Flight Simulation projects by Dino Cattaneo. Current home to the T-45C Goshawk, F-14D Tomcat, S-3B Viking and F-35 Lightning II projects for Flight Simulator X:Acceleration and Prepar3D v3.0. Also: opinions, reviews and findings about recreational flight simulation and flight games.
Showing posts with label Military Avatars Package. Payware. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Military Avatars Package. Payware. Show all posts
The M-346 is finally available on SimMarket for purchase! As usual I will try my best to keep it up to date and meet and possibly exceed customer expectations. Thanks to all the development team and testers - I am quite happy with the final product I hope you will like it!
You have a look at the manual HERE
Aside, for a mistake in the final build, the Italian Air Force livery texture has some missing markings - this will be fixed in the first patch, but for the time being you can download the correct texture HERE - it goes into the texture.AMI61 folder.
With thanks to all the people involved in the development, and in particular to Roy Holmes for another great flight model, I glad to announce that the TA-4 Skyhawk/Scooter package is now available for purchase at SimMarket.
As normal for this kind of projects, a couple of minor glitches popped-up after release… no major issues at the moment. I am working to solve this, but I will wait another week before releasing an update - just in case more bugs are identified in the short term.
Also, the paint kit is now available for download here. The TA-4 had some of the best and flashiest liveries ever seen in a miltary jet… and picking the ones to include in the package was not an easy job. Can't wait to see what the community will create!
Aside, an FSX version and a single seater are both in the works...more news soon.
Here are two small updated to my payware frontline fighters… VERY MINOR tweaks, so, unless you are extremely bothered by one of the issues listed below or have not updated your aircrafts at all, downloading these patches is not really necessary IMHO. Eurofighter Typhoon The main reason to update the Eurofighter Typhoon was that, in the lastest FSX build, I used the wrong compiler...this caused some controls in the VC not to work as intended. I took the chance to add some 3D details and fix a couple of minor things.
To install the update, you must have the payware Eurofighter Typhoon version 1.1X or later. The update will work either if you just used the latest full installer (version 1.10 - you can get it from your distributor of choice) or if you had already updated the aircraft to any later version.
This is the list of changes:
Version 1.30 - 07/08/2019 - Fixed a minor issue in ejection seat textures - Replaced detail textures with 3D objects in VC (screws, rivets) - Fixed minor 3D object misplacements in VC - Fixed mouse area bug preventing some knobs from working correctly in FSX - Fixed bug preventing keyboard release mode selection from working - Restored mouse clicks and animations for some (non functional) switches
The update must be installed manually (see the README file) and is provided in both 32bit (for FSX:A, FSX:Gold, FSX:SE and any version of P3D prior to v4) and in 64 bit (for P3Dv4.4 and v4.5) formats. Note that P3Dv4.0 to P3Dv4.3 are NOT supported by the 64 bit version (as it uses PBR). The patch is available from the side bar.
F-35 Lightning IIIf the Eurofighter patch is a very minor one, the one for the F-35 is negligible: basically I spotted some duplicate airframe geometry in the F-35B PBR cockpit model. This causes some minor visual glitches when looking over your shoulders in VC (apart from an unnecessary waste of video resources).
To install the update, you must have the payware F-35 Lightning II version 3.5X or later. The update will work either if you just used the latest full installer (version 3.50 - you can get it from your distributor of choice) or if you had already updated the aircraft to any later version.
This is the (very long) list of changes:
Version 3.62 - 07/08/2019 - Removed duplicate geometry from F-35B cockpit causing unnecessary video memory consumption and visual glitches.
The update must be installed manually (see the README file) and will work ONLY with P3Dv4.4 or above (as it is a PBR model). The patch is available from the side bar.
NOTE - UPDATED TO VERSION 1.04 TO SOLVE MINOR MISTAKES (YOU MAY WANT TO DOWNLOAD IT AGAIN IF YOU HAVE 1.03).
As promised on my Facebook page, I am re-releasing the Military Avatars Package as freeware. This version features some minor changes with respect of the last payware release, such as the removal of the installer and (most important) the reintroduction of the collision detection for Prepar3d V4 compatibility.
I do not like too much the collision detection as it is buggy and you cannot, in some cases, get really close to the aircraft... but its absence seems to create an issue with P3Dv4, so I have restored it.
For those who might be curious, as developer sales figures is a tightly kept secret, the oveall number of payware copies sold was 161 - which, after distributors' fees and taxes - barely covered the development costs.
As side note, source files for these figures have been lost to ransomware -so this package will not be furtherly updated.
Still, I am seriously considering a new version, with fewer but better models and better animations....although that would be definitely more expensive to make.
