Doug Smith's Fairey Firefly

Beautiful model, Doug... can't wait to fly her! Take your time tho...:applause::applause::applause:

(I keep telling myself that I'm a patient man...)

BB686:USA-flag:
 
Who'd have thought, half a decade after FS9 was "over", that this amazing standard of freeware could be produced!
I'd add my thanks to those who guided and helped you with the project, but ultimately: congratulations, Doug, for seeing it through!
 
Wow, such an amazing FIRST EFFORT! Simply breathe taking detail. Can't wait to crash it!

OBIO
 
Admit Doug, you cheated, those are photos of a real Firefly aren't they?

Erm.....WOW!! That is truly amazing work, I am in total awe of the skill needed to produce this. :salute:
 
Thanks for asking Weeebbz. Well as you all know I'm doing the Unlimited Export method being developed by Bill Lionheart as well as others from the FSDevelopers site. It's a very temperamental method as, there are so many issues with the rendering, it's not forgiving in the least. However, I've well exceeded the poly limit and I can't go back to do a straight export/model the old way. So I'm determined to make a great model for all of us. And it is. I'm just frustrated at this moment that the final renders keep coming up unusable. A single render takes nearly 3 hours of time off my day, then disappointing results. Could be computer processor related too.
So I've been doing other things. As Milton's gauge artist Scott Thomas works on the gauges for us, I've purchased Airwrench, some literature on the Firefly AS, FR Mk 5,6, as well as the operation manual for the RR Griffon 74, and am working on an airfile for her. And the sounds...oh boy..you guys are gonna freak when you hear these Griffon 74 sounds. I developed them using .wav analysis, and tone generation in multitrack software. It's the first time I'm aware of anyone creating engine sounds this way.
Other than this, I've been trying to enjoy the summer. Not spending much time at the computer. So when Scott finishes up, I'll be motivated to try again with the final renders. If I can not get a final render, ( and I need 3 as there are 3 models in the package) the previous renders will have to do. Concluding I've pushed the limits as far as my computer will allow. They are not bad models at all, but for the purists, the model will be missing the tail wheel doors. So at least we have those. But I'll continue to try. Thanks again for your interest guys, I'm really looking forward to it's release.

Doug
 
Hi Doug,

as someone who has been using the same unlimited export methods over the 10 or so months, I can sympathise with some of the challenges you've been facing. Exports do take time, and even then, it is so easy to make a little mistake in changing the syntax of the .asm file that your oh-so-long export gets messed and whole parts of the model are missing. Exports used to take me 10 mins a piece sometimes before I upgraded to a lovely new PC, now it's about 3 on average, and my models are most likely a lot less complicated than your Firefly. All I can say is hang in there, keep up the good work, and there's no going back now.

One piece of constructive feedback I'd like to offer if I may. Many painters make the 'mistake' (if it can be called that) of using pure black on UK markings. The striping on your wings, serials etc. would look better with a touch less than pure black, such as Night (#424243) or a personal mix I made in between Night and pure black (#18181e). Same goes for the roundel blue - for best accuracy I would use Dull Roundel Blue (#1D294E). It just gives a slightly more weathered, less factory fresh look that many painters of RAF/RN models fail to quite capture. You may well be using it already, but give Simmers paintshop a look-in for the best swatches in town (IMHO):

http://www.simmerspaintshop.com/page-RGB-colors-UK.html

Anyway, please disregard if this is old news to you; I think your work is great and I look forward to seeing the final release!

Steve
 
:salute: Very much looking forward to this beautiful aircraft. The shots look absolutely stunning!

Do you have anything lined up for sounds Doug?
 
Hey Steve. Thanks for the shoulder buddy, lol. I have no problem with the criticism at all. I appreciate any suggestion from people who know of such things. I surely didn't know this, and I will read up on it and make the adjustments.Thanks. Simmerspaintshop and The Canadian Colour Guide are sites I frequent for colour information as well.

You bring up a point Steve. One thing I've considered throughout this project is, and I don't think I'll have any control over it, is how slightly different my model is going to look on everyone else's monitor. I haven't seen my Firefly on anyone else's computer, so I'm really trying my best to make it look great on my computer. It might look stellar on yours! I would be quite happy with that. I can't wait to see screenshots and repaints:jump:
 
Good point indeed, Doug, it is nigh on impossible to cater for every variation in hardware and screen res/colour balance, but all you can as you say, is do the best on yours. Seeing screenshots from users is always interesting and you invevitably think at some point "hmm, that looks different from mine". Not always in a bad way though; I've seen some screens that definitely looked a lot more stellar than on my PC.

Glad to be of service on the colours, and sounds like you are well-acquainted with SimmersPS. Love that place.

ATB for now,

Steve
 
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