Prepar3D V4.4 with PBR Engine Released

[Mach3DS]

Interesting! I've no idea....I never tried that time yet with the new PBR....let me see....Indeed....It does glow an orange-yellow...strange. I think it may be the night emissive .lua script. I'm not sure how to edit it. But I copied the F-16's .mdl PBR properties and used the default script. I'm not sure if that is what is causing it or not, but it's my first guess. I wonder if they did the same? Totally unsure. It only lasts until sunset, once dusk turns the color then switches back to a more "normal".

 

[Mach3DS]

 

[Montie]

Beautiful.

 

[Sundog]

Maybe now I'll try texturing metal again. My metal textures always looked like "super-glossy" gray-blue before. That looks brilliant Rick, both figuratively and literally.

I have one quick question now: Does the paint layer have it's own alpha separate from the metal layer/PBR layer that will only effect the paint? Or do we have to "cut out" (full black or white, I don't remember which way it works in P3D) the alpha where the metal is, and then vice versa to the PBR where the paint is? Or do you adjust the PBR for the different shine based on where metal or paint is, the same way we would adjust the alpha layer before based on if it was over metal or paint, etc.? Thanks.

 

[centuryseries]

Rick, I've taken the A-12 out in P3D V4.4 and everything works, while I have the SDK, are you saying that PBR can be applied to an aircraft without modifying the aircraft mdl file?

If so that's great, would like to see what the bare metal A-12 would look like. Might give me some ideas for one of my two possible next projects, (U-2C)....

 

[Mach3DS]

Rick, I've taken the A-12 out in P3D V4.4 and everything works, while I have the SDK, are you saying that PBR can be applied to an aircraft without modifying the aircraft mdl file?

If so that's great, would like to see what the bare metal A-12 would look like. Might give me some ideas for one of my two possible next projects, (U-2C)....

Unfortunately, no. (Isn't it always the case!) The MDL must be modified with the PBR materials added. Even in my example above, the model itself is not exported correctly. The PBR is done correctly but I've messed up on some other things, giving me some transluscent areas inside the VC when viewed from outside. I'm sure it's something straight forward and simple that I simply didn't do in the conversion with MCX. However, my 3D modeling skills are not the same as my Texturing skills. So gman_5250 or another Modeler using PBR might need to answer your export questions. However, the A-12 is one that I'm longing to see with PBR!

I used MCX to convert an existing .mdl file. It would be much better to apply the settings in 3DS max and then export into the sim from the source file as gman has done with his test example.

 

[DaveWG]

The PBR is done correctly but I've messed up on some other things, giving me some transluscent areas inside the VC when viewed from outside. I'm sure it's something straight forward and simple that I simply didn't do in the conversion with MCX.

Rick, make sure you're using the very latest dev release of MCX. The first version with 4.4 PBR support had a bug that caused non-PBR materials to be exported with the wrong settings & showed up translucent.

 

[Mach3DS]

Thanks DaveWG! I will look into that...hopefully fixes my issues!

 

[jeansy]

Rick, make sure you're using the very latest dev release of MCX. The first version with 4.4 PBR support had a bug that caused non-PBR materials to be exported with the wrong settings & showed up translucent.

thats what i seem to be getting as well

 

[Mach3DS]

Maybe now I'll try texturing metal again. My metal textures always looked like "super-glossy" gray-blue before. That looks brilliant Rick, both figuratively and literally.

I have one quick question now: Does the paint layer have it's own alpha separate from the metal layer/PBR layer that will only effect the paint? Or do we have to "cut out" (full black or white, I don't remember which way it works in P3D) the alpha where the metal is, and then vice versa to the PBR where the paint is? Or do you adjust the PBR for the different shine based on where metal or paint is, the same way we would adjust the alpha layer before based on if it was over metal or paint, etc.? Thanks.

Sorry didn't answer this previously. You've probably looked into it already, but if not, the method for achieving the "look" has completely changed using PBR. The diffuse (called albedo) map alpha channel now has NO effect (when using PBR) on the textures. Everything is driven from the "metallic" map.

 

[Montie]

Just look at this impressive preview by LatinVFR

 

[jeansy]

Just look at this impressive preview by LatinVFR

they have already released a PBR airport https://secure.simmarket.com/latinvfr-santiago-scelv2-p3dv4.phtml

I bought back in NOV and got the PBR update when v4.4 was released, its a beautiful airport in PBR

 

[Obie311]

My V4.3.29.25520 is working perfectly. I usually stay inside the cockpit and only use the locked spot and tower view to debrief my lousy landings.

I'm afraid if I take one step forward and upgrade to 4.4, something else will go awry.

Is it worth it for me to take the plunge for whatever benefit PBR offers?

 

[jeansy]

My V4.3.29.25520 is working perfectly. I usually stay inside the cockpit and only use the locked spot and tower view to debrief my lousy landings.

I'm afraid if I take one step forward and upgrade to 4.4, something else will go awry.

Is it worth it for me to take the plunge for whatever benefit PBR offers?

is it worth it? I say yes the updates fix and add new things, you might as well stay with FSX if you dont apply the fixes and new content

if you follow the instructions by LM, you cant go wrong

the fix and addition list for v4.4 for all 3 exes is quite substantial https://www.prepar3d.com/latest-news/

 

[Mach3DS]

That Scenery looks good, but I don't understand why the concrete and/or asphalt is reflecting the sun??? I'm assuming it's evenly covered in water/ice?

 

[jeansy]

That Scenery looks good, but I don't understand why the concrete and/or asphalt is reflecting the sun??? I'm assuming it's evenly covered in water/ice?

Rick its a demo of pbr effects on a wet runway during a shower

 

[Mach3DS]

Double post.

 

[Mach3DS]

Strange on my end the video is not clear about the showers! No wonder I'm confused! Probably because I'm watching on my phone ...should have used PC monitor!

 

[Obie311]

is it worth it? I say yes the updates fix and add new things, you might as well stay with FSX if you dont apply the fixes and new content

if you follow the instructions by LM, you cant go wrong

the fix and addition list for v4.4 for all 3 exes is quite substantial https://www.prepar3d.com/latest-news/

Okay you talked me into updating.

I downloaded Prepar3D_v4_Academic_4.4.16.27077.zip, Prepar3D_v4_SDK_Setup_4.4.16.27106.msi, and Prepar3D_Download_and_Install_Instructions_v4.pdf. I unzipped Prepar3D_v4_Academic_4.4.16.27077.zip and double clicked Setup_Prepar3D.exe. The install commenced and took a little while to update everything. I installed over the existing P3D V4 version, I did not uninstall the previous version.

When I now open P3D and look at the "About" tab it still shows version 4.3.29.25520. When I open the Vehicle library, it still shows all lame Lockheed Martin Beeches and the Carenado A36 Bonanza. Is this right? Is this the new iteration with PBR?

Should I have run Install_Client.msi, Install_Content.msi, Install_Scenery.msi in addition to the Setup_Prepar3D.exe? Color me puzzled.

 

[62stratfan]

I did the update with the three *.msi files. I didn't have to delete the existing P3d application that way. To use the setup.exe I believe you must delete the entire previous version first. That will also remove any add-ons, I think. Using the msi's I still have my add-ons intact. About says 4.4.16.27077 and I have the Commander, C-130 and no Bonanza so I guess I did it correctly. Give it a try. It'll be worth it as PBR becomes de rigueur.

62stratfan