Aircraft lighting question.

NSS

NSS

Charter Member
A question for those who know better than me (not hard)!!

What do these x z y positions relate to?

IE. x = height z = length etc etc



<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fx_ac_Light_nav_red" PosX="-8.19" PosZ="0.26" PosY="0.53" MinVel="1" MaxVel="60"></Effect>

I have the lights in the xdp but they are not placed correctly. They just need a little tweak.
View attachment 23765
 
X means to the left or to the right from the centre line, Y means up or down from a specified datum point, Z means forward or backwards from the same datum point. Actually X doesn't always mean "from the centre line" if the modeller has screwed up and has the datum point off to one side but that's very rare.

In your case you need less Y, "0.4" might be a good value for the next try. All values are metres so this change would bring the light down by 13 cm.
 
If I remember rightly, X is right to left (minus values are left,) X is up and down and Z is fore and aft. The 0,0,0 co-ordinate in the gmax model is the starting point. Distances are metric, metres and down.
 
Sorted.

Thanks people. Once I knew which one did what it was plane sailing.

Just wish I could show you the full results!!!!

Kev
 
NSS said:
Sorted.

Thanks people. Once I knew which one did what it was plane sailing.

Just wish I could show you the full results!!!!

Kev
Click to expand...

No offence Kev, but if nodes for each light are included in the model then all you need are the correct node names, rather than x,y and z surely? Rather like guns and exhaust effects.

The expertise greycap has developed with these is in retrofitting lights to models with none - and no nodes for identifying them: position data is needed for these.

BTW, there's a gotcha if the modelling centre is not the same as the flight simulator centre (more info in a tedious thread here:-http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php?t=28973 ) but again if there are nodes, the problem doesn't arise
 
No offence taken.

I have no idea about nodes and the like as there are two things I know about GMAX. Nothing and even less.

I am doing them like greycap does. Retro fitting them. Now if the modeller adds nodes for the lights etc, I will have to learn something new.:icon_lol:
 
Should be quite easy. If the modeller obliges, you would put a line like this in the [Effects] section of the XDP

<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fx_ac_Light_nav_red" Location=portLightNodeName MinVel="1" MaxVel="100"></Effect>

where portLightNodeName is the name the obliging modeller gives to the node for the port nav light, using AvH lights.


Cheers!
 
Kev,

Which aircraft are you working on? Does it have Recognition lights on it? I have some new recognition lights that will flash in the three color combo. When I built all the first generation lights I used "muzzle flash" which cannot be made to flash, they worked great but would not turn off (no timer) so I tied in a reflected light to enable them to turn on and off as the speed governor kicked in and out.

These 2nd generation recognition lights will flash, they are also viewable thru 360 degrees unlike the ones I did with muzzle flash. Let me know if you want to give them a try.

WW II aircraft did not have rotating beacons but they did employ flashing recognition lights as well as position lights. The RAF used the flashing tail light with morse code to signal other aircraft in the formation.

Steve
 
Hi Steve,

Long time no speak,hope you are well.

The plane is the Mosquito that Dave and I started about back in the fall of 2006, yep 4 years ago!!

So far I have added lights to the wingtips and the tail. Currently no recognition lights, I am just using the effects for the others allthough I am keen to try new things. Even after all these years and a two year break from Flight Simming I am learning new stuff.

Dave has moddeled a landing light into the wing as per the full size,and that will be my next job. Would really like to get a forward facing beam into that one.

The second generation of lights sound great and it would be great if I could try them.

Kev
 
Kev,

I also have a new landing light based on the leigh Light effect beam. I will mount the new recognition lights along with the new landing light on one of the ETO mossies and put it on the FTP for you.

Good to see you back working in CFS3,

Steve
 
View attachment 23915Kev,

I installed your new landing and taxi light on the Mossie and tweaked the nav and tail lights for you. I put the revised XDP and a new effects file on the FTP and sent you a note here on the forum.

The Mossie has a new taxi light in addition to the main landing light. The taxi light has a light beam for low speed airfield work (angled down like a taxi light should be) and it will go off as you reach takeoff speed. The main landing light will remain illuminated with the nav lights after takeoff till cut off speed is reached.

I did not install any other lights and left all of that work for you.:salute:

Steve
 
I made them and according to my memory sent them to someone, at this point no idea who, but apparently they never made it to the public. So here goes.

