Sorry not to have been more present on my site and not to have given news for more than six months but I was at "work".
Contacted last July by Golden Age Simulations, I agreed to carry their Stearman PT-17 on the MSFS simulator. In the end, not one but three aircraft were carried, with 3 different engines and a specific flight model for each aircraft.
Our tests were based on a very advanced US team and on the no less important opinion of two Stearman drivers still in activity.
The pure design lasted 3 months and the other 3 months were mainly devoted to adjustments and tests to perfect these addons.
To complete this adonn, we decided to create from scratch two vintage drivers, a man and a girl who are provided in the addon and who are selectable via the GUI of MSFS.
Here is the official video presentation:
This addon is available on Sim-Outhouse in promotion for one week (20% discount) then it will be offered for sale on the usual channels of Golden Age Simulation:
What I remember from this adventure: GAS or rather exactly Paul and Gil are a small team very nice, made up of enthusiasts, as the team of testers they have built around this project and it was a great pleasure (I hope it will not be the last collaboration) to realize this with them even if the language and the 6 hours of jet lag did not help in some situations.
Very good news, after diner long awaited: the release of the long awaited v5.2.
Many fixes, I invite you to read the ChangeLog on the LM presentation page: https://www.prepar3d.com/latest-news
The SDK is also left out ... I've loaded it, but considering the time, I'll do a little report tomorrow morning.
Hi, first release of an aircraft maded French-VFR for MSFS opus
First release of a native plane for MSFS after the trial gallops with CYMX and CTH3, two sceneries that I ported last year.
Since a number of testers were starting to mope and were looking forward to the release of this plane, I decided to "drop the baby" and make it available in v0.9.5.
There are still a few graphic points to correct and the radio to integrate but I'm waiting to find a solution that satisfies me.
For the radio, I'm thinking of abandoning the original 360 channels Badin-Crouzet VHF and replace it by a portable ICOM like the current owner did.
In the years 2000 to 2010, textures for 3D models were designed from 3D models that were projected onto plans, these plans becoming texture maps (maping) that were then worked from 2D software such as PhotoShop, Corel Draw or The Gimp.
In the last three or four years, a new way of designing textures for 3D models has emerged. With this new design, PBR textures "have been used more and more in simulators and games...".
It is now the 3D objects themselves that are worked on using specific software where one paints directly on the model, freeing oneself from the constraints that were inherent in the old processes, for example the junctions between parts that were difficult to achieve.
In the category of these new softwares, Quixel (Adobe PhotoShop plugin) and Substance Painter (SB) were the precursors.
Quixel, which required a lot of resources (it ran within a PhotoShop edition and it was enough that the image to be processed was a little large for the software to crash irremediably).
On the other hand Substance Painter created by Allegorithmic (a French company) was a dedicated software which imposed itself by its new approach and its graphic performances.
One or two years ago, Allegorithmic was bought by Adobe and the software became unaffordable (nearly 200 €) for the occasional use that one can make of it in our creative field. But it has become a reference in the graphic field: games, graphic design, etc.
Quixel has also transformed itself and has become Quixel mixer. It is free and it is no longer a plugin of PhotoShop but a dedicated application.
I had bought an SB licence in 2018 during a promotion on Steam and immediately the software showed its great capacities but in return it still requires a very large investment to get the quintessence from it.
Philosophy of this new software: As simple as the old graphic process was, we took the 3D model and projected it on a plan or we drew seams on the object and then we developed the garment of this object on a plan. The result was called a mapping or texture map which served as a model for livery enthusiasts.
This mapping was covered by several layers: dirt, rivets, shadows, etc. and in the end it was the texture that would dress the object.
The models of light restitution were based on diffuse reflection, specular and normal.
The big difficulty was to find the right stitching so that the final design could be made without deformation and could be conceived on all the objects making up the model. The joining of a line on several objects was a difficult challenge to solve. This problem was a constraint in what could be achieved and could in some cases prevent the realisation of a livery.
The new design is based on the fact that from now on, after carrying out conventional mapping, the model or part of the model is exported in 3D into a software program that will allow painting directly on the 3D model.
This new conception deeply modifies the way of modelling and forces to think a little differently.
Graphic workflow : The graphic process is therefore as follows:
- we design the 3D model
- we create the usual mappings according to the various materials that will be applied to the model
- export the 3D model in OBJ (Wavefront) or FBX (Autodesk export model) format
- import this OBJ or FBX model into the graphics software
- various materials are created
- these materials are applied to the various parts of the object
- we export the resulting textures from these manipulations
- we go back to the 3D software and use the previous textures to dress the model
- the final result is exported in the appropriate format.
