tkyler

totally on hold till V10 of xplane ships. Everything is basically on hold until we get xplane version 10 out the door, it's high priority. After that, I'll resume regular operations on the Mu2 and my other stuff.

Sound is definitely sorely missing in xplane and something I've been aching to get into for a while now. Indeed it's one of the first things on my list after V10 work gets done...excellent product that 104!

Kind of a "dual answer" there. Datarefs are added to animations in both AC3D and Blender with techniques specific to those programs of course.....and the exporter simply writes the commands to the object file. The implication here is that you CAN add it to the object file yourself after the export but of course that's much more tedious and error prone. In your case of wind related animations, I would look over the datarefs in the 'sim/weather/' section of the dataref web page http://www.xsquawkbox.net/xpsdk/docs/DataRefs.html. and using the datarefs for wind speed and direction, you can apply them to animations in AC3D or Blender.

several people have noted that....going to be time for a rework after V10 ships I think...along with 100 other things to be done. I think the CSS template I use is the culprit.

The website has been ridiculously slow for me. I'm on OS X snow leopard, running a intel dual core imac...sitting on a 24 mbps connection and it takes over a minute just to load the front page whenever the page is refreshed. Could some of you please hit the site and report here if you're seeing similar "slow times" on page loading. I'm using Safari web browser BTW. A slow loading web page is unacceptable and I need to find the problem. www.x-scenery.com

Not until Version 10 ships. We're all working quite frantically. Currently I'm doing lots of airport scenery and everything will have to sit for a bit. After V10 ships, I expect to have a lot more time to work on aircraft and you can be sure, I'll be working hard on them.

Yes it's blender. I like the Modo color scheme so I basically "borrowed" it for blender :-)

Nothing new to show, but I do like to comment here whenever I work on it. Last night I finished rigging up all the controls in the cockpit with animations...that is I attached bones to them and set the keyframes and there are a lot...232 to be exact. What remains is to assign dataref names to all these bones (because most of them are custom), which is probably a 2 evening (3-4 hours) job and THEN I can start building the plug-in. Once the plugin code gets going, then that and the LIT texturing will be the only thing to finish before the update. I do not anticipate a long period of coding. I'm already past the time I wanted to be releasing it but work on xpV10 comes first. So some of the new features over Version 1.1.1 will be more complete interactive controls via manipulators, no surprise there...new textures on the panel to be easier to read, new lighting textures. All the overhead lighting rheostats will work, the wipers will work (no rain effect ala CRJ/T-34 though), the ammeter on the overhead will work, of course the ADF will be functioning now, a new GTX330 lifted from the Falco and including the countdown timer. The fuel panel switches will be functional and hopefully I can squeeze in a new prop governor model. Austin's doesn't quite fit the bill on the Moo but it is close; however, I want it to be totally real so that when people screw up the shut down procedure (and most do), then they'll have to pay the price come the next startup like real MU2 pilots have to. A prop governor is new territory for me programmatically and while I'm sure I can do it, if it takes some time to get right, then I'll postpone to some other update.

The GTX330 is about 99.5% done. I only have to implement and "up-counter" for the down-counter...that is when the down counter reaches zero, it begins counting up. After that, this GTX will be about 99.9% functionally correct. That last 0.1 percent would be something that most would not see as it only crops up with abnormal use...like if you're TRYING to find the flaws. Here's s shot of the count-down screen where you can set the timer to any time between 1 sec and 100 hours. This is way cool for doing non-precision approaches. The ultimate would be shooting KTEX RWY 09 in low visibility...miss that one and your in the side of a mountain.

For the version 1 run, no. The next update, V1.5 will include cockpit functionality and more systems modeling and "complete" that product line. Then I'll start on Version 2.0, tailored for V10 features with higher resolution everything: normal maps, diffuse maps, mesh, more liveries, higher resolution interior and expanded manual...though It will probably work in V9 also. This will be a new version that will be discounted for existing customers.

Ok..another big hurdle taken care of. I've ported the Falco code into a "genericized" template that is easily adaptable to other aircraft...in this case the MU2. That means I can start on the plugin and start wiring up the MU2 with the more fully featured manipulator tech. I've also tied into the electrical system a bit more accurately and gotten the GTX330 transponder to power correctly. By that I mean that it operates on a range of voltages. Fortunately, Austin models battery drain so now the GTX will run until the battery drain reaches the lower limit of the unit...maybe 17 volts? can't remember; anyhow, in such a scenario, you'd have to keep an eye on your voltammeters to anticipate when certain instruments are going to crater on you. Austin is including some new electrical features for plug-in programmers. With the new features, we should be able to simulate more than just the four electrical buses and we can add in our own loads. This will allow us do do more accurate electrical systems modeling and really have an accurate simulation. It's going to be cool!

Glad you're enjoying it. I know I'm looking forward to improving both the Falco and Mu-2 as soon as I can get to them. How's the performance when doing the formation flying? With two instances of the Falco loaded up...seems it could eat into the frame rates.

Only that it's getting worked on! Best I can give at the moment. We'll post screenies when the exterior is mostly finished...shouldn't be a great deal longer...is that nice and ambiguous? ;-)

In John's defense...there are probably a good 1/2 million or more MSFS users..I once heard MS sold over 1/2 million copies of FS in one year....and if you can make a good 100,000, 200,000 or more on your scenery now, I'd say I wouldn't care what the fate of FSX future is.....give me the money now. So while you're speculations on MSFS future might be spot on, people tend to be more reactive and it's probable that until the revenue has dried up on the MSFS side (assuming that it will), I don't expect many to move over to x-plane just yet. Might as well milk that cow now!

