Goran_M

Tweaked the exterior and added a few little things. The wings are NOT attached. I have to blend them into the wingbox. Panel is still being made. Screenies of the panel coming in about 2-3 days.

http://forums.x-pilot.com/index.php?topic=359.msg3023#msg3023

Just to keep the progress going, the Saab is still being textured and animated. The control surfaces have been animated and the aircraft has been tested in the sim. All is working as it should. The gear and propellor animation is next, then the cockpit. Texturing is still being done but will hopefully be finished within the next 10 days. Goran

I'm one of those guys that prefers to do something properly. Nothing against bump mapping, but if it has rivets, I would rather model them. However, I added rivets to the Saab, and it was 40 000 extra faces!!?? So I'm being swayed more to the bump mapping. I do like the illusion of bump mapping though and the Saab will have bump mapping. And I can safely say, so will the 747. Goran

I have plans for a few projects. But they are waaaaaay down the track for now. The 747-200 should keep you full for a while when I finish it.

It will definitely have wingflex. It's relatively easy to add wingflex to add ons these days. Goran

With the exception of a few very tiny adjustments, antennas and the gear doors, the exterior is done with the modelling. All control surfaces have been cut, including the triple slotted flaps (what a nightmare) and the wingbox (bigger nightmare). I deleted the other 2 exterior renders that were here before because I didn't like them. I'm still trying to get the hang of yafaray. I'll put up 2 more renders of the exterior soon. Just to point out, the seam that is visible running horizontally across the engine nacelle is a deliberate cut I made. Thrust reversers. ;D Onto the panel. This might take a while. Goran

It will also be used on the Saab 340A/B Goran

I have finally found a programmer for the Hawker 4000. Or rather, Cameron found him for me. Programming will begin very soon and, contrary to my earlier expectation, it will be released in the new year sometime. But it will be worth the wait. Goran

Texturing and animating is progressing very quickly. Theo is working very hard on the texturing side and what I have seen so far (overhead panel) is looking quite exceptional. The guy won't show me anything else until the whole plane is textured. He has promised some renders of a textured Saab in the coming week or 2. I can let it be known that Reuben Mowbray from XPFW is now working with me on this project and he's doing all the animations and also possibly adding some manipulators. It will be tight, but we all still agree that it will be done before Christmas. Goran

Finally after 3 days, the landing gear APPEARS to be finished. I'll go over it to make sure things are in the right place. I still want to work on the front gear a little more. Anyway, as always, comments and feedback are always welcome. Goran

No, but AirX is a part of these forums. He uses another name here. Goran

Thanks Ola. I actually have a secret. I can fast forward my watch to affect my immediate surroundings. Unfortunately, making this plane has so far aged me about 2 years. Goran

Please consider releasing a "basic" version without the INS or detailed systems. That way we can purchase your product sooner and upgrade to the "advanced" version when it becomes available. 747-200 for XP, bring it on! I have just had confirmation from a programmer who is willing to build the INS for me. There will be no need to release a basic version without the INS because the INS will be ready before the actual aircraft is. Goran

Thanks Nils. I'll need all the luck I can get. I can see myself re doing many things on this bird. Goran

It will have a full 3D cockpit but there will most likely NOT be a virtual cabin. If I do a cabin, it will be limited to the upper deck only. I don't see the reason to make an entire 3d cabin. Not to mention it will obliterate the poly count. There will be 2D pop up panels of the Flight Engineers panel to make life easier. Goran

I thought I wouldn't beat around the bush with the title and just name it for what it is. I've started making the 747-200. Now I'm truly in the deep end. This is a huge undertaking by me and my little boutique of a team and often I think I'm in over my head. And I'm not the only one. Why the 747-200? I have spent 8 years learning about it. In FS9 AND the real thing. The -200 has a lot of memories for me and I have a lot of info on it (more than I need, actually). I worked with a developer who made a payware version for FS9 and I have repeatedly tried to convince him to make one for X Plane. All to no avail. So I decided to tackle this project. This project IN NO WAY hampers development of the Saab 340B. I will most likely develop the 340B as an upgrade to the 340A so work on that will be very fast. But this beast? This will be a labor of love. I have no idea when this will be ready. I am in talks with a programmer from the MSFS world who is considerring making the INS for me. Nose Gear The detail will be extensive. Theo's worst nightmare when it comes to texturing. The N1 fans will have proper rotation. Not a blur. It's tricky but I know how it can be done. Almost imagine it flying overhead. Looks big, even from the front. :-\ Detailed Main Gear Again, this will be a big one and I'm going to go all out with what's available to me. So far, what you can see above, has taken me about 4-5 days to model. Exterior is the easy part. The panels...let's just say my eyes still haven't recovered from seeing the panels. As always, comments and feedback are always welcome. Forgot to mention. The wingbox is a nightmare. That'll come later. Goran

We all make mistakes, Rafael. What's important is that you learn from them! Goran

Things are moving forward on the Saab 340A. Texturing and animating will take about 3 weeks total from today so HOPEFULLY, it will be ready before Christmas. In the meantime, while Theo textures it, I have decided to take a break from Saab stuff for about a week (I plan on making the 340B and possibly the WT and 2000. However, I have started collecting information and photos on another project I was planning. And I decided to plunge into Blender and start modelling it. I don't really want to say too much about it yet until it's further along and I have something juicy to show. This means I may have to cease working on the Bonanza, at least for now, because I really want to do this other project. More on this new project in the coming week or 2. Goran

Price is still TBA. I'll be able to give a definite price range in about 2 weeks. Goran

We're working in what I would call, a "patient rush". I'm predicting it will be out before Christmas. If there are no problems between now and then, all should be good. Goran

Not yet. But one is being worked on. Goran

Just downloaded it and it's AWESOME. It's ALMOST the same as 2.49. Very slick interface. Goran

Modelling is finally FINISHED! Everything fits, is scaled, attached, etc... Not to mention some extra detail I threw in. Tomorrow, it starts getting textured with Saab house colours. (This took me a whole night to finish. Went to sleep at 930am) I'm hoping to have it out 1 week before Christmas at the latest. Goran

Some parts of the gear look out of scale. Suspension hinge looks a bit too small. See if you can scale up and adjust. Goran