New software: Armor Paint
Project page: https://armory3d.org
Latest developments: https://github.com/armory3d/armorpaint
Documentation: https://armorpaint.org/manual
How to buy: https://gumroad.com/l/armorpaint
The sober interface, a minimalist approach but sufficient for the needs:
A second version exists ArmorPaintDXR (supplied with ArmorPaint) which allows even more things but which I didn't have time to dissect :
The Armory3D project gave birth to two products, Armory 3D Engine and ArmorPaint. The latter is of course based on the former. This engine proposes a complete integration in Blender, which at the moment is a real plus.
It has been developed since 2017.
Characteristics of ArmorPaint
- it is a software in its own right and not a plugin
- it is based on the use of nodes (like 3DS Max and Blender)
- it can be accelerated by the GPU
- it allows to create PBR textures
- it allows ray tracing
- it is in full development (I use version 0.7 or 0.8 dev)
- it allows you to make bake textures
- it runs on Windows, Linux, Apple or Android
- it is very affordable, you can have it for less than 18€ as a contribution to future developments.
A large number of videos are available on the armorpaint.org website.
As for the first steps and discovery, I propose you the youtube channel of Alexander Kiryanov (Russian author but whose English is ... very understandable) with this video in particular:
Last week, Matt Davies during a session on Twitch leaked (intentionally or not) information about a zip file on his PC that seems to be the next v5 version of Prepar3D.
Looking closely at his screen that was being broadcast, one can see a zip file name that could suggest that the next version v5.0.2.33365 is being tested.
Some on AVsim did not refrain from spreading the information, so Intox or Info ???
Good evening,
A brief one to announce the official release of MirabelX - CYMX-CSW5 yesterday late in the evening. This new scene is available on Quebec FSX and French-VFR, produced in close collaboration between the people of Quebec FSX and French-VFR, this scene took 1.5 years of work by three people for a result we are quite proud of... An update is planned in the coming months to add various things we wanted to model but we had decided to take a break for this end of year, to find the punch necessary for a long term project.
A type of post I'm not used to writing but why not.....
The retreat coming next year and wanting to please me I will surely update my current configuration to mount a new PC dedicated to simulation and developments.
Here are my choices, not yet final:
- Ecran Ultra-Wide QHD Iiyama 34 " ProLite XUB3490WQSU-B1
- Case HAF 932
- CPU Intel 9700K
- Carte mère ASUS ROG STRIX Z390-H GAMING (6 ports SATA)
- RAM Corsair Vengeance 16 Go (2 x 8Go) en 3600 CAS 16
- NVidia GTX 1070Ti
- Be Quiet DARK ROCK PRO 4
- Storage:1 x Samsung 850 EVO and 2 x Cruxial 250 Go
The news of the 2019 E3 show was the announcement by Microsoft of the launch of a new version of MSFS that should be delivered in 2020.
In 2006, Microsoft released Flight Simulator X, one of the most popular versions of one of its niche video games for real-world enthusiasts. Microsoft Flight, released in 2012, was Microsoft's failed attempt to give it a Free 2 Play follow-up. Since then, air simulation enthusiasts have looked at the competition and in particular the excellent X-Plane, recently introduced in its version 12.
This year, however, Microsoft is reviving the flame with a 4K video, on which the Redmond giant claims to show game sequences in real time, we can see what the one that has been soberly named Flight Simulator will look like.
A lot of ink has been written since this announcement but it must be said that for the moment nothing concrete has been shown... let's wait for the rest.
While reading AVsim and the latest news of the day, I came across a post about a new shader modification tool. The tool is already compatible with P3D v4.3!
TomatoShade seems to be a new freeware/open source tool for Prepar3D whose particularity is to act on dynamic reflections - PBR way. Since this option (Dynamic reflections) is rather greedy, it is advisable to warn the user to have a light hand on the settings otherwise it may be felt on the FPS.
When you modify shaders, you first save what is done by the tool during the first launch in a subdirectory of the installation (_shaderbackup)
It is therefore first necessary to set the Dynamic refections setting to Low in the P3D interface and to check the three settings under this slider. You can then play with Ultra...
These modifications concern the planes so a tool is planned to adapt your model accordingly (profiles exist for the planes of lines of the market like PMDG and others). For details I advise you to read the readme.pdf provided with the tool.
There is not much information on this tool but it seems to be progressing, moreover being free it does not cost anything to try and make your own opinion. It seems built on the same preset file model as PTA.
The following lines are the translation of the information gleaned on AVSim in order to answer the questions of most of you (English speakers or... no).
