SurClaro Flight Simulator Resources

Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 8:35 pm Post subject: Silver Surfer W.I.P.

Hi all. I posted a very vague hint about my latest FS project in 'Missed Approach' when RD asked what I was up to a week or so ago. No-one took the bait....I guess it was a pretty crappy hint after all, but any more of a picture or even a clever caption would have given it away! Laughing

I was dying to start another project but didn't want to get wrapped up in something that would take months....so after seeing this trailer http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/fantasticfourriseofthesilversurfer/
I figured "Ah, what the hell, I need to boogie through the streets of New York as the Silver Surfer!" Modelling the human figure to look like anything at all is a bugger, but I think I've managed to pull off a pretty reasonable mesh of parts to make up our silver friend. I'm aware of possibilities using 'Poser' figures in Flight Simulator but even if I could rig one as the Surfer and import it into gmax, what would be the point? All I would get to model that way would be the board, and I wanted to come up with The Silver Surfer model myself.
Lots of work to do yet....haven't scaled the model in FS9 yet, just threw him in there for some prelim testing. The 'Earth' shots are from an 'Orbiter' test, just to get some neat screens, really.
I still have to address texturing techniques in gmax, and maybe find out a bit about 'emitter' effects and such, as I need a unique sci-fi kind of whooshy trail to be left behind our cosmic friend.
'Material' creation and selection in gmax still has to be refined, and I don't even have a proper aircraft container (folder) yet...I'm just borrowing the whole mess from another plane. Which reminds me, I also have to figure out how to make a 'sound' file for him with lots of 'whoosh' and not too much 'jet' noise...more of a powerful, windy displacement sound. Should be interesting getting this stuff right. Rolling Eyes

@RD...I actually considered trying to do up 'Ghostrider', then I took a look at the bike! Maybe in a few years! Shocked

Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 6:15 am Post subject:

LMAO, that is very cool. Actually looks like you pretty much have it nailed down in GMAX. Looks like the cartoons and comic books.

As to the "emitter" effects, let me know, I am sure I can come up with something for ya. All it needs is a mild smoke effect to trail the "Silver Surfer". As for sound effects, the "WOOOSHY" style you want, make take some time to do. I can give it a standard, single WAV sound. But making multiples, I haven't tried yet. Heck, don't even know if you want me involved again or not. he-he.

I got the hint now, between the first pic, and the MA topic of Ghostrider or Silver Surfer. DO'H, I should have seen it coming.

RD

Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 10:01 am Post subject:

I sure could use your help again RD, maybe with a bit of advice on getting a .wav file to respond in the sim, but definitely with the 'trail' effect. The Silver Surfer needs a unique effect, maybe several combined in the same location points, to achieve something a bit different. No time lines here bud, we can just have some fun playing if you're interested. I'll get the model scaled properly, and should set some contact points in a dummy .cfg file for now.

If doing the single .wav file is pretty straightforward maybe I can come up with a custom organic cosmic acceleration sound with 'Audiomulch' (Virtual studio and sound generator sort of thing).

Thanks for the interest, I'll keep ya posted.
Very Happy

Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 1:07 pm Post subject:

OMFG, LOL!!! Darn cool, Hark! (Ya did it again Laughing

)

And for the .WAW files, try open the FSX R-22 (Robinson heli) sound folder nd listen to : XRotor.wav, XWhup.wav and XWind.wav... Sure u can use them Laughing

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 5:41 am Post subject:

Thanks for the sound file tips, and glad you like the whole idea. Right now I'm working up the nerve to dive into mapping, unwrapping and texturing this model. Gotta dive into the gmax material assignment task and separately texture all 20 of the meshes that make up the model you see. Why? Because sometimes (lots) I don't think ahead. If the model was all one piece it would be easy to paint, like the Maelstrom pilot was. I guess I modelled all these separate body parts because I'm considering trying to animate The Silver Surfer a little when banking right and left. If I can pull that off ? and manage to get a decent silver finish on him, and get the right trail and whooshy sound, it just might all come together to be a decent Silver Surfer. Shocked

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 9:25 am Post subject:

I can do the paint/chrome/silver finish you need.

