Mdl RIFF chunks VISC, VISS

[Jeffrey Stähli]

Hi guys,

First off, I have no experience in hacking around in mdl files. :rolleyes: But as a scenery designer, I don't want to believe that we can't add conditions to the fsx mdl structure. So I did some reading about the format and stumbled on two RIFF identifiers: VISC and VISS, which are described as "Part visibility control expression" and "Part visibility control variable" in some document.
Hmm, so there is a mechanism to control parts with variables? Or is this for aircraft mdls only? Would be great if scenery variables worked on those!
There are similar identifiers for animations XAPC and XAPS.
Conditional animation? :cool:

As I said, I have no idea. I'm just thinking loud and I hope maybe some of you mdl gurus get inspired...;)

Best regards,
Jeff

[arno]

Hi Jeff,

I have not seen these sections while studying the MDL format for scenery objects, so at least it seems they do not appear often. Is there any default file you have found them in or did you find the information on the Wiki? Would be interesting to take a better look at this :).

[Jeffrey Stähli]

Hey Arno,

No, as I said, I never tried to decompile mdl files ;)
I was just reading the various posts about the format.
The document I mentioned can be found HERE (http://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/showpost.php?p=55466&postcount=18).

Maybe those sections only appear on aircraft mdls.

[Jeffrey Stähli]

Arno,

Found out that those sections get written if you add a visibility condition in the fsx gmax attach tool.
There a some conditions for aircraft parts. The code which is written into the mdl can be seen in the modeldef.xml file.

I tried to edit the modeldef.xml file in order to add a visibility condition for a month (E:ZULU MONTH OF YEAR).
Attaching that to a box and exporting it works fine.
Placing the mdl into a bgl file is ok, but the condition doesn't work...

I suppose it only works for simobjects or airfraft mdls

Jeff

[arno]

That's wouldn't be a surprise :), probably only for SimObjects.