To make my own opinion, I found presets already developed here: https://www.rdpresets.com/rd-tomatoshade-preset.html
A quick test to compare to PTA allows to highlight the following points:
- For PBR reflections, you can use the examples provided (./profiles/tomato/*.ini) to modify your own aircraft, examples:
After a very quiet campaign, normally Lockheed Martin should release a new version 4.3 very soon (NLDR: probably by the end of June). This new version should probably focus on performance improvements of the native VR.
This should cut the ground under the foot of the FlyInside simulator which was due to come out in the second half of 2018 and which featured native RV support.
16 June 2018
My latest readings from the English forums seem to confirm the following tracks for this new version:
- very probable release during the last week-end of June (25th or 30th June at the latest) - Dynamic Light improvements
We also talk about PBR textures (currently used on X-Plane 11.0) that would be implemented in P3D and a passage on DX12. If it's not for v4.3 it might be in the next v5. This last track would push the last irreducible to pass under Windows 10 to benefit from this novelty (DX12).
If that is the case, I hope that it will not be limited to simple cosmetic' modifications but to a modification of the rendering engine.
Nevertheless for this v4.3, let the people who depend on FSUIPC be reassured: Pete Dawson only thinks about taking a few days off in July and that if L-M doesn't make big changes in SimConnect, his current version of FSUIPC should work as well in V4.2 as in v4.3
Some guys have found that French-VFR was dead because any publication was made since a lot of month. It was just waiting for the future announcement: the next release of Prepar3D V4 - 64-bit version, theoretically announced to download for May 30, 2017!
This new version of Prepar3D named V4 is a complete update since the architecture of the simulator now passes in 64 bits. The visual is not left with higher resolutions, more objects and an increase in the accuracy of informations. In addition, the version provides dynamic lighting, new rain / snow particles, a new version of more realistic 3D trees, a fully reworked SDK, new vehicles and countless improvements.
We will have more details next week as this V4 version should be available on the Lockheed Martin site on May 30, 2017 at 2:00 am (US time).
A short presentation with this video:
For a detailed presentation of the product and its installation, a very good article on AVSIM:
Sorry for not having written anymore for nearly a year but the days are only 24 hours and sometimes real life is very engaging.
New to French-VFR?Well, an aircraft project is underway, because it includes a Canadair CL-215T and a Canso PBY-5.
For those who go through our pages, the Canso has been presented a few years ago and then put on a shelf but I hope to carry it out and be able to give it to you.
Some sought to know what were the main achievements of this v3.3.3 release. There are among others: - Visual defects of the landscape [third party] : Various visual artifacts, increasing the memory usage has been reviewed, and several missing features. - Improved multiplayer sessions: bug fixes which consisted not show new players as if they were the last to join - The management of multi-monitor: This function is accessible via the menu and the "Views Groups" ie the ability within the simulation via the menu to configure multiple monitors among them so as to make its measures display. No doubt this will interest users home cockpit ... For more information, here is a link that leads to a PDF describing the novelty http://www.prepar3d.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6306&t=119668&p=137424&hilit=view+group#p137399
Last informations before the publication of the scene LFAF / Laon-Chambry
To inform you about a project what I find too old yet (http://frenchvfr.free.fr/blog.php?lng=fr&pg=260) the last three weeks were devoted to achieving for French-VFR's libraries : a library of characters, a series of vehicles (car, motorcycle, truck) and a final on common objects. Why does not use existing libraries: I have nothing against those of my comrades but I get a lot of mail due to the fact that those who download do not know then retrieve these libraries and install them correctly so ... I prefer to cut short this form of support.
Then we had to refine the choice of textures and place them on the "Ground Polys" representing 3D grass or tarmac and parking.
Finally, a stage management freeware tool will choose which options or not to take into account the possibilities of machines and tastes of all.
After all this here are some pictures to put you in the mouth ...
The version should be out by the end of May.
After that,I wish finalize somes old projets that I have on my desktop like Menestrel and th NC858S. for Prepar3D.
The work ofLockeed.Martinprogress asannounced inthe latestroadmap:a new version ofPrepar3Dis available sincethisafternoondespite the absence ofan official announcement (source : http://www.avsim.com/topic/484762-prepar3d-v32-is-out/ )
First update since the last major delivery in November 2015, this major version is already available on the Lockheed Martin site (http://www.prepar3d.com/purchased_downloads) in two forms:
that of a full version (recommended by LM) or
Individual Components download
Take all of the version in case (as a single zip or more packages separately) but I confirmed that it was entirely possible to upgrade a v3.0 and without significant problems: the experiment was done on my own machine.
How to do ?
Connect with your credentials on the link given above,
In the "Downloads" you will find three sections
for the full version in a single zip (Full Download)
one of eleven separate packages (Individual Component Downloads)
and the SDK (Software Development Kit (SDK)).
