Mikey's Models: The P3Dv4/5 Frontier

[mikeblaze]

I'm starting this thread separately from my 100-page+ "Mikey's Repaints" thread to try to reduce the cross-chatter between modeling and repainting.

All models previewed, released, or discussed on this thread are for P3Dv4/5 only. There may be a very, very rare occasional exception for FS9, but that is my prerogative as the modeler. So, other than a minute handful of unfinished models I may release in the future which started out for FS9, I will happily ignore requests for new FS9/FSX/early P3D models. Anybody who owns P3Dv4 or v5 will need to be updated to v4.5 and v5.2, which are free updates for licensed users. If you have a bootleg copy of P3D or have not updated yet to the current version, not my problem. Not judging here, just saying....

So, now that I've got the a-hole bit out of the way, I will explain what my goals are for this process. There are a bunch of nice converted models out there that work in the 64-bit environment. My hat is off to all of the people who have freely given their time for these wonderful additions to the freeware side of the hobby. That being said, not everything made FSX/P3D-native works the same (or well) in P3Dv4/5. And, not everything in P3Dv4 works the same (or well) in P3Dv5. There is a one-size-fits-all thought with some of the conversions, and I won't call anybody out by name or group, because, I really appreciate what has been done to date. However, some things bug the anal-retentive side of me about modeling, and my goal in conversions is to address those things, and try to use the roadmap others have sweated over to make a better product to share with the hobby. So, if I convert models which are already out there in some form, I don't lose sleep over it, and my models are tailored to work specifically with the 64-bit world.

Enough soap-boxing, I don't want you to have to scroll down to read this, lol. On with the pageant.. :{)

[mikeblaze]

So, first out of the gate, the mulligan batch of Antonovs and Xians and a random Yak....

Antonov An-24B/24RV: 2 models, 52 paints
Antonov An-26/26 Blister/26Sh: 3 models, 30 paints
Antonov An-30/30A/30D: 3 models, 15 paints
Antonov An-32/32P: 2 models, 11 paints
Xian MA-60: 1 model, 13 paints
Xian Y-7/-100/-100C/-200A: four models, 42 paints
Yakovlev Yak-40: 1 model, 85 paints (not a misprint, lol)

All packages have separate P3Dv4/5 models and effects, which will be a standing order for this process.

All files uploaded just now to AVSIM.

:{)

[mikeblaze]

So, here is what I am doing for flight test today while I copy all of my P3Dv5 stuff back into a new SSD. This is a whole pack of TCAI Il-62s (all types), and a couple of odd props which will be coming soon as well (SBAI DC-3 and CIS An-3). The airport is WMKP Penang, a nice sea-level airport without a ton of navaids in the area to confuse the AI traffic engine, the aircraft fly nice, tidy 15-minute laps.

This is where I break from conventional thinking and try a few out-of-the box things. Like lightmaps. The lightmaps are on in both day/night mode, but I did color lightmaps which are dim enough to where you don't see them in the daytime, but they have a nice presentation at night. This alleviates the hassle of picking which lua script you want, like a lot of the hobby is currently doing. Also, I tweaked the light for the landing and taxi lights so it's a nice dynamic splash, not the glaring white of still trying to use FS9 effects or the equivalent (Shockwave) in the 64-bit environment. The nav lights have a nice center with some reflectivity on surfaces (wings, ground) without looking like a science-fiction orb of death.

Once I get P5 back online, it will be a matter of swapping effects in the models, and compiling the P5 models. I may be able to get the Il-62s done by the weekend. I have a total of 232 paints for these, and I may add a few more. This will be a large package, but still under 100MB. I will package it a little differently than the other smaller ones I have done, with a single set of textures for all the repaints which can be copied into either the P3Dv4 or P3Dv5 folders, whatever twirls your beanie.

More to follow.

:{)

[mikeblaze]

I just uploaded two brand-new conversion packages to AVSIM, not part of my original batch which are still being re-tooled:

CIS Antonov An-3: one model, 36 repaints (1 default + 35 new paints). This is the turboprop version of the An-2 (like the DHC-3 to the DHC-2), one of the great flying bread trucks of the aviation universe (along with the Shorts Skyvan and the Casa 212), a simple, rugged, and reliable STOL aircraft which is still here and there in the real world, but was first incepted in 1981.

