 02:03

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Alexis »

Getting back to it!

Airbus Fan
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Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Airbus Fan »

YaY! :D

Alexis
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Joined: 02 Jul 2009, 02:03

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Alexis »

At last, my animation are cleared from scaling errors. I guess the "switch" saved the day.

Alexis
Posts: 444
Joined: 02 Jul 2009, 02:03

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Alexis »

The nose gear works fine so far. I will post an ingame video/screenshots of its operation in the next few days.

Alexis
Posts: 444
Joined: 02 Jul 2009, 02:03

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Alexis »

I've finally figured out the LE flaps!
Image
And a render testing the animations. A lot of details and improvements need to be made.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwhZR_9N ... e=youtu.be

TheRedBaron
Posts: 185
Joined: 31 Aug 2012, 20:11

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by TheRedBaron »

Ooh...very nice! How long does this take (curiosity)?

Alexis
Posts: 444
Joined: 02 Jul 2009, 02:03

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Alexis »

LE flap extension takes around a second, from the videos I've seen.
They extend at 30, 60 and 55 degrees (inboard, middle, outboard flap), at 1/2 flaps position.

Airbus Fan
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Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Airbus Fan »

Good work Alexis! ;)

TheRedBaron
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Joined: 31 Aug 2012, 20:11

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by TheRedBaron »

Alexis wrote:LE flap extension takes around a second, from the videos I've seen.
They extend at 30, 60 and 55 degrees (inboard, middle, outboard flap), at 1/2 flaps position.
:laugh: I meant: how long does it take you to put in animations?

Alexis
Posts: 444
Joined: 02 Jul 2009, 02:03

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Alexis »

For the flaps, it's taken me around 7 days of figuring it out by reference and trial and error. When finished, applying the animation is a matter of seconds (for the LE flaps). More complex parts can take hours of aligning and rigging.

Alexis
Posts: 444
Joined: 02 Jul 2009, 02:03

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Alexis »

My tenure with 3dsmax 2012 trial didn't turn out as expected. The exporter for 3dsmax 12 is problematic, so I have to migrate the model parts back to my 2011 license! Argh!

Alexis
Posts: 444
Joined: 02 Jul 2009, 02:03

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Alexis »

A set-up screenie on the cat.
Image

fdd_fr
Posts: 1764
Joined: 03 Jan 2012, 16:02

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by fdd_fr »

You work so quickly ! :o

Incredible !

TheRedBaron
Posts: 185
Joined: 31 Aug 2012, 20:11

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by TheRedBaron »

Nice! Never noticed the landing gear door before...extremely unaerodynamic. That's quite odd..

Steve
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Joined: 06 Jul 2009, 07:12

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Steve »

Damn, that's looking good!! 8-)

Alexis
Posts: 444
Joined: 02 Jul 2009, 02:03

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Alexis »

I couldn't resist it anymore. Started doing some work on the VC.
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Also, I installed Javier's carriers modified to a drivable version and set up some nice views. I drove it under Golden Gate and replayed with FS Recorder to make some launches and arrests.
Image
Finhally, there is a chance that there will be some great news for the F-4 project by next week. For now back to the 330.

Alexis
Posts: 444
Joined: 02 Jul 2009, 02:03

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Alexis »

Some great news regarding the F-4:
The exterior has been adopted by a friend who is going to finish it, so I'll be moving to the VC.
After getting the forward frame out of the way (there are some screws missing around it, but they'll be placed), I started making the forward panel and I'll be moving backwards after that.
Progress is going fast and I'm aiming for a good looking freeware Phantom to fill the gap until A2A comes out with theirs.
Image

Airbus Fan
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Joined: 08 Aug 2012, 08:04

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Airbus Fan »

Very very nice! ;)

This model will have high quality instruments? ( speed, altitude indicators etc.) :D

Alexis
Posts: 444
Joined: 02 Jul 2009, 02:03

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Alexis »

3D instruments and a RADAR.

Alexis
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Joined: 02 Jul 2009, 02:03

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Alexis »

In fact: Image
Gauges will be placed ingame soon.

Airbus Fan
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Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Airbus Fan »

Nice! Switches and buttons will be clickable?

TheRedBaron
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Joined: 31 Aug 2012, 20:11

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by TheRedBaron »

Did the F4 have a glass crosshair/gunsight/I'm not really sure what they call it?

Alexis
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Joined: 02 Jul 2009, 02:03

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Alexis »

It is a gunsight, although it's official name is Optical Sight Unit -trying to make WW2 technology seem elaborate on a 60's jet-powered, missile-launching interceptor...
It will also be adjustable.

Alexis
Posts: 444
Joined: 02 Jul 2009, 02:03

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Alexis »

Made the side framework and textured the altitude and TAS indicator (letters have a yellowy tint. Early phantoms had UV lights that made the panel needles and lettering glow at night. I'm not sure whether I'll do this or the red lighting version as seen in Cloud9's Phantom.
Image
Also modeled the rear canopy. Now I need to UV map them.
Texture work is half-done as I'm not the one that will paint the cockpit.
Image

Alexis
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Joined: 02 Jul 2009, 02:03

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Alexis »

Here's a couple more instruments: TAS and AOA indicators. I'm getting the hang of it now!