Personally I prefer to take the version in separate packets, easier to download because if there is a PB on one dowload it's more easy to resume.
If you opt for the full version, it will unzip it into a separate folder to dispose of eleven components.
For the update of version 3.0, the file we are interested in is Install_client.msi (123 MB).
Remember to save your file settings of the earlier version:
Via the Windows Control Panel, in the section Programs and Features select from the list Prepar3D Academic client (or equivalent)
Uninstall the client takes only a few seconds ....
Then run the previously downloaded file Install_client.msi and wait a few seconds / minutes
WARNING that you select the directory where you installed the v3.0 ... because by default, the program offers a directory C: and my P3Dv3 is on S: so be careful!
Once the installation is complete, remember to "clean your shaders" and then you can restart P3Dv3.1.
PS: Shaders are located at C:>Users>"user">AppData>Local>Lockheed Martin>Prepar3D v3>Shaders"
A window will appear asking you to activate the product, select "Activate Online" and enter your password (those used to log in LM)
And here it is finished.
IMPORTANT: At launch, if you have Orbx scenes P3Dv3.1 will ask you if you want to run the libraries (DLL) ObjectFlow. To the extent that they have been updated at the time of this writing, you can accept.
Updates Install_Content.msi and Install_Scenery.msi and are not necessary in the first place. These updates relating to:
A positioning of the lights changed to fixed virtual cockpit on the Beech Baron Additional updates to the India Fox Echo F-35A A change in the behavior of ships compared to the waves
Minor changes in five airports in the southeastern US Update coasts, lakes, rivers and elevations in Singapore
These additional content correct a few specific points on the ship wakes and behavior.
If you want to add this ships's behavior and you have not installed the Content.msi but only the Client, you'll need to adjust the * .fx for all vessels used by P3D or wait until the various developers adjust their files and publish them.
For each file in ...>Effects>fx_wake*.fxand for each item [Particle.x] you must add the variable Ground Decal=1
Just a little information about Pascal "GreenHopper" which has solve the last problem of flatten about his last scenery: LFXU - Les Muraux .
This scenery has been startedtherenearly a yearright after thedeliveryLFPT-Cormeilles inVexin,this sceneshould representthe entireairfieldof Les Mureaux (French airport near Paris along the river of "la Seine") andincludedtheadjoiningseaplanewhich is alwayslisted asusable
This new version was released on the announced date and here are my first returns in terms of findings for the installation itself.
This version can be installed in parallel to a previous version (1.4 ... 2.x) because it has its own parameter files to distinguish them from other facilities.The basic installation has slightly increased, going from 18.12 to 18.45 Go Go.
LM no longer tolerate any addons directory or files in its base directory!
The P3DV2 - uires directory disappears in the V3 (it contained images of the interface in v2) so we can expect a modified GUI in this version ...
The P3DV3 - ShadersHLSL directory will increased from 910ko 1.19 Mb so we confirm the changes announced by LM on this point (new sliders in the interface).
The directory P3DV3 - SimObjects will increased from 4.453 Gb to 4802 Gb:
Aircrafts: Fury 1500 an AI will appears
Rotorcrafts: the Virtavia Blackhawk is added to the list of rotorcrafts
I note the presence of an Avatar subdirectory that did not exist before. Data included in this directory suggests that it is an object just like an airplane so we can probably create additional animated characters in the future.
The P3DV3 - Scenery - props folder disappears ... to check.
Other directories like textures, effects, gauges, sound, weather and TritonResources are not changed ... apparently.
The Autogen directory provided is the same as the P3D v2.5 (LM has not altered his autogen files statements so we can re-use the previous version with the additions of some sceneries like France-VFR or OrbX).
The P3Dv3 - terrain.cfg file is not present so we can still regain that of the previous version in case of additions to this file by Orbx scenes, Tongass or Richard Feliz-Ludowise & Luis Terado mods) .
Iwould addmy impressionslaterto the useof this new versionbut meanwhilesome werefasterand throughthis short videoyou willgoldsalreadyseemajorchanges.
Fixed a Pure Virtual Error when transitioning between high resolution imagery and default scenery.
Corrected floating buildings across multiple GPUs.
Corrected batched scenery objects flickering across multiple GPUs.
Corrected runway lights not rendering across multiple GPUs.
Fixed an issue where AI aircraft would not correctly clear navigation settings. This would cause the AI to constantly overwrite control surface values being set by the user through SimConnect.
Fixed a bug where scenery objects would not correlate across multiple views.
Fixed shadow issues with GPU terrain and with bathymetry enabled.
