Some Basic Questions

[Mt5_Roie]

So reading these threads I wanted to dive in and try to create an aircraft to learn from. I started out by downloading the Wunderluft aircraft and looking how it was all put together. It came with the shapes for the L-39, but I figured it would be a challenge to try to use a different aircraft so I can learn from the experience.

 

So here's what I've done:

 

1) Download and extract Wunderluft aircraft.

2) Place in Mod folder, launch DCS World and test. Outside texture looks fine, inside cockpit is P-51.

3) Copied the F/A-18C texture files from the World folder and put them in the correct folder. Renamed the files to use Wunderluft name. Also removed files from Cockpit folder to force it to use generic SU-25T cockpit. I found this helped because with the normal P-51 cockpit there was textures missing and the buttons to start things didn't seem to work. Using a default SU-25T cockpit the buttons seems to work.

4) Loaded DSC World and tested. Exterior looks like F/A-18C model. Flaps work. Elevator works. Rudder works. Ailerons works. Speed-brake works. Starting from the air I can confirm that gears also work. The noticable issue is that when starting on the ground, the wheels seem to be in the ground (I assume the L-39 height is different from the F/A-18C height). While I was able to take off somewhat ok, landing proved a little harder. It didn't seem to recognize the landing gears until close to the fuselage and by them the fuselage hit the ground and dragged to a halt.

5) Modified height of aircraft in hopes to fix wheel in ground issue. Also made other modifications to Wunderluft.lua file like indicating that aircraft has two afterburner engines.

6) Went into DCS World and tested again. Wheels still in ground. Tested all features again - everything as before.

7) Saved and backed up work.

8) Changed the name from Wunderluft to SpiderJet in all appropriate places.

9) Tested in DSC World and same results as above. So at least now I have an aircraft that is called correctly in DSC World and has basic functionality. Also went into mission editor and wanted to see what kind of things I could put on the aircraft. The Wunderluft default pylons are about 15 and putting things on it looked odd with a F/A-18C texture.

10) Went into database folder in World and looked at F/A-18C lua file. Copied the pylon information from there and replaced it into the SpiderJet.lua file.

11) Tested in DCS World and loaded up aircraft for air-to-air. Weapons looked to be placed in right location and test firing the AIM-9 missiles seemed to work ok.

12) Saved and backed up work.

 

So from this first session, I have some questions.

 

1) Is there a wiki page or a resource page that lists all he variables that are mentioned in the <aircraftname>.lua file? While my aviation terminalogy is good, there are some I don't understand the function too. Seems like others are having issues as well reading the other thread.

2) What variables should I look into to raise the aircraft so the wheels are not embedded into the ground. I tried modifying the aircraft height at this point with no success. Should I keep persuing that avenue or are there other places to look at?

3) There seems to be some functions that seem to work with no programming. This includes gears, flaps, rudder, elevator, aileron, and speed brake. I know if I use the mod mentioned on this page to fly the F/A-18C I can also get it to lower the tailhook and fold the wings:

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=94957

 

So my questions is - where is that functionality defined? I'm assuming the animation is part of the texture, but is there a way to see what functionality is there (such as folding wings, tail hook, or even refueling probe)?

 

My goal is to learn here. I have a good friend who's a great artist willing to do some 3d modeling for me but I want to make sure I got the basics down because I call on his services.

 

Thanks in advance, and I'm more then willing to make this a community project to help others learn as well.

[Mt5_Roie]

I just do not know how to get the external flight model to integrate with my F-15C. So right now I'm stuck at having a compiled DLL and my own flyable aircraft that is using the SU-25T cockpit and F-15C 3D model, just not sure how to marry to the two.

 

I'm not sure I understand what "marry" means. Are you able to fly your aircraft using the SU-25T cockpit or are you not able to? I've gotten it so I can actually start the jet from the SU-25T cockpit, takeoff, land (although badly), and deploy weapons. Are you not able to get that far yet?

[Mt5_Roie]

Gotcha! Ok since I'm just using the models I found in the World folder I'm not sure.

 

What software are you using the create the external flight model?

