Landing lights...and fog

[Johan_Dees 84]

The immersion factor of landing in fog (low visibility) at night has been completely transformed for me.My previous instructions will have to be re-written, because not only do you have to remove the “triangle” light effect in each model, you also have to remove the “cone” light effect as well.

Can you give the final instructions ? I like it very much this way!

[psolk 3,037]

+1... Can't wait for the instructions and to try this!!!-Paul

[Arnaud 0]

hey RJ !Sometime resurrecting an old thread has some good, I've personnal always thought that forums fulfill also that purpose. I did participate to that thread in its time, and the final conclusion was that the dreadful polygon was modelled within the models indeed. However something you might pay attetion to is this: within the model are also coded some XML stuff that brings flaps for take off, drooping elevators when AI 'sleeps' etc. Did you check that after your hex strings changes those were still working? Also coded in the model the specular (shine). Is that specular still present after your changes?That's an interesting find anyway, I will give it a try .

[3Green 80]

Hi Arnaud..You raise a very good point re xml code inside the model which is why people must first backup any model they’re going to edit.That said, I did many visual tests on all the models I edited and I can’t see anything that has stopped working, nor looks different.Most models have LOD built in so you can just affect one LOD level and not the others, which is why I tested at different zoom levels as well.Getting back to xml code in the model raises another interesting topic. Using a hex editor, you can search for a particular event in the model so that you can write an xml gauge to trigger that event. An example are doors/exits in a model. Once you’ve found the xml trigger in the model, you can now write an xml gauge to trigger that event. I’ve written hidden xml gauges to open/close doors in various models.As I stated before, I’m no expert with .mdl files and making the changes in the model to remove the triangle/cone effect is “breaking” something. But I think I’ve only broken the triangle/cone effect. Either way, now that all my AI have been converted, I’m not switching back anytime soon.Because there are so many models out there, each created differently, I’ll try and put together a little tutorial what I did. RJ

[PebbleBeach 120]

HOLY CRAP ---------- This could be one of the best fixes ever for FS9.

[Johan_Dees 84]

Agreed, and then realising that I missed this thread way back. Thanks for errecting it. Now, RJ, tell us again what is the best practise ?

[3Green 80]

Working on it Johan_Dees. RJ

[Johan_Dees 84]

Thanks sir!

[3Green 80]