Image

Airbus Fan
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Joined: 08 Aug 2012, 08:04

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Airbus Fan »

Nice! You're working very fast! :D

TheRedBaron
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Joined: 31 Aug 2012, 20:11

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by TheRedBaron »

Those AOA and TAS indicators...THEY ARE SO AMAZING!

Alexis
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Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Alexis »

TAS seems to work, AoA isn't... :'( Image

TheRedBaron
Posts: 185
Joined: 31 Aug 2012, 20:11

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by TheRedBaron »

The AOA seemed OK in that screenshot...it would make sense that there is a slight downward angle on the ground I think...unless the Phantom has a slight nose up attitude. Did it just stay frozen in the air or something?

Alexis
Posts: 444
Joined: 02 Jul 2009, 02:03

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Alexis »

It stays frozen, yes.
Also, the TAS indicator has some strange hiccups. I'll have to consult with Gary to get the formula right.

Alexis
Posts: 444
Joined: 02 Jul 2009, 02:03

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Alexis »

I've managed to fake needle thickness. I can now display needles that are thinner than 1mm. It could be done in FS9 using scaling to trick 3dsmax's and makemdl's units, but if scaled in FSX the part will not animate. So I mapped the needle side and made half the width transparent using a texture! :D
I'll now change all the needles to reflect this change (PA aircraft as well if needed).

Image

Alexis
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Joined: 02 Jul 2009, 02:03

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Alexis »

After spending a day making the backup ADI (caged flag is missing), I couldn't make it work as it should.
Instead I made some lightmaps to get a taste of how the lighting will look at night.
The AoA indicator has been upgraded too.
When the gear is down, the small flag is at 5,5deg showing the optimum climb angle, and the big one at 19,2 degrees (optimum approach angle).
When up, the small flag moves to 8,5deg (maximum endurance) and ~22deg (don't remember precisely) which is the stall AoA with full flaps down.
The functions are tied to the gear percentage animation, but I'll change the conditions to be more precise.
The above operation is an assumption from reference material I've read. As I delve into the real manual, I'll solve those questions -but let's get the ADI sphere right first!

The gunsight is collimated, btw, but the blocking cone doesn't work yet.

I love the subtle bloom of the gunsight, but I'm not sure whether I should keep it. It would make combat difficult in the real thing.
Image

Another thing: the instruments common to the rear cockpit have their "boxes" built so that when looking back you'll be able to see the "intestines" and other details of the instrumentation.

Note to self:

Code: Select all

AoA indicator showing +3 degrees when nosegear down (airflow disturbance)
if AoA .ge. 0 =>(AoAx3)+(GP,kf / 33.333)

Alexis
Posts: 444
Joined: 02 Jul 2009, 02:03

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Alexis »

Note to self:

Code: Select all

-Correct pitch and bank by 0,1deg at frame 0
-Map the damned compass needle at last!
After modeling the backup compass and correcting some texture issues, I now have a navigation capable plane (by 1916 standards).
I also corrected the night lighting of the instruments, as they're supposed to be red and laid out a basic rear cockpit to test instrument sets.
Of course, I took it for some launches and traps (replaced F/A-18VC with mine).
BTW, for the devs, the latest file has been uploaded. Password is known.
Image
Image

Airbus Fan
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Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Airbus Fan »

Nice! There are still a lot of work in VC.

Alexis
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Joined: 02 Jul 2009, 02:03

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Alexis »

Added the ASI/Mach indicator.
Image
Moving on to the RADAR.

Alexis
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Joined: 02 Jul 2009, 02:03

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Alexis »

And the RADAR is working now!

Alexis
Posts: 444
Joined: 02 Jul 2009, 02:03

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Alexis »

Shot of RADAR and Attitude-Heading indicator. I'll model the off flags on them and they're ready to go.
Image

Airbus Fan
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Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Airbus Fan »

Nice! ;)

Alexis
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Joined: 02 Jul 2009, 02:03

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Alexis »

Forward panel almost done:
Image

Airbus Fan
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Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Airbus Fan »

:o Good job Alexis!

Alexis
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Joined: 02 Jul 2009, 02:03

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Alexis »

Here's the front panel ingame. It's missing a few switches and off flags ATM. I also rescaled it so it is closer to the proper size and adjusted its position. (The clock needles have been fixed).
Image
And here it is in 3ds max with the Martin Baker Mk.7 seat and stick. These great models were made by Jamal who's working on the exterior model.
I will be making the Mk.5 seat which was common in the F-4B and C versions. They were later retrofitted with the Mk. 7, but it doesn't harm anyone if both are there.
Image

GaryG
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Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by GaryG »

Nicely done mate

Daniel_csr
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Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Daniel_csr »

This is soooo BADASS!!! :D

Alexis
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Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Alexis »

Here's a small update of the right side. Switchery will be added later tonight.
Image

Airbus Fan
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Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by Airbus Fan »

:o Nice!

TheRedBaron
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Joined: 31 Aug 2012, 20:11

Re: F-4B/C FSX

Post by TheRedBaron »

:o I've missed quite a lot! SO AWESOME!

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