[FSX] Light Method

[Shaun]

After studying the wiki on light creation, this thread was linked. I remember reading it last year...

http://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/showthread.php?t=273813

This method of light creation is awesome. The wiki refers to this thread as an addition to the use of effects with apron-lights, but it's so effective that I feel it negates the use of effects; they lower fps too much and don't look very good IMHO.

Here's my taxi lights using just 3 planes.

Perhaps I might make a .pdf tutorial for the WIKI to help other budding developers? It's so simple. BTW. tanks go to Tic as he's the one who came up with it!

 

[jtanabodee]

Thanks for your comment.
But it is not without problem. When the visibility is low, it turns to white.
No way to get around that. So, you need to mention in your document. I would recommend for a big airport. However if it just a small one, effect is still a good way to do since there is no issue with the visibility.

 

[Shaun]

Yep, you're right; In fog during the day, the planes are opaque. Strange that it doesn't happen during the night as much...

 

[wideloadwhitford]

I would love to read your tutorial.

Ryan

 

[Shaun]

Hey Tic,

My effects seem to be offset from the apron light as distance form the origin increases. How have you gotten around this problem?

A picture is here:

http://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/showthread.php?t=426833


Ryan, this would be a fantastic way to make taxi lights, but during low visibility the day plane becomes completely opaque and ruins this completely, it's so unfortunate!

 

[jtanabodee]

I already have a Wiki on Taxi Light. http://www.fsdeveloper.com/wiki/index.php?title=Taxi_light

The reason I didn't put into pdf since the idea is from someone else, Ian and I think I have to leave it in Wiki format in the FSdeveloper.com since I can refer to his idea easier than writing a pdf file.

You can choose the way you want to.
1. Use effect and model with instance placements (thousand of placement!).
2. Use effects and models with only one placement and maxscript. Place all the taxi light in Gmax together with box and use maxscript to change those boxes into effects.
3. Use as number 2 but modify the effect to decrease emitter to help with frame rate.
4. Use light texture instead of effect.

 

[Operator]

When the visibility is low, it turns to white.
No way to get around that.

Hello. Actually, the way was found:

 

[Shaun]

So that's using planes not effects? How does it work then? C'mon spill the beans! if it works, this could be phenomenal!

Thanks tic. I'm doing them all in GMAX, but I'm struggling with the curvature issue.... replying on other thread regarding this.

 

[Operator]

So that's using planes not effects? How does it work then? C'mon spill the beans! if it works, this could be phenomenal!

It works. Three planes, FlightSimX materials, day and night textures, some tricks with alpha channels and blending.
Make your own research, it's more interesting then use manuals and tutorials.

 

[Shaun]

Right, well it would be a lot easier if you could give me a little hint. I have spent an enormous amount of time on this already.

So both day and night have alpha channels then?

 

[jtanabodee]

Hey Operator,
It is nice to know that this has been solved by your method.
I have searched by using keyword " day night texture and alpha channel" but I found nothing.
Could you tell us about your setting? That might help a lot to us.

 

[jtanabodee]

Hi Operator,
You sparked me with a new idea
I'm going the reveal your secret NOW! Ha ha ..............................
I found the solution.
Here is VTBS in foggy condition.



Here is VTBS during the night in the same foggy condition.



Or should we keep the secret for a while, Operator?

Let's get more attention.........

 

[Operator]

Bravo, jtanabodee!
I'm not going to keep any secrets. There is a problem with my English, it's not very well, as you can see . I hope, you can explain that trick better.
Here is the first attempt, I made a half year ago. It was not perfect yet, now I make some changes to improve material settings. I spent a couple of days to do that, but you did it even faster .
http://www.avsim.su/forum/topic/124591-геленджик-для-10-ки/page-6#entry2335820

 

[Kai503]

Or should we keep the secret for a while, Operator?

Nooooo, Please NOT!

It's really awesome to see that the problem was solved. I have been trying whatever, by never had success.

So... Maybe you two like to share your secret.....?

Kai

 

[jtanabodee]

OK, guys. You can put your gun on my head down. I'll tell you all the truth.


Just switch "source blend" and "destination blend" to "one" both of them.
No need alpha channel in the texture at all since we don't use Z-write alpha. Alpha channel will not get read.

You can load up the MDL file and change the texture in MCX and export back again. That's all.

 

[Operator]

Just switch "source blend" and "destination blend" to "one" both of them.
No need alpha channel in the texture at all since we don't use Z-write alpha. Alpha channel will not get read.

I use another settings, but will check yours as well. Sounds interesting.
Would you show dawn/dusk screenshot, please?

 

[Shaun]

OK cheers, is this with a completely black diffuse and light with black background _lm texture? I'll give it a try.

I had tried almost every variation but ONE/ONE.

 

[jtanabodee]

I didn't change the texture at all. It is the same as you said.
Complete black in diffuse and the light on black background in self-illumination texture.

 

[Shaun]

Thanks Tic. I've made my airport with effects for now. But the placement of the light sticks is off relative to the ground polys effects, and I can't seem to rectify it (curvature of earth isn't working for me).! It's a struggle, might have to just leave it as just effects.

 

[YohanNaz]

Great information here, one / one blending technique works really good, thank you to all who have contributed to this especially Tic.