Payware VIRTAVIA - F-111 AARDVARK FSX released
- Thread starter jeansy
- Start date
centuryseries
SOH-CM-2023
No slanging intended. I have no axe to grind, just think that constructive criticism is far more useful.
No worries mate, it's all good.
At the end of the day i will say it is good to see a couple of F-111 models coming out for FSX.
It's been a long neglected aircraft in FSX.
Cheers.
centuryseries
SOH-CM-2023
No worries mate, it's all good.
At the end of the day i will say it is good to see a couple of F-111 models coming out for FSX.
It's been a long neglected aircraft in FSX.
Cheers.
I completely agree. I remember seeing a gaggle of Lakenheath F models taking off, and always felt less enamoured with its replacement. The Aardvark is such a good looking, yet sinister and powerful aircraft.
skyhawka4m
Charter Member
not worth my breath........please see my below
strykerpsg
SOH-CM-2023
So.....if we could get back onto the topic of the F-111..
I have a question for the painters in the group. With the newly released paintkit, how much more realistic can you make the Aardvark look? Can some of the bump textures be replicated in the skin paint? I agree that often times the panel lines and rivets are overdone, but I think it's part of what's missing or maybe its just the shadows or lack of in this current release. I will probably get this payday, as I mostly fly in the cockpit, but I do like taking snapshots of the externals to post in the forums.
Matt
I have a question for the painters in the group. With the newly released paintkit, how much more realistic can you make the Aardvark look? Can some of the bump textures be replicated in the skin paint? I agree that often times the panel lines and rivets are overdone, but I think it's part of what's missing or maybe its just the shadows or lack of in this current release. I will probably get this payday, as I mostly fly in the cockpit, but I do like taking snapshots of the externals to post in the forums.
Matt
skyhawka4m
Charter Member
I don't own this F-111 yet but I will Friday. I have looked at the template and frankly.....it looks good to me. All panel lines are on their own layer and I was able to use drop shadows to pop the panel lines......I think this along with some weathering and some panel lighting and darkening.....this plane will look just fine. I'm not a fan of the "bumpb" maps unless its used for skin wrinkles or something like that...........rivets tend to be over done, and panel lines are not raised in real life. I actually preferr a nice clean airframe with awesome paintjobs.
I also think and hope we can find someone to do a bake for the skins like IRIS does on their paintkits which will add shadows and shape to the airframe.
I also think and hope we can find someone to do a bake for the skins like IRIS does on their paintkits which will add shadows and shape to the airframe.
strykerpsg
SOH-CM-2023
Thanks Skyhawk, looking forward to what you can do with it. Really liked the OV-10 stuff you did and still hoping for the Euro1 scheme if you ever get back into painting her.
Matt
Matt
fsafranek
SOH-CM-2024
Excellent idea. Is it time for someone from Virtavia to chime in yet? :salute:
I just updated to the v1.1 release version. Loaded up a clean version of the FB-111A and looked out the window. I see shadows on the ground but no wing tips. It was discussed during development that at least the clean wing versions of each type would have would have the wings visible from the VC. Personally I don't get the requirement. When I fly I'm in the cockpit of this aircraft and flying it for the mission it was designed for I'm looking at the world in front of me. But I asked about it anyway and the reply was, "I trialed it and I could not see them, even at fully forward, unless I slewed to the side so far that the viewpoint cut through the canopy glass."
I suggested during development that the ability to add bump maps (normals) be included. They didn't have to be provided but the ability for some enterprising repainter to make their own should be possible. I asked about that as well and got this reply, "These were not included because there is very little which would benefit from the feature [have to agree with that] and even if there was, they would not work at all unless you have very high spec shine or reflective textures, neither of which are appropriate to the Vark. I'm not sure they understand this is a limitation."
So for what it's worth, that is the company line on the subject. I did a little checking and the aircraft number of the gray F-111C with the anniversary tail art should have been A8-113. Something for a repainter to address?