<Effects>
<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fx_ac_Light_nav_green" PosX="12.98" PosZ="0.38" PosY="0.47" MinVel="1" MaxVel="50"></Effect>
<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fx_ac_Light_nav_red" PosX="-12.98" PosZ="0.38" PosY="0.47" MinVel="1" MaxVel="50"></Effect>
<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fx_ac_Light_tail" PosX="12.8" PosZ="-0.65" PosY="0.42" MinVel="1" MaxVel="50"></Effect>
<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fx_ac_Light_tail" PosX="-12.8" PosZ="-0.65" PosY="0.42" MinVel="1" MaxVel="50"></Effect>
<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fx_ac_Light_formation_red" PosX="-0.12" PosZ="4.81" PosY="-1.32" MinVel="1" MaxVel="50"></Effect>
<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fx_ac_Light_formation_green" PosX="0.12" PosZ="4.81" PosY="-1.32" MinVel="1" MaxVel="50"></Effect>
<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fx_ac_Light_formation_yellow" PosX="0" PosZ="4.91" PosY="-1.31" MinVel="1" MaxVel="50"></Effect>
<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fx_ac_Light_landing" PosX="-7.95" PosZ="0.4" PosY="-0.2" MinVel="1" MaxVel="40"></Effect>
<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fx_ac_Light_landing" PosX="-8.35" PosZ="0.4" PosY="-0.15" MinVel="1" MaxVel="40"></Effect>
<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fx_ac_Light_landing_effect" PosX="-7.95" PosZ="0.4" PosY="0.2" MinVel="1" MaxVel="35"></Effect>
<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fx_ac_Light_landing_effect" PosX="8.35" PosZ="0.4" PosY="0.15" MinVel="1" MaxVel="35"></Effect>
<Effect Type="StartEngine0" EffectName="fx_engstrt" PosX="-3.65" PosZ="0.7" PosY="-0.75" Heading="10"/>
<Effect Type="StartEngine1" EffectName="fx_engstrt" PosX="2.32" PosZ="0.7" PosY="-0.75" Heading="10"/>
<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fighter_exhaust_blue_flame" PosX="-3.65" PosZ="0.7" PosY="-0.75" Heading="10"></Effect>
<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fighter_exhaust_blue_flame" PosX="2.32" PosZ="0.7" PosY="-0.75" Heading="10"></Effect>
<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fx_N_gtrail" PosX="-13.1" PosZ="0" PosY="0.43" MinVel="43" MaxVel="48"/>
<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fx_N_gtrail" PosX="13.1" PosZ="0" PosY="0.43" MinVel="43" MaxVel="48"/>
</Effects>
 
greycap.raf said:
I made them and according to my memory sent them to someone, at this point no idea who, but apparently they never made it to the public. So here goes.

<Effects>
<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fx_ac_Light_nav_green" PosX="12.98" PosZ="0.38" PosY="0.47" MinVel="1" MaxVel="50"></Effect>
<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fx_ac_Light_nav_red" PosX="-12.98" PosZ="0.38" PosY="0.47" MinVel="1" MaxVel="50"></Effect>
<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fx_ac_Light_tail" PosX="12.8" PosZ="-0.65" PosY="0.42" MinVel="1" MaxVel="50"></Effect>
<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fx_ac_Light_tail" PosX="-12.8" PosZ="-0.65" PosY="0.42" MinVel="1" MaxVel="50"></Effect>
<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fx_ac_Light_formation_red" PosX="-0.12" PosZ="4.81" PosY="-1.32" MinVel="1" MaxVel="50"></Effect>
<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fx_ac_Light_formation_green" PosX="0.12" PosZ="4.81" PosY="-1.32" MinVel="1" MaxVel="50"></Effect>
<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fx_ac_Light_formation_yellow" PosX="0" PosZ="4.91" PosY="-1.31" MinVel="1" MaxVel="50"></Effect>
<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fx_ac_Light_landing" PosX="-7.95" PosZ="0.4" PosY="-0.2" MinVel="1" MaxVel="40"></Effect>
<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fx_ac_Light_landing" PosX="-8.35" PosZ="0.4" PosY="-0.15" MinVel="1" MaxVel="40"></Effect>
<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fx_ac_Light_landing_effect" PosX="-7.95" PosZ="0.4" PosY="0.2" MinVel="1" MaxVel="35"></Effect>
<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fx_ac_Light_landing_effect" PosX="8.35" PosZ="0.4" PosY="0.15" MinVel="1" MaxVel="35"></Effect>
<Effect Type="StartEngine0" EffectName="fx_engstrt" PosX="-3.65" PosZ="0.7" PosY="-0.75" Heading="10"/>
<Effect Type="StartEngine1" EffectName="fx_engstrt" PosX="2.32" PosZ="0.7" PosY="-0.75" Heading="10"/>
<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fighter_exhaust_blue_flame" PosX="-3.65" PosZ="0.7" PosY="-0.75" Heading="10"></Effect>
<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fighter_exhaust_blue_flame" PosX="2.32" PosZ="0.7" PosY="-0.75" Heading="10"></Effect>
<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fx_N_gtrail" PosX="-13.1" PosZ="0" PosY="0.43" MinVel="43" MaxVel="48"/>
<Effect Type="Track" EffectName="fx_N_gtrail" PosX="13.1" PosZ="0" PosY="0.43" MinVel="43" MaxVel="48"/>
</Effects>
Click to expand...

:jump:Thanks greycap. They look and work great.

Yer da light man:salute:
 
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