1. Please do not PM me and ask to share the models I've modified. That is morally wrong and the answer is no.It's like sharing an aircraft texture that contains borrowed textures from another painter, then uploading , and claming it's your work. These models are not my work. 2. If you decide to try this, I take no responsibly in damage you cause. Backup any models you try this on. Before I decided to modify all my AI, I made a complete copy of my aircraft folder and called it "aircraft-Original". This way, I can very quickly switch back by simply renaming the folder.To remove the triangle and cone effect in AI or user aircraft, you must edited the model (.mdl) file with a hex editor program. This may take some time, but well worth it.There are just to many models out there to write one standard procedure so trial and error is required.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The key to removing the triangle effect in a model is to start searching for HEX string: 22003900.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------As a general rule for GMAX aircraft, when you use a Hex editor and search for HEX string 22003900 you'll see:1st Occurrence: 220039000A - changing the 39 to 00 removes the aircraft shadow. (which can be turned off in FS2004 by unchecking "Aircraft cast shadows")2nd Occurrence: 220039002E - changing the 39 to 38 removes the Virtual Cockpit (VC) from a model, but retains the triangle landing light effect (as seen from inside the cockpit). The triangle and cone effect are still present in spot view.2nd Occurrence: 220039002E - Changing the 39 to 00 removes both the VC and landing triangle light effect (as seen from inside the cockpit). The triangle and code effect is still present in spot view however.3rd Occurrence: 220039000E - ?4th Occurrence: 220039000C - Changing the 39 to 00 makes the aircraft invisible.5th Occurrence: 22003900xx In most cases, but not always, changing the 39 to 00 turns off the triangle effect as seen from the cockpit and spot view. Trial and error. Aircraft that have LOD built in (AI) you'll have to remove multiple Occurrences of the 5th Occurrence.Example:To remove the "Triangle" effect from the Tinmouse B737-200_TM2model.PGK model1. Open up the "model.PGK" file and search for HEX string "22003900"2. You'll see:1st - 220039000A2nd- 220039002E3rd - 220039000E4th - 220039000C5th - 2200390042 <-----To remove the triangle light effect replace all Occurrences of HEX sting:2200390042 changing the 39 to 00 to look like this:2200000042In this case, their is only one Occurrence of HEX string 2200390042. Save the change, start FS2004 at night with 1 mile visibility. Turn on landing lights and taxi lights and you'll notice the triangle effect is removed from the 2D view and spot view. Test the entire model to make sure everything still works. We'll remove the cone effect shortly. The problem with this change in user aircraft, you permanently lose the landing light effect which you may want. So I suggest you have two models one for normal visibility flights and the other for poor visibility flights. Another solution that I use (won't work for VC pilots), is a hidden gauge next to all my landing switches. I don't remove the triangle light effect from user aircraft models, but instead I click the hidden gauge when I know I'll be landing in low visibility at night. The gauge is a very simple xml "SEE_OWN_AC" toggle which turns off the triangle landing light in 2D mode are removes the VC side views. Remember the "SEE_SELF=1" line in the FS9.cfg? This gauge toggles that line setting. Here is the xml code for that little gauge:<Gauge Name="SEEOWNACTOGGLE" Version="1.0"><Image Name="Clickspot.bmp" ImageSizes="12,12,19,19"/> <Mouse> <Tooltip>Toggle VC</Tooltip> <Cursor Type="Hand"/> <Click> (>K:SEE_OWN_AC_TOGGLE) </Click> </Mouse></Gauge>---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The key to removing the cone effect in a model is to start searching for HEX string 39003400xxxxxxxxxxxx0B or 0C.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Example:To remove the "cone" effect from the Tinmouse B737-200_TM2model.PGK model1. Open up the "model.PGK" file and search for HEX string "39003400" and look for 0B and or 0C2. You'll see:3900340038003400390027390034003000350033004239003400330039003300363900340038003B003D003B390034003B003B0034003A390034009C004300A3009D3900340034002D00310039390034003B003900340039390034003B003900340039390034000A010800B2000C <--- Note the 0C which is the Nose wheel cone390034000A010800B2000C390034000A010800B2000C390034000A010800B2000C390034000A010400B2000B <--- Note the 0B which are the wing cones.390034000A010400B2000BOnce you've found the first line with 0C in it and 0B you'll need to do a find and replaced on both strings. To remove the nose cone light effect search for all occurrences of HEX string:390034000A010400B2000B and change the B to a 0 to look like this:390034000A010400B20000To remove the Wing cone light effect, find and replace all occurrences of HEX string:390034000A010800B2000C and change the C to a 0 to look like this:390034000A010800B20000Note: Sometimes the 0C string is associated with the nose cone or wing cone. Same holds true for the 0B string. After you've found and replaced all occurrences of both strings, start FS2004 at night with 1 mile visibility and you're cones will be gone. Again test your model to make sure everything still works.