B-50 FSX graphics issues - test version

[mjahn]

To clarify this for me, the TEST version with shadows turned OFF is fine, except for the glass, the VC wingview, and now a Monitor artefact?

Now if you set up one of the original models, and let fly it with the TEST panel and the TEST texture, is everything exactly like in the TEST red tail?

 

[TerryW]

Manfred, the Test files took care of my graphical problems (I use FSX-SE with dx9). I did comment out the ID 10000 in gauge 12, so couldn't bring up the "help" items....all else was fine. I'll return gauge 12 to it's original state, and try the panel with another livery.
Terry

 

[MrZippy]

To clarify this for me, the TEST version with shadows turned OFF is fine, except for the glass, the VC wingview, and now a Monitor artefact?

Now if you set up one of the original models, and let fly it with the TEST panel and the TEST texture, is everything exactly like in the TEST red tail?

I did a fresh download and install. Keeping in mind that you have to be in a parking spot and not on the runway to make the GPU and chocks work, and you were right that the Avionics switch does not matter, the only thing I now lack is glass for cockpit, domes, and rear gunner station, and the wing view. This is using the fresh download with no tweaks. Everything in the new download works like the Test red tail.

We're getting there, slowly but surly. Don't call me Shirley!

 

[TerryW]

All works fine now....keeping this panel! All the best,
Terry

 

[TerryW]

Manfred...sorry for being so disjointed....but decided to try the "TEST" panel with the original model (rather than the TEST model)...everything still fine. After returning gauge 12 to it's original state, I have my "help" items in the Monitor working. All animations seem to work....turrets turn, chocks and the like show. No framerate hit on this crappy five year old machine......thanks for another marvelous aircraft, all the best,
Terry

 

[MrZippy]

As a very temporary measure I will cheat a bit and use camera positions to view the engines at startup and in flight. Bazinga!
Got 'em for both sides.

 

[mjahn]

Okay now I'd like to ask you to test three versions of the Sim_B50 gauge.

Please re-download this zip:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ivyoeox0z2vjgao/panelTESTsim_b50.zip?dl=0

In it you will find the following files --

Sim_B50.xml-a // no initialization (backup of current TEST version)
Sim_B50.xml-b // re-introduces minimal initialization (Monitor, turrets, Keys)
Sim_B50.xml-c // nose and tanks selection added
Sim_B50.xml-d // full init as in original release

What I am interested in is whether the TEST plane remains in working order when you replace the current gauge by the b version, the c version, and (to come full circle) the d-version (which should return to the problems stage).

So what you do is you copy the four files to folder panel.TEST\B50\

Then step by step, rename Sim_B50.xml-b to Sim_B50.xml (overwrite: yes), and test in sim (reload aircraft if sim is runnng).

If all still okay, try same procedure with Sim_B50.xml-c

And for good measure, you could even try -d.

So, what results do you get?

 

[ZsoltB]

Hi Manfred,

Yes!
Version "C" is stable!
No graphics disintegration! You see the fuel tank!
Menu window fits perfectly! What does not work:

- I can not control the amount of fuel
-BCN light

The turrets that can be remove?

I am grateful for your efforts!

Zsolt

 

[ZsoltB]

But unfortunately the other models of the same mistake!

 

[TerryW]

Manfred, didn't try "a" or "d" (if "a" is the original TEST file, I know it works fine....if "d" is the original file, I know it doesn't work in my set-up), but both "b" and "c" resulted in the same graphical anomalies as the original b50 xml. Forgot to look at the Monitor for the "b" file....but it worked fine in the "c" file. Whatever is causing my graphics problems (no nose, props circling the fuselage, no wheels) is present in your samples "b", "c" and "d", but not in the original TEST file. I should confirm that my tests this morning were done with your TEST model, the TEST texture as well as the TEST panel.
Terry

 

[mjahn]

Thanks Terry & ZSolt ... nice set of conflicting reports ...

Here, have another download:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ivyoeox0z2vjgao/panelTESTsim_b50.zip?dl=0

This one has an additional Sim_B50.xml-b2 ('b-two') in it.

Terry (and anyone else) can you try this one as well and report back? Thanks.

@ZSolt, in your latest flight Monitor cannot read the FSX version - which is it?
The turretless version will have to wait until this issue is cleared up, so that I can add either an alternate panel or at least a health warning in the readme.