CPAI Sud-Aviation SE.210 Caravelle: All six versions of the Caravelle, with a 55-paint collection from CP and yours truly.

At some point, I will do an effects service pack, as some of the effects (beacons, landing/taxi lights) are markedly different (better) than the ones I had with the An-24 series. If you install the An-24 family after these, the older (crappier) effects will be back in play, but I am not re-doing any major model package again if I can help it, lol.

There are big differences between the v4/v5 models, specifically the effects, lightmaps, and metal maps. DO NOT try v4 models in v5 and vice versa, they don't look the same.

More to follow, I'm sure.....

:{)

[mikeblaze]

Okay, I am taking the next step in technology, bear with me while I get a rhythm for this....

I added a Google OneDrive link to my signature, and you will begin to find all sorts of goodies in there. This will allow a few things. First, with all of the endless corrections this human has to do on this AI crap (lol), it will allow me to update my own files in real-time without sorting it out with a public website. Second, and much more important, this is my own personal drive I happen to have available for people, so there might be some things in there that I would never be able to upload to the real world because of lack of permissions. These files are ONLY because I can't track down original authors or groups, not because I'm doing whatever I want. I still try to play fair, but I am adaptable, and the 'no harm no foul' rule applies here. I'm not going to advertise them too much when I upload, but there will be the occasional hint on this thread to check my drive, and there will be some new and hopefully wonderful things for the retro AI hobby. If I get any flak from the outside, I will probably have to remove the files, but let's try it and see.... Lastly, I will be able to preview nice big screenshots without jamming up cgold's storage space.

Last thing, please, no requests for files that I can't publicly release, you will just have to be satisfied with what I turn out on the low-down.

:{)

[mikeblaze]

Attachment Deleted

I just uploaded the final installment of my Lockheed Constellation project to AVSIM, and it will be on my G-drive in a little bit. It is Part 4, and includes the L1049 Super Connie and the L1649 Starliner, with 9 models and 38 paints. In a moment of mercy, this is an FS9-native model release, and will be one of my last ones if not the last one. The Connies are on the schedule for P3Dv4/5 conversion this fall, but I didn't want to screw any die-hard FS9'ers out there by not releasing the final part in the original format, lol. Of note, Parts 1-3 were released in September 2017, my apologies for the hiatus.

Also, all of my models are available on my G-drive now (as soon as they upload), as well as about 800 files worth of painting (and the number is climbing). I am still picking out what to put on there, as a lot of stuff is obsolete now. I have painted or modeled in excess of 5,200 projects since 1998, and about 2,600 of them are for AI. About 1,200 of my files were lost in the 2010 AVSIM hack, but I only replaced about 500 of them since the rest were for FS98-FS2002.

:{)

[mikeblaze]

Okay, being the slow kid on the block, I have gotten feedback that nobody can get into my shared drive. I think I fixed it, please somebody check it out and get back with me ASAP. When somebody tells me what is in the 'special' folder, I will know.

Also, when you get in there, I have a 'Utilities' folder with my most current version of effects, including the Nick Neeham effects I have used, and the ones I have made from stock effects. This is the most up-to-date version, so that will take care of me modifying the An-24 effects after I released the aircraft. I will update this folder as needed in the future, as I am probably not done with custom effects.

Thanks.

:{)

[noob21]

Aug 26, 2021 14:25:54 GMT -5 mikeblaze said:

Okay, being the slow kid on the block, I have gotten feedback that nobody can get into my shared drive. I think I fixed it, please somebody check it out and get back with me ASAP. When somebody tells me what is in the 'special' folder, I will know.

Also, when you get in there, I have a 'Utilities' folder with my most current version of effects, including the Nick Neeham effects I have used, and the ones I have made from stock effects. This is the most up-to-date version, so that will take care of me modifying the An-24 effects after I released the aircraft. I will update this folder as needed in the future, as I am probably not done with custom effects.

Thanks.

:{)

Heh, I was hoping that limited access wasn’t intentional. Looks open to me now though. I’ll have to sift through all these files in a little while, but it looks like an absolute goldmine. Thanks for all your work Mikey, you’re an invaluable person in the FS community, and I hope you continue to be that way for years to come.

