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DH114 Heron Upgrade WIP

DaveWG said:
One thing to note, if you copy the upgraded files straight into the original folders, any textures that Gman has moved to a shared texture folder will remain in individual folders untouched, so FSX will use those first before looking in the shared texture folder defined in the texture.cfg.
Click to expand...

I've only just begun to understand how all these textures work. I'm not quite clear on a couple of things I've noticed after installing gman's enhanced textures. Taking the Prinair livery for example, there exists a file within the specific Prinair texture folder"144_Wings.dds" that is 22k large and appears to be in 4096 DX5 format. In the common 'texture' folder however, this identical file exists also, but it is 87kb large and seems to be in 4096 32-bit. Are you suggesting that the smaller DX5 file is what fsx is using for this specific texture when loading the Prinair livery, ignoring the larger 32-bit one? Does this seem correct? Should fsx not be using the larger, presumably more detailed file? I've noticed several examples of files
duplicated as between the common and more specific texture folders.
 
fuzz1 said:
...Gman, if you wouldn't mind identifying the texture file associated with the VC's 'ceiling' I would be most obliged. Compared to the default textures the ceiling now appears blocky and pixelated with exaggerated color gradients. The default ceiling looks much better on my setup for some reason. I think I'd like to replace that particular file with the default one unless another solution is evident. Thanks for your anticipated response.
Click to expand...


The ceiling texture is 144_2.dds. I copied this file from my back up textures and now all is good.
 
fuzz1 said:
I've only just begun to understand how all these textures work. I'm not quite clear on a couple of things I've noticed after installing gman's enhanced textures. Taking the Prinair livery for example, there exists a file within the specific Prinair texture folder"144_Wings.dds" that is 22k large and appears to be in 4096 DX5 format. In the common 'texture' folder however, this identical file exists also, but it is 87kb large and seems to be in 4096 32-bit. Are you suggesting that the smaller DX5 file is what fsx is using for this specific texture when loading the Prinair livery, ignoring the larger 32-bit one? Does this seem correct? Should fsx not be using the larger, presumably more detailed file? I've noticed several examples of files
duplicated as between the common and more specific texture folders.
Click to expand...

I'll try to cover all of your questions here.

The glass reflection is controlled by the file called Tran_T in the common texture folder. Removing the GlobalEnv_AC_Chrome file will affect the overall reflection of the aircraft skin. The skin will now fall back to the default texture folder and call the GlobalEnv_AC_Chrome from there. I can provide a modified Tran_T file to kill the interior reflections.

The 144_Wings.dds file in the common texture folder is 32 bit and requires twice the memory of the DXT5 file in the dedicated texture folders. This file can be removed, as it is not really needed. It is an artifact from the original structure that I failed to catch when I uploaded the files.

The sound file is exactly as I downloaded it. To add the flaps and gear sounds it would need to be edited. I didn't do any mods on the sound file...yet.

The common texture files that appear to be duplicates are intended to be fallbacks for people who want to do their own skins. The original aircraft has all of the common files duplicated in each skin folder. I changed the structure to use fallbacks to be more efficient.

Hope that answers your questions.

I love flying the Heron. One thing I learned right away was to calc fuel for flight duration. A loaded airplane can be a challenge, especially at high elevation airports.
 
Just a question.Is there an Aer Lingus repaint by any chance
with the Heron?If not I would be interested in buying it if there
was a chance someone could do one.

Anthin.
 
gman5250 said:
I'll try to cover all of your questions here.

The glass reflection is controlled by the file called Tran_T in the common texture folder. Removing the GlobalEnv_AC_Chrome file will affect the overall reflection of the aircraft skin. The skin will now fall back to the default texture folder and call the GlobalEnv_AC_Chrome from there. I can provide a modified Tran_T file to kill the interior reflections.

The 144_Wings.dds file in the common texture folder is 32 bit and requires twice the memory of the DXT5 file in the dedicated texture folders. This file can be removed, as it is not really needed. It is an artifact from the original structure that I failed to catch when I uploaded the files.

The sound file is exactly as I downloaded it. To add the flaps and gear sounds it would need to be edited. I didn't do any mods on the sound file...yet.

The common texture files that appear to be duplicates are intended to be fallbacks for people who want to do their own skins. The original aircraft has all of the common files duplicated in each skin folder. I changed the structure to use fallbacks to be more efficient.

Hope that answers your questions.

I love flying the Heron. One thing I learned right away was to calc fuel for flight duration. A loaded airplane can be a challenge, especially at high elevation airports.
Click to expand...

