Goran_M

Thanks for your comments, Alex. So far, Engineers Panel (1 more sub panel to make it complete) and Overhead panel have about 30 000 polys (15 000 each). I'm shooting for 15 000 polys for each panel of the cockpit (Engineer, Overhead, Captains and First Officers Panel combined, Center Console). I'm hoping to peak at around 300 0000-350 000 polys for the entire aircraft. So far, I'm at 240 000 polys for the whole plane.

Slowly getting there. Overhead panel And Engineers Panel. I deleted some sections because I wasn't happy with them. After 3-4am, I start to lose focus and I start rushing so I'm going to re do them after I have a Vienna Coffee. As always, opinions and feedback are very welcome. Goran

We COULD show you screenshots, but exporting the aircraft into x plane and/or rendering some images would take time away from development. When all animations are done and we do an export and test, then I'll see what I can do. Believe me when I tell you, Theo and Reuben are working some crazy hours to get this one finished ASAP. Goran

The Engineers panel will definitely be a 2D pop up panel. 1 person will easily be able to control engineer duties with a 2D pop up engineers panel once the person grows accustomed to the duties involved. Most engineer duties are performed on the ground during start up and after landing. The engineer also controls engine thrust on take off, climb and descent by placing his hand on the throttle (in the real aircraft) but I might be able to include an "autothrust" system which replaces the engineer. Other than that, the engineer mostly monitors the aircraft systems to make sure the aircraft flies smoothly and to address failures should they occur. There MIGHT be other 2D pop up panels as well, (INS, radio stack and Overhead) but that remains to be decided during testing. It is, undoubtedly, a complex aircraft, but once you learn how to fly it, it is a real fun aircraft to conquer. Goran

Looking at it now, I might have to re size it a bit.

Some modifiers will be applied. They remain un-applied" to make it easier for UV mapping. Anyway, panels are making progress. Engineers panel is finished. Overhead panel is 90% finished. I'll probably go back over them to make sure everything is just right. And....some fun with Yafaray...

Will, There is only 1 person to blame for this division in the x plane community. Just think what could be achieved if we all worked together!

Welcome to my nightmare... It's an "interesting adventure", to say the least. Goran

The first 2 panels are finished. Can you guess what panels these are? Goran

And yes, it is possible to model the rain being cleared by the wipers.

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