My part in all this? I researched the heck out of it and produced the panel line textures. When it was decided a week before Christmas that this product had to go out within 10 days I said I couldn't meet that requirement since I was going to be traveling and handed over my masters (panel lines, maintenance stencils (most of the latter were not used or missing for some reason)) and reference materials for the new subject textures I was painting. Now over two months later it is released.
Several, actually all but maybe two, of the subjects I had planned are not included so there is plenty of opportunity for repainters.robertorizzo
Charter Member
Thanks Frank.
The more this thread go on, even if sometime it risks to fall into what we do not want to, the more I'm tempted to buy the F-111.
Besides, I do not know what it is, but I feel "the other" is not so close in time.
The more this thread go on, even if sometime it risks to fall into what we do not want to, the more I'm tempted to buy the F-111.
Besides, I do not know what it is, but I feel "the other" is not so close in time.
wombat666
Administrator
*The 'announcement only threads' have been the subject of intense discussion on how to implent them in a fair and subjective fashion. Anything else will simply not do.
**Different strokes and all that stuff. I must say that as far as we [and I believe I speak for my fellow behind the scenes co-workers] do not condone ANY unfair or derogatory comparisons between developers, Commercial or Freeware.
I [just me, myself] certainly agree on the scale modelling front, but I really could care less, given that I build from 'scratch' 90% of the time and only make one foray into the 'Nationals' with the sole objective of beating the 'shake and bake' lot.
ZsoltB
Charter Member
<CENTER style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)">FS2004/FSX Scenery--RAAF Base East Sale
</CENTER><CENTER style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)">[SIZE=-1][ Download | View ][/SIZE]</CENTER>
Name: raafbaseeastsale_ymes.zip Size: 13,672,050 Date: 03-18-2011 Downloads: 773
[SIZE=-1]
FS2004/FSX Scenery--RAAF Base East Sale (YMES), Victoria, Australia; The Home of the Roulettes. This scenery is part of an ongoing project to bring RAAF bases to life within the simulator utilising custom made models and where possible photographic textures. This version contains twin AFCADs that add a little more spice to your simming experiences. Developed foremost for FS2004 users, not tested but may work in FSX. By Mark Griggs.
AI pack here: https://sites.google.com/site/shess0757/FSX-Downloads
[/SIZE]
</CENTER><CENTER style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0)">[SIZE=-1][ Download | View ][/SIZE]</CENTER>
Name: raafbaseeastsale_ymes.zip Size: 13,672,050 Date: 03-18-2011 Downloads: 773
[SIZE=-1]
AI pack here: https://sites.google.com/site/shess0757/FSX-Downloads
[/SIZE]
cortomalteseit
Charter Member
For sure it's an aircraft that's interesting, and a lot of people here wanna know and see his features and capabilities, me first.
Can I ask, to those that have already buy it, to post here some screenshots of internal/external views?
Thanks
P.s.: sorry for my not perfect english
Can I ask, to those that have already buy it, to post here some screenshots of internal/external views?
Thanks
P.s.: sorry for my not perfect english
strykerpsg
SOH-CM-2023
Excellent idea. Is it time for someone from Virtavia to chime in yet? :salute:
I suggested during development that the ability to add bump maps (normals) be included. They didn't have to be provided but the ability for some enterprising repainter to make their own should be possible. I asked about that as well and got this reply, "These were not included because there is very little which would benefit from the feature [have to agree with that] and even if there was, they would not work at all unless you have very high spec shine or reflective textures, neither of which are appropriate to the Vark. I'm not sure they understand this is a limitation."
So for what it's worth, that is the company line on the subject. I did a little checking and the aircraft number of the gray F-111C with the anniversary tail art should have been A8-113. Something for a repainter to address?
My part in all this? I researched the heck out of it and produced the panel line textures. When it was decided a week before Christmas that this product had to go out within 10 days I said I couldn't meet that requirement since I was going to be traveling and handed over my masters (panel lines, maintenance stencils (most of the latter were not used or missing for some reason)) and reference materials for the new subject textures I was painting. Now over two months later it is released.
