posted 01-16- 11:54 PM               

1. What does Brian's program do, exactly?
2. What is the name of the format for 3D models that FS uses?
3. When designing something with wheels, do you have to do anything special to the moving bits in the 3d model?

This is just the beginning...

Werner

posted 01-17- 06:10 AM               

Here are the answers:
1. Bryan's OpenPlane Studio (OPS) lets you open and edit an SM file. This is a binary file that contains all the data that makes up a plane minus the sounds, textures, airfoils, and some loadout info. This is it! The SM file is only used by SDOE. With OPS you can 1) position the parts of your plane (or jeep), 2) edit the text properties that define FM and DM, 3) create edit DOFs that control part animation/motion, 4) edit inertia boxes that control weight distribution, 5) and much more! Wow Bryan!!!!

2. FS uses its own format, it is described in the OpenPlane documentation (I think this is correct). Hippie's builder extractor turns SM files into text based files including an .asc file that has all the LOD/part definitions and all the DM/FM properties - and all the LOD files. LOD files are the 3D data files that deterimine part shapes and texture mapping. Hippie also built plugins for AC3D that let you import/export LODS into and out of AC3D. This is what I use. Some people also import LOD files directly in/out of OPS now that Bryan finished a plug-in that imports/exports Hippies LOD file format. I am starting to do this more as well when it makes sense.

3. Ground vehicals are tough! SDOE does not support moving ground vehicals. You can make a plane look just like a jeep though, including an invisable prop to drive it forward. This is quite a hack, but Archy and others have been making this work

You can make a static jeep very easily, and this would require no moving parts. IF you do add moving parts, this is done in OPS - make sure each part that will move has its own LODS.

------------------
-Sv =FC=

WWI in SDOE!

posted 01-17- 03:50 PM               

Thanks Sv, this will give me something to start with, at least.

Werner

posted 01-17- 07:14 PM               

If I'm going to have an invisible engine in the jeep, should I build the 3D model for it along with the rest of the vehicle or is it something I can add when in OP Studio? Also, where in the construction process (3d modelling or ops studio) do I make it invisible?

Thanks,

Werner

posted 01-18- 06:08 AM               

Why do you need an engine? Is this gonna drive?

posted 01-18- 09:13 PM               

I won't even speculate on timeframes for this one.

Werner
(4 finals down, 4 to go! - woohoo!)