Outerra forum
User mods, screenshots & videos => Aircraft => Topic started by: alialiali on June 09, 2014, 09:26:55 pm
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Changing Software
Hello all!
I know it's been very quiet on the development and update front but I can assure you the project has not been abandoned!
The main thing at the present time that's slowing down progress is the switch from Blender 3D to Autodesk 3DS Max/Maya.
As I've started back at university, the software focus is on Maya for commercial production rather than Blender, which isn't really a serious contender in the serious film and animated movie industry. Because of this, I feel that I should try and phase out my use of Blender in order to allow my brain to adjust to the new controls and interface.
There has been a little progress on the cockpit front:
(http://i.imgur.com/7VGGt6G.jpg)
I hope to get back to you all with some more updates soon.
Ali
--OP--
Hello everyone!
I've been with this engine a long time now and have been waiting since day 1 for a nice passenger jet to explore the world. Well rather than wait, I thought I'd just go for it.
I'm a student currently studying 3D Computer Visualization and Animation so I hope I can bring my skills in the 3D industry to Outerra and bring you guys some good content.
What I do need though is a little help with the coding side of things. I'm not the best when it comes to that part!
(http://i.imgur.com/DITLFC4.jpg)
Lets bring jets to Outerra shall we?
Ali
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Hehe, You know there's a runway tab? :P
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I`m glad that you`re doing this. Keep it up.
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Hehe, You know there's a runway tab? :P
Yes, I do but I prefer my runways to slightly conform to the terrain, like real ones do. I used the runway tab then edited the heights slightly to make it a little more realistic.
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I need some help.
The aircraft is currently using the c172.js and the c172r model.
I'm having this issue:
(http://i.imgur.com/vrFZBli.jpg)
My blender setup:
(http://i.imgur.com/RheIRgd.png)
Any clues as to why it's floating?
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If the wheels are defined, it falls to their position, otherwise, it could be a bad pivot-point placement (sometimes blender doesn't use those you see, but the original, that was pushed around - you can try resetting them for all the parts) ...
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Jest a modelling tip: Select your whole model and apply an edge split modifier. It sould fix they way the engines look.
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I'm very bad explaining things, but I will try it anyways :D
First of all, set your Main pivot point where you think the CG (Center of Gravity) of your airplane is. Then open "c172r.xml" and edit the following code:
<location name="CG" unit="IN"> <--- You also can use [unit="M"] to use meters instead of IN(inches)
<x> 39 </x>
<y> 0 </y>
<z> 36.5 </z>
</location>
Set X,Y,Z to "0", so the CG will be where your Main pivot is. (If I remember well, I had a problem here with X axis, so I set it to 1.0 [<x> 1.0 </x>]).
I also used to set all X, Y, X of <location name="VRP" unit="IN"> and <location name="EYEPOINT" unit="IN"> to 0.0
Then you scroll down and under <ground_reactions> and you have:
<contact type="BOGEY" name="NOSE">
<location unit="IN">
<x> -6.8 </x>
<y> 0 </y>
<z> -18 </z>
</location>
<static_friction> 0.8 </static_friction>
<dynamic_friction> 0.5 </dynamic_friction>
<rolling_friction> 0.02 </rolling_friction>
<spring_coeff unit="LBS/FT"> 3800 </spring_coeff>
<damping_coeff unit="LBS/FT/SEC"> 400 </damping_coeff>
<max_steer unit="DEG"> 10 </max_steer>
<brake_group> NONE </brake_group>
<retractable>0</retractable> <------ Set this to 1 if your landing gear is Retractable.
</contact>
This is the NOSE wheel (you can add many wheels you want, by duplicating the <contact> section renaming each under name="NOSE" and obviously write the correct coordinates).
You have to write the coordinates of each wheel under X, Y, Z. Note: The coordinates are exactly the same as in 3ds Max, except In Max, Y Negative == X Positive in FDM I think in Blender in the same, if not, use trial and error, that always works ;)
Note: All coordinates are relative to the Main Pivot point.
I hope you understand my poor explanation :D
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Jest a modelling tip: Select your whole model and apply an edge split modifier. It sould fix they way the engines look.
The model is more of a placeholder than anything at the moment. Don't worry, I've got plenty years experience in modeling that should give a good final design.
Alright, I fixed the floating issue (Thanks Levi), but it seems to have caused another which is that as soon as it starts moving, it skids off to the left uncontrollably. The nose wheel steering seems to have no effect. Any ideas?
