HU: Mi-4...

Just downloaded and installed - everything runs normally until "fly now" button is pushed - we then go to a black screen. Cursor is available but there is nothing to click. Sim terminates after about a minute.:icon_eek:
 
Made a little progress on this, I think. I changed all textures from 32-bit to DXT-3. At this point the sim will still lock up and eventually I will get the "we regret FS9 has had to close, do you wish to report this problem" screen. However, the computer doesn't lock up and upon closing the aforementioned screen by saying "Don't report," I get my desktop back. Does anyone have any idea what this hangup is?

EDIT: Went to AvsimRus and found a previous Mi-4 by the same author. Installation reveals it works fine, with 8-bit textures. Tried converting the Mi-4 textures from 32-bit to DXT-3 to 8-bit. At least with 8-bit textures I now get the cockpit but attempting to shift to external view still gets the sim to go to black screen.:banghead:
 
Try the process of elimination approach. First remove all textures from the texture folder to a temp one. If there are no issues with the panel I would leave any bmps in the panel folder where they are if in doubt do the same for them.
Load the aircraft in FS and if it is the textures causing the CTD you should get an all grey model in the preview and then in the sim.
Then copy individual texture files back from your temp folder and reload.
Depending on how many there are this should get you down to one culprit relatively quick ormay tell you there is a different issue than textures.

Cheers
Stefan
 
Thanks, Stefan - will apply what you've suggested as soon as possible, then report results.
:salute:
Question for you -when I reload the textures as you recommend, do I place them one at a time, then pull the one I placed if no problem with it and put another one in, then try it singly and alone - or can I continue to build the texture file until I find the one that's causing the problem?
 
That depends to some degree on how many individual files there are.
If we are talking 10-15 I would simply put them in one at a time and make sure you know which one was the last one added at all times.

There is a small risk that it actually is a combination of two textures that causes the issue. But I would take that chance.

Cheers
Stefan
 
OK, there are 19 files in the texture folder. The system I will adopt will be to place them one at a time and continue to add, keeping a log of each addition and its effect. Let's see what happens.
 
Getting a sore head from running straight into this stone wall. First tried taking away all external textures except for one .bmp (boje1.bmp) and leaving the panel intact. Got the same startup as reported earlier. Next measure was to remove boje1.bmp, leaving an entirely grey aircraft, and then remove the entire panel with exception of one .bmp (Main Panel.bmp). Then got the black screen freeze followed by the grey "FS9 has encountered a problem and has to close - do you want to report this problem" dialog box.
 
So with the panel folder intact and all exterior textures removed you get a fully functioning but all grey aircraft ??
Then you tried just one exterior bitmap and it crashes again ??
What about a different exterior bitmap ?? Same thing ??

One other thing to try would be to use a different panel and sound folder just for a test, since you mention there is no VC to worry about anyways.

Remove both Sound and Panel folders temporarily and copy in the Sound and Panel folder from something similar. The stock Robinson or Bell if you want to stick with a Helo.

If that works without flaw then I would again try the exterior textures, might even try them whole first.

Cheers
Stefan
 
After apparently running into a dead end as previously described, I took another look at the Mi-4 file. There was an Mi-4 version that did showup. Borrowed the model and air file from that one, inserted it into the other Mi-4 files along with the applicable text from the aircraft config file. I now get a good cockpit and functioning aircraft (flies at about 90 KIAS) without too much nose-down attitude) with completely greyed out textures. The .bmp names are different from those in the working Mi-4 file. The working Mi-4 file's textures are in 8-bit format. Tried changing the Finnish Mi-4's textures to 8-bit format but that doesn't seem to want to work. I'm going to try to reinstall the original textures for the Finnish Mi-4 right from the original download to see if that works with the new model and config language, and will report results.
 
I can't even get avsimrus to open for me today to try this thing myself, so in that sense you are already better of than me.
If both models are from the same designer he may have used the same mapping and texture names. Otherwise the textures from one model may not work at all with the other. But worst case you simply have the all grey one despite having bitmaps in the proper places.

