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Hampster

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Posts posted by Hampster

  1. ETNZ AC72 (prototype)

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    ETNZ AC72 - X-Plane Prototype

    This is my initial go at making the hydro-foiling AC72 catamaran, three of which featured in the last America's Cup in San Francisco, two of which were of the same design which I have modelled in X-plane. 

    A rundown of features: 

    • Fully tacking model, even with a crew (in this case Dean Barker and his team) that cross the boat.
    • Onboard view, you can look from the helm's point of view in 3d cockpit mode. 
    • Full hydro-foiling capability, though you need to take the steering slow.
    • Average flight speed of 35kts, the average speed of these boats. 
    • Custom sounds to make the experience realistic
    • Two liveries, respective to the two teams who used this design: ETNZ and Luna Rossa

    Be Warned: Last year when I made this model, I got it tested on other computers, and it did not tack properly. Something to do with the dataref issue and how my objects were attached. It worked fine for me however. If there is an issue and you can use Planemaker, and have a try fixing the angles of gear retraction until it works. You don't need my permission to re-release an improved version, it's barely a finished model, and deserves more attention. I expect this model to work in V10, however I have only tested this in V9.

    Unfortunately I made a far more detailed model but it is currently locked in a hard-disk of a failed iMac. Give it a try though!

    -----------

    Given that this might be my last upload to X-Plane for a while, I would like to say that X-Plane has been one of the greatest tools in learning my passions during my adolescent years. My first release in 2009, an embarrassing attempt at making a supersonic jet, got me hooked on messing about with the simulator in spare time. I asked dad to use his adobe software to make textures, and I soon learned about basic flight and what it takes to make aircraft as well as how to make paints. 

    Through the process of painting, designing and thinking about my planes, I developed a skill and passion for graphic design and engineering. I am now putting the things I learned to the test in real life, as I am midway through building my personally designed hydro-foiling high performance skiff, as well as taking on graphic design jobs as I finish my final year of school. Without X-plane, I'm sure I would not have had the confidence or experience to do these things as well as I do today.

    Thanks to the community for their support over the years, and although the detail in professional models is hard to beat in X-Plane 10, don't be discouraged to fiddle about with X-Plane! It could teach you heaps. 

    Enjoy your sailing! 

    Hamish 

     

     


  2. OK, I have figured out how to place the python script into the addon directory within the blender.app.. I get an export command showing up in blender now which is good. I however still don't have an import option, which I would really like to have!

     

    Please, help!

     

    Hamish

  3. Hi all,

     

    I am running OSX.9 and just downloaded blender V2.74. I am keen to start modelling in blender, but I am hunting and hunting for a way to get my model into Blender.

     

    The problem is getting the plugin to work, all tutorials so far say that all I need to do is run the command script in the download package. I do this, it says:

     

     

    Failed !!!
    Install the Blender application, eg by copying it from the disk image
    to your Applications folder or Desktop, then run this installer again.

     

    I have copied the blender.app into my applications folder. Am I wrong in assuming there's a folder directory I am missing?

     

    It would be really great if someone could take me through the process, or point out to me if my software is too advanced for the latest existing plugin... Anything! I'm desperate!

     

    Thanks,

     

    Hamish

  4. Hi all,

     

    This issue has been slightly putting me off X-Plane lately because it persistently won't go away.

     

    I'm running V9.7 on a 27" iMac, specs:

     

    processor: 3.6 GHz Intel Core i5

    memory: 12 GB 1333 MHz DDR3

    graphics: ATI Radeon HD 5670 512 MB

    OSX.9.5

     

    Problem:

    The frame rate in the sim seems to crash right down to 19fps with even basic rendering settings. When I got the Mac a few months ago, I could run V9 with no frame rate issues with the rendering settings set to 'totally insane'. Now even developing basic planemaker models, I can not do this without the sim jolting and drawing in the annoying volumetric fog, even when I take the fog setting off. I can only get 24fps out of V9 when everything is set to its lowest rendering setting. As soon as I turn on pixel shaders or increase texture resolution, the frame rate will crash down to 19. PlaneMaker is even having issues and is going all juttery.

    X-Plane is telling me it is using about 170 MB of VRAM, and my mac is telling me that it has 512 to give, so what is going on? It should be smooth, shouldn't it?

     

    Even on my old slow mac, I kept things running well for five years. I've never seen this issue before...

     

    I hope I can resolve this issue...

     

    Thanks,

     

    Hamish

     

     

  5. File Name: International Moth - Hydrofoiling Sailing Dinghy

    File Submitter: Hampster

    File Submitted: 09 Jun 2014

    File Category: Experimental

    X-Plane Version(s): X-Plane 9 & 10

    2QjjdFw.png

    3g3l9QC.png

    np74S0N.png

    ztMj8K7.png

    Some Notes:

    The International Moth was quite a challenge to get going in X-Plane. The basic principles of sailing are never easy to replicate, and hours of tweaking in V9.7 left me with this version. I find it fun to play with, I hope you do too!

    The steering is sluggish, but it does not create drag like a water rudder. The twitchy rudder of the moth, I'm afraid, will never be super-realistic based on the platform I have created. The speed though, does reflect the actual thing, with foiling capabilities at about 9 kts + of boat speed, and a top speed of 21 kts.

    The model is driven by a jet, not 'sailing' per say, but yet again the chances of getting a wind driven model in x-plane to foil is very unlikely. It's the annoying lack of lateral resistance!

    I built this model in v9.7, so I can't guarantee that it will work exactly the same in v10. It probably will...

    Click here to download this file

  6. Success! (ish)

    A9Na72w.png

    The Moth can now foil successfully at around 11 kts of boatspeed, but hasn't cracked 20 kts yet. I have a bit of work to do with lift/drag. You can't steer either, but I will put steering on as a directional thruster to deduct drag.

    UeM8PGy.png

    ^ New detailing includes mainsheet and blocks, new captain, new buoyancy pods on wings, forestays and sidestays with a funky spreader, new sail etc...

    It's quite surprising how stable this boat is when you power it up to 120 kts.. The future of high speed boating? !!

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