JUST LET ME HAVE IT...LMAO.

Working (slowly...been working 12's for 2 weeks now, and more to come) on the tail dragging smoke/mist effect. Using an F-16 as a drone for it.

I'll shoot it to you when done.........March????? Razz

RD

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 1:49 pm Post subject:

LOL! RD, I know you could keep me chromed up for days (in fact I enjoyed telling someone over at the 'Screenshotart' forums that I had 'a chrome guy' when he suggested another 'chrome guy', LOL!) but I have to try and get *beep* chrome effect myself. I haven't managed to do a decent chrome on anything yet. It always looks flat and crappy in FS, and I still struggle with the specular shine out of gmax...The highlights always look too white and flat, and anything in shadow is not defined at all. I'm working slowly too, as it seems I have yet to master even the most basic, foolproof UVW unwrapping and editing task in gmax...remember how goofy it was repainting the Maelstrom? That was because in all my noobness I botch the unwrapping of the meshes for the most part, and nasty surprises always await. I'll give it all a go this weekend...maybe all the small meshes will be easier to unwrap and map, front and back. And if I fail miserably after at least trying to 'chrome' him all up myself, you are my 'go to' guy. Great to hear that you are playing with 'Surfer' effects trails, definitely take your time bud...this is the 'bog down' part of the project. It's all built but not mapped, painted or configured in any decent way. BTW, I can double check my scaling job and send you an unconfigured model at least, then you can set up and test your effects magic more accurately and effectively to the physical model, I'll catch up with you this weekend. Thanks for your help man...and don't dispair yet, If I can unwrap this well...I kind of doubt I can match your chrome textures...you may have to paint him for the best effect, let's play it by ear. Wink

Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 12:39 am Post subject:

Wow, I finally lucked onto a sure-fire way to depict nice, shiny chrome or very polished, mirrory metal. The whole difference is in using a pure black alpha channel and naming the bitmap xxxxxx_t....and of course, exporting with 'has reflectmap' ticked when kicking out the model, AND hoping that anyone who downloads the 'Surfer follows the readme and ensures that aircraft 'Reflections' is on in settings. (The 'Surfer looks like crap otherwise, I checked.)

Now that I can pull off a decent chrome I'll have to include it in another project or two, until the novelty wears off. Laughing

For now though, I am playing with 'Audiomulch' to come up with some killer cosmic motion sounds, and then botching the job completely when it comes to using the wav. files in the sim. I have really no clue what I'm doing when it comes to sound folder protocol, and the sound .cfg thing, as I get no sound at all in the sim. Guess I better follow my own advice and look into the SDK's for 'sound' and get with the program. Laughing

RD, is there a real easy, idiot-proof way to get a single .wav file to respond to throttle input? (O.k., O.K...I'll get into the SDK's Rolling Eyes

)

Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 10:39 pm Post subject:

O.K., I had a good read through the 'FS container' SDK's sound section, and you have to name and consecutively number the .wav file you want to use, and configure it all with text in that sound .cfg file. In the .cfg file is where you link one .wav file to the next as well. For example 3 or 4 jet whine sounds, each higher in pitch, are linked in a file list by text entries. I'm having lots of fun in 'Audiomulch' and have come up with pretty neat acceleration sounds for the Silver surfer, but haven't broken them into the consecutive 5 and 6-second .wav files yet for a sound test.

@ RD....I've been lazy and haven't done anything with the Aircraft .cfg file for the 'Surfer yet, when the whole package is a bit more concise I'll get you off a .zip file and you can put the finishing touches on this guy when you have time, he'll definitely need a cool trail effect. Very Happy

Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 12:16 am Post subject:

No problem Hark, take your time.

If you don't see a reply from me, I'm dead. LOL

Can't wait to fly the guy. Have a couple things I want to try with him. Twisted Evil

Effect is done, I think. Just need the guy to see if it works or not.

RD

Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 9:35 am Post subject: ;la