A-4E/F/G/H/K SKYHAWK RELEASED AND PAINTKIT DOWNLOAD LINK

Just a quick heads-up to let you know that the single seater Skyhawk PBR Edition (for Prepar3D v4.4 and above) has been released through SimMarket and can be purchased HERE.

the paintkit for the single-seater Skyhawk is available. It is very similar to the TA-4 one, so if you have painted the twin seater it should be very easy to use.
Paintkit is availble from the side bar or by clicking HERE.

F-35 Lightning II - Update to version 3.65.1 and thoughts

NOTE 1: version 3.65 had a small glitch that prevented correct indication of the CEX Tacan direction in the HUD heading tape in some cases… This has been fixed and the release has been updated to version 3.65.1

NOTE 2: updated to version 3.65.2 to fix incorrect BK-17 squadron assignment

The momentum of the real F-35 program keeps on growing and the plane is achieving a number of milestones around the world. So I decided to release yet another update to my virtual rendition which fixes a couple of bugs and introduces two meaningful repaints, specifically the livery of the No.617 Squadron RAF "the Dambusters" that made history being the first british squadron operating from the deck of the Queen Elizabeth, and VMFA-314 "Black Knights" that is the first USMC squadron flying with the "C" model of the Lightning II.

This is likely to be the last update for the F-35 for Prepar3D v4. I have some ideas to improve the models and I am looking forward to port it to the new Microsoft Flight Simulator… although it is more than likely that many functions, like STOVL flight and XML based MFD/HUDs, will not work in the new Platform (which is also unlikely to support any kind of weapon).
While I am trying to port some of my projects to X-Plane, at the moment I do not plan to convert the F-35 as I do not have the skill to bring it to the same level of functionality of the one done by AoA Simulations.

Anyway here is the change log of this update:

IMPORTANT! THIS UPDATE WILL WORK ONLY WITH P3Dv4.4 and is preconfigured to work with PBR models (so P3Dv4.4 / v4.5)

Version 3.65.1 - 18/11/2019
- Fixed glitch in TACAN direction flag in HUD, causing incorrect indication of the ship direction in some cases
- Fixed version number during MFD startup

Version 3.65 - 17/11/2019
- Added CEX navaids compatibility
- Added VMFA-314 "Black Knights" F-35C livery
- Added no.617 Squadron RAF "Dambusters" F-35B livery
- Fixed glitch in F-35C landing gear door animation on PBR models
- Fixed bug in TACAN to MHz conversion
- Fixed bug that allowed to continue flying in STOVL mode if out of fuel.
  When the engine stops running and the plane is not on the ground, STOVL mode will be deactivated.

SEE VERSION 3.60 FOR INSTALLATION

As usual, the upgrade can be downloaded from the side bar as usual or by clicking HERE.

TA-4 Skyhawk P3D v4 Release and Paintkit

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.

Minor Updates for the Eurofighter Typhoon and the F-35

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.

F-35 Lightning II - Version 3.61 PBR Update (Prepar3D v4.4)

***EDIT - FILES UPDATE TO VERSION 3.61 TO ADDRESS A BUG PREVENTING THE REFUEL PROBE TO DEPLOY IN THE F-35B EXTERNAL MODEL***

Here is the PBR update for the F-35 package. In order to implement this, I had to rebuild the source models as they had been lost to a ransomware attack years ago... this was quite a big work, and a lot of things had to be redone. Still I think the plane looks much better now and it was worth it - however, please beware that some minor bugs or glitches may be present.

Model files were compiled with P3Dv4.4 tools, so they cannot be used with FSX or prior versions of P3D - however, I have also included non-PBR model variants for those who may prefer them (they should provide slightly better frame rates and lower memory consumption).
Aside, compiling the model for P3Dv4 made it so that some graphic glitches were fixed.

Initially I thought this could be the baseline for version 4.00, big given that the aircraft functionalities are pretty much the same as previous iterations, I thought it was unfair to make it a new, full price version - or even a paid update.
However, supporting different variants and options is quickly becoming impossible to manage - so from now on this project will only be updated for Prepar3D v4.4 (sorry for that).

