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New freeware releases from Alphasim

for anyone interested...the locking-up problem has been solved.

I changed the screen resolution from 1680x1050x32 to 1280x800x32. No lock-ups or freezes now.

weird....

-G-
 
The problem is that a texture file named "$vpanel.bmp" was left out of the FSX package.
If you download the FS9 version you'll find that file in the "panel" folder. Just copy it into
the "panel" folder of the FSX version and you'll have a background.
:ernae:


Perfect :applause::applause::applause: Little by Little she's getting there

Man and those new sounds :engel016:
 
Getting better al the time!

However, with the replacement exterior models the helicopter no longer has a flat tire but the specularity is gone - it seems the replacement models don't use the provided specularity maps so they look flat. Very noticable on the Royal Canadian Navy version.
 
Guys,

Its now clear that the models I put up are no good, somewhere something has changed over the years, the models I have are ok, wheels go round, suspension and specularity all works. I was concerned when someone said they had to rename them, that means the project has been changed since the originals were released.

The only option is to put back the old files I'm afraid and try and get AS to fix the sunken wheel, the only other option is for me to fully upload the working one I have here, that would I'm afraid be wrong for two reasons, a, its not my model to do that, b given the changes some are mentioning the repaints might not work.

So it looks like y'all stuck with the sunken wheel, sorry, tried and failed.

Best

Michael


Getting better al the time!

However, with the replacement exterior models the helicopter no longer has a flat tire but the specularity is gone - it seems the replacement models don't use the provided specularity maps so they look flat. Very noticable on the Royal Canadian Navy version.
 
If I get time tonight I'll grab the current freeware one and see if I can mix and match, I dont see why Phil would have revamped the model names and spec maps for a perfectly working FSx model that went on sale from day 1, something doesnt seem to fit right here.

It'll be something simple I'm sure, sorry for the doom and gloom this morning, really under it right now, but this evening will be better, one hopes !! LOL.

Best

Michael
 
Some people here may also be interested in the modified beacon file, plus mods to the aircraft.cfg that permit underslung load missions, over at Hovercontrol:

http://64.34.169.161/cgi-bin/ib3/ikonboard.cgi?;act=ST;f=1;t=15976

You'll also note from that thread that I've had problems with the front dampers not extending. This means that when she is at rest the front wheels are off the ground. Note that this was with the Payware version (v2.1), before the Freeware was released. I believe the same v2.1 worked just fine before. It was only when I built a new PC (switched from XP 32-bit to Vista 64-bit and from a 7000 series nvidia to a 9000 series, among other things) that the front undercarriage failed to animate:

s55frontwheels.jpg


This situation has been exacerbated in the freeware release, with one of the rear dampers not compressing, causing the "deflated tyre" syndrome.

I note that the shots of the Coastguard S-55 posted above by Doublecool also show the front dampers still compressed in flight and not extended... at least I know I'm not the only one!

Any ideas anyone???
 
Ok the basic deal is that its unfixable I'm afraid, the model I have is also faulty, I've never noticed that the wheels didnt move in two years ?, I suspect it got fixed pretty quick in the shop but I dont have a copy of that little tweak here..

The reason the specularity has gone is because it was recompiled on the 24th, stripped some bits out and renamed some files and cleaned up the texture sets, probably new common spec maps or something, thats why the freeware ones dont match my master shop model, during that recompilation, probably to clean it up for freeware, the rear landing got animation got messed up.

I've removed the models from above, there pretty useless to everyone, the only recourse y'all have is to ask AS very nicely if they would look at the rear strut animation and send revised mdl's out.

Sorry theres nowt more I can do to help.

Kindest

Michael
 
Just keep her in the sky and all will be well.
Thanks for checking on it Michael.
:ernae:

Frank, cheers, I have asked nicely so lets see what happens, it is freeware and Alphasim have stressed in the past no obligation to freeware so we just need to sit and wait patiently.

Best

Michael
 
Just got the mail from Phil ;) I would've done it beforehand but the last time I did that, I got a rogering. Can't win either way lol.

I have already rebuilt the gear twice and I can't seem to rectify the issue. It has been experienced by some with the store retail copy.. so it's got me wondering.

I am on SP2, as are a few chaps that I've been emailing. Can anyone confirm or deny as to whether the gear issue is isolated to sp2, or across Accel / Sp1 / Vanilla? If it's uniform, I can only try rebuilding the gear again.

Spec maps are unique to the freeware version and were not present in the retail copy. I rebuilt the aircraft, and then it got released as freeware a few days after. All materials are also consolidated for an FPS boost.

I do also have models with interior reflective glass like the glass I put in the T34, EZ, H60, KA50 et al. VC DX10 self-shadowing models are also available.
 
Why is there always something you miss, every time?

Found a solution. I'll send updated models to Phil tomorrow. Updated models will include DX10 VC self shadowing, VC reflective glass, and consolidated materials across the board for better FPS.

Just for the record, the tyres are meant to be matte- the original release had dodgy spec values on the FSX tyres and no custom spec maps for the fuselage. The new models do have customised spec maps for I thought people might enjoy the extra effects and freedom.
 
Just got the mail from Phil ;) I would've done it beforehand but the last time I did that, I got a rogering. Can't win either way lol.

Been there, done that, got the CD and T shirt :), experiance shows ya just need to ask nicely, and on occasion accept no gracefully.

Why is there always something you miss, every time?.

Nature of the beast, I looked over it but couldnt get the orginal model to go into the new structure, I checked the FDE and still the left main and nose struts wouldn't play ball, so summised an animation key frame issue somewhere.

Thanks to Alphasim for looking at the freeware S-55.

Best

Michael
 
Hi Lateral-G.

All freeware paints should work just fine if you copy over spec maps from another paint.

I'll add a set of 'dummy' spec maps to the update.
 
Hi Lateral-G.

All freeware paints should work just fine if you copy over spec maps from another paint.

I'll add a set of 'dummy' spec maps to the update.

I wanted to use the USAF rescue textures that were on AVSIM. I just installed and ran the sim but the model displayed with funky lighting on the textures. I then realized the textures in the paint I wanted were all .bmp format. I needed to use DXT.bmp to convert them to .dds textures. Tried again and now the textures were upside down and reversed. I didn't know converting bmp's to dds' would do this. So I had to use DXT.bmp to reverse the texture files. I then added the spec files from another paint in the freeware package and upon close inspection the text (i.e. ROYAL NAVY, MARINES, etc.) were 'ghosted'.

Hopefully your "dummy' spec maps fix this.

-G-
 
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