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Post by jonathandevers on Jul 4, 2008 2:14:57 GMT -5
I find it easy to start a project, get 75% through, and then peter out. Any suggestions to finish this bird? The biggest thing I struggle with is the riveting and lines. All I know how to do, and not very well at that, is riveting/panel lines on a metal bird and the Staggerwing is not a metal bird. Anyway, my vision of SimTech's Beechcraft Staggerwing ported to FSX: Before:  After:   Interior Before:  My new luxury interior: wood paneling, Korastan carpeting, luxury leather seating, koa wood prop lever handle:    |
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Post by Roger on Jul 4, 2008 15:29:06 GMT -5
I like it Jon, very much! I'd like to bring the simTech Staggerwing into FsX so information would be useful.
Cheers,
Roger.
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Post by jonathandevers on Jul 4, 2008 15:43:59 GMT -5
What I've done so far to make it work in FSX:
1) turned all the texture alphas to white, to get rid of a really nasty shimmer. The entire plane (including interior) looked like chrome before that.
2) For whatever reason, the VC is not clickable in FSX though it is in FS9. So while not a perfect solution, I've made pop-up windows for the radio stack, GPS, and gauges that need knobs adjusted. I'm also replacing some of the gauges to give it a more vintage look. Unfortunately the radio stack is built into the model so I cannot get rid of that.
3) Based on photos of real staggerwings, modified the paint. The biggest problem being that the plane is made of fabric stretched over a frame and as such it has ribbing. I had a heck of a time getting that "ribbed" look, but then I looked at Chris B.'s paints of the Tiger Moth and copied what he had done and vwollah, ribbing. Thanks Chris! It was simple really, just shading with rectangle black to white gradients placed side by side.
4) The float version was sunk up to the windows in the water, so adjusted the contact points.
When I manage to get it all finished Roger I'll send you my repaint and the paintkit I created to do it. All the textures I used for the interior are to the best of my knowledge and ability, free.
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Post by Roger on Jul 4, 2008 17:45:06 GMT -5
The problem that causes me the most concern is the prop. I've darkened the alpha and also darkened the image. It still looks like a glass disk. I passed the mdl through the "Shine" utility and changed it to "Dead Flat" and still the prop looks the same.  |
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Post by jonathandevers on Jul 4, 2008 18:10:11 GMT -5
not sure, the prop causes me trouble too. i might substitute a different prop texture. also, i've tried passing the .mdl through the material editor but for whatever reason, it won't save the changes.
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Post by Roger on Jul 4, 2008 18:18:12 GMT -5
Tried a variety of prop textures but the results always show a disk. I think we may have to live with it. I browned out the panel textures as I thought they looked too red and I was wondering where the crew were...until I whitened the alphas and lo and behold...crew. They seemed too bright so I've darkened the skin textures a tad.
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Post by Roger on Jul 4, 2008 18:38:34 GMT -5
I Tried the float version and as you intimated...the contact points don't work in FsX so I'd appreciate your amendments.
Cheers,
Roger.
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Post by jonathandevers on Jul 4, 2008 20:51:45 GMT -5
updated contact points for the aircraft.cfg (float version of course. these are not perfect, in fact, they're intended for Milton Shupe's Beechcraft D18, but they'll get the plane floating on top of the water.
[contact_points]
max_number_of_points = 21
point.1=4, 11.25, -6.417, -6.90, 3000, 0, 0.00, 0.00, 0.85, 2.50, 0.65, 0.00, 0.00, 0, 0.00, 0.00
point.2=4, 11.25, 6.417, -6.90, 3000, 0, 0.00, 0.00, 0.85, 2.50, 0.65, 0.00, 0.00, 1, 0.00, 0.00
point.3=4, -2.50, -6.417, -6.40, 3000, 0, 0.00, 0.00, 0.95, 2.50, 0.65, 0.00, 0.00, 2, 0.00, 0.00
point.4=4, -2.50, 6.417, -6.40, 3000, 0, 0.00, 0.00, 0.95, 2.50, 0.65, 0.00, 0.00, 3, 0.00, 0.00
point.5= 2.000, -0.870, -15.900, -2.400, 1574.800, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 5.000, 0.000, 0.000
point.6= 2.000, -0.870, 15.900, -2.400, 1574.800, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 6.000, 0.000, 0.000
point.7= 2.000, -18.800, 0.000, 0.000, 1574.800, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 9.000, 0.000, 0.000
point.8= 2.000, 5.300, 0.000, -1.900, 1574.800, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 4.000, 0.000, 0.000
point.9= 5.000, -11.940, -4.400, -5.580, 2500.000, 0.000, 0.000, 28.000, 0.000, 0.000, 1.000, 1.000, 1.000, 1.000, 0.000, 0.000
point.10= 5.000, -11.940, 4.400, -5.580, 2500.000, 0.000, 0.000, 28.000, 0.000, 0.000, 1.000, 1.000, 1.000, 1.000, 0.000, 0.000
static_pitch = 0.000
static_cg_height = 5.520
gear_system_type = 4
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Post by Chris B on Jul 5, 2008 0:22:56 GMT -5
That is an interesting and tasteful job there, Jonathan. Thanks for the experience. I must admit, I'd never really looked at a staggerwing before, so I was surprised, when I started looking through Google. For a plane that old, it must have been a really amazing performer - "Faster than many military planes of the era..." One thing that got me going - and I can see it got Jonathan going too - is the Simtech model appears to be a metal skinned plane with rivets... It's definitely wood / metal frame and you have done a good job in "restoring" the plane so far! If it helps, I found a couple of images/links which may help you further: www.vintagewings.ca/rsrc/vwc/pdf/staggerwing.pdfmembers.aol.com/flybabie/FlyHome.htmwww.chappedliver.com/images/2007AirVenture/2007Oshkosh%20038.jpgThe riveted FS models look so unreal, don't they? |
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Post by jonathandevers on Jul 5, 2008 3:01:51 GMT -5
very kind words, thank you. I agree that the current FS staggerwing look very unreal. One of the first things I've learned though in my ventures into scenery design and painting is the power of well-made textures. This bird has more life yet in it! Can't say I can make a good paintjob, but I figured you can't beat free and there is no reason why this model shouldn't stick around in FSX, while hopefully somebody with a lot more skill than I can model it anew.
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Post by uscstaylor on Dec 10, 2008 14:03:58 GMT -5
Hey guys anyway you can send me those Staggerwings so I can finish them up and post for FSX. thanks a lot for your time....
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Post by jonathandevers on Dec 11, 2008 1:55:41 GMT -5
Hey guys anyway you can send me those Staggerwings so I can finish them up and post for FSX. thanks a lot for your time.... Note quite sure what you are asking here, the Staggerwings can be downloaded as freeware, just look for "simtech" or "staggerwing" at the major freeware sites. The textures displayed in the screenshots are my personal work, not released. |
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Post by uscstaylor on Dec 11, 2008 16:03:01 GMT -5
Never mind, I took the Alpha layer off the skins as well and I painted the landing gear and struts. I just need to get the cockpit glass back in them and I'll be able to post them for FSX download. Thanks anyway
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Post by jonathandevers on Dec 11, 2008 22:42:28 GMT -5
Never mind, I took the Alpha layer off the skins as well and I painted the landing gear and struts. I just need to get the cockpit glass back in them and I'll be able to post them for FSX download. Thanks anyway Just a reminder though, you can post your re-paints but you cannot repackage the planes themselves for download per the user agreements. |
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