I'm using a script generated by the Aeromatic for JBSim and I think it's putting my CG miles off and therefore when I make it 0, the dynamics of the aircraft completely mess up.
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I've literally got no idea whats going on with the contact points and getting this thing working. Here's the Blend file and the OTX, some help would be greatly appreciated.
OTX: https://www.dropbox.com/s/03li0dg2wpxyldg/jet.Ali.otx (https://www.dropbox.com/s/03li0dg2wpxyldg/jet.Ali.otx)
Blend: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ganizqosk0d9hh1/jet2.blend (https://www.dropbox.com/s/ganizqosk0d9hh1/jet2.blend)
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Jest a modelling tip: Select your whole model and apply an edge split modifier. It sould fix they way the engines look.
Don't worry, I've got plenty years experience in modeling that should give a good final design.
Good to hear! On the other hand I have just started learning.
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I've literally got no idea whats going on with the contact points and getting this thing working. Here's the Blend file and the OTX, some help would be greatly appreciated.
OTX: https://www.dropbox.com/s/03li0dg2wpxyldg/jet.Ali.otx (https://www.dropbox.com/s/03li0dg2wpxyldg/jet.Ali.otx)
Blend: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ganizqosk0d9hh1/jet2.blend (https://www.dropbox.com/s/ganizqosk0d9hh1/jet2.blend)
Under <ground_reactions> you have two types of Contact points:
type="BOGEY": These are used to define the contact surface/point of each wheel, the lower part of the wheel. See green helpers:
(http://i.minus.com/iKPfBsgVRCLrY.png)
type="STRUCTURE": These are used to define the collision points of the fuselage (at the moment they collide only with the terrain). See green helpers:
(http://i.minus.com/iboUlop3fmO6Rs.png)
And about the Center of Gravity, I suggest you to find the most realistic place for it, I think it should be somewhere under the wings, but not at the same height as the wheels. Of course you can change it from FDM, but first it's better to have the pivot point where the CG should be. The CG will be affected by the Fuel tanks as well. These are located under <propulsion> and you can add as many as you need. But you have to distribute the total weight somehow because you have Empty Weight, Payload, and each Fuel Tank that will add to the overall weight of your plane.
Your Pivot point:
(http://i.minus.com/ie0zqZW0LFMX2.png)
How it should be (It could be moved a bit backward and/or upward, but I think you have to do a research and figure out where it is on the real thing, and of course the CG will vary with the fuel tanks, if they are not filled proportionally, the CG will be moved even on the sides...):
(http://i.minus.com/iGM3V0y4ArjPr.png)
So... I took a quick look at your airplane, and tweaked some basic things in the FDM so now you can move the aircraft and steer. It can take off, but a bit hard because of the weight's distribution and quantity I think. You have to tweak some values like where are the fuel tanks and how much fuel on each tank, also the position of each turbine, add more collision points, correct the position of the wheels in type="BOGEY", and so on. I think the wheels are sinking a bit, so you have to script the wheels to act in concordance with the suspension, it's not so hard, you also can take a look at the Basler bt67's Script & FDM. Inside the script I added some basic comments so you can understand a bit easier what each part does.
.OTX (http://www.mediafire.com/download/5442mjpbcflf8s6/jet.Ali+-+Modified.otx)
.blend (http://www.mediafire.com/download/z94uxe1cpl1149n/jet2+-+Modified.blend)
If you still having questions, feel free to ask :)
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Thank you very very much for foxing those issues Levi!
I'll take a look at fixing the balance, from what I can tell it just seems to not want to raise the nose on take off, but it is fine once in flight.
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Thank you very very much for foxing those issues Levi!
I'll take a look at fixing the balance, from what I can tell it just seems to not want to raise the nose on take off, but it is fine once in flight.
You're welcome, and glad it helped!
Yes, you'll have to play with the CG and distribute the weight until you find the right balance, it's a matter of trial and error I guess.
For any issue you'll have, don't hesitate to ask :)
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Quick Development Update:
I am currently working on the aircraft balance and getting the nose to lift off the runway. Once the aircraft is in flight, it seems to function as it would and it feels realistic. If anyone has any suggestions as to how the CoG/CoL/ARP relate/would be best placed, it would be appreciated.
Got that sorted. Next comes refining the flight dynamics and then my favorite bit, modeling/animation.
