Many moon ago this Aircraft and Panel Design Forum used to be the hotbed of news and advice for building aircraft as well as making panels. Over the last few months (maybe longer) I have noticed that aircraft design topics have dwindled rapidly - most posts are now about panel design and particularly XML coding.I am idly wondering what has caused the swing towards panel discussions. Has the number of aircraft designers dwindled in recent times? Or is it simply that most of the problems with GMax/FSDS design work have now been sorted and require fewer posts?I ask simply out of curiosity - but I must admit that the forum isn't as interesting as it used to be. Is it time for panel designers to have their own forum? :)boneshttp://fsaviation.nethttp://www.precisionmanuals.com/images/forum/ng_driver.jpg

I too have noticed this...The reason for me no longer asking questions is that I now have little time to model and so I try to stick to stuff I know will work.I wish it was like before...when people used to preview aircraft models...I still check the forums every time im on Avsim....

and yeah..no one is asking questions... :)

"I wish it was like before...when people used to preview aircraft models..."Here you go Andy, some exterior shots of my nearly completed Hurricane IIA:http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/90168.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/90169.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/90170.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/90171.jpg

Three more screenshots; the 2d panel, and two exterior shots at high altitude using oxygen:http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/90172.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/90173.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/90174.jpg

Some shots of the VC. The VC is the reason I started this project. The aircraft model is complete and ready to go. I'm working on finishing the aircraft documentation at the moment, then on to a thorough last look at everything for any problems or omissions.I want to say thanks to Avsim and to everyone who contributes to the MSFS Aircraft and Panel Design Forum; it's a great resource and has helped me a great deal with this project.Best regards,Robert http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/90175.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/90176.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/90177.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/90178.jpg

I think I know what has happened to design forums: Many of the people who know something about design have signed non-disclosure agreements that do not permit them to conduct open discussions on a forum like this. There are many start-up companies trying to build models for sale. They offer people deals that sound pretty good but require signing these agreements.I prefer to do freeware just because it is what has kept the interest in this sim going for so many years. I have benefitted from the freeware done by others so now that I have the software, I am doing some more freeware.I was offered an 'opportunity' but turned it down once I read the fine print in the non-disclosure agreement.

That may well be true for many (most?) payware companys, Tom. I cannot disclose details of Eaglesoft projects, or any specific 'tricks' I may develop for ESDG projects, but my agreement with ESDG does not otherwise limit or place any restrictions on general advice or techniques.Obviously, I have developed some unique ideas both in modeling and gauge programming, and I'm not going to pass those on until the project(s) to which they apply have been released, and the novelty has worn off of 'em... :)At that point, I'll be more than happy to share 'em!Frankly, I'm more inclined to blame the "summer doldrums" for the slowdown in the various design forums, especially since I've seen this exact same phenomenon occur over the past three summers... :)

******* Christ...that VC is simply incredible! It's so complicated, unbelieveable! You must feel really proud to have made something like that, the last pic looking down at the floor really looks incredible, with all the pipes and stuff:7Keep going at man, it looks amazing!To the other guys, I agree with your points, this is probably a very large reason...

My thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread so far - some wise words from Tom and Bill.In the meantime my esteemed praise to Robert for his labour of love in recreating AE977. The real aircraft (actually a Sea Hurricane) has recently been restored to flying condition - details can be found at the Hawker Restorations website - http://www.hawker-restorations-ltd.co.uk/AE977.html.boneshttp://fsaviation.nethttp://www.precisionmanuals.com/images/forum/ng_driver.jpg

Okay here is a simple* tip for gmax AND FSDS users on how to add tiedown ropes to your aircraft. No need for xml code. Also, as an added bonus this technique provides tiedown ropes to the aircraft when it is being used as an AI. ;-)Just keep in mind, the "rope" needs to rotate about the major axis. I guess if you put a sag in the rope, as long as the end points are on the major axis it will look as if the rope is hanging in the breeze. This is due to the prop_still making the last few revs and stopping at a random location. What this means, if you apply this technique to parts that do not have symetery about the axis of rotation (gmax green), you may be surprised with the results. A little experimenting and you will get it.http://www.mtco.com/~rsam/Tie.jpg * from a lifetime in a design environment --- "Simple" solutions are more difficult to "find" then complex solutions.Regards,BobShttp://s95171098.onlinehome.us/junk/aopa.jpgSeems the rage to talk about the "size and speed" of each others computer. Beat this if you can for solving novel/unique problem anywhere in the cosmos. ..Have K&E and know how to use it!

"In the meantime my esteemed praise to Robert for his labour of love in recreating AE977. The real aircraft (actually a Sea Hurricane) has recently been restored to flying condition - details can be found at the Hawker Restorations website"bones,Thanks for the compliment, and man you've got a sharp eye! I was wondering if anyone would catch that.:-)To say that I've visited that website once or twice would be an understatement! I've archived the literally hundreds of photos they have of nearly every aspect of rebuilding not just one but several Hurricanes, and those photos have helped to add detail to my model that was unavailable from any other source.The exterior model of my aircraft is painted in tribute to the wartime RAF pilot the late Sir Douglas Bader, who managed to do more without legs than most of us accomplish with them. For sheer tenacity, skill and courage (some say cussedness) he was without equal. The VC owes a lot to the Southern California Wing of the Commemorative Air Force Hurricane documented by John Deakin in one of his Pelican's Perch articles at AvWeb. They managed to incorporate a rather elegant radio and VOR indicator installation into a small panel on the right side of the cockpit, and I borrowed that idea from the photos that accompanied the articles."******* Christ...that VC is simply incredible! It's so complicated, unbelieveable! You must feel really proud to have made something like that, the last pic looking down at the floor really looks incredible, with all the pipes and stuff Keep going at man, it looks amazing!"Thanks for the kind words Andy, I'm glad you like it!:-) It's nearly finished now, should be available soon.BobS,That's a great tip, and I'm going to give it a try in my upcoming Spitfire V project.:-)Best regards everyone,Robert

I guess i'll post some shots of my work too:P This is my 737-300, which will probably end up being the -200 to -500, and the -100 if i can find details...This is one of two projects, and it's far from complete. A lot of work left, including a whole new wing, new main gear (never even finished these!) new AFT fuse, more poly efficient engines, increased tail details(my favourite part so far, Got some plans for it too) and the horizontal stabilizers are to be remade with better profiles...http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/90329.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/90330.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/90331.jpgI hope you like, and any comments tips welcome (even if it sounds mean, they will give me a better model in the end so be nasty to me:DEDIT : Crap, too big, Mods how can i sort it so I can upload the pics again, smaller?

Here are a couple of 'detail shots' of a project...http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/90333.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/90334.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/90335.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/90336.jpg

nice work there andy;)dario