----------------------------------------------Removing the triangle and cone effect in Aardvark AIThe following aircraft I modified with the procedure below:Aardvark AI727-100, 727-200, 727-200 WINGLETS, 737-200, 737-300, 737-400, 737-500, 737-600,737-700, 737-700-W, 737-800, 737-800-W, 737-900747-200F-GE, 747-200F-PW, 747-200-PW, 747-300-GE-CF6-50, 747-300-GE-CF6-80,747-300-PW, 747-300-RR, 747-400D-GE, 747-400F, 747-400-GE, 747-400-PW, 747-400-RR757-200PW, 757-200RR, 757-300PW, 757-300RR767-200GE, 767-200PW, 767-300GE, 767-300PW, 767-300RR, 767-400GEDC-9-10, DC-9-30, DC-9-40, DC-9-50, EMB-120, EMB-170, EMB-175, MD-8X, MD-87, MD-90, 717-200Using a Hex editor search for HEX string 22003900 shows the following:1st Occurrence: 220039000A2nd Occurrence: 220039002E3rd Occurrence: 220039000E4th Occurrence: 220039000C5th Occurrence: 220039000E6th Occurrence: 220039000E etcTo remove only the triangle light effect, find and replace all Occurrences of HEX sting:220039000E0090 and change the 39 to 00 to look like this:220000000E0090To remove the Wing cone light effect, find and replace all Occurrences of HEX string:390034009A000400B2000B and change the B to a 0 to look like this:390034009A000400B20000To remove the nose cone light effect search for all Occurrences of HEX string:390034009A000800B2000C and change the C to a 0 to look like this:390034009A000800B20000Important NOTE: HEX String: 003400 is related to the cone effect in AI and user aircraft.----------------------------------------------Removing the triangle and cone effect in CDAI AIThe following aircraft I modified with the procedure below:CDAI B1900, CRJ200, CRJ700, KC10E, L1011PI could not figure out the L1011500F model.Using a Hex editor search for HEX string 22003900 shows the following:1st Occurrence: 220039000A2nd Occurrence: 22003900263rd Occurrence: 22003900264th Occurrence: 22003900245th Occurrence: 220039000C6th Occurrence: 220039000C etcTo remove only the triangle light effect, find and replace all Occurrences of HEX sting:220039000C005002 and change the 39 to 00 to look like this:220000000C005002No Cone effect to be removed with these models.----------------------------------------------Removing the triangle and cone effect in Evolve AIThe following aircraft I modified with the procedure below:Evolve A319 CFM, A319, IAE, A320-200 CFM, A320-200IAE, A321Using a Hex editor search for HEX string 22003900 shows the following:1st Occurrence: 220039000A2nd Occurrence: 220039002E3rd Occurrence: 220039000E4th Occurrence: 220039000C5th Occurrence: 220039000E6th Occurrence: 220039000E etcTo remove only the triangle light effect, find and replace all Occurrences of HEX sting:220039000E0090 and change the 39 to 00 to look like this:220000000E0090To remove the Wing cone light effect, find and replace all Occurrences of HEX string:390034009A000400B2000B and change the B to a 0 to look like this:390034009A000400B20000To remove the nose cone light effect search for all Occurrences of HEX string:390034009A000800B2000C and change the C to a 0 to look like this:390034009A000800B20000----Removing the triangle effect in Evolve AIThe following aircraft I modified with the procedure below:Evolve DC10-10, DC10-30B, DC10-30C, DC10-40, ERJ-140, ERJ-145, ERJ-145XRUsing a Hex editor search for HEX string 22003900 shows the following:1st Occurrence: 220039000A2nd Occurrence: 22003900263rd Occurrence: 22003900264th Occurrence: 22003900245th Occurrence: 220039000C6th Occurrence: 220039000C etcTo remove only the triangle light effect, find and replace all Occurrences of HEX sting:220039000C005002 and change the 39 to 00 to look like this:220000000C005002No Cone effect to be removed with these models.----------------------------------------------Removing the triangle and cone effect in DJC AIThe following aircraft I modified with the procedure below:DJC JS41Using a Hex editor search for HEX string 22003900 shows the following:1st Occurrence: 220039000A2nd Occurrence: 220039002E3rd Occurrence: 220039000E4th Occurrence: 220039000C5th Occurrence: 220039000E6th Occurrence: 22003900127th Occurrence: 22003900128th Occurrence: 2200390086 and various other numbers afterwardsTo remove only the triangle light effect, find and replace ONLY THE SECOND Occurrence of HEX sting:220039000E and change the 39 to 00 to look like this:220000000ETo remove the nose cone light effect search for all Occurrences of HEX string:390034009A000400B2000B and change the B to a 0 to look like this:390034009A000400B20000----Removing the triangle and cone effect in DJC AIThe following aircraft I modified with the procedure below:DJC Merlin III, Metroliner III,To remove only the triangle light effect, find and replace ONLY THE SECOND Occurrence of HEX sting:220039000E and change the 39 to 00 to look like this:220000000ETo remove the Wing cone light effect, find and replace all Occurrences of HEX string:390034009A000400B2000B and change the B to a 0 to look like this:390034009A000400B20000To remove the nose cone light effect search for all Occurrences of HEX string:390034009A000800B2000C and change the C to a 0 to look like this:390034009A000800B20000----------------------------------------------Removing