Here is the list of changes in version 3.60 and 3.61

Version 3.61 - 20/03/2019
- Fixed bug preventing refuel probe to deploy on F-35B external model
- Fixed typo in aircraft.cfg suggesting that gun should be mounted on STA5 instead of STA6
SEE VERSION 3.60 NOTES FOR INSTALLATION

CHANGE LOG
Version 3.60 - 02/03/2019

- Rebuilt all external and internal models to support PBR textures
- All models recompiled using P3Dv4.4 tools
- Updated landing gear model
- Fixed minor UVW coordinates error on F-35C external model
- Fixed minor graphic glitches in F-35B and F-35C external models
- Major rewrite of MFD code with reduced memory footprint and (marginal) performance improvement
- New .air files to provide better, more linear throttle vs. thrust curve
- Fixed several glitches in the FCS code
- FCS Animation code rewritten
- Fixed bug that caused the first radar track not to show in some screens

* - This update by default is configured to use PBR models and work with P3Dv4.4.
You can use this update also with P3Dv4.0 to P3Dv4.3 by deleting the model.cfg files in the model folder of each aircraft and rename the "model.cfg.BackupNonPBR" to "model.cfg".


Download the update by clicking HERE or from the link on the side bar...

Yet another Eurofighter update (version 1.24)

It turns out that even 1.23 was not free of major bugs… so here we are again with yet another update for the Eurofigher. I am sorry for the confusion but, since I have always tried to comply with all the requests I have received, the Eurofighter project is now quite difficult to manage due to its size and model variety (single and twin seater, PBR and non PBR, and then there are the "ubuntu" versions).
For this reason, this is likely to be the last update to support FSX or any P3D version prior to 4.4.
I am sorry for this, but the mainteinance effort is starting to be quite a burden.

Basically the big thing in 1.23 was a bug in the external model that caused Brimstone launchers or missile rails appear under wrong conditions. It did not affect users not employing Brimstones or Meteor missiles...but nevertheless it was annoying.
I took the change to add the possibility to pick negative VVs in the NAV menu as requested by one user.

This is the list of changes for this version:

VERSION 1.24
CHANGES WITH RESPECT TO PREVIOUS VERSION
- Improved autotrim FCS code to reduce possibility of event flooding when the sim is paused
- Recompliled both PBR and non-PBR models to get rid of a visibility conflict issue between
  Brimstome and MRAAM launchers
- Changed UVW texture layout in some areas of the PBR models
- Added possibility to set negative VV speeds in the NAV menu
- Fixed minor graphics glitch when entering VV NAV mode

The update files for 32 bit version can be dowloaded from the side bar or by clicking HERE

The update files for 64 bit version (with PBR support - P3Dv4.4 only) can be dowloaded from the side bar or by clicking HERE


Users of P3Dv4 up to version 4.3 can download the 64bit PBR version but will have to change the model.cfg manually to deactivate PBR (or can dowload the 32 bit and change the panel.cfg to select the 64 bit .dll's).

Eurofighter Typhoon Update to version 1.23 (with PBR support)

As (to some extent) expected with a major update, Eurofighter v1.22 release included a couple of bugs and highlighted some existing defects. The most annoying bug is the fact that the updated FCS code did not work as intended and caused the plane to pitch up requiring constant pilot action - I consider this a severe defect and given that probably I will not have much time in the next few days, I have decided to address it immediately with a further update.

Aside, some users reported a loss in frame rate after the PBR update: this is generally to be expected for PBR models, as the compiled model file (.mdl) is larger and uses more textures video memory. On my system, which has a GTX-1080, there is not a big difference - but from time to time you may have a slight delay in loading the PBR textures while switching between external and virtual cockpit views.

I have also heard "rumors" (meaning that I had no direct report of that) of users experiencing a drop in frame rates also with non-PBR models and also in previous updates. Frankly, since the modifications to the code were minimal, it is difficult for me to say if the frame rate drop is due to the Eurofighter update or by other reasons. The only thing I have noticed is that there was a missing texture (the fresnel ramp texture used in the canopy) - missing textures may reduce the performance a little...but this should be barely noticeable. Anyway I have included the missing texture in this update.


Last, please remember that if you prefer to use the non-PBR model, the files have been left there (they are not overwritten) - so you can activate/deactivate the PBR models in the model.cfg. This update contains backup version of the model.cfg for both PBR and non-PBR for your convenience. Just delete the model.cfg in the model folders of the Eurofighter_2000 and Eurofighter_2000T, and rename the backup files by deleting  the ".backupPBR" or ".backupNonPBR" suffixes.
Note that editing the model.cfg gives you also access to the "ubuntu" variants. These are model variants that replaces the FCS driven animations with "standard" ones. These animations are less accurate and realistic, but are compatible with multiplayer. "Ubuntu" models are provided in both PBR and non-PBR versions - please note that you have to use them with the proper cockpit model (PBR external model must go along with PBR VC and vice versa) - otherwise textures may be shown with a wrong color.


