SZS : F/A-18 Super Hornet Project

[SkateZilla]

This Thread will Serve as the location for updates on my Project Outside of FB/Social Media.

 

Introducing:

The F/A-18 Super Hornet A.I. Package

 

 

Project Status: In Development

This is a free time / hobby project, Time to work on it will fluctuate depending on my available free time.

 

Planned Aircraft (In Order of Development):

F/A-18E Block II AI (Lot 25/26), The Base 3D Model

F/A-18F Block II AI (Lot 25/26), The Adjusted 3D Model/Textures for -F Airframe and Updated Code

E/A-18G Block II AI (Lot Lot 30), The Adjusted 3D Model/Textures for the -G Airframe, Updated Code and Added 3D Models for Stores

F/A-18E Block II AI Tanker (Lot 25/26), The Adjusted 3D Model/Textures, Updated Code and Added 3D Models for Stores

F/A-18E Block I AI (Lot 23), Adjusted 3D Model/Textures, Updated Code for Stores/Systems

F/A-18F Block I AI (Lot 23), Adjusted 3D Model/Textures, Updated Code for Stores/Systems

F/A-18F Block III AI (Lot TBD), Adjusted 3D Model/Textures, Updated Code for Stores/Systems, New Block III Stores (NGJ, IRST, CFT, EWP etc)

 

 

This Project has been ongoing for years on and off, Originally I started it when DCSWorld first launched as a test bed, for 3D Models, textures etc within the DCS World DX9 Engine.

 

After a few years, it has been my primary Project for Demonstration and How To Guides involving DCS and the EDGE Engine (DX11), and The the New PBR Standard in use.

 

The F/A-18 Super Hornet Project is a complete project, everything will be self-contained in it's own module. This includes 3D Models for Aircraft and New Stores not already integrated into DCS World, Textures, Liveries, Code, UI Elements, and Systems. The Super Hornets AI Package will not rely on any module to be purchased or installed to function.

 

To be Clear this is not a Player Flyable Module, At the present time it will be AI Only, w/ only myself and a few individuals having access to the Cockpit Model and Systems (All of Which will be removed in the public AI Distribution). There will likely be systems in place to restrict the Module from being modified to be flyable.

 

Current Status of Development:

Right now I am once again re-working the 3D External Model to integrate some new PBR Visual Elements, as well as clean up a lot of problems w/ Shadowing and Lighting on the 3D Model. Textures are being re-drawn to a higher resolution (4K x 4K) to allow for cleaner panel lines and decals. Animations are being adjusted and re-worked to allow the AI to use them properly. The 3D External Model will use the latest techniques for textures, lightning and special effects.

 

Edited August 1, 2021 by SkateZilla

[SkateZilla]

November 12th, 2019:

 

Updated to 3D Studio Max 2016 Project (from Max 2011) and Exported to EDM10 Format,

-A lot of re-working of the Roughness and Metallic Maps as well as the normal maps

-There's still quite a few exporter errors (mainly shadowing and lighting issues)

-Still Re-Drawing the Panels and Rivets from scratch (these are the original place holders).

-Pilot was removed (Model is being re-worked and re-animated separately).

-Old Overwing Vaper will be removed.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 13, 2019 by SkateZilla

[Automan]

Great news Skate, I can imagine countless hours of work in this project… BTW, thank you for your PBR guide and tutorials

[fagulha]

Hello,

 

Awesome work! Many thanks for you for putting so much time and dedication for this project.

 

I'm eager for this.

Best regards,

F.

[Stratos]

I see now why the F-5A mod has been delayed. Good work on that Super Hornet, congratulations.

[SkateZilla]

I see now why the F-5A mod has been delayed. Good work on that Super Hornet, congratulations.

 

 

This project has no impact on other free time hobby projects.

[PorcoRosso86]

Wow skate, I can't imagine how many hours you spent there. Thanks a lot for this sharing

[Stratos]

This project has no impact on other free time hobby projects.

 

Was not complaining, sorry If it sounded like If I was.

[Someone]

I'm curious; could you explain the reasoning for the removal of cockpit/systems?

[bennyboy9800]

Any kind of rough timetable for release?

 

EDIT: Also will this be a "3rd party" mod or will ED actually incorporate it into the main game?

[Huilque151]

Thank u a lot for this SKATEZILLA. Its will be perfect to complete the IA Aircraft carrier staff.

A questión, The F/A-18E Block II AI Tanker (Lot 25/26) will have the tanker capacities? REGARDS!

