Perhaps a new source of 3D models for LOMAC?

[Trident]

http://www.eclectric-fx.com/gallery/index.shtml

 

All models look very accurate and have realistic proportions. What's more, they already appear to be well within acceptable limits regarding the number of polygons, which could potentially cut down on the effort needed for conversion dramatically. 3 LOD levels are ready and available for each model as well!

 

The only modelling issue I could see is that they may lack some or all animations (this is certainly true for the landing gear, which is non-existant as mentioned on the site). Last but not least, almost all of them represent aircraft that are in dire need of a make-over in LOMAC (E-3A, B-52H, B-1B, KC-10, Tornado) or have been missing from the sim far too long already (F-15E, KC-135R). Unfortunately no A-10A or Mirage2000 are available, same for any Russian aircraft, but if this modeller is willing to cooperate in some form or other we've still got the USAF pretty well covered indeed.

 

Since these models are modifications of existing work and were created for a very specific project (and a government project, no less) getting said cooperation might be tricky, but I think this looks too good not to try. So, is anyone with modelling skills and knowledge of the conversion process willing to have a go and contact him?

[SuperKungFu]

his skills are very good, but like all good things, i think it will come at a price.

[Allochtoon]

just contact him yourself trident, and wait what happens.

[Trident]

Ok, I contacted him today, we'll see what he says. I also found out that his models come with at least some animations in place, namely control surfaces and refueling equipment. OTOH, he is using Lightwave and not 3DStudio for modelling which will necessitate a conversion for our purposes. Nevertheless, these models do seem to be much closer to the state we need them in than most others available from online sources. From what I can tell (and I'm certainly no modeller) it looks like we would be left to do the following in the event that he makes his work available:

 

1. Convert to 3DS format for further processing & sort out any issues this may cause

 

2. Make minor alterations for compatibility (Mapping? Materials?)

 

3. Implement any missing animations (Engine nozzles, flaps, bomb bays, swing wings, refueling boom...)

 

4. Build & animate the landing gear

 

5. Create a damage model

 

6. Export into LOMAC :)

 

I think the biggest hurdle will be getting permission to use his models though, so we shouldn't get our hopes up too high I suppose. Some of them are based on other author's work and technically they perhaps aren't even his but belong to the company (or government body) he worked under contract with.

[Troffmeister]

Trident , 2 Eurofighters are awaiting stages 2 to 6 , care to convert them to LO ?

 

Also in approx 1 weeks time - i hope to make an exciting announcement

 

btw , the b1b the guy modelled is incorrect , behind the cockpit bulge along the body , its too thin and not correct to diagram drawings - it even looks wrong to look at !

 

i am surprised this 3d guy did not notice and amend accordingly - weird ?

[Trident]

I'm not sure where you got the idea that I have modelling skills or access to 3DSmax - because I don't, sorry ;) That's why I said 'we', as in 'the community', and not 'I'. Well spotted about the B-1B, if the belly of the front fuselage was flat and not bulged it would probably look ok.

 

Your Typhoon model looks nice though. One small nit pick: you should get rid of the air data probe on the nose and the camera fairing on the tail fin, both are strictly test equipment and are no longer installed on operational airframes.

[rogue_blade]

Trident , 2 Eurofighters are awaiting stages 2 to 6 , care to convert them to LO ?

 

Also in approx 1 weeks time - i hope to make an exciting announcement

 

btw , the b1b the guy modelled is incorrect , behind the cockpit bulge along the body , its too thin and not correct to diagram drawings - it even looks wrong to look at !

 

i am surprised this 3d guy did not notice and amend accordingly - weird ?

 

there are 2 eurofighters waiting to be modeled??? and what do you mean by stages 2 to 6?? what about the one already out by tomcatz?

[SuperKungFu]

if you look at the tomcatz thread, it would answer a lot of question. Troffmeister has a new eurofighter he would like to donate. I'm guessing because he saw that tomcatz model could be improved. (it was not bad considering he said it was his first attempted?) and stages 2-6, is referring to the number 1-6 in the 4th post.

[Troffmeister]

Superkungfu's post is 100% accurate

 

Tomcatz has not contacted me re my eurofighter 3dmax model - so its not being worked on by anybody right now

 

i am about 85% done on a new model , about 1 week to go to finish , maybe sooner !

 

i make models , but i don't uvw/skin paint them or animate them , and as for the lomac conversion process - never tried it - i am happy to build and donate models and let others convert and skin into the lomac game engine )

 

Bits can be removed from the eurofighter model in seconds - no problemo - the model is correct to the only decent 4 way schematic line drawing of the eurofighter , which exists on the web - the drawing obviously shows the test version - i model correctly to decent drawings - if the drawing is outdated - then the model will be too !

 

But thanks for the info :-)

 

Roger

[SuperKungFu]

yea that's the problem with most models, we are so close to getting it done and then something happens along the way, either computer fried or busy, that the models never get finished lol. We need more people that knows how to animate, and put lods and convert it to .lom. I think a tutorial should be written for lock on on this site.

[Troffmeister]

i back up all my stuff - burn to dvd regularly - only work ongoing is on my hd - current model etc, and i have 2 hds and i copy between the 2 to be extra sure , so no worries on loosing any of my work to date :-)

[SuperKungFu]

lol good, thanks really nice to hear. I also constantly back up my files.