Alphasim Crusader goes native FSX

[Montie]

What do I need to do in order to convert textures for the FSX native version?

 

[gray eagle]

VF-62 Boomerangs

Another one converted for the new Alphasim F-8 Native V2

 

[gray eagle]

What do I need to do in order to convert textures for the FSX native version?

You need a program called DXTBMP

http://www.mwgfx.co.uk/programs/dxtbmp.htm

 

[Montie]

I have Photoshop, should I convert the textures to DDS?

 

[gray eagle]

I have Photoshop, should I convert the textures to DDS?

If you find a one of Don Bodenstedt F-8'a then you can just use DXTBMP to convert the files from bmp to dds DXT1.
If you want to paint one from scratch then that is another story.

https://flyawaysimulation.com/downloads/files/23241/fsx-alphasim-virtavia-f-8-crusader/

 

[glh]

Another one converted for the new Alphasim F-8 Native V2

------- image deleted -------

Those are some really nice paints. How about uploading your repaints to the library ??

And any that you ...... want to do ...... for the Voodoo !!

 

[gray eagle]

Those are some really nice paints. How about uploading your repaints to the library ??

And any that you ...... want to do ...... for the Voodoo !!

I didn't make the paints, I only converted what was on Don's original content of textures.


If you want any of 'em send me a pm.

 

[bob407]

Repaint by Dave Quincey adapted for native FSX. View attachment 32244

 

[gray eagle]

Link to paint: https://flyawaysimulation.com/downloads/files/23248/fsx-us-marines-vought-f-8e-crusader-of-vmf-235/

Curious as to what your aircraft.cfg folder is set up for this paint.

I installed this one and it's black

here is what my aircraft.cfg is set up for this paint:


[fltsim.8]
title=ALPHA F-8 Crusader VMF-235
sim=ALPHA_F-8v2
model=F8-J_Marines
panel=
sound=
texture=VMF-235
KB_checklists=f8_check
kb_reference=
ui_manufacturer=Vought
ui_type=F-8 Crusader
ui_variation=F-8E VMF-235 Da Nang, 1967
description=© ALPHA Simulations 2005\n\nIn 1953 the F8U-1 Crusader won the Navy competition for the new carrier-based day fighter. It flew supersonic on its maiden flight in 1955. A Crusader set a national

speed record in 1956 by flying over 1000 mph, for which it won the Thompson Trophy. In 1957 Major John Glenn flew an F8U non-stop from Los Angeles to new York, setting a transcontinental speed record. In

1958 Vought received the first Certificate of merit ever awarded an aircraft manufacturer by the Navy Bureau of Aeronautics for the design, development and production of a US Navy aircraft. In the Vietnam

conflict the Crusader had the highest kill ratio over communist jets of any Navy aircraft. The F8U series enjoyed a long service life which was extended in the 1960s by remanufacturing and updating existing

aircraft. Crusaders flew in Navy reserve units until 1987, and the French navy flew its Crusaders well into the 1990’s.
atc_id_color=0x00000000
atc_heavy=0
atc_id_font=Verdana,-11,1,600,0
atc_id_color=0x00000000
atc_heavy=0
atc_id_font=Verdana,-11,1,600,0


I have VMF 333 and have been trying to convert it to FSX but it too is black.

 

[bob407]

Gray Eagle

Download file in my edited post. That should do it.

 

[gray eagle]

Gray Eagle

Download file in my edited post. That should do it.

The model=F8_Marines didn't work for me; black plane. I tried all model= possibilities and still black.
Guess I may try the author to iron it out. Glad you got it working for you.

 

[bob407]

The model=F8_Marines didn't work for me; black plane. I tried all model= possibilities and still black.
Guess I may try the author to iron it out. Glad you got it working for you.

I may have posted the acft cfg incorrectly earlier. Just in case I did, here is the cfg that definitely works for me:

[fltsim.xx] <-- your next entry
title=ALPHA F-8 Crusader VMF-235
sim=ALPHA_F-8v2
model=F8-J
panel=
sound=
texture=VMF-235
KB_checklists=f8_check
kb_reference=
ui_manufacturer=Vought
ui_type=F-8 Crusader
ui_variation=F-8E VMF-235 Da Nang, 1967
atc_id_color=0x00000000
atc_heavy=0
atc_id_font=Verdana,-11,1,600,0
atc_id_color=0x00000000
atc_heavy=0
atc_id_font=Verdana,-11,1,600,0
description=

 

[gray eagle]

I may have posted the acft cfg incorrectly earlier. Just in case I did, here is the cfg that definitely works for me:

[fltsim.xx] <-- your next entry
title=ALPHA F-8 Crusader VMF-235
sim=ALPHA_F-8v2
model=F8-J
panel=
sound=
texture=VMF-235
KB_checklists=f8_check
kb_reference=
ui_manufacturer=Vought
ui_type=F-8 Crusader
ui_variation=F-8E VMF-235 Da Nang, 1967
atc_id_color=0x00000000
atc_heavy=0
atc_id_font=Verdana,-11,1,600,0
atc_id_color=0x00000000
atc_heavy=0
atc_id_font=Verdana,-11,1,600,0
description=

I tried that one too and she is still black. I sent hschuit a PM to see if he can sort this one out. I looked at all the texture files and they are all DDS format.
It's gotta be a model issue that causes it to be black on my end albeit, I've tried just about all the models avail. Nice looking paint, if I could get it to show
up for me.

