[Thaeris]

@ Starlord: Yes, there's a YF-23 on the .ORG, but it's derived from an... old X-Plane 6 model I believe. In fact, I've got the plane! You'd want a better model than that for sure, though. I'll attach an image - that should get my point across.

@ ssmit132: Many thanks! AC3D can import VRML without a problem, so I should be able to play with the models. And you're right, detailed YS Flight models model every colored section, insignia, etc., with solid colored polygons. Giving these aircraft (granted we get permission) a texture will markedly reduce the poly-count!

Furthermore, though I don't have a finished ship for you yet, I do have a potentially useful part from a ship. I extracted the UCAV found on the "stealth ship," optimized it, then smoothed the shape. The result is a 260-triangle model - only 9 more tris than the original, unoptimized low-poly version. 

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[redsniper]

Now put a Super Sylph in your mod.

[Thaeris]

Well, I decided to try ripping models from YSFS with surfview. The VRML exported fine... and AC3D opened the file in question just fine... but I've got a rather unique situation now:

It seems VRML creates what is interpereted as a group of unassociated surfaces... which for some reason are not quantifiable as objects. This means I can't just select everything as objects, merge it, then weld all the verticies. However, the models are still useable - should I ever get permission to use them. What I've done is somewhat expensive timewise, but very simple to do. I'll select a few surfaces from a region, then save that region of the master model as a new file. I'll then divide it properly and create a 2D mesh with the appropriate number of verticies and surfaces. Then, it's just a matter of draging the verts into position...

The new mesh is a coherent object which can be managed easily. By combining the objects, a refined, optimized model can be produced.

Here's the next question: ssmit132, do you know of a better tool to extract/crack into the .drm files YSFS uses? Or something to create .drm files? There's a few models which I believe are too much for the programs you posted to handle. Then, there's a few models I'd like to edit and then put back into the sim... namely a few Super Hornets with fake weapons pre-attached... By the way, would you like me to try and get a hold of the Super hornet for this project?

[ssmit132]

Here's the next question: ssmit132, do you know of a better tool to extract/crack into the .drm files YSFS uses? Or something to create .drm files?  Then, there's a few models I'd like to edit and then put back into the sim... namely a few Super Hornets with fake weapons pre-attached... By the way, would you like me to try and get a hold of the Super hornet for this project?

Hmm, I'm not sure, since when I converted the models I was going to use for FS2 it was a rather hackish job. However, you could try looking at the tools on this page. Sorry I can't help you more, Thaeris.

There's a few models which I believe are too much for the programs you posted to handle.

I wasn't sure whether that happened when I used those programs, but it seems like I remembered it correctly.

[Thaeris]

Thanks, ssmit132. I might look into that more in the future. 

[Thaeris]

Double post, so it would seem...

I think I'll have to create the new DDG-1000-type destroyer the USN is in the process of developing for the mod. It's just to BAMF. 

The UXV is still in "dry-dock," so to say. I'm trying to refine the hull bottom as of right now. Furthermore, as the images I've seen to date aren't fully consistant, I'm just going to use some creative licence in an effort to produce a more realistic ship. I should note that Daniel's ship wasn't spot-on either, and heck, who would have a truly accurate representation of this boat?

...You know, on how it's not supposed to enter service until around 2020?

Here's the status to date (note the rear hull isn't finished yet, and the rest of the hull needs to be refined):

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[Thaeris]

Dry dock status to date:

(1.) Created new turret. 

(2.) Finished the Vertical Launch System.

(3.) The rear hull bottom has been finalized... or it's at least close! Now just to finish the forward hull...

Ideally, the model will be under 4000 polygons when finished.

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[ShadowGorrath]

Excellent

[Thaeris]

Happy New Year, FSXCON Team!

I have good news: The UXV LOD 0 is almost finished - at least my take on it. Once I'm satisfied with it, I'll of course upload it here and let everone else take a look at it.

I'm pretty happy with the forward hull - it's pretty smooth and proper, though I'm tempted to cut anchor ports. I'm also considering re-designing the missile launcher system - the current design is a little odd in my opinion. What's getting me now, however, is the finalization of the bridge. For the longest time I wanted to add a small extension to the rear superstructure where some access to the flight deck could be provided. However, upon doing this, I'm not really sure of it. Thus, I'm considering reverting to the original design. However, because I'm not yet decided, I'll put this up to vote... Just keep in mind I'm going for realistic: this is based off of a real-world design concept. The new design is on top, the original is on the bottom.

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[Thaeris]

Double post for clarity:

OHHHKAY...

