Uriah

Thanks. I am also working on modeling the Predator C Avenger and making both Player flyable from the GCS. That will take some serious programming though. Need to figure out how recycle ED's code to be able to operate the sensors, target and deliver payloads. Besides the aerodynamics for each aircraft, I need to modify an AI to fly like a drone on Auto Pilot so the the Sensor Operator can focus. I have plans for custom maps, but I am waiting for EDGE so as not to waste my time. Regards, -Uriah

New project. Just got it into DCS World. Still working on the UVW texture map... arguably the hardest aspect besides configuring the aerodynamics. -Regards, Uriah

I already have a working map that I built. It is tiny, but it works well. I will post a small working map that you guys can fly within the next couple weeks. Still have to figure out how to release it as a mod. Anyways, it can be done, end of story. That is why I made this a separate thread from my Washington State project thread because I didn't want it to be overrun by a debate. I'll keep you guys posted on my progress. If any one would like to collaborate message me! Regards, Uriah

“All that was great in the past was ridiculed, condemned, combated, suppressed - only to emerge all the more powerfully, all the more triumphantly from the struggle. Let the future tell the truth and evaluate each one according to his work and accomplishments. The present is theirs, the future, for which I really worked, is mine.” ~ Nikola Tesla

Hey NRG-Vampire: Can you elaborate on and or substantiate your claim? I found this page ( http://en.wiki.eagle.ru/wiki/All_about_land ) and am working with their 3d Studio Max plugins just like any other 3rd Party Developer would, and by the way I already have a tiny map working in DCS World, but it is very small. In about two days I will be able to refute these claims that it is not possible to develop custom terrain maps. Any info you can provide, like, resources, etc... would be highly valuable. The thread for my Washington State map project is: http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=119560 You can leave your reply there if you would like. -Uriah

Thank you. Subscribe to the thread for updates!

Title is self explanatory. Why can't I send private messages, or at least I can't see the messages in out Outbox. Thanks, -Uriah

Hello, I have been trying to figure out if it is currently possible to create new custom terrain maps and DCS World. I have recieved mixed messages and I am wondering if there is anyone out there who can definitively answer this question and explain why/why not. (Yes we are all waiting for anticipating EDGE) But until then...? Regards, -Uriah

By the way, just to clearify, I don't have anything yet but some really nice GIS data (Geospatial Information System data) that I painstakingly stitched together from over 1000 JPEG 2000 raster files, and over 40 ArcGrid elevation files. So the trees are just pixels, along with everything else.

aaron886: I am a little confused at this point. Are the tools for creating DCS terrain exclusively for certified 3rd Party developers? Could you explain yourself a little further, because I am getting mixed messages from other members saying I can create terrain maps and get them working in DCS. Any how, I am looking forward to EDGE (along with everyone) and am well on my way to creating some sweet maps in the near future. Regards, -Uriah

Where is the Like button?! By the way the pilots coming over from the Naval Air Station on Whidbey Island fly through my area in the A-6 and I have seen them pop over a ridge while I was hiking less than 40 ft over my head. Sweat aircraft! Pilots training for Afghanistan fly the Cascades because the terrain is so similar to the Kush.

rassy7: Currently I am not sure about the file/size limitations for maps. I would love to do the entire state, but there are more questions than answers currently. If size is an issue I can create multiple maps, and somehow join them together. If not I would focus primarily on Eastern Washington because of the terrain features in the North Cascades, (where I grew up), but hopefully this is not the case. Like I said in the first post, the dataset I am working with is insanely big! We'll see. Glad people are interested. -Uriah

I just sent a message to ED to inquire about the EDGE SDK, we'll see what they say. I am all about it! Washington State is beautiful and amazing to fly over (in real life). I actually have a few missions in mind, but I don't know if it is possible to create customized single player missions for other people to play. One idea is to have the player fly an airplane though the mountains at low altitude, below radar level, and strike a "base" that I am going to model/build which is fortified inside a mountian. There is actually a small landing strip way out in the Stehekin Wilderness (North Cascades) that I have been to, and the concept is based on how difficult it is to maneuver aircraft at low altitude through this terrain, it would be a serious challenge. Not to mention the topography make it almost impassible to vehicles, I know the area like the back of my hand. -Uriah

Yeah, I have taken that into account. I am trying to figure out exactly what EDGE will turn out to be so I can either wait or determine what is different and begin now. Any information would be valuable! Be sure to subscribe to this thread if you're interested! Regards, -Uriah

Resources, Links and Tools This post will be continually updated with resources, links and tools provided by the community and myself. :book: ______________________________________________________ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://en.wiki.eagle.ru/wiki/All_about_land

As far as I know the USGS only provides elevation data and orthoimagery for the United States. I've attached an image which shows the Elevation Availability from the USGS National Map Viewer. If you can find a source it is easy to put together. -Uriah

I have created a new thread for the Washington State custom map project: http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?p=1977009#post1977009 CaptainPecan: I have answered your question there.