 

[TerryW]

That one works just fine....aircraft exterior graphics are great, cannons turn, chocks set....monitor works in all aspects, including tips. Forgot to mention earlier that I have always had aircraft shadows enabled, including for the tests. I see no difference in exterior graphics and panel functionality between this b50xml and the original "TEST" one that your provided. I also know that, for my set-up, the original "TEST" b50xml was fully functional in both the "TEST" model and the original model....all the best,
Terry

 

[falcon409]

Running both P3D_V4.1 and FSX/Accel. . .in both Sims, straight installation, no tweaks, no merging of anything, just the airplane as it was released. I run full Orbx scenery only and both Sims utilize full shadowing. Everything shows (Chocks, Start Unit, etc), Monitor functions in all areas and aircraft responds to all inputs.

 

[mjahn]

Running both P3D_V4.1 and FSX/Accel. . .in both Sims, straight installation, no tweaks, no merging of anything, just the airplane as it was released. I run full Orbx scenery only and both Sims utilize full shadowing. Everything shows (Chocks, Start Unit, etc), Monitor functions in all areas and aircraft responds to all inputs.

Good to hear that it works out of the box for you, Falcon, but here we are trying to find out why it doesn't work on some setups. That's users like Warhorse, ZSolt, Terry, MZee, Zippy. The TEST plane and the various sim_b50 gauges are aimed at trying to find a cause and a solution if possible.

According to Terry, the most promising sim_b50 version at this point seems to be -b2. ZSolt has now reported by PM that version -c actually does not work. ZSolt, how does -b2 work on your setup, and which FSX are you on?

Terry, -b2 actually misses out on the nose cone configurations and the reversing button capability, but there may be a workaround. I'll tell you more once we have established that -b2 is largely okay, and can still be added to. In the long run, I expect sim_b50 to grow in size and functionality.

Zippy, is your FSX > aircraft setting on "ultra high"? If not, try it.

 

[ZsoltB]

I use FSX Gold Edition + Acceleraton

 

[MrZippy]

Zippy, is your FSX > aircraft setting on "ultra high"? If not, try it.

I placed the slide on "Ultra High" and checking the B-50....still no wing view, glass, and the external view shows invisible aircraft with shadow on the ground. Turning off "Aircraft casts shadow on itself" brings back the external view.

My thoughts on the missing glass/domes...definitely a model problem for me. I solved the Milton Shupe A-20G glass missing situation by using the FS9 model. I'm not a modeler so I don't understand how the model calls out for the individual textures to be used. I'm sure your glass.dds, glass_spec.dds, etc are all ones you have created before and are used in the C-47 v3.12 and 3.14 that show perfectly in my Sim.

Still not sure why the wing view is missing The camera views will be fine temporarily.

 

[falcon409]

Good to hear that it works out of the box for you, Falcon, but here we are trying to find out why it doesn't work on some setups. That's users like Warhorse, ZSolt, Terry, MZee, Zippy. The TEST plane and the various sim_b50 gauges are aimed at trying to find a cause and a solution if possible.

According to Terry, the most promising sim_b50 version at this point seems to be -b2. ZSolt has now reported by PM that version -c actually does not work. ZSolt, how does -b2 work on your setup, and which FSX are you on?

Terry, -b2 actually misses out on the nose cone configurations and the reversing button capability, but there may be a workaround. I'll tell you more once we have established that -b2 is largely okay, and can still be added to. In the long run, I expect sim_b50 to grow in size and functionality.

Zippy, is your FSX > aircraft setting on "ultra high"? If not, try it.

Sorry, didn't mean to butt in.

 

[dvj]

I downloaded this test version. Running windows 7, FSX + accel, Steve's DX10 fixer. No graphics issues. Wing views just fine.

-d

 

[gray eagle]

As a very temporary measure I will cheat a bit and use camera positions to view the engines at startup and in flight. Bazinga!
Got 'em for both sides.

I like that wing view, wish I could get that camera view for the V1 B50 in P3D V3.4

 

[MrZippy]

I like that wing view, wish I could get that camera view for the V1 B50 in P3D V3.4

Camera views "borrowed" from the C-97 Version 3. In the aircraft.cfg, I think it was [camera.001] and [camera.002]

@Manfred. I just downloaded and tried the C-97 Version 3. No wing view until I added in the Pan Am update from the C-97 thread. It looks great! No Glass problems and the VC wingview is perfect! Head scratchin' time!