All,
I'm working on some of my runway lights and I'm having a bit of trouble.
I was able to get my runway light fixtures working with separation planes using the FS2002 MakeMDL. Unfortunately, I was trying to place all of my lights within my Max 8 model, and I found that although the 3d geometry would correct itself for the "round earth" issue, the BGL_Lights would not. Instead they would either float or be below ground depending on where they were in the scene.
I decided to make each light a library object, and place them by hand using Whisplacer. This worked fine, except I compiled all of my models without LODs, so it was an immense drain on performance with over 350 fixtures for just one runway.
I searched high and low for the proper way to do LODs, and I found many half-explanations. I tried methods meant for the FS2002 SDK, and the FS2004 SDK. I didn't bother with the FSX SDK, because I need to add a lot of separation plane checks, and I understand the FSX native exporters won't allow you to tweak the .asm.
I eventualy figured out what I think is a "per-part" LOD scheme that works using the FS2004 MakeMDL/BGLC_9 combo...I think.
But although I can place my fixture with Whisplacer, the BGL_Lights are no longer appearing at all. What gives?
Can anyone tell me if there is method that allows for LODs (Just two of them), and BGL_Lights at the same time? Preferably using the FS2002 MakeMDL/BGLC_9 path?
I just want my fixture to disappear while leaving my lights intact.
I've included my .asm files as well as the original model for my fixture in case it can help diagnose my issue.
Thanks!
Nick
I'm working on some of my runway lights and I'm having a bit of trouble.
I was able to get my runway light fixtures working with separation planes using the FS2002 MakeMDL. Unfortunately, I was trying to place all of my lights within my Max 8 model, and I found that although the 3d geometry would correct itself for the "round earth" issue, the BGL_Lights would not. Instead they would either float or be below ground depending on where they were in the scene.
I decided to make each light a library object, and place them by hand using Whisplacer. This worked fine, except I compiled all of my models without LODs, so it was an immense drain on performance with over 350 fixtures for just one runway.
I searched high and low for the proper way to do LODs, and I found many half-explanations. I tried methods meant for the FS2002 SDK, and the FS2004 SDK. I didn't bother with the FSX SDK, because I need to add a lot of separation plane checks, and I understand the FSX native exporters won't allow you to tweak the .asm.
I eventualy figured out what I think is a "per-part" LOD scheme that works using the FS2004 MakeMDL/BGLC_9 combo...I think.
But although I can place my fixture with Whisplacer, the BGL_Lights are no longer appearing at all. What gives?
Can anyone tell me if there is method that allows for LODs (Just two of them), and BGL_Lights at the same time? Preferably using the FS2002 MakeMDL/BGLC_9 path?
I just want my fixture to disappear while leaving my lights intact.
I've included my .asm files as well as the original model for my fixture in case it can help diagnose my issue.
Thanks!
Nick