the triangle and cone effect in FSP AIThe following aircraft I modified with the procedure below:FSP A300, A300-600r, A310, A319, A320, A332, A333, A342, A343, A345, A346,Using a Hex editor search for HEX string 22003900 shows the following:1st Occurrence: 220039000A2nd Occurrence: 220039002E3rd Occurrence: 220039000E4th Occurrence: 220039000C5th Occurrence: 22003900426th Occurrence: 2200390034 etcTo remove only the triangle light effect, find and replace all Occurrences of HEX sting:220039004200900008 and change the 39 to 00 to look like this:220000004200900008To remove the Wing cone light effect, find and replace all Occurrences of HEX string:390034009A000800B2000C and change the C to a 0 to look like this:390034009A000800B20000To remove the nose cone light effect search for all Occurrences of HEX string:390034009A000400B2000B and change the B to a 0 to look like this:390034009A000400B20000----Removing the triangle and cone effect in FSP AIThe following aircraft I modified with the procedure below:FSP MD81, MD87,To remove only the triangle light effect, find and replace all Occurrences of HEX sting:220039004200900008 and change the 39 to 00 to look like this:220000004200900008To remove the Wing and Body cone light effect, find and replace all Occurrences of HEX string:390034009A000400B2000B and change the B to a 0 to look like this:390034009A000400B20000To remove the nose cone light effect search for all Occurrences of HEX string:390034009A000800B2000C and change the C to a 0 to look like this:390034009A000800B20000----Removing the triangle and cone effect in FSP AIThe following aircraft I modified with the procedure below:FSP B772, B773, MD11To remove only the triangle light effect, find and replace all Occurrences of HEX sting:220039004200900008 and change the 39 to 00 to look like this:220000004200900008To remove the Wing and Body cone light effect, find and replace all Occurrences of HEX string:390034009A000800B2000C and change the C to a 0 to look like this:390034009A000800B20000To remove the nose cone light effect search for all Occurrences of HEX string:390034009A000400B2000B and change the B to a 0 to look like this:390034009A000400B20000----------------------------------------------Removing the triangle and cone effect in Dee Waldron (DW) AIThe following aircraft I modified with the procedure below:DW Cessna 310Q, 310R, Citation II, CV580, DC-8-61, DC-8-71, DHC-7, EMB110, F27-A, DW King Air A100,Metro23 SA227, Navajo PA31, PA28R Arrow, HS748Using a Hex editor search for HEX string 22003900 shows the following:1st Occurrence: 220039000A2nd Occurrence: 22003900263rd Occurrence: 22003900264th Occurrence: 22003900245th Occurrence: 220039000C6th Occurrence: 220039000C etcTo remove only the triangle light effect, find and replace all Occurrences of HEX sting:220039000C005002 and change the 39 to 00 to look like this:220000000C005002No Cone effect to be removed with these models.----------------------------------------------Removing the triangle and cone effect in HTAI AIThe following aircraft I modified with the procedure below:1124 Westwind I, Westwind II, B1900C, B1900D, HS-125-700, HS-125-800, Beech C99, Beechcraft King Air C90, Beechjet 400A, Britten-Norman BN-2, C208B, Cessna 402A, Cessna 402B, Cessna 402C, Cessna 404, Cessna 414A, Cessna 421C, DHC6, Gates Learjet 23, Gates Learjet 31, Gates Learjet 35, Gulfstream G-II, Gulfstream G-IIB, Gulfstream G-III, Gulfstream G-II-TT, Gulfstream G-IV, Gulfstream G-V, King Air B200, Lockheed C-130E, Lockheed C-130H, Lockheed C-130H-30, Lockheed C-130J, Lockheed C-130J-30, Lockheed C-141B, Lockheed L-100-30, Lockheed Martin F-16C, Lockheed Martin F-16C Drag Chute, ockheed Martin F-16D, Lockheed Martin F-16D Drag Chute, Lockheed Martin F-16D Drag Chute, Shorts SD3-30, Shorts SD3-60Using a Hex editor search for HEX string 22003900 shows the following:1st Occurrence: 220039000A2nd Occurrence: 22003900263rd Occurrence: 22003900264th Occurrence: 22003900245th Occurrence: 220039000C6th Occurrence: 220039000C etcI removed the triangle lights by searching for all Occurrences of:220039000C005002 and changed the 39 to 00 for all Occurrences to look like this:220000000C005002No Cone effect to be removed with these models.----------------------------------------------Removing the triangle and cone effect in Project AI (PAI)Because their are just too many PAI aircraft models (v1, V2 etc) you'll have to use the technique above (ie tinmouse) to modify any PAI models you have. Here are some models that I modified----PAI A124 Antonov,Searching for 22003900 shows the following:220039000A 2E 0E 0C 42 12 12 (17 12's) 34 34 etc I removed the triangle lights by searching for the SECOND Occurrence of:22003900420090000F00AFand chaged the 39 to 00 to look like this:22000000420090000F00AF----PAI ATR42, ATR72,Searching for 22003900 shows the following:220039000A 2E 0E 0C 0E 22 36I removed the triangle lights by searching for the Occurrence of:220039000E00900008and chaged the 39 to 00 to look like this:220000000E00900008Nose Wheel light Cone removalSearch for : 34009A000400B2000B and change the 0B to 00 for all Occurrences to look like this: 34009A000400B20000Left/Right light Main gear Cone removalSearch for 390034009A000800B2000C00 and change the C to 0 to look like this: 