One thing that is important to point out is that things progress..both technology and with that skills and opportunity. Carenado has been around a long time and the stuff they had/have were top of the game for flight simming. Just like the MU-2, those works though are not taking advantage of the latest and greatest. The new caravan for FSX by Carenado is well above his previous works in quality and detail and I expect further improvement as time goes on. To say that one's works is better than another is to imply that one is better or more capable than another and that is not always the case. Jason, for example, prefers his style as does his customers...doesn't man he's less of a developer or incapable..he just chooses his path. Some designers make calculated choices for whatever reasons. I think Carenado/Fernando is super talented and his stuff is at the top of the quality ladder. I think our best x-plane developers are top of the quality ladder also...I don't think you could say that Carenado is better than us any more than I'd say we're better than them. I think perhaps the x-plane fraternity might feel a little defensive to have such a MSFS big-wig come into our camp and just start taking over...but this is good for the community. The only unknown is the flight models..and how robust they'll be. I'm not sure if Carenado is doing it in house or sourcing a x-plane developer. Taking note of the frequenters of the Carenado thread at the org though...I have my suspicions and if it's who I think it is, then I'll probably have to refrain from purchasing the wonderful artwork of Carenado....nobody hangs around in "their own thread" more than this guy.

I don't want to detract from the topic too much, this is about carenado and his thunder......so until we fire up another thread..this will be all I'll say. We're certainly applying everything we've learned into this project. It'll have just about every bell and whistle we feel we can conjour up, including full night lighting...cargo version and some other fun stuff too. I have to think it's easier in my opinion..a bit more "natural" to the brain. I did have discussions with the Carenado guys regarding porting stuff to x-plane several months back.....gave them my synopsis on the porting process and once I explained what I knew, I never heard back from them. I myself thought that was in poor taste....something org administration would do but I've gotten used to it I guess. It's why I'm here after all! I am truly excited to work with the very small group of special people that I do.

It does...wish I had done it! :-) Thanks Georges...this is a collaboration though and I think the real talent comes from my other teammates. As the quality really improves in x-plane, many of us find it very advantages now to team up and exploit team members max efficiencies and talents to complete project faster and better.

I'll be glad when V10 ships. I find myself doing four nearly payware quality aircraft in about 8 months of man-hours. I don't think many people develop as fast as some of the team members I'm fortunate to associate with..but we are all on V10 stuff at the moment. I will be excited to devote a good portion of time to other aircraft as soon as possible.

Guys...we've beens sitting on this one for quite some time..but under the circumstances, I guess we have to make it subtly public. Here's some shots from a C208b that x-scenery.com is involved in. The exterior is 95% modeled and going for texturing soon and the cockpit is most fully functional with custom plug-in to drive just about darn near everything. I doubt Carenado will begin his porting with his caravan so I suppose we'll have to expedite this project very quickly..besides, the systems programming on this one is quite indepth and we're fortunately, pretty far along....competition is your friend! I am glad that carenado is bringing products to x-plane though...it will be very good for the sim! I myself don't seem to be much interested in piston GA ...if I was I probably would be spooked....Carenado does superb work. I guess turbines and business jets are a good place eh?

Joe I totally and without equivocation know where you're coming from and actually support you 100%. This is a complex situation to be sure. I apologize beforehand for stating generalizations that might have included you......rest assured they are in the context of not singling any one individual out. The unfortunate side effect is that some get lumped in unfairly..such is your and a great many moderator's case. In many cases, I will not be able to refrain and I apologize before hand....but trust me that I am not calling you or many of the other mods out personally.

I can't say with 100% certainty nor is it my place elaborate, but I think there may be more to this story than meets the eye. That is I don't think Chip/Simon just said, "the heck with the rules". Nobody has successfully posted a review of x-aviation products "following the rules" at the org yet. With the existing climate between x-pilot and the org, it is impossible to do so without org management thinking that our "side" is trying to invade "their side" and will intrinsically question any motive of those who do so...it can't be helped. The only way it would appear "legit" was if a org regular or moderator did a review. That would demonstrate impartiality but I believe that no one there has the balls to do so lest they get banned or lose mod status...anyone want to try it?....that's what I thought! We do NOT want to take that approach here and encourage reviews of every x-plane product to be found.

Simon, I for one definitely would like you to continue as I said before. I've re-read my communications to you and still stand by what I said to you. For the record to others though, I did not describe his work as destructive though I apologize if this is the way it was interpreted. I think after dealing with criticisms, I can understand your frustrations Simon. Your presentations are professional and promote x-plane is a very positive light. Regarding my thoughts, you have them and I hope in the calm of the aftermath, you can reread it and perhaps see it for what it is.

x-plane HAS orbx quality ability...but as you can see, the workload to bring that to fruition is seriously intense. I hope x-scenery will return to scenery one day soon! :-P

Nothing new to show but I worked on the panel for a bit last night. I've got about 95% of the panel controls animated in Blender, ready for manipulators. Since I'm re-writing the plug-in though, that doesn't mean they'll do anything yet....I still have to rewrite the plug-in. That begins once I have 100% of the controls animated in Blender as well as the remaining 3D instruments. I figure about 6 man hours to get to that point. Those 6 man hours will come at the convergence of time, energy and enthusiasm...and those don't converge but about once every 2-3 weeks at the moment hence the time between posts. After the controls are animated, then the plugin rewrite gets done. I have no idea how long that will be...perhaps 36-40 man hours? Then the 1.5 update will go out.

A Beech Baron...not too shabby...will be shipped with V10 FYI