Anyway, you can download the latest version from the menu HERE or in the side bar of this blog.
First, my apologies for the lack of replies and updates both on the blog and on the facebook page... I do not have much spare time for flight simming lately, but rest assured I read all your message and value your feedback.
Second, here is the a brief recap of the status of my projects for what concerns the compatibility with the upcoming Prepar3D V4 release (I had a quick look at the release candidate over the weekend and, you have a good, modern hardware, I highly recommed).
In general, the compatibility of P3Dv4 with addons native to FSX and P3D is quite high, as long as there are no external C++ modules involved in the aicraft systems. For what concerns my aicrafts, they often use Doug Dawson's fuel dump and sound effects gauges respectively to manage some fuel system functions (such as external fuel tanks loading/unloading, in flight refuel etc.). These gauges are currently not compatible with P3Dv4, hence:
- In-flight refuel will not work. Aicrafts with external fuel tanks will have minor issues (such as enabling to refuel non-existent external tanks).
- Custom sounds such as voice warnings and other sounds (e.g. the SideWinder growl) will not be played.
...apart from that EVERYTHING else seems to work (except the F-35B STOVL...see below), so by and large I'd say my aicrafts are compatible with P3Dv4. I will update my aicrafts if/when updated versions of these modules become available.
Also, at present Tacpack is not compatible with P3DV4 - so none of the aircrafts will have tacpack functionality.
F-35 Lightning II
As per the general notes, no custom sounds and minor issue with the fuel system. The F-35B STOVL function will not work - however, as soon as the new version of FSUIPC.dll is released, it is possible that the function is restored by using the alternate STOVL gauge which relies on it (the gauge is already present in the package as a backup solution and it is commented out).
Aside, P3Dv4 will include an updated version of the F-35A - which includes many of the enhancements of the payware version (and a new livery). Note that the bundled version has NO Tacpack functionality.
Eurofighter Typhoon
Same as above... no voice warnings and issues with the fuel system, but pretty much everything else works.
Military Avatars Package
There is an issue with the contact points, so that the Avatars will appear to be literally "knee-deep" into the runway. A small patch to correct this will be released soon.
Anyway, as you know, this package has been withdrawn from sales - it will be re-released as freeware soon (and the release will include the fix).
Aermacchi MB-326
Works fine - except the "phantom fuel tank" syndrome.
By the way, since some of you asked, YES the porting to AF2 is proceeding (veeeery slowly).
Boeing T-45C Goshawk
Works fine - no issues at all. :-) !
...and, sooner or later, it might get an update with a new avionic suite by MilViz and AO textures (as soon as I can find the time).
Grumman F-14D Tomcat
Same story - minor issues to the fuel system... but in general works fine!
S-3B Viking
Last but not least... and again minor issues with the fuel system, but in general works fine.
By the way, the AI-Tanker version is almost finished!
Version 1.00 of the Eurofighter Typhoon has been released to distribution! At the moment the file is only available at SimMarket, but other distributors will have it online soon. Thank you all for your continued support!
SPECIAL VIRTUAL COCKPIT BUILD FOR INDIAFOXTECHO PAYWARE F-35 V3.11 ******************************************************************
As some of you are aware of, some months ago my computer has been infected by a nasty ransomware causing the loss of all the source files of my projects, including backups. Therefore some of the improvements I planned to do to for my projects are basically lost. I experimented a little with Model Converter X but rebuilding the files takes way too long for me to do, so I just made some tweaks that you may like.
This package contains a special build of the F-35A, -B and -C virtual cockpits modified as follows:
- Brighter MFD graphics (much better reading on most pages in many visibility conditions... however, in some cases TFLIR and DAS are saturated) - Added reflection effects to all the geometry resulting in a more realistic look.
HOWEVER, BEFORE INSTALLING, PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING DRAWBACKS (these are due to MCX limitations): - MOUSE CLICK AREAS ARE LOST. MFD touchscreen will work, but switches and levers will not...so you should assign custom keypress - Weapons visibility is lost in the internal view, meaning you won't see weapons hanging below the wings - These cockpits are a little worse for FPS performance... beware
So...pros and cons, your choice. This modification is not "official" by any mean and it is not supported.
TO INSTALL THIS MOD: Drag and drop everything in the SimObject folders as usual. The files will add a visual model in the MODEL subfolder of each aicraft and replace the model.cfg files. It also include an harmless mod to the HMD to fix a visibility issue. You may want to backup the model.cfg files for an easy unistallation. The file will not add any entry to the registry.
TO UNISTALL: Open the model.cfg file with a text editor for any of the aicraft you want to restore and edit it following the comments ...OR simply reinstall the package....OR restore the model.cfg files if you have made a backup.