Fixed an issue where non-tessellated terrain would not respect ground detail flag.
Corrected some textures appearing dull if the Scenario Setup screen was used.
Fixed crash on shutdown when multiple devices were used.
SimDirector Fixes:
Context menus will now correctly correspond to the clicked graph node in Mission Visualization.
Fixed a crash related to saving and applying changes with a spinner box selected.
Fixed a crash related to changing units with the Measure Tool.
Fixed a crash when moving SceneryObjects.
Scenario Visualization now displays an indication of loading for large scenarios.
Fixed an issue that would cause event actions to generate invalid values of “: 0″.
Extract the appropriate zip file and copy the contained files on top of your default installation. You should accept all prompts to overwrite files (Yes or Yes to All).
The full Prepar3D download links will be updated in the near future to include this hotfix, but you are encouraged to use this hotfix patch whenever possible.
Please be aware, if any third party software modified any of the dlls included in the hotfix, you will need to reinstall their content/add-on. Additionally, when using this hotfix, any Prepar3D repair or reinstallation will need the hotfix reapplied.
To cool to use a few hours to spare, we set the head to see what version v2.5 Prepar3D was able to do with the two types of addons: those oriented Landclass and scenes Photo Reliable.
1. These two categories are represented respectively by Orbx one side and France-VFR another. The result is that now the two can coexist on the same simulator.
2. Show that P3D 2.5 digests very well in France Brittany 3DA-VFR (latest technology but showed worries about P3D v2.4). For Orbx, our previous test had shown that the answer was a long time: yes !.
Some pictures to get started:
My Settings
In the configuration panel of NVIDIA:
General Tab put all parameters on "Default",
Prepar3D Tab, put all parameters on "Default"
In the file "Prepar3D.cfg", a variable has to be set on "1" because it removes the autogen poping and works perfectly on P3D 2.5 ... on v2.4, it was not tip-top
The P3D settings:
The two scenes "Bretagne VFR 3DA" provide an extensive autogen (but different from the autogen as defined by FSX, it is the 3DA standard of France-VFR). Fortunately, France VFR offers us three possible restitutions:
For small configurations (32bit OS): a basic version (in the "VFR Voln Britain - Objects layer")
For more muscular configurations (64bit OS) a complement (in the "Bretagne VFR Voln - Objects layer 64-bit"). The name has nothing to do with 64bit files, it refers to the OS.
For very muscular configurations of objects and trafficking contained in the "Extras" directory "Bretagne VFR Voln - Ground layer" to be placed in the "Scenery" of "Bretagne VFR Voln - Ground layer".
After various tests on my configuration ( I7 4770k 4Ghz, 4MB GTX780), it turns out that the best results are obtained for the flight by disabling 64bit scenes (keep declared for any screenshots).
The generosity of the object volume has a drawback: the loading time. My PC gets stuck on 6% in "Loading field data" a good number of minutes required for the digestion of what strength P3D him swallow, but the wait is worth it.
Some details about the settings "Scenery" essential to the display of scenes:
1. "Level of detail radius" determines the radius (in thousands of m) in which objects and autogen are loaded. We have shown that its size has much less influence on the framerate of P3D than that of FSX, so the smaller the radius is bigger and better is the aspect in P3D.
2. "Scenery complexity" is to the maximum base setting recommended for Orbx products and why not FVFR for maximum performance display.
3. "... Autogen density", these settings are to be changed depending on your hardware (but the point still has two maximum).
The rest of the settings is to your taste and the power of your hardware (which manages your taste in general!).
A video tite on the spot to show the behavior of 3DA:
The 3DA objects are displayed in the radius required normally to P3D: more incongruous appearances or disappearances.
Saying that P3D v2.5 provides only a lot of unnecessary problems (full install a hotfix and third party applications that are not yet updated) is going a little fast. Although improvements of v2.4 are not included in the list published by Lockheed Martin, the proof is: the regional scene 3DA seduced us!
In our opinion, proper waste by P3D v2.4 (at least in standard P3D), the relatively long processing time of loading shows that P3D preparing "its works" (one of the more than 2.5) the objects provided by France -VFR.
So Orbx and 3DA products works together ! In addition the two coexist because if France-VFR kept the rider used to crush the management of autogen files already installed on the PC to place his AGX product that takes no account of Orbx, integrates Orbx in itsdefinitions 3DA object identifiers (sic).
Now that a publisher does not want to share the economic market with each other, we do not care a bit and even much since there is a simple solution for these products to coexist harmoniously on our machines.
