Model viewer 3

[YoYo]

The latest models from ED have the model itself encrypted, making it impossible to open them using the current Model Viewer 2 for DCS. This complicates creating repaints and finding the right textures, and doesn't allow for quick previews.

Since encryption is becoming standard and we already have at least a few models using it, when does ED plan to update the Model Viewer to make it compatible with their models? Currently, unfortunately, there is a lack of consistency here, something was introduced without adapting the rest to it. The MiG-29 is coming out soon, and the same problem will likely arise.

Pretty please. 

Btw. There has been a lot of talk about this in various topics, but I don't see it on Wishlist.

[Rudel_chw]

2 hours ago, YoYo said:

Since encryption is becoming standard and we already have at least a few models using it ...

 

Actually that's not entirely accurate: the only Module with encrypted textures so far is the F-5E Remastered, and the much later F4U-1 is not encrypted ... so, I wouldn't call it "a standard", at least not yet.

 

However, I fully support your wish and hopefully ED will pay attention. I purchased the F-5E remaster upgrade completely unaware of this problem, and consequently I have barely flown it and have not made any misions for it, but there is no way for me to pre-purchase the MiG-29 on this circumstances.

 

[NRG-Vampire]

The point is: you cannot load into ModelViewer numerous new/detailed ground vehicles (Abrams etc.), the new B-1B, S-3B/R, B-52H and the new F-5E-3 to check alignments/joints on the skins. You need to restart DCS every time and check the changes in Encyclopedia/Loadout View or in the Sim itself.

Edited 19 hours ago by NRG-Vampire

[HC_Official]

+1 for this idea

[MiG21bisFishbedL]

I really love the skinning scene here, so this is a must.

[Silver_Dragon]

27 minutes ago, NRG-Vampire said:

The point is: you cannot load into ModelViewer numerous new/detailed ground vehicles (Abrams etc.), the new B-1B, S-3B/R, B-52H and the new F-5E-3 to check alignments/joints on the skins. You need to restart DCS every time and check the changes in Encyclopedia/Loadout View or in the Sim itself.

That models has into a new directory called "HeavyGearCore".... with a new extension called .edce, no the old EDM, unable to open by the Modelviewer.

[NRG-Vampire]

24 minutes ago, Silver_Dragon said:

That models has into a new directory called "HeavyGearCore".... with a new extension called .edce, no the old EDM, unable to open by the Modelviewer.

Exactly. Moreover those (ED-Crypted-Extension?) files are a pack:
(Shapes/Aircraft.edce, Tech.edce) contains numerous 3D models. Another reason why we need a "viewer" which able to visualize those models for skinning/texturing outside of the Core-Game. : without restart DCS every time and check the changes in Encyclopedia/Loadout View or in the Sim itself.

[Silver_Dragon]

8 minutes ago, NRG-Vampire said:

Exactly. Moreover those (ED-Crypted-Extension?) files are a pack:
(Shapes/Aircraft.edce, Tech.edce) contains numerous 3D models. Another reason why we need a "viewer" which able to visualize those models for skinning/texturing outside of the Core-Game. : without restart DCS every time and check the changes in Encyclopedia/Loadout View or in the Sim itself.

The .edce file looks like some kind of compressed, possibly encrypted, archive, and something tells me ED isn't going to open it because there may be copyright issues involved. Keep in mind that ED continues to add new EDMs; the entire WW2 M3 support pack is EDMs, and ED has continued updating its previous models, and I believe there are some new EDMs in the various directories in recent months.

[YoYo]

2 hours ago, Rudel_chw said:

 

Actually that's not entirely accurate: the only Module with encrypted textures so far is the F-5E Remastered, and the much later F4U-1 is not encrypted ... so, I wouldn't call it "a standard", at least not yet.

 

However, I fully support your wish and hopefully ED will pay attention. I purchased the F-5E remaster upgrade completely unaware of this problem, and consequently I have barely flown it and have not made any misions for it, but there is no way for me to pre-purchase the MiG-29 on this circumstances.

 

Chinook not?

[Silver_Dragon]

6 minutes ago, YoYo said:

Chinook not?

Chinook has actualy your propper CH-47F Shape EDM directory on Core Mods. I dont have that module to check the cockpit on the modelviewer on mods directory.

[draconus]

12 hours ago, Silver_Dragon said:

That models has into a new directory called "HeavyGearCore"

It's "HeavyMetalCore".

[Silver_Dragon]

20 minutes ago, draconus said:

It's "HeavyMetalCore".

Thas correct, sorry.

[Urbi]

One could debate this for pages. When purchasing one or more models for use in games, it is a requirement for the providers of such models, such as TurboSquid, to then offer them encrypted in games, as stated in the turbosquid-3d-model-license. Excerpt: "Redistributing or otherwise making TurboSquid 3D Models available to end-users.
If you are redistributing something that includes actual 3D Model files, the 3D Model files must be incorporated into a larger creation and not in an open format that others can be downloaded. Most game engines, such as Unity and Unreal, handle this automatically. In general, to prevent your end-users from obtaining TurboSquid 3D Models, you should use proprietary formats that cannot be extracted, exported, or decompiled without reverse engineering." which means that ED could have acquired such models itself, since the free use of such models in games for a commercial company is permitted under the above conditions. So it's to be expected that Currenthil's assets will also be encrypted. As for the descriptions of the individual models, I think ED could offer these so that liveries could be derived from them. You can then also view your work in ME. It's just a bit more complex.

[YoYo]

40 minutes ago, Urbi said:

One could debate this for pages. When purchasing one or more models for use in games, it is a requirement for the providers of such models, such as TurboSquid, to then offer them encrypted in games, as stated in the turbosquid-3d-model-license. Excerpt: "Redistributing or otherwise making TurboSquid 3D Models available to end-users.
If you are redistributing something that includes actual 3D Model files, the 3D Model files must be incorporated into a larger creation and not in an open format that others can be downloaded. Most game engines, such as Unity and Unreal, handle this automatically. In general, to prevent your end-users from obtaining TurboSquid 3D Models, you should use proprietary formats that cannot be extracted, exported, or decompiled without reverse engineering." which means that ED could have acquired such models itself, since the free use of such models in games for a commercial company is permitted under the above conditions. So it's to be expected that Currenthil's assets will also be encrypted. As for the descriptions of the individual models, I think ED could offer these so that liveries could be derived from them. You can then also view your work in ME. It's just a bit more complex.

But there's absolutely no problem in being able to "decrypt" them in their tools, such as the model viewer, for example, only within the preview, just like in the Encyclopedia in DCS. It still doesn't break anything. ED should focus on this tool now. More than once, there was even a skinmaker competition, but currently they can't do it because they haven't provided all the tools (I know, I can do everything without the model viewer, but it will take several times longer).