[Simas]

I just do not know how to get the external flight model to integrate with my F-15C. So right now I'm stuck at having a compiled DLL and my own flyable aircraft that is using the SU-25T cockpit and F-15C 3D model, just not sure how to marry to the two.

 

Look at how other ED modules do that. From P-51D module:

 

--make_flyable(obj_name,optional_cockpit path,optional_fm = {mod_of_fm_origin,dll_with_fm})
make_flyable('P-51D',current_mod_path..'/Cockpit/Scripts/',{self_ID,'P51B'},current_mod_path..'/comm.lua')

 

You connect your DLL with the third parameter of the make_flyable() function.

[Mt5_Roie]

Simast,

 

Any idea how to raise the aircraft off the ground a couple feet so the wheels aren't in the ground?

[SkateZilla]

So reading these threads I wanted to dive in and try to create an aircraft to learn from. I started out by downloading the Wunderluft aircraft and looking how it was all put together. It came with the shapes for the L-39, but I figured it would be a challenge to try to use a different aircraft so I can learn from the experience.

 

So here's what I've done:

 

1) Download and extract Wunderluft aircraft.

2) Place in Mod folder, launch DCS World and test. Outside texture looks fine, inside cockpit is P-51.

3) Copied the F/A-18C texture files from the World folder and put them in the correct folder. Renamed the files to use Wunderluft name. Also removed files from Cockpit folder to force it to use generic SU-25T cockpit. I found this helped because with the normal P-51 cockpit there was textures missing and the buttons to start things didn't seem to work. Using a default SU-25T cockpit the buttons seems to work.

4) Loaded DSC World and tested. Exterior looks like F/A-18C model. Flaps work. Elevator works. Rudder works. Ailerons works. Speed-brake works. Starting from the air I can confirm that gears also work. The noticable issue is that when starting on the ground, the wheels seem to be in the ground (I assume the L-39 height is different from the F/A-18C height). While I was able to take off somewhat ok, landing proved a little harder. It didn't seem to recognize the landing gears until close to the fuselage and by them the fuselage hit the ground and dragged to a halt.

5) Modified height of aircraft in hopes to fix wheel in ground issue. Also made other modifications to Wunderluft.lua file like indicating that aircraft has two afterburner engines.

6) Went into DCS World and tested again. Wheels still in ground. Tested all features again - everything as before.

7) Saved and backed up work.

8) Changed the name from Wunderluft to SpiderJet in all appropriate places.

9) Tested in DSC World and same results as above. So at least now I have an aircraft that is called correctly in DSC World and has basic functionality. Also went into mission editor and wanted to see what kind of things I could put on the aircraft. The Wunderluft default pylons are about 15 and putting things on it looked odd with a F/A-18C texture.

10) Went into database folder in World and looked at F/A-18C lua file. Copied the pylon information from there and replaced it into the SpiderJet.lua file.

11) Tested in DCS World and loaded up aircraft for air-to-air. Weapons looked to be placed in right location and test firing the AIM-9 missiles seemed to work ok.

12) Saved and backed up work.

 

So from this first session, I have some questions.

 

1) Is there a wiki page or a resource page that lists all he variables that are mentioned in the <aircraftname>.lua file? While my aviation terminalogy is good, there are some I don't understand the function too. Seems like others are having issues as well reading the other thread.

2) What variables should I look into to raise the aircraft so the wheels are not embedded into the ground. I tried modifying the aircraft height at this point with no success. Should I keep persuing that avenue or are there other places to look at?

3) There seems to be some functions that seem to work with no programming. This includes gears, flaps, rudder, elevator, aileron, and speed brake. I know if I use the mod mentioned on this page to fly the F/A-18C I can also get it to lower the tailhook and fold the wings:

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=94957

 

So my questions is - where is that functionality defined? I'm assuming the animation is part of the texture, but is there a way to see what functionality is there (such as folding wings, tail hook, or even refueling probe)?

 

My goal is to learn here. I have a good friend who's a great artist willing to do some 3d modeling for me but I want to make sure I got the basics down because I call on his services.