In case you didn't read or understand the last post, I'd really like some opinions of the bridge design/re-design. YOUR HELP in finishing this model (with your opinion) is rather desireable at this moment. I'm not trying to be a pain about this, I just want to get this thing done! 

So, if you have some constructive criticism or a reference you'd like to share, please do so. The sooner ShadowGorrath gets this, the better...

[Dragon]

I think that extended version looks better.

[The E]

Agreed. That extra bit of detail really makes a difference.

By the way, what is that ship? some kind of Destroyer-sized pocket carrier?

[Thaeris]

The UXV is a combination of cruiser and carrier - the aircraft for use on the carrier would primarily be unmanned drones (model already posted  ) and rotary-wing vehicles (helocopters).

The problem (well, maybe it's technically NOT a problem...) with the UXV is that it's not slated to enter service until around 2020. Thus, the only images I've got of it are concept art. This is all and good, but it does prevent me from making a truly accurate ship. Thus, my template for the ship design is Daniel's original model - dimensionally I think it's fine, but it basically needed to be rebuilt. It generally works well with designs I've seen posted for the ship, but it's not perfect...

Thus, I enter a grey area when I start messing with the bridge. No design I've seen for the ship to date has a bridge extension, and it does look a tad strange from the side. I'll post a few links to some articles I found on the net:

http://gizmodo.com/302873/uxv-combatant-warship-made-for-drone-battles-heralds-robot-apocalypse
http://www.popsci.com/military-aviation-space/article/2008-02/warships-tomorrow

The first artile is pretty silly, but the second is more credible by far... 

I'm now wondering... what if I just scale up the main superstrcture in the x- ans z-axes? that would help fill in the space while keeping close to the original design, no?

[starlord]

Oh my! this looks horribly vulnerable to durandal bombs... a couple of these on the strips and the ship is a cripple...

[Thaeris]

Anything is vulnerable to concrete/armor-piercing bombs!  

...Though the Durandal is actually more of a para-retarded rocket...

[Wanderer]

why on earth would you use those bombs against a ship? Especially as its more likely to trading more armor for stealth (dunno how stealthy it can be with carrier deck though) and mobility.

In case.. i would sorta imagine the naval combatants would be sorta like the new (well.. sorta) SSGN Ohio's except being purpose build design and not a conversion. Big stealthy underwater platforms carrying alone roughly same firepower as normal surface based battle groups. That is capable of slipping past defenses and unleashing holy hell of firepower at moments notice (and possible die from retaliation seconds later... well lets not dwell on the details...)

Given if orbital radar and visual tracking get any better wonder if some one would try to revive the WW2 era Japanese style subcarriers, with VTOL capable crafts... Modern subs (typhoon ballistic missile subs) certainly would be at least quite close to being large enough for such ops

[headdie]

Given if orbital radar and visual tracking get any better wonder if some one would try to revive the WW2 era Japanese style subcarriers, with VTOL capable crafts... Modern subs (typhoon ballistic missile subs) certainly would be at least quite close to being large enough for such ops

problem with that idea is that the heat signature of a sub is visible to satellites until you get quite deep so it would be vulnerable to detection near its home base and near launch locations, as a tactical option with a couple of squadrons on board might prove handy but i think the cost/benefit wouldn't work out i mean as it stands you would have to spend billions developing the sub either from scratch or modifying an existing hull then there is the aircraft, though Naval F-35's could work from it but i personally would want to maximize the the stealth aspect of the fighters so that means billions on a new fighter design that will see only limited production maybe a dozen squadrons tops.

the idea is cool but wont happen

[The E]

Long sentence is long.

However, while this idea may be impractical for use with F-35s, UAVs are a different story entirely.

[Thaeris]

Hrm...

Here's the Bridge stretched. It looks a bit more proportionate now...

Please compare this to the concept art in the links I provided... I'd like to know what you think... 

[Thaeris]

 

Looks like I might have forgot to put on the last attachment...

Regardless, I've got a set of dimensions on the bridge which I'm happy with. Maybe just a few more cuts and she'll be good to go! There were also a few areas in the hull that I further wanted to smooth out, so that's that for the time being.

Here's what I'm on about now: The last VLS (vertical launch system) was a little more "cartoony" than it should have been in my opinion. The individual missile launcher ports were a bit like buttons. The current one would be more of "here's a depression where a door would be, then it opens, then the missile shoots out." The actual change in geometry is very simple, but I'd like to get some feedback before I make the change final. Also note that the new launcher geometry is quite a few polygons less than the prior version. At this rate, I may have a hard time having a ship LOD-0 over 4,000 polygons! 

Ah, and just for fun, I'll put on a last attachment...

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