Here is the full list of changes:

VERSION 1.23
CHANGES WITH RESPECT TO PREVIOUS VERSION

- Replaced autotrim FCS code to solve the "pitch up" tendency of v1.22

- Replaced navigation lights effects for better compatibility with PBR models

- Fixed glitch that caused left and right wheel rotation animations were swapped

- Fixed glitch that caused barometric reading to disappear from HUD in certain instances

- Added model.cfg backup files for easier deactivation of PBR models

- Added missing Fresnel Ramp texture for canopy


32 bit update (for FSX-SE/Gold/Acceleration, P3Dv1, P3Dv2, P3Dv3) can be dowloaded
HERE or from the side bar

64 bit update with PBR support (only for P3Dv4.4) can be dowloaded HERE or from the side bar

Users of P3Dv4.0 to 4.3 can install the 64 bit upgrade but are should replace the model.cfg with non-PBR versions as described above.

NOTE: UNLESS MAJOR ISSUES ARE FOUND, THIS IS LIKELY TO BE THE LAST UPDATE WHICH SUPPORTS FSX

Eurofighter Update to version 1.22 with PBR (Preliminary)

NOTE: THE INITIAL RELEASE OF EUROFIGHTER 1.22 PBR HAD A SMALL GLITCH SO THAT "REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT" RIBBONS AND COVERS HAD A WRONG TEXTURE - FILES HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH CORRECTED ONES, ALSO PBR "UBUNTU" MODELS HAVE BEEN ADDED FOR MULTIPLAYER.

A couple of sleepless nights playing with Physically Based Rendering (PBR) on the Eurofighter Typhoon model and here we are with another update. For those who do not know PBR, it is a different rendering technique which is supposed to simulate the appearance of 3D models on the basis actual physical proprieties of the material they represent (such as "metalness", roughness etc.). This is a relatively new rendering technogy which, in some circumstances, can provide more realistic results with respect to the traditional techniques.
Recent videogames like Red Dead Redeption are a great example of this. In flight simulation, PBR was introduced by X-Plane, DCS and (almost unnoticed) by Flight Simulator World.
Note that PBR is a generic name for the approach, and each engine has its own implementation with different results and possibilities.
PBR has recently been introduced in Prepar3D V4 starting from version 4.4 - the implementation is quite standard: materials require an "albedo" texture (its base color), a "metallic" texture (which specifies the metalness and, in P3D, also the Ambient Occlusion and the smoothness of the surface), a "normal" texture (basically the old normal/bump map) and an "emissive" texture.
In addition, P3D now allows the developers to control the visual proprieties of a material with a LUA script during the simulation - which is pretty great as it allows a number of cool tricks.
NOTE THAT PBR MODEL WILL ONLY WORK WITH P3Dv4.4 AND ABOVE.

Here are "preliminary" models of the Eurofighter with PBR. While compiling these models I also fixed a couple of minor bugs. As result the update is provided in 2 versions: a 32-bit version for FSX users and users of P3Dv1, v2 and v3 and a 64-bit version which will only work with P3Dv4.4 (you must upgrade your P3Dv4.X to v4.4 or above to use it).

Here is the list of changes:

VERSION 1.22 WITH PBR UPDATE (BETA)
CHANGES WITH RESPECT TO PREVIOUS VERSION

- Added new PBR models, metallic, bump textures and scripts (Prepar3D v4.4 ONLY!)
- Fixed minor issues and typos in the FCS Autotrim code
- Fixed minor bug in display condition of the ENG FLAME warning in RMHHD
- Fixed miscellaneuos typos in the HUD code
- Fixed miscellaneous typos in the HMD code
- Fixed missing plane attitude graphics in the HMD
- Fixed missing emergency jettison icon
- Fixed missing X FER caption
- Fixed miscellaneous typos in the Tactical Systems code
- Added missing wheels and ground roll sounds
- Fixed glitch in gun funnel mode in 2D HUD view
- Changed HMD code so that A-A symbols will not park at the edge of the FOV
- Fixed minor glitch in panel backlighting
- Fixed multiple minor geometry glitches in virtual cockpit

The full update with PBR models for P3Dv4.4 can be downloaded by clicking HERE.

The partial update without PBR for FSX/P3Dv2/P3Dv3 can be dowloaded by clicking HERE.