 

Thanks in advance, and I'm more then willing to make this a community project to help others learn as well.

 

My issue right now is missing systems.

 

I've imported A testbed model and 90% of the animations (havent animated gears, slats, airbrakes yet).

 

If i use the F-18C from the Fast Mover Mod, The Hook works fine and I can land on the Vinson.

 

 

If I use the Wunderluft template and go throu the LUA Line by Line, Enter the engine values and add the SYSTEM to the Keyboard Input.LUA for the "Tail Hook" it still doesnt work. So, There must be a line that I need to add somewhere to ge the tail hook working (yes I've added the "TakeOffRW/LandingRW" data blocks, doesnt seem to have an effect. I used the SFM Data for the F-18C and Modified it to F-18F Specs.

Edited October 17, 2012 by SkateZilla

[Mt5_Roie]

SkateZilla,

 

Is the fast mover mod for DCS World of for FC2? Not sure I'm familar with that one.

 

I think there is a connection between the animation and the input files. So somewhere I think there needs to be a declaration of available animations that can be called by the input file.

[SkateZilla]

DCS World

[SkateZilla]

Simast,

 

Any idea how to raise the aircraft off the ground a couple feet so the wheels aren't in the ground?

 

This has to do with Gear position doesnt it? or one of the height values in the general data block.

 

dont remember exactly which one, Im at work in office right now, so If you havent figured it out by time I get back to my System at home, I'll copy/paste the suggested lines.

[SkateZilla]

Forgot i had the Wunderluft template on my office pc for whatever reason,

 

These are the values you'd prolly wanna look at:

 

height =

nose_gear_pos = { , , },

main_gear_pos = { , , },

nose_gear_wheel_diameter = . ,

main_gear_wheel_diameter = . ,

Edited October 17, 2012 by SkateZilla

[Mt5_Roie]

Thanks,

 

What format is the { , , } in? I figure I need to extend it lower so need to figure out the Z value.

 

These are the values you'd prolly wanna look at:

 

height =

nose_gear_pos = { , , },

main_gear_pos = { , , },

nose_gear_wheel_diameter = . ,

main_gear_wheel_diameter = . ,

[SkateZilla]

X, Z, Y

 

 

X= Left Right

Z= Up Down

Y= Fore Aft

 

 

This part confused me at first too, as other engine's i've done stuff for uses X,Y,Z arrangement

[Mt5_Roie]

So looking at the current LUA file here's the info:

 

height = 4.7, -- height in m

nose_gear_pos = { 3, -1, 0}, -- nosegear coord

main_gear_pos = { -1, -1, 2}, -- main gear coords

nose_gear_wheel_diameter = 0.500, -- in m

main_gear_wheel_diameter = 0.800, -- in m

 

so should I try to move the value as follows:

height = 4.7, -- height in m

nose_gear_pos = { 3, -2, 0}, -- nosegear coord

main_gear_pos = { -1, -2, 2}, -- main gear coords

nose_gear_wheel_diameter = 0.500, -- in m

main_gear_wheel_diameter = 0.800, -- in m

 

or should I go as far as -3?

[SkateZilla]

How far does the gear sink? Can you post a screenshot?

 

I'd go in increments of .500

[Mt5_Roie]

I'll take a screenshot tonight when I get home. But if I recall correctly when on the ground you saw the tip of the wheel, but about 95% of the wheel was underground.

 

Also, what apps are used to open LODS files?

[SkateZilla]

NotePad.

 

LODS files are another syntax File that contains calls for each EDM for decreasing LODs, as well as collision and I think destroyed too.

[Mt5_Roie]

I've been looking at the DCS Folder and can't seem to find a VS2010 example. Can you send me the exact location so I can find it? Would like to try to compile a dll.

[Mt5_Roie]

Thanks. Found it while my kids where watching a movie. Had to install Visual Studios Express 2010 to get to look at the files. Didn't compile because a file is corrupt or invalid - but I'll work on that tomorrow.

 

Hey Roiegat, it's in the API directory in the DCS World root folder, hope that helps!