[mikeblaze]

Kind words Noob, and very much appreciated. A lot of these paints are 'as is', and some need updating very badly, but it's a start, where I can update files locally, without the hassle of having to re-upload or have originals removed. I will still upload material to AVSIM, as it is a great advert to get more hobbyists engaged in our small-but-mighty corner of the hobby.

:{)

[mikeblaze]

A word on the 'special' folder on the drive. This is material predominantly where permission is no longer able to be obtained, so I don't just want to post them to a public website. If there's a chance of permission or if permission has been outright denied, you won't see it here. That way, it falls into the grey area of my moral compass, without completely compromising my stance of respect for other's work. You will see a lot of obsolete models to support repaints already out there, and some of my own interpretations of already-released conversions by other individuals/groups. I won't specify which models I will be putting in there, and again I stress that there should be no requests or comments posted (other than PMs or emails to me) about the content of that folder. I am absolutely sure of my footing here, I just need to tread lightly, so I can share some of the cool things I am doing for the 64-bit sims.

:{)

[noob21]

Aug 26, 2021 18:43:05 GMT -5 mikeblaze said:

A word on the 'special' folder on the drive. This is material predominantly where permission is no longer able to be obtained, so I don't just want to post them to a public website. If there's a chance of permission or if permission has been outright denied, you won't see it here. That way, it falls into the grey area of my moral compass, without completely compromising my stance of respect for other's work. You will see a lot of obsolete models to support repaints already out there, and some of my own interpretations of already-released conversions by other individuals/groups. I won't specify which models I will be putting in there, and again I stress that there should be no requests or comments posted (other than PMs or emails to me) about the content of that folder. I am absolutely sure of my footing here, I just need to tread lightly, so I can share some of the cool things I am doing for the 64-bit sims.

:{)

I'm guessing that's what the "BlackOps" folder is?

[mikeblaze]

That's right, and it's going to get a little fatter by the weekend.... :{)

[mikeblaze]

So, a status update. I have permission and Gmax source files from Juan Gonzalez from NAAI, for the 707-320. I plan on modding this into the entire civilian 707 family this fall. Also, I have permission and source files from David Rawlins from AIA for the DC-8, and plan on doing the same thing with those models. The truly hard part, the landing gear, is done, the rest will be just a process of doing the different fuselage lengths and different tails and engines and such; a little bit of modeling and some texture-mapping for different parts. I know that both aircraft had different wings amongst the variants, and I will do my best to come dimensionally close, but no guarantees. I hope to have something working in the next few months.

In the meantime, I am converting all of Dee Waldron's 707s and DC-8s to P3Dv4/5 as a stop-gap. I had email contact with Dee yesterday, and he gave complete consent for me to do pretty much whatever I needed for his models. Dee's models were originally Bill Alderson FS98 source, so they are very old, but I will get them up and working in the 64-bit environment, and it will be better than nothing. Dee's near-LOD fuselage parts are actually quite good, and I might incorporate them in the other projects, they will just get re-mapped to new textures.

I currently have all of the small 707s (120, 138, 720) in flight test, and hope to get them in my G-drive by Sunday. These are going to be very basic WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get), with minimal extra work since I want to start focusing on the Gmax stuff and make some nice modern-technique models. The DWAI models I am converting will be PBR with hard-coded lights/effects, some have animated nose gear steering and some don't, it is what it is. I also have the Dash-7 in flight test.

Some more stuff will be popping up in the special folder as well, some ancient-but-useable models that still have a lot of paints out there for them.

I have a couple of painting things to finish up, including a huge project I am about a third of the way through, and then painting will get scarce into the fall while I sort modeling things out.

:{)

[noob21]

Sounds absolutely excellent, David Rawlins and Juan Gonzalez have amazing source models for the DC-8 and 707 and I cannot wait to see you work your magic and turn the small selection of variants they offer into all the variants available. The DC-8 and 707 have been needing a refresh for a while. Hopefully somewhere on the horizon we can get someone to do a brand new Tristar as well, that would be just perfect.

[mikeblaze]

I just re-organized the models folder by manufacturer, and there are some empty folders ready to receive some models very soon....

:{)