Paint Request Please

[awstub]

I will be releasing the SWS Phantom camo paints in the near future. They are mostly done, but I still have to take care of the bump maps so they match some panel door changes I made.
I'm still a novice and I haven't quite learned how to do that properly yet.

As for the checkered tail Phantom, I might be able to do one in the not too distant future, but right now I am busy working with SIR_RIPPER on planning and preparing for an online scenario using the FSX@War Southeast Asia theater.

Great Repaint thanks Stu.

I've been admiring those camo F-4C paints you've been working on for the SSW Phantom. Do you plan to release those? wondered if you have any plans for this one?... 57 FIS

Matt

 

[MDIvey]

Great News

Matt

 

[gray eagle]

Let's do Launch

Well, I used AI Tracker AI for this shot. + using the avatar mode in P3d I could use the 1st person and just adjust camera view from what is available.

I sure do appreciate that A-4 paint Thanks awstub ya done good! I had to have my son install your paint, got in a state of flux on step 2 (the pic instructions).

 

[awstub]

Thanks Gray Eagle.

I'm glad you were able to get it to work. I figured that the install might be difficult for some.
Heck, it was difficult for me to figure it out as well.

One good thing about the "custom" install for these paints is that it will be easier to add more repaints to it, since it follows the "normal" FSX folder/ file conventions.

I'm thinking I might create a few more VA-153 paints, enough to have a flight of four airplanes displaying different numbers.

I should be able to do it rather quickly, since I won't have to mess with that evil tail

 

[DaveB]

Now that's cool. Cheers Stu

Sometimes, you can get away with 'same' registrations on aircraft using ATFX due to the bounding box size of the model in question being oversize but the Skyhawk sits REAL close. I wish other models would sit as close!!

ATB
DaveB

 

[gray eagle]

Hiya Butch

I used AirTrafficFX for that shot and for most of the others I do though I also have AiTrackerX. I posted a screenie some weeks ago of a black Hunter formation taken at a distance and zoomed. That particular shot wouldn't have been possible with AirTrafficFX so both programs have their uses. AiTX is a much newer program and still in its infancy regarding development so I'm sure it will get better given time. Unfortunately, the extra camera shots it adds brings my rig to its knees so ATFX gets used rather more

ATB
DaveB

Wonder if AirTrafficFXwould work with P3D? It looks like it pretty much does the same stuff as the AiTrackerX, any appreciable difference?

 

[DaveB]

Wonder if AirTrafficFXwould work with P3D? It looks like it pretty much does the same stuff as the AiTrackerX, any appreciable difference?

ATFX doesn't have the ability to position AI like AITX. When you add AI to your flight, it will form on the RH side. If you add another, it will form on the LH side. Add another and it will form on the RH side e t c up to a maximum of 6. Also, you've no control over the distance they form at. This is down to the bounding box size of the model. There's actually a hell of a lot you can do with ATFX that I never bother with but the same can be said with AITX. I find the formations more stable in ATFX. They can shoot off and do their own thing in AITX and the closer you have them, the more likely you are to get them misbehaving!! It's difficult to say that one is better than the other and they both do slightly different things.
ATB
DaveB

 

[awstub]

I use the FSX@War CCP utility to add AI air, land and sea traffic.

With it you can add an AI flight of up to four airplanes that follow a path at specified altitudes and airspeeds. You also specify the formation they use.
It is very easy to use. It literally just takes a minute or two to add a flight.

I used it for this screenshot:

 

[gray eagle]

I use the FSX@War CCP utility to add AI air, land and sea traffic.

With it you can add an AI flight of up to four airplanes that follow a path at specified altitudes and airspeeds. You also specify the formation they use.
It is very easy to use. It literally just takes a minute or two to add a flight.

I used it for this screenshot:

I wonder if it would work for P3d?

 

[awstub]

Yes, it works with P3d. Here is a good place to find out about it: https://prepar3d.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=117727

 

[DaveB]

Stu..

