SIM SKUNK WORKS F-84 - Developer Proposal

[SSW1]

Guys thanks for replies. I definitely didn't anticipate this turning into a discussion about the product protection but it's been valuable nonetheless. I didn't realize that it was such a hassle to get installed. Unless someone can convince me otherwise, I too will avoid these products. Not out of malice I think they look amazing, but I too am utterly and completely done with these types of invasive, and overly time consuming methods of "protection". I've never purchased from SSW before, so I'm sorry if this is a sore spot for some. I'm unwilling to pay upwards of $60 for an add-on I can't install or uninstall or change out PC parts at will and not be able to be up and running immediately upon completion. Good luck to you all. SSW, highly recommend you switch to something less cumbersome. This is the sole reason I'm not purchasing. Your work looks amazing and from what I've read they are great aircraft. All the best,

Rick

every opinion deserves respect, as we have said we do not have the claim to make everyone happy, we do not target 100%, we are not business oriented, better some less customer but also some less concern. We will bear not to have you among our customers.
/SSW

 

[Mach3DS]

every opinion deserves respect, as we have said we do not have the claim to make everyone happy, we do not target 100%, we are not business oriented, better some less customer but also some less concern. We will bear not to have you among our customers.
/SSW

Completely understand. No bad feelings here! Good luck in your endeavors.

 

[mikewmac]

Guys thanks for replies. I definitely didn't anticipate this turning into a discussion about the product protection but it's been valuable nonetheless. I didn't realize that it was such a hassle to get installed. Unless someone can convince me otherwise, I too will avoid these products. Not out of malice I think they look amazing, but I too am utterly and completely done with these types of invasive, and overly time consuming methods of "protection". I've never purchased from SSW before, so I'm sorry if this is a sore spot for some. I'm unwilling to pay upwards of $60 for an add-on I can't install or uninstall or change out PC parts at will and not be able to be up and running immediately upon completion. Good luck to you all. SSW, highly recommend you switch to something less cumbersome. This is the sole reason I'm not purchasing. Your work looks amazing and from what I've read they are great aircraft. All the best,

Rick

+1 My sentiments exactly.

 

[DagR]

Well, I have a great ISP and I have Mario on FB messenger or email faster than the speed of light and unless he has his dinner, the key will be there pretty fast ;-)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Mach3DS]

Well, I have a great ISP and I have Mario on FB messenger or email faster than the speed of light and unless he has his dinner, the key will be there pretty fast ;-)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Dag, if this is true then you've got my attention. I'll do FB messenger. That is basically immediate.

 

[SSW1]

Dag, if this is true then you've got my attention. I'll do FB messenger. That is basically immediate.

Just to mention that we also watch the help desk constantly, all days, Sunday included from 8 to 23 CET, answers are given normally within minutes.

/SSW

 

[DaveQ]

Well, I have a great ISP and I have Mario on FB messenger or email faster than the speed of light and unless he has his dinner, the key will be there pretty fast ;-)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

I second that. Just asked for a set of new registry keys because I found mine were no longer working (?switch to Windows 10) and got a reply earlier today. Not light speed but it is Sunday.... And Mario's always been very helpful to me in the past as well.

Just my humble opinion.

DaveQ

 

[ZsoltB]

Hi All,

Someone will tell me what exe files need to install the model
Need a sequence!
Unfortunately, there is no TP gun and tanker function

Thank you,
Zsolt

 

[PLUTO16]

Sorry for the huuuge delay,but I'm quite busy at the moment.
Normally I use alpha channel of diffuse (this is a rule in SSW is used since '104,and adopted largely around) for "metal" shining,and on metal paintings I sometimes use a specific fresnel.
Alpha channel works (as I suppose you know) "the darker it is,the metal it goes" Many developer used it on reverted,so...white->mirrors,black-->flat.
I think if it's combined with specular we reached a nice result,but it's always the right moment to get better!
So post me some examples of how you wish it will be done.
Thanks
Alessandro

I just recently saw that you are now selling this item on JustFlight website! I REALLY REALLY want to purchase this item. My ONLY issue with it (and it's not stopping me from purchasing) but I would love to work with you on updating the .mdl material settings. I really want to paint this thing with realistic metallic textures. Currently it's not setup to do so. Same goes for F-104...PM me if interested. I really think that this F-84 would do very well in a Korean Campaign along side the Milviz F-86F-30 using TacPack. These changes shouldn't adversely affect your current paints other than to improve them if you are using alpha channel at all right now. If I've got the wrong information please correct me. I'm going off of asking another very respected and experienced painter who owns it. Thank you for your time!