I truly appreciate your input in all of this Frank. I have admittedly been hit and miss with some of the Virtavia releases. I absolutely love the C-17, luke warm about the Chinook and got a refund on the B-1. I really want to like this one too, as I have always loved the F-111 since I was a kid and saw them flying touch and go's in Holloman and various air shows at Scott. The cockpit is fantastic and looks like a true labor of love, but the exterior is just missing that final push in making me buy it now.
I'm not sure if Virtavia ever frequents these forums, but I would thank them for their efforts and more importantly, would hope they would take away the good and bad of these type threads. Heck, look at the Mudhen threads..serious critiques but both Iris and Milviz are listening and tweaking their birds appropriately and reaping the sales increase as an end result.
Anyway, I feel certain many painters will fill the void of what Virtavia didn't want to spend time on and it's a shame they didn't take your input more to heart and apply, as it seems as though you've certainly been listening and taking notes of what the consumer is seeking in their models. Does this mean your also going to apply your paints to the release as well? If so, then this can only get better.
Again, thanks for the input.
Matt
strykerpsg
SOH-CM-2023
<center style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FS2004/FSX Scenery--RAAF Base East Sale
</center><center style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[SIZE=-1][ Download | View ][/SIZE]</center>
Name: raafbaseeastsale_ymes.zip Size: 13,672,050 Date: 03-18-2011 Downloads: 773
[SIZE=-1]FS2004/FSX Scenery--RAAF Base East Sale (YMES), Victoria, Australia; The Home of the Roulettes. This scenery is part of an ongoing project to bring RAAF bases to life within the simulator utilising custom made models and where possible photographic textures. This version contains twin AFCADs that add a little more spice to your simming experiences. Developed foremost for FS2004 users, not tested but may work in FSX. By Mark Griggs.
AI pack here: https://sites.google.com/site/shess0757/FSX-Downloads
[/SIZE]
Zsolt, thanks for the great looking sceneries. This is great stuff! Admittedly, wasn't sure if your AI was the actual Virtavia birds or not, looks that good.
Matt
Chris Sykes
Charter Member
Thanks for the clarification on the weapons...
BTW i kinda know how to add weapons to a flight as i was the one who created the weapons pack for FSX
I still feels its a missed opotunity to either basically drop weapons (IE using a svaed flight and hiding the weapon on the model) or using the simconnect/tackpack meathod... Would create a better sense of the aircraft being a bomber.
Jetmechanic
Charter Member
I will be waiting for F111FSX.com to come out far much better
skyhawka4m
Charter Member
seems this site is not available anylonger. is this the correct web info?
MONITE.....your screenies have sold it for me. I will be getting this one Friday as I know the frame rates are good and I know I can work with the texturing. I could care less about bump mapping myself as fast jets don't have the kind of bumbs that they represent.
Also....seems to me that this airframe is very smooth in real life....
OPPS!!!!! wrong F111.......on well....love F1 too...
Hi Frank, fellow Guiness drinker and left coaster, lol.
I was going to stay out of this thread, but this is an issue that's kind of on my hot list. You can see the wings from the cockpit IRL, as I've sat in these things before, and the photo will attest to. I see wing shadows on the ground with this model, but no wings either. When the sun is directly overhead, that means you should be seeing wings. If the Virtavia crewmember who made the decision to leave out the wings isn't using TrackIR, well, there's why he thinks you can't see the wings. It's kind of like the door maker who is only four feet tall, who has decided to make doorways that are only 4' 6" tall, because any higher doesn't make sense...to him anyway. Real pilots are constantly looking all around them, not just straight ahead. The pilot term for that is "clearing", and that's part of the "cross checking" concept of inside-outside-inside-outside. Even airline guys are looking all around them. For those who wonder if it's possible to look around you because of being cinched in tight to the seat, well, no one keeps the intertial real locked (even fighter pilots, but they lock it before doing any BFM/ACM). My plane has a five point harness system..two shoulder harness's, a lap restraint, and a crotch belt that comes from under the seat...and while it does have an inertial reel lock, I never lock it because it does inhibit movement. The inertial reel will keep me down in the event of a sudden wake upset or dynamic decelleration. It works like the one in cars, but better.
So the moral of the story is we should be able to see wings, and you should be looking around and behind you, as a matter of good piloting.