390034009A000800B2000000----PAI B703Searching for 22003900 shows the following:220039000A 2E 0E 0C 0E 12 12 more 12's then 34'sI removed the triangle lights by searching for the SECOND Occurrence of:220039000E0090000Fand chaged the 39 to 00 to look like this:220000000E0090000FWing light Cone removalSearch for : 34009A000400B2000B and change the 0B to 00 for all Occurrences to look like this: 34009A000400B20000----PAI BAe ATPSearching for 22003900 shows the following:220039000A 2E 0E 0C 0E 12 12 more 12's then 34'sI removed the triangle lights by searching for:220039000E0090000Fand chaged the 39 to 00 to look like this:220000000E0090000FWing light Cone removalSearch for : 34009A000400B2000B and change the 0B to 00 for all Occurrences to look like this: 34009A000400B20000----PAI C-17 GlobeMasterSearching for 22003900 shows the following:220039000A - if changed removes shadow 26 26 24 0C x5 then 0A x5 then 0C x13 then 0A x2 then 0C x7 0A x4 then 0C x11 then 0AI removed the triangle lights and cone light effect by searching for all Occurrences of:220039000C00500204and changed the 39 to 00 to look like this:220000000C00500204Then I searched for all Occurrences of:220039000C00500208and change the 39 to 00 to look like this:220000000C00500208----PAI CRJ900Searching for 22003900 shows the following:220039000A 2E 0E 0C 0E F8 F2 14 FC FC F6 F6 12 X16 THEN 34 X8I removed the nose triangle light by searching for:220039000E0090000Fand changed the 39 to 00 to look like this:220000000E0090000FI removed the cone effects by searching for:22003900FCand changed the 39 to 00 to look like this:22000000FC----PAI D328, J328Searching for 22003900 shows the following:220039000A 2E 0E 0C 42 42 42 34 34 34 34 34I removed the triangle lights by searching all Occurrences of HEX string:220039004200900008and replaced all Occurrences to this:220000004200900008Cone light effect removal:Search for : 34009A000400B2000B and change the 0B to 00 for all Occurrences to look like this: 34009A000400B20000----PAIDH8-100-200, DH8-300C, DH8-400DSearching for 22003900 shows the following:220039000A - if changed removes shadow 2E 0E 0C 42 34 x 21I removed the triangle lights by searching all Occurrences of HEX string:220039004200900008and replaced all Occurrences to this:220000004200900008Cone light effect removal:Search for : 2200390034 and change all Occurrences to look like this: 2200000034----PAI E3ASearching for 22003900 shows the following:220039000A 2E 0E 0C 0E 40 12x8 34xI removed the triangle lights by searching for:220039000E0090000Fand chaged the 39 to 00 to look like this:220000000E0090000FWing light Cone removalSearch for : 34009A000400B2000B and change the 0B to 00 for all Occurrences to look like this: 34009A000400B20000----PAI F50Searching for 22003900 shows the following:220039000A 2E 0E 0C 0E 21 34 x12I removed the triangle lights by searching for:220039000E009000and chaged the 39 to 00 to look like this:220000000E009000Cone light effect removal:Search for : 2200390034 and change all Occurrences to look like this: 2200000034----PAI JS31, JS31NPSearching for 22003900 shows the following:220039000A - if changed removes shadow 2E 0E 0C 0E 20 D8 IE 12x12 34x4 0EI removed the triangle lights by searching the FIRST Occurrence of:220039000E009000and changed the 39 to 00 to look like this:220000000E009000Nose Cone light effect removal:Search for all Occurrences of:3900340098000800B2000C and change the C to a 0 to look like this:3900340098000800B20000Wing Cone light effect removal:Search for all Occurrences of:3900340098000400B2000B and change the B to a 0 to look like this:3900340098000400B20000----PAI KC-135RSearching for 22003900 shows the following:220039000A 2E 0E 0C 0E A8 A8 7C 82 7C 7C 12 x5 34 x8I removed the triangle lights by searching for:220039000E0090000Fand chaged the 39 to 00 to look like this:220000000E0090000FWing light Cone removalSearch for : 34009A000400B2000B and change the 0B to 00 for all Occurrences to look like this: 34009A000400B20000----PAI Saab340Searching for 22003900 shows the following:220039000A 2E 0E 0C 0E 34 x 12To remove the triangle lights and two wing cone light effectsWing light Cone removalSearch for : 390034009A and change the 39 to 00 for all Occurrences to look like this: 000034009A----PAI Saab2000Searching for 22003900 shows the following:220039000A 2E 0E 0C 0E A2 80 F6 12 x12 0EI removed the triangle lights by searching for the FIRST Occurrence of:220039000E009000and chaged the 39 to 00 to look like this:220000000E009000To remove the Nose cone light effect search for all Occurrences of:39003400A0000800B2000C and change the C to 0 to look like this:39003400A0000800B20000To remove the Wing cone light effects search for all Occurrences of:39003400A0000400B2000B and change the B to 0 to look like this:39003400A0000400B20000----PAI L1011-3Searching for 22003900 shows the following:220039000A 2E 0E 0C 0E 12 x 23 34 xI removed the triangle lights by searching for the Occurrence of:220039000E0090000Fand chaged the 39 to 00 to look like this:220000000E0090000FLeft/Right light Main gear Cone removalSearch for : 34009A000400B2000B and change the 0B to 00 for all Occurrences to look like this: 34009A000400B20000Nose Wheel light Cone removalSearch for 34009A000800B2000C and change the C to 0 to look like this: 34009A000800B20000RJ