[SkateZilla]

November 20th, 2019:

 

-Continued Re-working the PBR Elements

-Continued Adjustments to Normals/Smoothing groups to resolve lighting and shadowing issues

-Adjustments to Animations, (Basic Syncing and alignment items, as well as timings)

-Adjustments to AI Systems and Interactions

 

-Still Re-Drawing the Panels and Rivets from scratch (these are the original place holders).

-Pilot was removed (Model is being re-worked and re-animated separately).

-Old Overwing Vaper will be removed.

 

Edited November 20, 2019 by SkateZilla

[Gruman]

SkateZilla, this looks stunning. Great work.

 

Thank u a lot for this SKATEZILLA. Its will be perfect to complete the IA Aircraft carrier staff.

A questión, The F/A-18E Block II AI Tanker (Lot 25/26) will have the tanker capacities? REGARDS!

+1, buddy refueling from this gorgeous super hornet would be awesome. A huge visual improvement over the current S-3. :smilewink:

And if/when ED releases the new S-3, the Super Hornet will still bring a welcome variation on the deck and in the air.

[G.J.S]

Looks VERY nice! :notworthy:

The one thing about the Rhino that I've always looked at in disbelief - is just how much the wing pylons toe-out. An incredible amount, so much so that you would think there would be a lot of drag generated just by them, but apparently its negligible.

You have got a serious bird on your hands, best of luck bud.

[SkateZilla]

Looks VERY nice! :notworthy:

The one thing about the Rhino that I've always looked at in disbelief - is just how much the wing pylons toe-out. An incredible amount, so much so that you would think there would be a lot of drag generated just by them, but apparently its negligible.

You have got a serious bird on your hands, best of luck bud.

 

The Pylons cause little drag in Subsonic area, but more drag during the transonic threshold.

 

and in subsonic area, they actually deflect air to the horizontal stabilizers to give more pitch authority airflow.

[LanceCriminal86]

I'd love to know what the process is like to bring models in as even just AI assets. I'd assume it's less intensive than say the A-4E-C or MB-335, but I'm also getting the feeling after watching Heclak's stream last night that there's a lot of work just in terms of rigging the model, assigning the right material names, animation bones, etc. With as many missing aircraft as there are, having more resources or walkthroughs on the process could help fill in some of the gaps where ED isn't immediately intent on filling in, like the F-4S and F-4N, the AD-3 Skywarrior, the RA-5 Vigilante, etc.

[DeathAngel1]

Is there a chance to have a flyabe Super Hornet? Or AI only? It will be sad, if its only for AI.

[SkateZilla]

it will not have a public flyable version distributed by me.

 

Final decision on leaving tje make flyable block on the public release is yet to be decided.

[Kayos]

Any chance ED would add this as an official AI plane to DCS?

[westr]

Any chance ED would add this as an official AI plane to DCS?

 

I hope so. It’s good enough.

[mwlue]

Maverick approve this!!! Can't wait for the release!!!!!!

[KidCharlemagne]

I'm thrilled that this is being worked on! I've always thought that the flight deck and various modern missions are incomplete without the Super Hornet and Growler. I can't wait for some realistic modern buddy tanking too!

[SkateZilla]

2020 Update:

The Super Hornet AI Project is undergoing 3D Adjustments as well as a Texture Overhaul.

 

I've been getting reference photos in person for panel lines and other items.

Parts of the 3D Model will once again be rebuilt to a higher detail level, and a few other parts will be scrapped and re-built for the first time to add details that were otherwise absent completely.

(including some internal parts, landing gear, etc).

 

I will also be building an 3D Internal structure that will be visible when taking damage. (another item absent from the current model).

 

Once the External -E Model is Finished, Work will be Ported to the -F and -G Respectively, then to the Stores that aren't already part of DCS, as those items will also get a texture and smoothing overhaul.

After the Family of Super Hornet Models are done, work will begin on converting the Block II 3D External Model to Block I, and then Block III Adjustments later, w/ Block III Stores and Features (CFT, IRST Pod, NJG, EWP, APKWS Etc).

 

The 3D Pilot Model previously used was removed from the 3D External Model, it will be re-worked or re-placed depending on available time.

 

As of Right now, this project is still AI Only and will not support "Hot Linking" to other Aircraft Cockpits/FM/Systems.

This is out of my control for the time being, and has nothing to do with Eagle Dynamics Either. When The Package is closer to release and Visually ready, I will look into having a nice Trailer done for it.

Edited January 29, 2020 by SkateZilla

[_mu110_]

Thanks for the update, looking forward to how this project progresses. Definitely hoping that this will one day make its way into the base game.

[Stratos]

Will it work on the SuperCarrier? lol