To restore this:
1 - Go to the directory Orbx here: "C: Lockheed MartinPrepar3D v2ORBXScriptsCustom.au"
Fixes issue with Scenery Library requiring a restart
Properly handles the cursor position in SimDirector’s text boxes
Extract the appropriate zip file and copy the contained files on top of your default installation. You should accept all prompts to overwrite files (Yes or Yes to All).
The full Prepar3D download links will be updated in the near future to include this hotfix, but you are encouraged to use this hotfix patch whenever possible. Please be aware, if any third party software modified any of the dlls included in the hotfix, you will need to reinstall their content/add-on. Additionally, when using this hotfix, any Prepar3D repair or reinstallation will need the hotfix reapplied.
WARNING
PThink to backup your file "api.dll" before the update in order to be force to reactivate votre P3D. If your licencse doesn't have been clear by the patch you should send and email to Lockheed Martin and wait .....
- Active Sky Weather has some problems with this patch.
Finally the Prepar3D new version is released this night : the v2.5 is ready to download !
It is a compete version and NOT a patch so it will necessary to uninstall the actual version after saving your configuration files in order to become operational quickly.
To keep your license on your hard drive without to send an e-mail to LM, in order to obtain a new registration order the best solution is given by Jean Maridor from Pilote-Virtuel.com:
Start a new installation of Prepar3D v2.4 over the existing installation,
When the installer asks you if you want to repair or to uninstal, select "uninstal" and Prepar3D v2.4 will be removed from your hard disk without altering your license;
It remains to install the v2.5 when the previous step will be completed..
First release for 2015, Prepar3D v2.5 has been released as a beta-test version
Requested Features and Enhancements Implemented in Prepar3D v2.5
We are currently finishing development on the first update to Prepar3D v2 for 2015, Prepar3D v2.5. This version has several rendering and performance updates, a few general platform updates, and a pretty substantial update to SimDirector, Prepar3D’s intelligent tutor, virtual instructor, and scenario generation tool.
We wanted to thank our development community, and especially our Prepar3D.com forum moderators Rob and Saul, for your continuous feedback and effort to help make Prepar3D v2 the industry leader in flight simulation and virtual instruction.
We will be sending a beta of v2.5 to our beta team this week, and once we are satisfied with v2.5 we will then release the update.
Due to folder structuring, v2.5 will not be available in Patch form. A fully install will be required. This should only effect this point upgrade from v2.4-v2.5, v2.5° should be in patches again.
I hope that this v2.5 version will be released as soon as possible
In order to change a 3Dgraphics format, I discovereda newgraphical tool: MeshLabisan open source for 3D meshprocessing.
This program is developedsince 2005 byISTI and CNRandin orderto provide ageneral purpose toolfor manipulatingand editing3D modelsconsequential, including from3Dscans.
It offers ameshfiltercleaning(removal ofunreferencedegvertex),re-meshing tools(simplification,subdivisionsurface reconstruction...)andnoise suppressionfunctions(softening, etc ...).
MeshLabis available in differentplatforms,including Windows, Linuxand Mac OS X.It supports the followingstorage formats:PLY, STL, OFF, 3DS, VRML2.0,X3DandCOLLADA.
MeshLabis usedin manyareas of research andacademia,such as microbiology, cultural heritagemanagement,surface reconstructionandthree-dimensionalprinting.
Two news freeware to improve effects during landings (on earth or water) on P3D v2.
Tested and validatedonmy PC,they wentenrichmy Prepar3Dv2.4 configuration
Prepar3D McCoy Water Landing Effect.
This package replaces the default water landing effect in Prepar3D. All airborne particles are effected by drag, the lifespan of some have been randomized for a slightly less uniformed look and emitters are adjusted for better frame rate. Three levels of intensity are included, Maximum, Medium and Low.
A short video is provided demonstrating two of the three versions. "Maximum" is assigned to a PBY Catalina and "Medium" is assigned to a Grumman Goose, the "Low" version only displays a wake and does not appear in the video. All effects are Public Domain and are free to use for any purpose without restrictions.
Textures and sound file included by Vince McCoy.
.
Prepar3D Mods--McCoy Ground Landing Effect For Prepar3D.
This package replaces four default ground effects: touch down, dirt, wheel wet and wheel snow. All effects are affected by drag and are offered in five levels of intensity, maximum, high, medium, low and minimum. These effects can be used in any combination so every aircraft in Prepar3D can be easily dialed-in.
Textures and three custom sound files are included covering dry, wet and Snow conditions audible only while its related effect is displayed.
Plus tips on system settings and camera views by Vince McCoy.
SinceSeptember 29, 2014, the fixv2.4was deliveredto the public.This new version ofPrepar3Dis a muchstable versionthan before andbrings a lot ofnew features.