I don't know if you've been able to launch the Skyhawk off Coral Sea with the settings in your cfg but she wouldn't go for me. It was picking up the shuttle at shift+i but was pulled some way forward. Every time I touched the throttle, the launch gear would disengage. Tried it on all 3 cats. Looked at the settings I had for both hook and launch and they were different so I added the ones I already had and tried again. She now picks up the shuttle on Coral Sea and isn't pulled forward. Launches perfectly too

Here they are if you're interested:

[TailHook]
tailhook_length= 4.1
cable_force_adjust= 0.95
tailhook_position = -14.7, 0.0, -1.0
[launch_assistance]
launch_bar_pivot = 3.0, 0.0, -1.0
launch_bar_lug = 7.50, 0.0, -1.0

Edit: Oh.. aware of the carrier extensions addition too
ATB
DaveB

 

[gray eagle]

Stu..

. It was picking up the shuttle at shift+i but was pulled some way forward. Every time I touched the throttle, the launch gear would disengage.

Dave,

Is this what you mean by way forward? Now when I touched the throttle to max smoke, the launch gear would remain as seen in this snapshot. This is in P3D.

Real deal:

 

[DaveB]

Yes mate.. she's forward almost out of the box. Even though it was picking up the launch gear.. as soon as I touched the throttle, it disengaged. With the original LaunchAssistance entry added, you drive to the shuttle (park just in front).. engage shift+i .. she pulls the gear and stays put. Launches fine. If it works for you the way it is, don't bother changing it.

ATB
DaveB

 

[DaveB]

Here ya go Butch.

Drive her up and just over the shuttle:

shift+i and she only moves a little forward.. pretty much where she should be I reckon:

Launches every time with her original launchassistance entry reinstated. Still.. as I said above, if the settings in Stu's aircraft.cfg work ok for you.. I'd not bother changing them. I've not touched the carrier extensions entry btw
ATB
DaveB

 

[awstub]

That's interesting. I use FSX Acceleration and the settings I'm using has me engaging the shuttle just like shown in the pictures and it launches just fine.

I'm pretty certain the settings I put in the cfg file are the ones I'm using on my system....but when I get home, I'll check it to make sure.

 

[DaveB]

This is FSX Stu. Anything can happen and often does!!

Here are the entries to compare. I kept the ones in the new cfg.. just commented them out.
//[TailHook]
//tailhook_length= 4.0
//cable_force_adjust= 1.2
//tailhook_position = -14.6, 0.0, -1.1
//[launch_assistance]
//launch_bar_pivot = 3.0, 0.0, -1.0
//launch_bar_lug = 3.0, 0.0, -1.0
[TailHook]
tailhook_length= 4.1
cable_force_adjust= 0.95
tailhook_position = -14.7, 0.0, -1.0
[launch_assistance]
launch_bar_pivot = 3.0, 0.0, -1.0
launch_bar_lug = 7.50, 0.0, -1.0

Not a great deal of difference as you can see. Launch bar pivot is the same but the launch bar lug is where it's at. I wish I could guarantee these were original but I honestly can't remember. I've not made them up that's for sure!!

EDIT: I found the culprit.. Mal In a previous install (which I kept).. the cfg is dated 3-2-13 ver 2.6 FDE Update. The last one Mal released is 12-27-14 ver 2.7 FDE Update. The launch bar lug values are different so if you've been using an earlier one Stu.. there's no reason to believe that they wouldn't be different again. Doesn't explain why you're seeing the launch position as in my shots not Butch's but there you go.
ATB
DaveB

 

[gray eagle]

Dave,

I tried to use the reply within your last and it would not take so I have to start another.
I applied your settings per your above. Do you think the shuttle and bridle look the same here as
in your picture? IMHO mine looks same as before I changed to your settings.

What's with the FDE updates you mentioned? Wonder if I am missing an update and how to get it?

My Mdl date is 10/25/2012

Edit: I have Virtavia A-4 Skyhawk v1_1.msi 5/13/2016

The thing of it is, I don't see a virtavia support page anymore. So I'd be hard pressed to get any updates if there were any to be had.

 

[DaveB]

Hiya Butch

I know what you mean. The forums have been acting up over the last 24hrs or so. Pages timing out and not loading.. replies to posts hanging. Didn't know if was just me or not.