Good Luck
Stefan
 
Well! Gave up on trying to change the textures, and redownloaded the original package from AVSIM-Rus. Reinstalled the original 32-bit textures. They didn't show with the Mi-4 model and air file I transplanted over, so had to install the original model and air file, but keep the reworked config file with the older Mi-4 info in it. Textures now show. Aircraft responds to control inputs, flies pretty well. Only problem is it bounces like a ping-pong ball, up and down repeatedly, while sitting on the ground. In the air it's fine. All I need to do now is cure the stationary bouncing and I've got it done. Can I try to email you the download I got from Avsim Rus, or would that be breaking some kind of rule?

EDIT: Cleaned out the doctored config file, and put in the info for the other Mi-4. Bird is now very docile on the ground, but sits in the attitude as shown in this screenshot:

View attachment 80765

All we have to do now is alter the contact points and I think we've got this thing beaten. Here is the applicable section from the config file:

[contact_points]
point.0=1.000000,33.333333,0.000000,-9.366667,3003.698634,0.000000,0.520132,54.000000,1.120889,2.500000,1.260614,5.000000,5.000000,0.000000,0.000000,0.000000
point.1=1.000000,-8.333333,-8.333333,-9.200000,3003.698634,1.000000,0.520132,0.000000,1.002901,2.500000,1.416001,8.000000,8.000000,2.000000,0.000000,0.000000
point.2=1.000000,-8.333333,8.333333,-9.200000,3003.698634,2.000000,0.520132,0.000000,1.002901,2.500000,1.416001,9.000000,9.000000,3.000000,0.000000,0.000000

Where do you recommend starting?
 
Check
Image1-3.jpg
 
point.0=1.000000,33.333333,0.000000,-9.366667,3003.698634,0.000000,0.520132,54.000000,1 .120889,2.500000,1.260614,5.000000,5.000000,0.0000 00,0.000000,0.000000

If I don't know which line in an aircraft.cfg does what I always open one of the default airplanes. MS has added comments to most of the lines there which explain the code a bit more.

Looking only at the first line the information after the = sign is , type of point 1= wheel, longitudinal displacement of the point in relation to the design center point = 33.333 in front of the point, lateral displacement of the point in relation to the design Center here 0 so in the middle, and vertical displacement from DCP = -9.366 below.

So with the belly of the beast sitting on the apron I would start by adjusting that fourth number on points .0 .1 and .2 by equal amounts. Maybe try -10.366 and -10.2 respectively.

Cheers
Stefan
 
OK, will give it a go and show/report. Saving your advice to a text file and including it in my personal "Tips and Tricks" folder for FS9.

EDIT: I applied your no's as a starting point, here's the result after a little further tweaking:

ORIG SCREENSHOTView attachment 80800 WITH NEW NOS IN THE CONTACT POINTSView attachment 80801

Here are the contact points as they are right now:
[contact_points]
point.0=1.000000,33.333333,0.000000,-12.40000,3003.698634,0.000000,0.520132,54.000000,1.120889,2.500000,1.260614,5.000000,5.000000,0.000000,0.000000,0.000000
point.1=1.000000,-8.333333,-8.333333,-12.35000,3003.698634,1.000000,0.520132,0.000000,1.002901,2.500000,1.416001,8.000000,8.000000,2.000000,0.000000,0.000000
point.2=1.000000,-8.333333,8.333333,-12.35000,3003.698634,2.000000,0.520132,0.000000,1.002901,2.500000,1.416001,9.000000,9.000000,3.000000,0.000000,0.000000

I think we're almost there. I just can't figure out how to lower those two rear gear to the pavement. Changing the fourth no. in points 2 and three from -12.5 to -12.45 to -12.35 produces no apparent effect. The two nose gear are perfectly positioned, though.
 
:bump:

Can anyone let me know how to drop this thing's back end just a little so the rear wheels are on the ground?
 
Downloaded and tested
http://www.avsimrus.com/f/fs2004-helicopters-35/mi-4-v-2-47560.html?action=download&hl

For the Aeroflot model
This is my contact points
[contact_points]
static_pitch = 3
static_cg_height = 0
max_number_of_points = 4

point.0 = 1, 18.864, 0, -11.5, 1574, 0, 0.984, 35, 0.76, 1.3, 0.75, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0
point.1 = 1, 4.757, -7.381, -10.4, 1600, 1, 1.476, 0, 0.8, 1.3, 0.85, 0, 0, 2, 0, 0
point.2 = 1, 4.757, 7.381, -10.4, 1600, 2, 1.476, 0, 0.8, 1.3, 0.85, 0, 0, 3, 0, 0
point.3 = 2.000, 25.754, 0.000, -4.101, 100.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 4.000, 0.000, 0.000