 

[Mach3DS]

Cool....I can only tell you based on the ModelConverterX outputs. But essentially it is the following:

1. Alpha Channel reflecting the inverse of the diffuse Alpha.
2. Alpha Channel set to 1 (or 100%) reflectivity. That gives you a 1:1 relationship in the alpha gradient. Meaning full black is 100% reflection.
3. Fresnel is set to affect ONLY specular.
4. Specular Map power set to somewhere from 50 to 64
5. A discrete 1:1 relationship of Specular texture to Diffuse texture counterpart. Meaning no global specular file that is assigned to the whole exterior. You need a custom spec file (or placeholder) for every single exterior texture. So if you have 4 exterior diffuse textures you would have 4 exterior specular textures as well.
6. All exterior parts get this settings. This allows the model to have a pseudo dynamic exterior materials that the texture artist can control using combinations of Alpha channel, specular and fresnel.

Even if the part is not a metal piece, it should still receive this material setting. This allows repaints the most flexibility to create aftermarket content. You might say, will that part is not reflective because of xyz reason...but if someone is trying to create a nice glossy enamel finish it will be impossible. However with these settings, the texture controls the reflection and specular shine. Giving the artist the ability to determine what type of surface the texture will render; rather than a static predetermined and fixed material setting from the 3D model.

I can post an image later.

 

[Mach3DS]

Ideally (and this is mostly for P3Dv4+) all you high end payware or freeware developers would band together and unite under a banner of common consent to create some kind of a letter to LM and request that they convert their rendering engine to PBR or Differed shading. This would eliminate the need for so many textures and would move the Reflection and Specular into a single file.


This moves us from this (P3D):

To This (DCS):

Both are my textures. I would implore all the devs to be asking/requesting/begging LM to move the GFX engine to PBR or differed shading.

 

[PLUTO16]

Cool....I can only tell you based on the ModelConverterX outputs. But essentially it is the following:

1. Alpha Channel reflecting the inverse of the diffuse Alpha.
2. Alpha Channel set to 1 (or 100%) reflectivity. That gives you a 1:1 relationship in the alpha gradient. Meaning full black is 100% reflection.
3. Fresnel is set to affect ONLY specular.
4. Specular Map power set to somewhere from 50 to 64
5. A discrete 1:1 relationship of Specular texture to Diffuse texture counterpart. Meaning no global specular file that is assigned to the whole exterior. You need a custom spec file (or placeholder) for every single exterior texture. So if you have 4 exterior diffuse textures you would have 4 exterior specular textures as well.
6. All exterior parts get this settings. This allows the model to have a pseudo dynamic exterior materials that the texture artist can control using combinations of Alpha channel, specular and fresnel.

Even if the part is not a metal piece, it should still receive this material setting. This allows repaints the most flexibility to create aftermarket content. You might say, will that part is not reflective because of xyz reason...but if someone is trying to create a nice glossy enamel finish it will be impossible. However with these settings, the texture controls the reflection and specular shine. Giving the artist the ability to determine what type of surface the texture will render; rather than a static predetermined and fixed material setting from the 3D model.

I can post an image later.

Sorry but I don't see the point.
The way my texturing works is exactly as you stated. Every part has it's own place on a 4 parts dds (diffuse,alpha/diffuse,specular/alpha specular and obviously bump).
You can do whatever you want,is fully customizable.
If you like,you can make metal shining also the tyres.
Al this salad is mixed with a fresnel you can setup by your choice,if you wish.
Correct me If i understood wrong.
Cheers,
Alessandro

 

[Mach3DS]

IF that's how you have it, that's great! I'm having to rely on others to ask them for input. I don't own it remember. That is great.

 

[PLUTO16]

In this example,the difference between the 2 variants is only texturing.
The variables on models are "opened" so you can choose what to do with surfaces.

 

[PLUTO16]

IF that's how you have it, that's great! I'm having to rely on others to ask them for input. I don't own it remember. That is great.

Ok,now I got the point.

Yes,I do confirm,all our models are flexible by this point of view.

And it's how it should be,I can not see the point to lock a surface on a preset.

Sorry if I was not able to understand your question promtly, mainly because for me it's obvious that these things must work this way!

Cheers

 

[PLUTO16]

Here an example of a "shiny" variant.

Diffuse:

Alpha-Diffuse:

Specular:

Alpha-specular:

 

[Mach3DS]

I love your single texture layout!

Could you show me this skin in the sim?

 

[PLUTO16]

I love your single texture layout!

Could you show me this skin in the sim?

 

[Mach3DS]

Thank you good sir.

 

[PLUTO16]

Thank you good sir.

You're welcome.