posted 01-12- 01:16 PM               

You need to use Hippie's Builder/Extractor tool to extract the SM file into the .asc file and the .lod files. You can then alter (or replace) the .lod files via AC3D. Now build the SM file again. Hippie's biuldre uses the .asc file and the .lod files to create the sm file.

.asc and .lod files are HIPPIE'S file types - they have no bearing to OpenPlane. The .SM file is used by OpenPlane and Bryan's OpenPlane studio.

Hope this helps.

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-Sv =FC=

WWI in SDOE!

posted 01-12- 01:19 PM               

Dont use AC3D to edit ASC files. It causes problems. Atleast for me. Edit the Lods instead. And make changes in you ASC in Word are notepad. If you are wanting to edit the whole plane at on time, try using OPS instead of Ac3d.

Hopes that helps,

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Zoycite {GS}
GUNSLINGERS

visit The War Paint Factory

posted 01-12- 03:57 PM               

Once you are done each piece, rebuild the sm file from the asc file and the new lod files. Now open this new sm file with OpenPlane Studio and move each LOD into position.

Whew! That is not the easiest way to create a plane right now, but it can work.

posted 01-12- 05:06 PM               

First, get OPS if you don't have it. It's so useful you really gotta get it. Now, open up the .sm file of one of the other planes in the sim. Pick the one that's "closest" to your plane in performance, size, # of engines, crew, etc.

On the left will be a list of parts. Write down the names of all the major components (about 50 or so main pieces), not including hidden wings, shadows, etc.

Now copy the FS plane you were looking at into a separate "working folder" somewhere. Then, "cut" your AC3D plane into pieces that match the parts from the FS plane (wing, wingtip, tail, rudder, and so on). Using Hippie's AC3D plugins, export each piece into your working folder as "leftwing.lod," "tail.lod," etc.

Now, open up OPS again, and open the .sm file for the FS plane. You can now import the .lods from your new plane to replace each piece of the FS plane, and move them around to fit. It may or may not fly Once you've placed all the pieces of your AC3D plane using OPS, save the file of the FS plane. This will give you a P-51D that LOOKS like a P-47, for example. Save the REAL P-51D someplace safe, and copy the new P-47 into the P-51D's place in the sim, and you can fly it around as the P-51 in the game. It will probably fly--just replacing the PICTURES of the parts doesn't change the flying performance much, unless you start moving around the CG and AirPoints.

At this point, your P-47/51 can now be extracted via Hippie's tools into it's many .lod files, and you can play with them in AC3D to get them the way you want. You'll also have P-51 parts for all the other pieces you didn't know existed (damaged wings, hidden parts that appear at long range, etc).

If you get that far, there's lots more to do after...