Certainly, itis not perfectbut withsome changesweapproachsome ideaof the simulationFSXonlyin DirectX 10wasbeginningto grasp.
My old configuration v2.3 had be upgraded accordingRobAinscough advices (http://www.robainscough.com) and the patch v2.4 provided by L.M.
For me, it is THE bestversion for network game with multi-players
Youbuyita few years ago a basic version of FSX(Advice: RTMversion provide anySDK)and readingmany postsyou want toget to the otherside andtrying to createyour first scenery oryour plane...butwithoutSDK, it is impossibleunless you buyasecondFSX:ProorGold.
There arestilla freeandperfectly legalway to do this...
Thenyou must configureyour tools(ADESBuilder,Gmaxor other)to gopoint tothe corresponding directoriesin the newSDK.
Enjoy it !
In the furture, French-VFR Team, will use the SDK for Prepard3D v2.x in order to upgrade and provide all yours aircrafts and sceneries compatible with Prepar3D v2.X
Following theopening of a newhangar onLFFQwhich now housesthePink-Lady (B-17formerlybased atDMOrly-PSOA)I had tomakean updateof thesetwoscenesto implementthisnew hangar. The operation isin progress on theMeetingscene asyou can see:
For thev1.5 ofthisfrigate,we wanted toaddthe ability toland onwithbig effects of roll/pitch.
Sometroublesin our codehave forcedus to thinka lot in order to find a solution ...and finally, a newversionv1.6approach that willFINALLYhavea realflight deckinHARDto land onin previouslyunknown conditionsin FSX.
Ratherthan words, here are somepictures ofBernard:
Good news... After 4months of workthe first version oftheFREMMAquitaineforFSX/P3Dis finallypublished-see sectionDownload"Libraryandstatic objects."
An AItraffic (France- Arcachon)is provided in thebasicpackagewhich allows you tofamiliarize yourselfwith the techniquesoflandingsat seaonthiswonderfull Frenchfrigate! To take full advantage, it is imperativeto downloadthe gaugeRFNTACANv4.1(http://royalefrenchnavy.perso.sfr.frthank youto the teamRFNhaveadapted thisgaugeso that we canuse it)andinstall it in yourFSX/P3Dandyourhelicopterin order tolocatethe boatat sea.
Thennothing preventsyou to createyour ownAItrafficviewor useAICarriersto createa fleetwith otherbuildings in theNavyasCharles deGaulleorForbin.
Thisstatic ordynamic elementis usable inFSXandP3Dandmoreit is compatibleDX10.
Asurprisetofindwell hiddenaround the ship.... you have to find it! Av2.0with improvementsisgoldsalready providedby thecoolteam
A good news ...
After 4 month of work, the first version of the FREMM Aquitaine for FSX/P3D is released.
[img]http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/5612/rvg2.jpg[/img]
A AI traffic (near Arcachon bay in France) is delivered in the package. This traffic allow to try the landing an a French frigate !
To use it, you should download the RFN TACAN gauge (v4.1) and to install on your helicopter in order to find the French frigate in the middle of the sea.
After that you can create your own AI traffic and use AI CArriers product to create a float force with others boats (Charles de Gaulle or Forbin frigate).
Ido a lot of"looby"for FRench production of freeware onMicroSim (a french publication on simulation hobby) and recently withBernardaftersomemails withtheir redaction, theydeflectedtheir editorial lineand started toadd apageineach issue,apagedescribingFreewareselectionof the month.
Since the release ofthe scenein 2009, othershedswere builton the airfieldCerny,especially one thathouses thePink Lady(B-17G). To fill thisgap in thecurrent scenev1.05, Iset aboutcreating thisnew hangar...which isalmost completedandintegrated into the newv2.0scene.Itonly remains torefinethe location of theshedwhereI hadplacedvarious elements inversion 1.05asthestandardversionoftheMeetingrelease. ...to follow.
Hello, To give some help to a friend of mine whowouldhave liked to see on FSX an old scene what it used onFS9,I openedmy "workshopscenery"andthis workis a new subject on thisforum,in theScenerysection. I'd sharehow I should solvedifferent problemsandexpose some solutions whatIhave use to realize this work.
A finalword: it's the scenery ofLFAFLaon-Chambry in Picardy
One of our membershas kindlyaskedmeadviceto makea simulator inthe context of aschool,simulatorthat is based ona fuselage ofMenestrelHN700.
This would bean additional incentiveto injectan extra boostto myproject.
I thinkopening aforum threadon this topicwould be somethinginteresting andcould helpbring moreopinions on thequestion,whatkindofversion of FSwould bethe most appropriate?etc..
