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P3D v3 Effect library?

Niklas Kull

Niklas Kull

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16
Country
sweden
Hi!

Are there any sort of effects library? I was thinking of adding some lights to my models.
Some red navigation lights, yellow wig-wags for runway guard lights and white steady / flashing strobe lights for approach and lead in lights.

The way I have understood it is you import your 3d-model file into MCX and add an effect to it there.
Or can it be done in sketchup for example?
 
Hi Niklas:

ModelConverterX (aka "MCX") has an "Attached Object Editor" feature which can be used to add Effect lights to Sketchup 3D models after they have been Imported into MCX. :)


PS: P3Dv3x introduced some new complexities for working with Effect lights; be certain to read pertinent comments by Don Grovestine (aka "gadgets") as author of Air Field Lights Toolbox (aka "AFLT") on that more specialized sub-topic. :idea:

http://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/forums/airfield-lights-toolbox.142/


GaryGB
 
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Thanks Gary!
Using the attached object editor I got halfway there atleast. :)
Some effects however don't show up in MCX. All you see is the attatchment point and then theres no light or any effect there. Maybe some issue with a parameter or something perhaps?

Do the effect (.fx) file need to be in the effects folder of p3d for it to show up in the mcx preview? Probably not right?

I also downloaded AFLT (good tip on that software) It seems to have all of the effects I was looking for, but still the problem persists where they wont show up visibly in MCX after I place the effect using "Attached Object Editor".

After some trial and error atleast I managed to get red obstruction lights (default effect) on some of my models so it's off to a good start atleast! :)
 
Yes, I believe the effect must be available in P3D for MCX to display it. MCX doesn't know what it is if it can't load it.
 
I believe you must actually use FXEditor to see Arno's render of the effects code. It does not always match the flight sim render, especially with complex effects like water fountains. If you are composing effects it is best to use the built in effect editor within the flight sim interface and then add the effects with MCX, imo.
 
Ron Jeffers made a FX library many moons ago, its on flightsim.com, however it was for fs9/fsx I havent tested it in P3D

However it is possible to make such, please dont look at me as I have no idea
 
tgibson said:
Yes, I believe the effect must be available in P3D for MCX to display it. MCX doesn't know what it is if it can't load it.
Click to expand...

It depends on which version you have specified in the options as your preferred version of FS. If you specify FSX there, MCX will look in the FSX effects folder. If you have P3D there it will look in the P3D effects folder.
 
=rk= said:
I believe you must actually use FXEditor to see Arno's render of the effects code. It does not always match the flight sim render, especially with complex effects like water fountains. If you are composing effects it is best to use the built in effect editor within the flight sim interface and then add the effects with MCX, imo.
Click to expand...

MCX contains the same code to render the effects as FXEditor does (actually FXEditor was a spin-off of the effort to show them in MCX).
 
Niklas Kull said:
Thanks Gary!

Using the (MCX) Attached Object Editor I got halfway there at least. :)

Some effects however don't show up in MCX. All you see is the attachment point and then there's no light or any effect there. Maybe some issue with a parameter or something perhaps?
Click to expand...

That is difficult to determine, as there are many variables which may influence run time display (or non-display) of Effect *.FX files, whether attached via AttachPoints in MDLs, or whether an AttachPoint "equivalent" is coded via BGLComp XML code in a 'placement' BGL.


In the case of P3D v2.x / v3.x, one may need to review not only the latest P3D Special Effects SDK documentation:

http://www.prepar3d.com/SDK/Environment Kit/Special Effects SDK/Creating Special Effects.html


...but also posts on this topic of new considerations for use of Fx with P3D 2.x / 3.x by Don Grovestine as cited above:

http://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/effect-library.437944/#post-750745


...and posts on Special Effects by Larry Robison (aka "L_Rob") as this Google search finds them at FSDeveloper:

https://www.google.com/search?q=sit...-AEBmAIAoAIAmAMAkgcAoAcA&sclient=gws-wiz-serp


Niklas Kull said:
Do the effect (.Fx) file need to be in the effects folder of P3D for it to show up in the MCX preview? Probably not right?
Click to expand...

Yes, all FX files must be in the [FS install path]\Effects sub-folder, and all mapped textures for those Effects must also be in the [FS install path]\Effects\Texture sub-folder, so that all such scenery content can be read / indexed when FS is started.


CAVEAT: If you add 'new' Effect content such as copied /edited / re-named or newly-created *.Fx files and/or any textures mapped to them, they must be in their respective sub-folders (as cited immediately above) before FS is (re-)started, so that all such scenery content can be read / indexed ...or they may not be displayed in FS at run time.


NOTE: To re-start FS (not re-start a flight from FS' main menu), one must exit FS completely, and re-start FS from the Windows desktop. :pushpin:


Niklas Kull said:
I also downloaded AFLT (good tip on that software) It seems to have all of the effects I was looking for, but still the problem persists where they wont show up visibly in MCX after I place the effect using "Attached Object Editor".

After some trial and error at least I managed to get red obstruction lights (default effect) on some of my models so it's off to a good start at least! :)
Click to expand...

I am not certain as to whether Arno's Fx Editor has been updated yet to be fully compatible with the constantly-evolving code base of P3D v3.x.

Perhaps Arno may wish to comment in this regard ? ;)


I would recommend that you also try previewing and testing changes in Fx code parameter values in P3D at run time via installation and proper activation of the P3D Special Effects SDK 'Special Effects Tool' (aka "VisualFx.DLL").


NOTE: When using SDK 'Special Effects Tool', you may need to utilize a temporary "offset" of Effect display position on 3D models etc. via either the Fx parameter values (within the tabbed GUI of the Special Effects Tool cited above), in order to display small effects at a distance from the visible model of the user aircraft in a flight at run time; otherwise the 3D visual model may surround and conceal the Effect object being displayed at the 3D model's central datum.

Alternatively, you may wish to utilize the Cross Hairs Plus (aka "CH+") 2.5 meters livery utility aircraft created by Jim Robinson, which has a central open circular area which may better display smaller Fx such as lights:

http://cat-tamer.com/flightsim/downloads/Crosshairs_Plus.zip

http://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/effect-emitting-other-effect.426851/#post-645058


Hope this helps a bit more ! :)

GaryGB
 
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