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I`d love to see WIP shots of the modeling bit.
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I'll be sure to keep you guys updated as the days go by. I'm also considering pre-alpha/alpha/beta and final releases to make sure that on the final release that there are as few bugs as possible.
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alialiali, I'd gladly be a part of that and help test!
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alialiali, I'd gladly be a part of that and help test!
I'll keep that in mind, hopefully it shouldn't b too far off!
I have started on the new aircraft model, this one is a lot more organized and symmetrical than the previous one and also is a lot more accurate to the 727-200 rather than the 727-100.
(http://i.imgur.com/slkQezd.jpg)
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Development update 20/06/2014:
The modeling is going very well. The next stage is texturing the exterior then I will begin working on the interior.
Once the texturing of the exterior is done, I will release the package as a Pre-Alpha. Once I get some good feedback and any issues are fixed, the animation and modeling of the interior will start.
(http://i.imgur.com/2X7drQy.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/nVFLdkc.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ZqTeyCC.jpg)
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Looks to me like such a daunting task to fill in the interior with all instruments. I sure admire people who have the patience to take that on. Looking forward to follow the process.
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Looks to me like such a daunting task to fill in the interior with all instruments. I sure admire people who have the patience to take that on. Looking forward to follow the process.
... nothing bad ... just the battery/dynamo pack panel with some volt- and amper-meters, Hydraulic system switches, engine start/stop panel with the pre-rotation electro-motor, radio-transmitters (the few of them there are) and height-"radar", fuel pumps/managment system and hydraulics, navigation equipment, all the test buttons/switches/lights, Digital information panel stuff and navigation equipment, weather coping system (like de-icing heaters and stuff) and all the doubles for the flight mechanic ... ya know. Those few little thingies. :D
(http://www.funny-potato.com/images/planes/cockpits/boeing-cockpit.jpg)
Like a regular car wouldnt have those too ... ::)
(http://www.funny-page.net/pictures/softcore/funny-page-001271-palubka.jpg)
... P.S.: Are you going for the LCD-version, or the classics ? ... LCD-cockpits are much more simpler in modeling terms, doe systems simulation would be a pain to do. (had my week at KA-50s computer panel to work out what stuff there is - cant imagine the scripting behind that).
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Good grief!
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Good grief!
Quite...
Well as much as I hate to say it, I plan on doing the analogue cockpit first, then a digital version. I just prefer the look and feel of the dials to a computer screen! I know it's extra work, but I feel its worth it. I may skimp on the engineers panel initially and return to it after a later release.
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Thanks for doing this. I love dials as well!
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Development update 23/06/2014:
With today comes the end of all the majority of modeling on the exterior. The only remaining things to do are the tiny details and the landing gear.
This evening, I have begun the process that any 3D designer will tell you is probably the worst and most annoying. UV Mapping.
UV Mapping for those that don't know, is basically taking something 3D and making it flat in order to stick an image over it.
(http://i.imgur.com/75jNnLL.jpg)
Here, you can see the main body of the aircraft has been flattened down and an image placed on-top.
Sounds simple enough but with a complex model, picking apart the little details and flattening them out can take hours. Thankfully, with a few carefully placed seams, the aircraft pulled apart nicely for the most part.
Here's how it looks in-engine:
(http://i.imgur.com/8cw7ElP.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/BZnMycH.jpg)
I'll be spending the next development period on finalizing the base textures, then I may release a pre-pre-alpha, just to give a taste of how it handles.
Thanks for reading, hope to give you more updates soon!
Ali
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Also, a quick preview of the modeling being done on the cockpit:
(http://i.imgur.com/zyqmBbi.jpg)
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I love those updates. Very interesting stuff to follow .
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Flying low over the mountains:
(http://i.imgur.com/1fCb8i6.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/RMY8wPX.jpg)
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Nice work guy ! ;)
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Development update 30/06/2014:
It's been a while since the last update but that doesn't mean I haven't been busy! Since the last update I have been working on:
- Animating the control surfaces
- Working on the interior
- Modeling new undercarriage
- Animating interior instruments
Modeling the Cockpit Instruments:
(http://i.imgur.com/4byeft7.png)
Flaps down in-engine:
(http://i.imgur.com/do3R02Z.jpg)
I hope to have you a little pre-alpha release some time this week so keep your eyes peeled for a small update.
Thanks,
Ali
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Great work!