A new tool has appeared on the market to build scenes based on photographs, some tool known as FS2000 and FS2002. This new tool is TerraBuilder for FSX. It is available in two versions freeware and payware under this link: http://www.terrabuilder.com/TBFSX/index.html
Juste quelques mots pour donner un état d'avancement du NC 858S qui commences à prendre forme:
Il reste bien entendu pas mal de travail mais l'avion est presque complet côté 3D, les jauges 3D sont incorporées (reste à les régler) et surtout la peinture doit être réalisée ... en bonne voie pour trôner sur la cheminées du Père Noël.
came across frenchvfr via "the old hangar" forum and found you have a very nicely modeled catalina here. i have the alphasim-pby but it is without virtual cabin - you know i just love those window bubbles in the rear, its my favorite!
i was more than happy to find your plane but i cannot lift the gear nor lift the wingtip-swimmers. there were no instructions in the zip and i tried the usual methods but nothing worked. is it because it is still in beta and i can hope for a final version?
sorry for writing to you in english, but you would not want to read my french.........
thanks for all your work,
slide
Seen on YouTube yesterday, a new freeware (first release)is appeared: itis asound effectforhelicopters(FSX).The videois quite impressiveandactuallyreminds me ofthe soundscapethat I feltwhen I travel whit an AlouetteIII..
Pour la vidéo, c'est là: www.youtube.com/watch
A la suite de ma "veille technologique" hebdomadaire, je suis tombé sur un post intéressant sur le forum de Lockheed Martin.
LM ne désires pas faire un écran de démarrage façon FSX car leurs clients sont variés et ils ne veulent pas avoir à supporter un développement supplémentaire pour une variété conséquente de matériels car n'oublions pas l'objectif principal de LM est d'adresser les simulateurs professionnels ou grand public pas les simmers.
Ce faisant, un utilisateur de P3D, keithb77 pour ne pas le nommer a développé un petit utilitaire permettant de lancer plus aisément notre simu P3D en se basant sur les fichiers flights pré-enregistrés.
L'interface se présente de la façon suivante :
Flight : permet de sélectionner un fichier FLT déjà enregistré lors d'un vol précédent
A/C : permet de choisir l'avion désiré
Weather : est censé choisir des conditions météo (actuellement, cette option n'est pas opérationnelle dans la v0r1)
Season / Time : pas besoin d'un dessin
Title /Description: vous aviez compris par vous-même
Il ne reste plus qu'à cliquer sur Launch et hop le simu se lance avec vos choix sélectionné.
Où le récupérer:
Le site de ce développeur est ici : http://www.keithb77.host-ed.me/P3D/P3D.html il suffit de cliquer sur Download en bas pour récupérer un ZIP contenant 2 fichiers.
Comment l'installer:
On dézippe ces 2 fichiers dans le répertoire où est installé Prepar3D.
Sur Windows Seven 64 ou sur tout système où sont installé les outils de développement de Microsoft (Visual Studio par exemple), il n'y a rien à rajouter.
Si vous êtes sur XP ou que vous n'avez pas ces outils, il vous manquera peut-être la librairie comdlg32.ocx qui est disponible chez Microsoft (http://www.microsoft.com/fr-fr/download x?id=10019). La raison est que cet utilitaire a été écrit en Visual Basic 6 et que les librairies nécessaires ne sont pas fournies avec le zip.
Comment le configurer:
Vous disposez dans l'archive de l'utilitaire d'un exécutable P3DLauncher et d'un fichier de configuration P3DLaunch.ini.
Ce dernier est un fichier texte qu'il vous faut adapter à votre configuration. Voici tel qu'il se présente de base :
[Program]
Folder=C:FSPrep3D
Exe=Prepar3D.exe
Flights=D:Documents and Settingskeith bedfordApplication DataLMFolder: est l'endroit où votre exécutable Prepar3D.exe se situe
Exe: le nom est Prepar3D.exe à moins que vous n'ayez changer le nom pour X ou Y raison
Flights: c'est le répertoire où sont stockés vos fichiers FLT.
Faites une recherche à partir de C: pour trouver ces FLT et recopier le répertoire trouvé en lieu et place dans ce fichier.
Voilà, c'est fini ... il n'y a plus qu'à lancer l'interface, choisir son vol et Prepar3D se lance comme un grand. Elle n'est pas belle, la vie ?
Si, il reste une chose: bookmarkez le site de Keith pour les mises à jour futures et changer l'icône de base du programme, celle de Prepar3D.exe est beaucoup mieux.
The results of thesetests (graphical resultsfor variousparameter choices) are availabletodownloadvia 2ZIP... hemust already havean account on thesite.Ileave youto go lookfor yourself.
For those who continueonFS2004, they areto retaininformationonits hard drives