Goran_M

I have no problem clicking the link because CHROME will just block a site that is flagged as unsafe. I made a post there as there is no STMA banner on that particular page. I can't see how Mark can say it's safe when Cameron and myself had the exact same problems AFTER visiting STMA.

Small update. The warning now comes up every time I try to go to the org. I have a feeling a lot of people are going to have spyware, BIOS and BSOD problems if they run a windows based PC.

Never knew this had to do with BSOD's as well. I was getting those as well at boot up. Restarts the PC automatically and then boots up fine. Disappeared after the fresh install.

About a week ago, I made a post in the org about STMA's servers and the warning I got in Google Chromes browser warning about Malware after wanting to go browsing through STMA's website. After proceeding to the website anyway, after placing a check mark in the "proceed anyway" check box, I later found out my computer was infected with a plethora of spyware and Internet Explorer opening up randomly with pop ups. The only thing I could do was a fresh install of windows as my System Restore function was permanently disabled and nothing I could do could fix it. And believe me, I tried everything. After reinstalling everything (including ALL my back ups...valuable lesson was learned a few months ago), I made a post in the org forums. a couple of responses (1 from a Linux user who would not have problems anyway) and 1 from Ben didn't really shed any light on the matter. So I ignored it and made it a rule not to go to STMA's website again. Well, have a look at this... That's after trying to go to x-plane.org. There is no way I'm going there anymore. It does seem to be random, though. I have gone there plenty of times in the last few days. Nonetheless, I'm done with formatting and reinstalling! Perhaps an org mod can explain it. Goran

Chain and padlock? That's Cameron's and Ben's Job. (DRM) The vacation? That's all the missus. She told me we haven't been on vacation in...wait for it...7 months. But we stayed in the country so it doesn't really count. Even though it was in the tropics. She's been begging me to go to Paris for years. I actually couldn't think of anything more fun to do than sit at home, behind my computer and watch the sun set and rise (in that order) without going to sleep, eating noodles and drinking black coffee, scratching the 2 week old facial hair that makes my face itch, while nudging vertices. Regarding the air racers. They're definitely an option but I am definitely going to be flat out until at least the end of this year (vacation included!) but I'll definitely consider them as a fun side project if I haven't got anything else to do. However, considering the size of the 747 project, I doubt I'll have much time as that's going to be a mother of a job to get it looking and performing the way I want it to and that is going to start taking up a very large portion of my time. Especially if I want it to come out by the end of this year. Goran

I'm slowly learning Modo. It certainly is a very groovy little program and has more shortcuts than Blender. The problem is whenever I use it, I'm using Blenders mouse clicks. I have to completely unlearn Blender and I can't do that yet because the missus ordered me to finish the Sundowner by the end of April. That's kind of my incentive for working this fast. Anyway, after all these tiny closeups of different panel sections, I got Theo to send me an entire panel screenshot. We are aware of the "stretched" texturing issues on the left side and they are easily fixed. I had to adjust the mesh and I did so AFTER Theo UV mapped and textured it. There are other things we want to address first before we fix it. Also, as this is a render, the dark appearance is a Blender light issue. Feedback welcome. And the original cockpit...

So Theo and I have a little friendly debate going. I don't want to say who said what, but I'll put up the screenshot and what I would like is feedback from as many people as possible as to leave it in or take it out. Take a look at the screen right above the "comm". The break in the glass. Thoughts and opinions...PLEASE, so Theo and I can settle it.

Sorry Andy. I didn't see your "PS". The next 2 GA's we're doing are the A36 and G36. I MIGHT do a Beechcraft Sierra as I do have a few hours in that one as well along with the Beech Duchess (What is it with me and Beechcraft??). As of now, though, I want to concentrate on getting these 5 projects done and out. Then a long overdue vacation. Probably taking the laptop, though. I'm sick like that. If I have time in between projects while they're getting textured, programmed, etc... then I'll probably whip up something real quick. Again, apologies for not answering you earlier regarding this.

Coming together. Animations start tomorrow. Feedback...as always...welcome. Goran

In theory, it'll be 2 weeks. :-\ But I do have high hopes that my theory will prevail this time. It certainly does seem to be a short travel distance, but I think it's actually a larger travel distance than a Cessna GA. Note: This is a different panel variant but the throttle assembly is the same as the one I took photos of. My photos just don't look as nice as this one.

