First aircraft project - Pilatus PC-9 suggestions reque...

[Guest]

Hi everyone! I'm working on my very first FS2002 aircraft project, the Pilatus PC-9, and would like any suggestions thus far. I've also got some questions for the geniuses out there. But, first, my aircraft;http://www.binsurf.net/images/pilatuspc9project.jpgThis is a screen shot from gMax. The back wings have not been modelled yet as I am just using extruded splines to stand in for visualization purposes. Now for the questions;1. When I'm working in the units (meters is what I work in) how can I balance them between gMax and FS2002? I have tried using a ratio in the preferences dialog like 1 unit = 0.076 meters and my fuselage came up as 10.181 meters after. But when I export to FS, my aircraft is enormous. So, when I try to scale my aircraft down, so the the fuselage is the same size under 1 unit = 1 meter, it exprts great, but it's so small, I can't edit it, even if I zoom in, it's ridiculous. Desparately need advice here.2. Does anyone know of an easy way to create texture templates out of your gMax aircraft? I don't want to do the "screenshot of gMax" deal, because that lacks accuracy. I hope anyone can help.Anyways, thanks a million for your help everyone.

[Guest Valid_Andy]

Looking very good!. Looks very accurate. Sadly, i havent learned a great deal about texturing yet so i cant help there. For the scaling, im using 1 unit = 1.0 meters, and then i dont need to scale it at all, and it comes out perfect size in the sim. I started it at the right size though. What you can try doing is setting the scale to 1 unit = 1.0 meters. Then make a box which is the exact dimensions for aircraft should be. Then shale your aircraft to fit the box. I'm not an expert in this, as i have been in the right scale from day 1, but that might work. I'm sure someone will know :-)Andy :-wave

[Guest]

Thank you, and I'll try that. I think my problem has something to do with the fact that I change the settings for units after having started. I'm going to have to live with it now. When I started the aircraft, I was in 1 unit = 1 foot and was using meters on the aircraft. Big mistake I think. :- But, next time, I'll get it right. I guess I'll have to live with having to shrink it to the size of a flea in gMax to get it right. Thanks for your advice. I really appreciate it! :-)>Looking very good!. Looks very accurate. Sadly, i havent>learned a great deal about texturing yet so i cant help there.>For the scaling, im using 1 unit = 1.0 meters, and then i>dont need to scale it at all, and it comes out perfect size in>the sim. I started it at the right size though. What you can>try doing is setting the scale to 1 unit = 1.0 meters. Then>make a box which is the exact dimensions for aircraft should>be. Then shale your aircraft to fit the box. I'm not an>expert in this, as i have been in the right scale from day 1,>but that might work. I'm sure someone will know :-)>>Andy :-wave

[Guest]

>Thank you, and I'll try that. I think my problem has>something to do with the fact that I change the settings for>units after having started. I'm going to have to live with it>now. When I started the aircraft, I was in 1 unit = 1 foot and>was using meters on the aircraft. Big mistake I think. :->But, next time, I'll get it right. I guess I'll have to live>with having to shrink it to the size of a flea in gMax to get>it right. Thanks for your advice. I really appreciate it! :-)Many, many newbie GMaxers make this basic mistake. The proper setting is to set the System scale to 1 unit = 1 meter.You can then change the working measurements to be anything you like. I usually work in decimal feet, but switch to fractional inches when working with small parts.To "fix" your existing model, do as said before. Set the System scale to 1 unit = 1 meter.Create a rectangular planar object the length and width of your aircraft.Select everything and use the "Uniform Scale" tool to enlarge your a/c to match the dimensions of your 'rectangle.'Once your satisfied, hide the rectangle, export the .mdl and check it in FS2k2 for proper size.When completely happy, simply delete the 'rectangle.'BTW, this tip may be found at http://freeflightdesign.com (if I recall correctly!).BillAVSIM OmbudsmanFounder and Director,Creative Recycling of Aircraft Partshttp://mtco.com/~rsam/fartslogo.jpg

[Guest]

>2. Does anyone know of an easy way to create texture templates>out of your gMax aircraft? I don't want to do the "screenshot>of gMax" deal, because that lacks accuracy. I hope anyone can>help.The "easiest way" is to use the multi-material texturing method and UVW mapping as described by Finn Newick. You may find out more about Finn by visiting: http://gmaxsupport.comAnother great tutorial may be found here: http://www.fsalpha.com/tutorials/tutorials.htm Although "FSEdge" is using a building to illustrate the technique, that same technique is easily transferable to an airpland... :) This is the method used by the "professionals." It allows you to use one bitmap to texture multiple parts of the a/c instead of having a separate bitmap for every part... :)BillAVSIM OmbudsmanFounder and Director,Creative Recycling of Aircraft Partshttp://mtco.com/~rsam/fartslogo.jpg