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Very nice work! Feisty as the Flight-simming community can be, its certainly showing some of the biggest visible interest in Outerra!
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Hello all,
Just to keep you all posted, the project is still in development but it's been slow lately because of personal commitments and such but do not worry, it is still on the go!
Currently, I am working on the landing gear animations and getting the textures sorted.
No screenshots for now, but check back soon for more updates!
Thanks,
Ali
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Development update 21/07/2014: Late Nights
Evening all!
I know there has been a lack of development lately, but this is because I'm in the process of moving to a whole different part of the country so I've been busy sorting that out.
The past few days, I've been attempting to tackle the landing gear animations. For those that don't know how it works, Outerra uses code like this for animations:
this.geom.rotate_joint_orig(landing_gear_nose_id, ((jsb['gear/gear-pos-norm']) * 4 / 1.7, {x:1,y:0,z:0});
And this was all fine and dandy, except one thing. The landing gear was starting inside the plane, and lowering when it should be raising.
My initial thoughts where that the input from 'gear/gear-pos-norm' must be the wrong way round so I looked for ways to change that from the JSBSim aircraft file but found nothing. After that I thought, cant I just mathematically reverse the animation? My brain just thought, make it negative? So I tried multiplying my -1 but of course that simply reversed the direction that the wheel lowered from. By this point it was getting near 3am, almost 2 hours since I'd found the issue. So I called it a night.
I woke the next day, sat in-front of the computer and within 10 minutes I had a solution, multiply by -1 and then add 1 to keep it positive.
So:
this.geom.rotate_joint_orig(landing_gear_nose_id, ((jsb['gear/gear-pos-norm']) * 4 / 1.7, {x:1,y:0,z:0});
Becomes:
this.geom.rotate_joint_orig(landing_gear_nose_id, ((jsb['gear/gear-pos-norm']) * -1 + 1) * 4 / 1.7, {x:1,y:0,z:0});
I know there's probably another few ways of fixing this issue, but that's how I solved it.
Anyway, enough of that, here's some pretty pictures:
(http://i.imgur.com/KYc9X1f.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/NtgL8Nb.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/PMLIbCm.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/QAgP04e.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/yjBaVHU.jpg)
As you can see, it's starting to look a lot better than that original screenshot!
Something I have been thinking over recently though, is that I am no texture artist. I can unwrap and slap something made in photoshop over the model but when it comes down to it, I don't have much of an idea when it comes to making it look real.
If anyone out there would be willing to help me, it would be hugely appreciated.
Thanks,
Ali
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To inverse the rotation, you can simply write -1 instead of 1 here: {x:-1,y:0,z:0}
It's that simple :)
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To inverse the rotation, you can simply write -1 instead of 1 here: {x:-1,y:0,z:0}
It's that simple :)
I tried that, it rotated backwards rather than in reverse.
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(http://i.imgur.com/YJlPzzE.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/jnVwM4q.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/VhFIiIr.jpg)
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Looks really good. The shine is just right.
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To inverse the rotation, you can simply write -1 instead of 1 here: {x:-1,y:0,z:0}
It's that simple :)
I tried that, it rotated backwards rather than in reverse.
Ah, I think I understand you now. You want to reverse the animation, going from B to A instead from A to B, not the direction of rotation.
For that, I use to do the next:
geom.rotate_joint_orig(n_gear_door_r0, 1-(jsb['gear/gear-pos-norm']*1) , {x:0,y:-1,z:0});
Anyways, it's almost the same you did :D
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(http://i.imgur.com/YJlPzzE.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/jnVwM4q.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/VhFIiIr.jpg)
What settings did you use for that amazing fog?
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What settings did you use for that amazing fog?
Level: 803m
Attenuation half-depth: 70.1m
Scattering: 2.8%
All Colours at 1
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Development update 27/07/2014: Animations
Afternoon all!
A short update today, I've been doing work on the interiors and animations lately and here's a short video showing progress:
Video:
Boeing 727 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fep_97ESZQo)
(http://i.imgur.com/2oFslVF.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/82VqDxi.jpg)
The door opens as long as the speed is < 10, the throttles are at 0 and the flaps are up.
Thanks,
Ali
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The door as long as the speed is < 10, the throttles are at 0 and the flaps are up.
Good thinking!
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Nice! Alpha release soon? ;)
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Nice! Alpha release soon? ;)
I'm back at the computer on Monday night (gmt) so I'll get a little pre-alpha up for you.