Modelling is finished. Interior is almost finished with texturing. All that's left is exterior texturing before I start the animations. THAT shouldn't take too long. Hoping to have this one out in the next 2 weeks.

Very nice. Love the windows! (inside joke) Goran

Bit of a close up. We're aware of the fact the red switches are not all supposed to be red. They have been arrayed and textured. 1 textured switch means the arrayed switches get the same texture. Once the modifier is applied, they will be red and white. This us just to show you Theo's freaky texturing.

Thanks for the comments, Andy. What can I say...I'm a workaholic. As I said, Theo has learnt a "few" things since texturing the Hawker 4000.

It's fun but it's a logistical nightmare. I've been organizing projects to make sure it all runs smoothly. Otherwise it all ends up being a big mess.

So here's the situation. I was getting bored so I started another small project. The Saab is being animated. The 747-200 is waiting on more manuals and UV mapping. In any case, the modelling is just about finished. Very little of the VC left to do. Hawker 4000 is going to be re-textured by Theo as he wasn't happy with how it turned out the first time. Not to mention he's learned a few new things. The Bonanza A36/G36. Well, they are coming after THIS project as they are all made by Beechcraft and the Sundowner (C23) uses a lot of of the basics. The Sundowner is also the reason it has been very quiet. I've been very busy with fixing a few Saab mesh issues as they were being brought up and building the Sundowner. The Sundowner, a plane I have about 80 hours of flight time in, is the first plane I actually did a long distance solo in about 10 years ago. YHOX to YGLB. A damn good plane and very reliable. There will be manipulators and a full 3D VC. Plus a small tutorial replicating my first solo flight from Hoxton Park to Goulburn.

It's certainly not out of the question. But it's definitely way too early to plan for something like that. At least the important stuff is already made.

Doesn't matter anyway. Cameron and I spoke about it and he is against the idea of an INS-less version. It may be boring having to wait for the IRS's to align, but they will probably have aligned by the time the before start checklist is complete.

I know I've flown a few short trips with the 742 every once in a while. lol @ CTRL-E. If you do that, I'll animate some 3D question marks coming out of the cockpit and a speech balloon that says "you're kidding, right???" This something I have seriously considered. Apparently, the very early 747-200's did not have an INS or FMC. They used radio navigation. And sure enough, the BA manual I have that shows all the panels of the 747-200 has a mode knob that does not have an INS option. I'll talk it over with Cameron and see what he says. It's still definitely possible to do short flights with the 747-200. I actually plan on adding a few tutorials to come with it. I have written 3 tutorials for the FS9 version. London-Milan London-New York London-Kai Tak One thing is for certain. You won't be bored with all those systems to monitor. Goran

Not at all. There have been some things happening with the 747 project that I cannot talk about yet. It is still moving ahead. And I can say with 100% certainty, that it will definitely be finished, hopefully this year. Keeping in mind the manuals will be quite extensive and they take a bit of time to create. It's not me being a tease about it. But I have been talking to certain individuals and there have been some, shall we say, (positive) developments. I will be posting these developments very soon when everything is 100% official. It is kind of official now, but I am waiting for the green light from someone to really set it in stone. What I can say is the 742 is about 95% finished. I'm waiting on a whole stack of manuals to get shipped from the UK and then I will get started on the other 2 engine variants. What I have been modelling is the RR variant. I still need some more information on the RR engine type and that's what I have been waiting for along with the PW and GE tech specs. Theo cannot UV map or texture the 747 as he is still quite busy with the Saab texturing and we want that done before programming for the INS gets underway. The INS cannot get underway yet as the programmer, who is still ready, willing and able to program it, is still busy with another project he started last year. As that project will be paying his bills, I dare not ask him to drop it and start programming the INS for me. I'm waiting for him to finish that and THEN he can get underway with the INS programming. Also, another thing I can mention is the 742 will have a number of other custom systems programmed into it. Really juicy stuff. Going by this programmers credentials, this will be a "study" sim of a 747-200. Steep learning curve? You betcha! All will be known within the next week or 2.

With what?

Looks simple enough. It's a pretty full plate of repaints we have at the moment but I'll talk to Theo and see what he can come up with. If it doesn't ship with the original package, it'll most likely be made soon after we get the original package out the door. Goran

Welcome aboard, Jim. Remember, above all else...have fun. Goran

awwww, ok. If Theo agrees to texture it, I guess I could finish that one up.