The result .... (on a default FS2004 airport)
Genesis mesh in use

Li3y8m0.jpg


PTZrQPk.jpg



I had to make some slight corrections (with ACM) .. but with the original contact points .. the chopper was not buried in the ground ....
If this not work for you .. methink you have those contact points problems cause scenery (airport) .. mesh ...
Bouncing:
Bounce one time when appears on the runway .. and after he stay quiet :)
Just a note about a particularity ..
The two front wheels are modeled as only one (center wheel)
Hope it's help .....
Addendum:
If you want you can send me your actual chopper moded and I will test it
You can upload it in a hoster like (no membership needed !)
http://zippyshare.com
And send me the link by PM
 
OK Navtech! Let me apply what you've sent and see what happens. If it's a good fix I won't trouble you. If not, I'll send you what I've got for you to look at.

Wife goes to doctor for medical workups this morning, after that I head off to school for some computer classes. Will get back to you as soon as I can. Thanks again!
 
Navtech - I've given what you sent me a try, here's the result:

View attachment 81161

Helo starts out level, tips back until the entire tail boom is buried in the ground - then repeats this action.

If you're still up for working on the model, I'll send it per your offer. Thanks!
 
I have it tested and it dont work with modified original file.
I have used for my personal version the airfile of the freeware alphasim Sikorsky S-55
available @ flightsim.com.
And it works,with modified contact points by me.
Rename the s55 airfile to the Mi4 airfile and copy the following strings to the s55 aircraft.cfg:

[fltsim.0]
title=Mi-4 Aeroflot
sim=Mi-4 Aeroflot
model=
panel=
sound=
texture=
kb_checklists=
prop_anim_ratio=-0.43174
atc_id=CCCP-03586
atc_model=Mi-4 Aeroflot
ui_manufacturer=Mil
ui_type=Mi-4 Aeroflot
ui_variation=CCCP-03586
atc_heavy=0
atc_airline=Aeroflot
atc_flight_number=CCCP-03586
[General]
performance=Cruise Speed 80 kts\Maximum speed: 185 km/h (116 mph)\Powerplant: 1 × Shvetsov ASh-82V radial engine, 1,250 kW (1,675 hp)\Service ceiling: 5,500 m (18,040 ft)\nRate of Climb 600'per min\nFuel Capacity Internal 185 U.S. gal\Range: 500 km (313 mi)\Empty weight: 5,100 kg (11,220 lb)\Max. takeoff weight: 7,550 kg (16,610 lb)\nSeating 2 Crew & 8-12 Passengers



static_pitch = 1.5
static_cg_height = 4.60
max_number_of_points = 8
//--------0-----1------2-------3-----4---5---6-----7----8------9---10----11-12-13-14--15

point.0 = 1, 6.22, -2.70, -9.66, 2500, 0, 0.45, 140, 0.17, 2.52, 0.8, 0, 0, 2, 00, 300 ; nose wheel left
point.1 = 1, 6.22, 2.70, -9.66, 2500, 0, 0.45, 140, 0.17, 2.52, 0.8, 0, 0, 2, 00, 300 ; nose wheel right
point.2 = 1, -5.42, -2.90, -8.90, 2500, 1, 1.20, 0, 0.79, 1.25, 0.8, 0, 0, 3, 00, 300 ; aft wheel left
point.3 = 1, -5.42, 2.90, -8.90, 2500, 1, 1.20, 0, 0.79, 1.25, 0.8, 0, 0, 3, 00, 300 ; aft wheel right
point.4 = 2, 6.60, 0.00, -2.47, 2500, 0, 0.00, 0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0, 0, 5, 0, 0 ; scrape fuse front
point.5 = 2, -8.50, 0.00, -2.28, 2500, 0, 0.00, 0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0, 0, 6, 0, 0 ; scrape fuse aft
point.6 = 2, -11.40, 0.00, 4.43, 2500, 0, 0.00, 0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0, 0, 9, 0, 0 ; scrape boom
point.7 = 5, 0.00, 0.00, 0.00, 0, 0, 0.00, 0., 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0 ; Water rudder

gear_system_type=0

tested with default scenery,no bouncing on the runway.
not perfect but it works.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top