[Johan_Dees 84]

Wow, that will keep us busy during the hollidays!Thanks a lot for the many examples and explanation.I will try that on my AI, userplane will follow. Most interresting in the AI tough, especially in my backdated propliner AI. Will try it and report back this friday.Johan

[cgbart 7]

RJ, I am correct in understanding that this effect can also be applied to primary aircraft that we fly? I see the majority of tweaks in your post are to AI.Thanks for all the time you've put into this. Those original lights really destroy the realism of most aircraft.Chris

[3Green 80]

RJ, I am correct in understanding that this effect can also be applied to primary aircraft that we fly? I see the majority of tweaks in your post are to AI.Thanks for all the time you've put into this. Those original lights really destroy the realism of most aircraft.Chris

Hi Chris..To answer your question "I am correct in understanding that this effect can also be applied to primary aircraft that we fly?" I can't really say yes to all the flyable aircraft out there, but give it a try. My example was with the Tinmouse 737 which is a flyable aircraft and it worked just fine.As for all the other examples, you’re correct, it's all AI aircraft. I provided the hex strings for the AI aircraft that I modified so that other people can just use the hex strings to modify there AI aircraft, saving them time.RJ.

[Arnaud 0]

For AI models, the HEX editor changes definitely work. I managed to get rid of those infamous triangles easily, on a few models so far, thanks to RJ's help. The odd thing is that once modified, you cant view the models in ACM, but they do display in FS without any problem. Better: the changes dont seem to have any impact on the xml coding either, nor the LODs.As RJ says and rightly so, the subject is a bit sensitive since modifying the models goes against the modelers copyrights, but that is definitely a great and easy fix for something that had been a real annoying FS problem. Those triangle were spoiling any dusk approach, not only in fogged conditions, and made major at hubs at dusk and night time look like... nothing real.

[psolk 3,037]

Wow, Thanks RJ, Can't believe how much work you put into this and greatly appreciate you sharing your efforts!!!Thank you very much!-P

[ZK_LGD 0]

Many, many thanks, RJ.Regards,Dorian