[Guest FelixFFDS]

Technically,. it's http://www.freeflightdesign.com(Thanks for the plug)>>BTW, this tip may be found at http://freeflightdesign.com (if>I recall correctly!).>>Bill>AVSIM Ombudsman>Founder and Director,>Creative Recycling of Aircraft Parts>http://mtco.com/~rsam/fartslogo.jpg

[Guest]

Thanks Bill, I'll try that. About your suggestion for my unit problem, when I try to scale it down to the right size, it's so small, I can't edit it. If I zoom in to it, it's difficult to rotate around it. Also, my template bitmaps are too big to work with once it's scaled down. I'm going to have to start from scratch again, I think. But, thanks a million for the help, Bill, I appreciate it! :-)>>2. Does anyone know of an easy way to create texture>templates>>out of your gMax aircraft? I don't want to do the>"screenshot>>of gMax" deal, because that lacks accuracy. I hope anyone>can>>help.>>The "easiest way" is to use the multi-material texturing>method and UVW mapping as described by Finn Newick. You may>find out more about Finn by visiting: http://gmaxsupport.com>>Another great tutorial may be found here:>http://www.fsalpha.com/tutorials/tutorials.htm Although>"FSEdge" is using a building to illustrate the technique, that>same technique is easily transferable to an airpland... :) >This is the method used by the "professionals." It allows you>to use one bitmap to texture multiple parts of the a/c instead>of having a separate bitmap for every part... :)>>Bill>AVSIM Ombudsman>Founder and Director,>Creative Recycling of Aircraft Parts>http://mtco.com/~rsam/fartslogo.jpg

[Guest]

>Technically,. it's http://www.freeflightdesign.com>(Thanks for the plug)>>BTW, this tip may be found at http://freeflightdesign.com>(if I recall correctly!).Either one will work. 99.9% of the time, the "www" is superfluous.You are most welcome! :)BillAVSIM OmbudsmanFounder and Director,Creative Recycling of Aircraft Partshttp://mtco.com/~rsam/fartslogo.jpg

[Guest FSEdge]

>Another great tutorial may be found here:>http://www.fsalpha.com/tutorials/tutorials.htm Although>"FSEdge" is using a building to illustrate the technique, that>same technique is easily transferable to an airpland... :) >This is the method used by the "professionals." It allows you>to use one bitmap to texture multiple parts of the a/c instead>of having a separate bitmap for every part... :)>>Bill>AVSIM Ombudsman>Founder and Director,>Creative Recycling of Aircraft Parts>http://mtco.com/~rsam/fartslogo.jpgHowdy,Would you guys like for me to do another tutorial using an airplane wing instead of a building? I have been meaning to update that tutorial ever since Gmax 1.2 was released with the new Material Editor.Kind regards FSEdgewww.fsalpha.com

[Guest]

>>Another great tutorial may be found here:>>http://www.fsalpha.com/tutorials/tutorials.htm Although>>"FSEdge" is using a building to illustrate the technique,>Would you guys like for me to do another tutorial using an>airplane wing instead of a building? I have been meaning to>update that tutorial ever since Gmax 1.2 was released with the>new Material Editor.Well, sure... you needed to ask? :)I really need to get to work on the VC lighting tutorial also. I've just got too many irons in the fire at the moment... :(BillAVSIM OmbudsmanFounder and Director,Creative Recycling of Aircraft Partshttp://mtco.com/~rsam/fartslogo.jpg

[Guest FSEdge]

Hi Bill,The wing mapping tutorial is ready should anyone be interested.http://www.fsalpha.com/tutorials/tutorials.htmThanks FSEdge

[Guest Milton]

Did you also scale your templates down?YOu can also use the utility helper tape measure to ensure the templates are the correct size.Once you have the box correct, then use the technique described above to size the aircraft.All is not lost... you have come too far ... the crest is just over this hill. :-)Milton

[Guest]

>Hi Bill,>>The wing mapping tutorial is ready should anyone be>interested.>>http://www.fsalpha.com/tutorials/tutorials.htmThank you! I'm d/l'ing it now. I found your tutorial using the building to be a great guide, but the new ME in GMax v1.2 didn't mesh too well with that one... :)BillAVSIM OmbudsmanFounder and Director,Creative Recycling of Aircraft Partshttp://catholic-hymns.com/frbill/FS2002/images/fartslogo.jpg