Most obliged for your response. I've simply renamed the Tran_T.dds files in the common texture folder and where located, the individual texture folders. This appears to have 'cleared things up' for me. I would certainly welcome your revised Tran_T file if it's not too much trouble, assuming this is a better solution.

I also replaced the 144_2.dds file as suggested by Roger and the ceiling now appears fine.

I'd be most interested in your or anyone else's modded sound file if ever developed.

Nice bird and outstanding effort on your part gman.

Oh, and if anyone decides to give the cockpit panel a little makeover (something a little lighter perhaps) to also elevate it to the standard now apparent with the exterior model, please feel free to do so!
 
fuzz1 said:
Oh, and if anyone decides to give the cockpit panel a little makeover (something a little lighter perhaps) to also elevate it to the standard now apparent with the exterior model, please feel free to do so!
Click to expand...

I dedicated quite a few hours to the cockpit panel, LM lighting, window frames, side panels, roof panels etc. The work was very subtle, but significant. Details on the window frames including screws, bolts, shadowing and wear enhancements. I added subtle weathering, grime and use wear to the panel itself.

The 144-2 was also modified to show shading under windowsills etc. The blotches on the headliner were a result of noise texture added. Removing the 144-2 panel will remove the shading I provided for the side panels.

The cockpit work was livery and model specific, so removing or modifying the files from their current texture files will alter the appearance from what was intended.

If anyone wishes to do additional work on the cockpit they are free to do so.
 
gman5250 said:
I dedicated quite a few hours to the cockpit panel, LM lighting, window frames, side panels, roof panels etc. The work was very subtle, but significant. Details on the window frames including screws, bolts, shadowing and wear enhancements. I added subtle weathering, grime and use wear to the panel itself.

The 144-2 was also modified to show shading under windowsills etc. The blotches on the headliner were a result of noise texture added. Removing the 144-2 panel will remove the shading I provided for the side panels.

The cockpit work was livery and model specific, so removing or modifying the files from their current texture files will alter the appearance from what was intended.

If anyone wishes to do additional work on the cockpit they are free to do so.
Click to expand...

Regret my insensitivity here. Had I understood your work on the cockpit my suggestion for further refinement would not have been made. I confess to having spent all of 5 min's with the default aircraft before installing your versions so did not really get an opportunity to compare interior that much. I somehow missed the fact that you worked to the panel also.

That said, panel looks fine the way it is, thanks again for your efforts. Unfortunate that I get that ceiling 'blockiness' prompting me to remove 144-2 and missing the extra work you've done on the shading. I've tried to determine why this is apparent. Perhaps it has something to do with the original 144-2 being DX5 and your revised version is apparently DX1?
 
Cambrian G-AOGO

Dumonceau said:
With your new textures and the sounds, it's a whole new model!!!
Click to expand...

Couldn't agree more! :applause:


This one is about to get finished and rolled out:



There's just one nasty glitch I wasn't able to get rid of by now:
Where is the texture of this central front window frame located?
This red brace doesn't match too well yet...

Cheers,
Markus.
 
Thanks, mate!

After lots of trial&error, I've finally found out where this central window frame takes its texture from:
Unfortunately, this area is located at the foreward bottom fuselage, just aft of the front wheel well (marked green here for better clarity):




So in order to show the front window frame not in the red bottom colour, this lower fuselage part had to be painted white.
This doesn't look too well seen from below:





But I think this is still better than a red window frame, doesn't it?

Cheers,
Markus.
 
British Herons

Thanks, guys!

This marvellous Heron has been my trusty ride when discovering the FTX UK package from Land's End up to Sumburgh, along with her rather stiff-legged sisterships:





All three repaints should be rolled out soon...

Cheers,
Markus.
 
I'll drink to more G paints:ernaehrung004:

I'm sure Scottish Airways came with the original set as we queried the colour at CBFS. Is this one a repaint using Gmans updated base paints? Forgive the impertinence but I've not seen it for a while:biggrin-new:

ATB
DaveB:)
 
'Scottish' G-ANXB

Indeed, G-ANXB is part of the original package ("texture.BEA 70"), but the stock version bears only the BEA logo.
The stylish 70's "scottish airways" lettering caught my eye when browsing the web for repaint templates, so I've done a complete new BEA livery from scratch with handmade letters (no appropriate font found).

Both repaints were done (but abandoned prior to release) before Gman laid his magic hands on the textures. And although neither the Channel nor the Scottish variant will show any natural metal surfaces (?), both ships will be returned to the paint shed again. I shall see if they could benefit from those massively improved textures...

Cheers,
Markus.
 
These are really great skins. I've been juggling quite a few projects, but I think it's time to put the paint kit up on the site so you gentlemen can take advantage of the layers.
 
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