Your screenshot shows how I WAS seeing it. My screenshot shows the bridle and shuttle much closer to where they should be. Now.. for the FD updates. They're on here but will probably take some finding. Mal released 2 sets. Airfiles and aircraft.cfgs for the 0-1 model and the same for the 2-3 model. Stu's 'all in one' repaint included a new aircraft.cfg with his repaints and SWS carrier extensions included but no airfile. For want of somewhere to start.. I took the airfile from the 0-1 Skyhawk and renamed it Virtavia_A-4E-F_Skyhawk.air to match his aircraft.cfg. I believe you went about things a slightly different way from what you've said so there's every chance we're all using a slightly different airfile/cfg combination.

I understand your confusion of it because it IS confusing. Mal wanted to give each loadout combination a unique airfile/cfg to match that particular loadout and this resulted in the Skyhawk spanning 22 individual folders These days of course.. a load manager would take care of this as they do on many of the newer models with great success.

Where does this leave us? Well.. I have my original install intact.. that is, the models I use (which doesn't span 22 individual folders). In addition, I have a new Skyhawk folder made IAW Stu's instructions for his 302 Skyhawk paint. This does double-up some of the models but this setup in no way interferes with the originals. Drawback.. all the loadouts will use the same airfile and aircraft.cfg so load weights aren't taken into consideration. You win some.. you lose some.

To save you time searching for Mal's latest files for the A4.. I've uploaded them for you:

Skyhawk01

Skyhawk23

Note: If you mind Mal.. please say and I'll remove them
ATB
DaveB

 

[gray eagle]

Hiya Butch

I know what you mean. The forums have been acting up over the last 24hrs or so. Pages timing out and not loading.. replies to posts hanging. Didn't know if was just me or not.

Your screenshot shows how I WAS seeing it. My screenshot shows the bridle and shuttle much closer to where they should be. Now.. for the FD updates. They're on here but will probably take some finding. Mal released 2 sets. Airfiles and aircraft.cfgs for the 0-1 model and the same for the 2-3 model. Stu's 'all in one' repaint included a new aircraft.cfg with his repaints and SWS carrier extensions included but no airfile. For want of somewhere to start.. I took the airfile from the 0-1 Skyhawk and renamed it Virtavia_A-4E-F_Skyhawk.air to match his aircraft.cfg. I believe you went about things a slightly different way from what you've said so there's every chance we're all using a slightly different airfile/cfg combination.

I understand your confusion of it because it IS confusing. Mal wanted to give each loadout combination a unique airfile/cfg to match that particular loadout and this resulted in the Skyhawk spanning 22 individual folders These days of course.. a load manager would take care of this as they do on many of the newer models with great success.

Where does this leave us? Well.. I have my original install intact.. that is, the models I use (which doesn't span 22 individual folders). In addition, I have a new Skyhawk folder made IAW Stu's instructions for his 302 Skyhawk paint. This does double-up some of the models but this setup in no way interferes with the originals. Drawback.. all the loadouts will use the same airfile and aircraft.cfg so load weights aren't taken into consideration. You win some.. you lose some.

To save you time searching for Mal's latest files for the A4.. I've uploaded them for you:

Skyhawk01

Skyhawk23

Note: If you mind Mal.. please say and I'll remove them
ATB
DaveB

Fond this page http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php/89088-Virtavia-A-4-Skyhawk-Update-Read-on and did not know that this was going on.
Guess I was under a rock. Anyway two questions:

How do I apply those two attachments?
Is Mal still working on FDE's for all the various A4 configs - is that project done?
I was in middle of a PM to Mal when I noticed the attachmets you sent.

Thanks Dave.

 

[DaveB]

As far as I know, these are the only sets he released but there was no indication that these are the only ones he'll release. He has his finger in loads of projects so will probably come back and revisit the A4 at some point

What I would do (and what I DID do) is this. If you're still using the original setup (eg.. 22 separate aircraft folders).. backup the airfile in the 01 folder and use the new one in the zip. Backup your aircraft.cfg in the 01 folder (in case you have new paints added) then use the new 01 aircraft.cfg. You can then add any repaints to it from your backup cfg. Do the same with the 2-3 model. This is all we have until he returns with updates for the remaining models.. if in fact he does. At least you'll have the very latest FD's for the 0-1 and 2-3 models

ATB
DaveB