 

[expat]

Hmm, that paint came over ok for me, perhaps with one or two textures missing I had to track down. I am not fussed about having bmp's mixed with dds either. Usually a black model means an air.cfg error somewhere or formatting of the texture names. I have had partial black textures on swapping some paints over that after some trial and error - and swearing - for some reason got sorted out. Blame it on ol' Ninjamouse . .

 

[gray eagle]

Here is my aircraft.cfg entry: I checked the numbering sequence and it is okay. The thumbnail shows okay in FSX. When I select that Thumb then I get a black preview.


[fltsim.8]
title=ALPHA F-8 Crusader VMF-235
sim=ALPHA_F-8v2
model=F8-J
panel=
sound=
texture=VMF-235
KB_checklists=f8_check
kb_reference=
ui_manufacturer=Vought
ui_type=F-8 Crusader
ui_variation=F-8E VMF-235 Da Nang, 1967
atc_id_color=0x00000000
atc_heavy=0
atc_id_font=Verdana,-11,1,600,0
atc_id_color=0x00000000
atc_heavy=0
atc_id_font=Verdana,-11,1,600,0
description=

 

[gray eagle]

Blackie

Heeeers.....Blackie,,, VMF 235. At least pilots helmet has color. Tried if from another source. All the dds files are in DXT5 format. Don't know if that makes any difference.

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/local_links.php?catid=181&linkid=16611

 

[lazarus]

Failing all else, have a look at the textures in DXTBMP, they may have gone corrupted. I've had that happen before with DXT5 textures, usually after diddling in editor and saving a DXT5 to DXT5, which scrambles the texture and gives the black-out, though I have also had DXT5 textures go south on their own, no rhyme or reason. Nowadays, I always convert to DXT3-those never glitch, and the HD footprint comes down. A few 200MB texture files, and you're running out of HD space.
Su-ure...a 500gb HD should be enough... forgetting parkinson's corollary- any surplus capacity will be immediately taken up!
Also, check syntax, look for an unwanted space in the titles, or extra punctuation. Damned frustrating when these gritches crop up.

 

[delta_lima]

Thanks Henk for adding the "C".

The problem, GE, looks like you're trying to map a texture to a model it was not designed for. Carl's weird texture/mapping logic means that the paints dont' just pour in like most models do.

The pilot works, because it's mapped to the generic pilot texture file.

So what you need to do is change the "F-8E_DeathAngel_ " to simply "F-8E" - on all the texture file names. Then it'll show up - sort of. I still get a few anomalies, but at least you get most of it sorted.

I'm trying to adapt Dave Q's Marine paints onto the F-8C, but there are issues around how the tail/rudder area looks. Also trying to add one of Don's RF-8 paints, but again, there are mapping issues. Russ's low-vis RF-8 paint works ok, though.

I think the "C" model might be a decent canvas for a couple of smart purpose-made paints of something like this ...





Built from the "ground up" on the small nose C would eliminate all the texture mishmashes, but alas, we're at the mercy of a kind-hearted repainter.

In any event, this is a great project, thanks so much.

dl

 

[gray eagle]

VMF235 is there almost

Got a PM from Hschuit explaining why I was having issues:


Hi, the paint does not work because it needs the DeathAngel model which I did not convert. BUT: The DeathAngel model is similar to the F-8J which is included in the FSX pack, so we can make it work. There are 3 steps needed to fix this paint for FSX:
1. Update the aircraft.cfg entries for FSX, such as changing the FSX model reference that will take this paint in the aircraft.cfg = F8-J.
2. Rename all the F8-J_DeathAngel_* textures to F8-J* as those are used with the F8-J model.
3. Copy a couple of missing F8-J textures over from my texture VF-24 folder.

I tried it for myself and it works now - thanks for the nice repaint btw, you can never go wrong with Dave's paints. Here is the link to the fixed paint:

Here is pic of what I have so far. The landing gears are black. Do I need to borrow certain gear files from another texture to fix that?
I had just finished taking all the files down from DXT5 to DXT3 when I got the email above. BTW, my file conversions didn't work anyway.

 

[hschuit]

GA, check the content of the texture.cfg file, it tries to call the common textures like the gear from a folder which does not exist in you case.