Also, although it might work in FSX, it is designed to work with P3Dv3. Using it in FSX may lead to higher memory consumption and...well, they will look too shiny in my opinion (P3Dv3 and FSX engine differ in the reflection intensity).
NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND IS PROVIDED FOR THIS MOD!
DOWNLOAD THE MOD FROM GOOGLE DRIVE FROM THE LINK BELOW:
As promised here is a status report of the Eurofighter project after the "ransomware" incident that wiped out all of my source files. Basically you can indeed use ModelConverterX by Aron (great tool...THANK YOU ARNO) to open the .mdl files and convert them into .3DS format, and then reimport it into 3DS Max or Gmax (or other applications....3DS is a very popular format). In principle you loose the animations, smoothing, the materials and the XML taggin but preserve the geometry and the texturing coordinates - as side effect, the geometry is not super-clean nor flawless. Unfortunately, in the case of the Typhoon, a number of minor details were lost in the process - such as the landing gears, some engine details and the pilot helmet. So... the external model is recoverable...but will require several weeks of work - not good, but could have been much worse. Unfortunately, most of the Virtual Cockpit is garbage. A lot of the geometry of the switches and levers is lost or corrupt and require more work than I expected.
Here is the status:
LOST:
- 3D source models (both external and VC and custom weapons)
- Source texture sheets and paintkit (layered PSD)
- Part of the XML code
- My standard templates for things such as HMD projection etc.
INTACT:
- External .mdl was almost finished (maybe I can use it as it is...)
- Incomplete virtual cockpit (is missing the ejection seat and some other details)
- Latest avionics code (HUD almost complete)
RECOVERED
- (Partial) geometry and texture coordinates. Need to redo part of the geometry, animation etc.
Long story short... I need to evaluate my options carefully. One possibility is to use the external .mdl as is (missing a number of eye-candy features, and the custom weapons) and redo the missing parts of the VC. More news soon.
Starting from version 3.0, Lockheed Martin Prepar3D has introduced the "avatar mode": that is the user can detach himself/herself from the vehicle and explore the virtual world in first or third person perspective.
By default Prepar3D v3.0 only features a generic, civilian male figure - this package expands the selection of avatar figures to include a variety of military figures. Figures included in the package are:
- Military pilot in full flight gear with HGU-33 helmet
- Military pilot in full flight gear with HGU-55 helmet.
- Military pilot in full flight gear without helmet (pictured above)
- Generic serviceman figure in working uniform, in a variety of camouflages
- Crew chief figure (same as serviceman figure but with specific head gear)
- Carrier flight deck figure
The figures feature hand-made animation for:
- walking
- crouch down / stand up
- running
- swimming
The animations are pretty basic, and definitely not on par with the most advanced videogames, therefore you may want to check them in the video below before purchasing.
The package will be available at all major flight simulation digital marketplaces - price may vary a litttle depeding on distribution fees and national VAT taxation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q: Does these avatars work in FSX or Prepar3D v2.0?
A: NO. This package will work exlusively with Prepar3D v3.0.
Q: Can I use these avatars with any vehicle? Or they are bound to IndiaFoxtEcho aicrafts?
A: The avatars are SimObjects, and can be used with any vehicle.
Q: Is a paintkit available?
A: Yes. A paintkit is provided for the serviceman figures, along with an optional figure with a beret instead of a cap to allow repainters to depict specific units.
Q: Well... models look cool... but what is the purpose other than taking cool pictures?
A: This is a good question. The intent, for one, is to allow multiple vehicle simulation scenarios for training purposes...but, for one, you can explore the virtual world in a new perspective... some sceneries like Orbx airports or some freeware and payware carriers are really worth exploring. Also, you can use the avatars as observers in multiplayer sessions.
Q: Hand gestures would be awesome in multiplayer... have you tought about that?
A: Of course... but we have not found a way to drive completely custom actions yet... this is one of the very first avatars add-ons... and avatar features and possibilities are not well documented in the SDK, so it may well be that in future this becomes a possibility.
Q:Boy...those animatons are awful!
A: I know. The original plan was to have motion capture animations, but we had to change them to hand-made basic animations for technical difficulties... maybe in future we can solve the issue and provide an update, but for the moment you'll have to leave with the current animations (but do not say we have not warned you!)
Q: This is payware?!? Aren't you Dino, the cool freeware guy?
A: Yes...payware. The whole package relies on commercial 3D data, and investing money was the only way to create it... so I have to charge for this. Sorry.
Q: I am not paying for this sh*t!
A: Ok! You can still enjoy our freeware offerings, and hopefully we'll have you on board as customer of the upcoming F-35 Lightning II version 3.00 package.