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Nice work!!!
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good work.
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Youre getting along pretty nicely !
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Pre-Alpha Release: 0.01
Hello all,
After a few requests, I have decided it's time enough for a small pre-alpha release.
Download (https://github.com/AlasdairH/Boeing727)
To download, simply click download zip on the right side of the screen.
I know this isn't the easiest way to host the file, but it allows me to keep all the updates in one place and also easily allows me to push out new releases.
Current Known Issues:
- Landing Gear Start inside the aircraft and deploy on spawn
- Landing Gear lever animations are not working
- Landing Gear sounds start/end at the wrong time
- Engine sound mess up when engine is turned off/on
- Missing wheel cover on back left side wheel
- Missing faces in the rear of the cockpit
Thanks,
Ali
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So, how is this project going? :)
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Slow, I'm leaving for my new house in Bournemouth soon so the majority of my time is going into preparing to move and seeing friends before I go. Once I'm settled in, work on texturing for realism and cockpit modeling will continue. Modeling from scratch takes a long time, from what I can see, most other projects here are using pre-made models so the time to a full release is a lot quicker.
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Slow, I'm leaving for my new house in Bournemouth soon so the majority of my time is going into preparing to move and seeing friends before I go. Once I'm settled in, work on texturing for realism and cockpit modeling will continue. Modeling from scratch takes a long time, from what I can see, most other projects here are using pre-made models so the time to a full release is a lot quicker.
Take your time. :)
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(http://i.imgur.com/VlJ5SRI.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/CwCz78y.jpg)
More to come tomorrow :)
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Changing Software
Hello all!
I know it's been very quiet on the development and update front but I can assure you the project has not been abandoned!
The main thing at the present time that's slowing down progress is the switch from Blender 3D to Autodesk 3DS Max/Maya.
As I've started back at university, the software focus is on Maya for commercial production rather than Blender, which isn't really a serious contender in the serious film and animated movie industry. Because of this, I feel that I should try and phase out my use of Blender in order to allow my brain to adjust to the new controls and interface.
There has been a little progress on the cockpit front:
(http://i.imgur.com/7VGGt6G.jpg)
I hope to get back to you all with some more updates soon.
Ali
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I had actually been idly wondering what had happened to this project. Nice to see an update.
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I had actually been idly wondering what had happened to this project. Nice to see an update.
Progress is slow, but existent :)
(http://i.imgur.com/IaXMu1i.jpg)
Textures currently in progress on various cockpit bits.
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Well, its might hit us out off guard then, when its finished too soon. Nice going ! :D
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Hey Outerra, it's been a while!
(http://i.imgur.com/Tq4rBS9.jpg)
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Nice work!!! Glad to see another mod coming to OT! Let me know if you need help configuring anything FDM or script wise.
Regards,
Uriah
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Let me know if you need help configuring anything FDM or script wise.
I could certainly use some help with the gauges, do you know how they work?
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Let me know if you need help configuring anything FDM or script wise.
I could certainly use some help with the gauges, do you know how they work?
Hey there,
Sorry I have been extremely busy. Well, every gauge will work differently depending on the domain of the values and unit system. Some of them use tables, some uses variables set to jsb properties multiplied by a constant, some use both methods. You can look at all the scripts of other aircraft for examples, including the MiG-29, C172, and all Levi's aircraft. If you need help developing the script for a specific gauge, such as which jsb properties to call for something like vertical velocity or engine gas temperture, just ask!
I am putting together a list of all known jsb property binds that can be called from the javascript.
Regards,
Uriah
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I understand how it all works, mostly, I'll probably just end up taking the values from other aircraft
The 727 is mostly analogue which helps I guess.
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If you need to display digital data, I developed a script, used on Levi's F-117A Nighthawk, which is able to display real-time data from any jsb property.
It works quite well but requires some extended setup in the FBX. Easy to convert to any purpose using a good text editor like Sublime text.
Regards,
Uriah
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If you need to display digital data, I developed a script, used on Levi's F-117A Nighthawk, which is able to display real-time data from any jsb property.
It works quite well but requires some extended setup in the FBX. Easy to convert to any purpose using a good text editor like Sublime text.
Regards,
Uriah
That would actually be a great help, can it be worked out from the files? What needs done in the fbx?
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Hey, sorry I've been insanely busy. I'll upload a simple example tomorrow.
Regards,
Uriah