Hi everyone! New to DCS, but I am catching up quick. I am building a custom map for DCS World for Washington State. This thread will contain all the information concerning this project, and feel free to chip in, once I get the 3D terrain and imagery working it would be great if people helped populate the map with 3d models. I will be releasing the map under a Creative Commons free-use attribution license for your information. Here is what I have so far: I downloaded the elevation and orthoimagery geographic information system (GIS) data from the USGS ( http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/ ). You can too! I will look into the copyright concern expressed by CaptainPecan, but I believe that since the data is furnished by the U.S. Government, (that is our tax dollars at work) it can be used for any and all purposes. People have created entire businesses around GIS data, so I believe use for non-profit open-source is unquestionable, but I will ask a friend who works with GIS data just to be sure. Next, the data is BIG. I mean REALLY BIG!!! What I have is 1/3rd arc second elevation data, in ArcGrid format, and 1 meter orthoimagery in JPEG 2000 format. The database is over 40 GB for the entire state of Washington at this resolution, including the imagery and elevation data, with most of that being the imagery. Another option would be to focus on Western Washington, including Seattle (with all the 3D buildings) and the North Cascade Mountain Range (as seen in the attached images). One reason for this is Eastern Washington isn't as interesting from a geographic perspective, and that is why I am so excited and committed to building this map for the DCS community! I could also decrease the resolution of the imagery, but I would like to keep the resolution of the elevation data because it really makes things look smooth, and at a lower resolution sharp features like mountains look really bad. I have some decisions to make in terms of what I can and cannot do, but I will need to get into the DCS database system to see how they stitch together their image tiles and 3D surface geometry before I can go any further. I am going to see if I can talk the ED and figure out more about this new engine, to determine what database system/structure/file formats they are going to be using for EDGE so I can get working on the Washington Map. If anyone has more info on this it would be appreciated!!! Also I cannot find the Wiki Revelation mentioned, does anyone have a link to it? Well that is all I have for now folks! I've attached some screenshots of the terrain (running in ArcGIS) at full resolution and at the highest display settings possible. See for yourself how awesome this is going to be! If anyone has feedback, suggestions or answers, that would be awesome! If anyone would like to get in on this project send me a message. SUBSCRIBE to this thread to follow this project and receive updates and eventually the final map. Happy flying! Regards, Uriah

Actually, I am going to start a new thread specifically for the Washington State custom map build. Where would you recommend I do that? Under DCS World or in another area? I will post the link to that thread here once I create it. -Uriah

Copy that. I want to try out a FFB stick to compare them for myself, but I'll take your word for it. About the Washington map... see for yourself. This isn't running in GoogleMaps. I downloaded the GIS data from the USGS National Map ( http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/ ) and stitched it all together. I can output the rasters and 3D surface in just about any format imaginable, so it will be a be easy to produce a new map for DCS. Although the entire state of Washington at this resolution will be massive. The only way I can even load it in ArcGIS is by creating what's called a Geodatabase and adding the imagery to a Raster Catalog. I believe the orthoimagery (JPEG 2000 format) is over 25 GB in total, and the elevation data is about 10 GB. Depending on how the DCS World EDGE imagery and 3D terrain database works I may or may not have to reduce the resolution. Or I could produce multiple maps. Or I could just focus on Western Washington, including Seattle and the Cascade Mountain Range. Eastern WA is flat and boring any ways, so that might be the best option. See for yourself, this is full resolution for both elevation and imagery. Cheers! -Uriah

Right on! Thank you all so much, this forum is thriving! Home Fries: Thanks for that link, great work! I am really looking for FFB in my controller, any suggestions on a good unit? It looks as if this is the only FFB joystick offered by Thrustmaster ( http://www.thrustmaster.com/products/force-feedback-joystick ). That's too bad, the Warthog or Cougar look like much better products. I would love to hear what you guys think about the trade-offs are. sobek: I will take your advice and wait for EDGE to be released. joey45: thanks I just noticed that, downloading now! Can DCS be played using the keyboard and mouse only? I mean technically I know it can, but usually the control is terrible at best in flight sims. Thanks again everyone! Subscribe to this thread to get my custom Washington map once EDGE is released!!! -Uriah

Thank you, appreciate the info! Subscribe to this thread and I'll post my results when we get our OR and code the interface, there is nothing my friend can't do with programming, so if there is an API it will happen. Also I already have all the GIS elevation and orthoimagery data setup for the entire state of Washington, all I need to do is buy DCS World and I will create the custom map for WA including buildings in all major cities if I can find a way to get that data. Washington is a very interested state in terms of geography, if you've never been there, it is kind of like Colorado, in that the Cascade Mountain Range has very rugged terrain which will be awesome for a custom map and missions. So again, subscribe to this thread and you'll get everything I build!

BTW, if we create a software interface for the OR I will release the source code under a creative commons license for everyone to use!

Thanks Revelation! I have a software dev friend who can implement the tracking for OR if there is any kind of API (Advanced Programming Interface) in DCS, do you know if there is anything like that? We could hack it if not, with an interface module and sits inbetween the OR and DCS to provide the same data as the TIR, so DCS wouldn't know the difference. I did a search for the Wiki page but couldn't find it, do you have the link? I am really interested if DCS supports force feedback to a HOTAS stick, any info on that? What are people using for controllers? -Uriah