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FSXA Light emitting effect

UtahJazzfan

UtahJazzfan

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Using the effects tool I was able to edit one of the nav light effects to create a light that you could put on a light pole to illuminate the aircraft. Only problem I have noticed is this only works if it is attached to the users aircraft? It didn't emit light anymore once I attached the effect to a scenery object.

lighteffect.jpg

(The red box shows the location of the effect)

This raises another question. How does the sun work in FS? Why couldn't it be placed at any location within FS and be scaled down to emit light on all objects close by?
 
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UtahJazzfan

UtahJazzfan

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After further testing I deiced to just add the effect to the aircraft light system itself. Right now the effect is turned on or off by the beacon.

ramplight.jpg


It even lights up the cockpit!

More lights could be added to simulate this better as this looks more like a really bright full moon shining through the glass.
ramplightvc.jpg


To best way to add this is a new light would need to be added with a key command. Is this even possible? Could anything be written? Maybe even link this to the parking brake being set or entering a location on the tarmac?
 
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Tejal Bernardo

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interesting, what I've seen in night time sceneries is how the airplanes aren't iluminated by the airport lights, generally this is so, something really annoying, I see this as a big fault in fsx.
 
n4gix

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I've developed and discussed a method many months ago that does just exactally that...

...not that it's not without some issues during foggy conditions, but at least it is scenery based, and not permanently attached to a specific aircraft.

Check the "33MO - Leaming Field" threads.
 
UtahJazzfan

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JPetroSS said:
FINALLY!! I was so much anticipating a real lighting pole for the FS airports!
Click to expand...

The light pole is there for looks. :D I was unable to get the light to emit once it was a scenery object. The lightning effect emits light on your aircraft so I am still looking into that. :rolleyes:

I found a better solution for now was to add this effect to the cabin light. It works as it can be turned on by turning all the lights on or off (L). Anyone know how to create a key command to turn on the cabin lights only?
 
UtahJazzfan

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I looked into that but was unsure of the exact wording to use for the cabin light command. I couldn't find anything in the sdk. I also did some more testing by placing the lightning effect as scenery using xml code and bglcomp. It didn't appear that it flashed on the aircraft. Will look into it a little more when I get home.
 
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n4gix

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Effects will never illuminate anything except the ground when placed as a scenery object...

...which is precisely why I developed an alternate method that does work (mostly).

All commands are listed in the Core Utilities Kit/Variables/Event IDs section of the FSX SDK.

TOGGLE_CABIN_LIGHTS is the command for, well... cabin lights! ;)
 
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O

ollyau

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Might be a waste of resources, but would it be possible to create lamp poles with effect based lights as SimObjects and have them light things up (besides the ground)?
 
Heretic

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n4gix said:
I've developed and discussed a method many months ago that does just exactally that...

...not that it's not without some issues during foggy conditions, but at least it is scenery based, and not permanently attached to a specific aircraft.
Click to expand...

Shameless self promotion:

While not being as "illuminative", my final material recipe is weather-independent.

:D
 
n4gix

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Heretic said:
Shameless self promotion:

While not being as "illuminative", my final material recipe is weather-independent.

:D
Click to expand...

Although I haven't had the time to test it myself, I'll take your word for it! One of these days I'll maybe find some "free play time" for myself and give it a whirl at 33MO.
 
UtahJazzfan

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ollyau said:
Might be a waste of resources, but would it be possible to create lamp poles with effect based lights as SimObjects and have them light things up (besides the ground)?
Click to expand...

I thought about (kind tried) adding lights to sim objects (cars, boats, animals) To see If they would emit light. Never really got far. Or are you talking about something a little different?

I am starting to believe the lightning in FS holds the clue. The mystery is why does it only work during a thunderstorm? Could it be hard coded and we are SOL? When you place the lightning effects in FS they don't work with your aircraft the same way.

Trust me I want to give up on this as it has taken up a few hours or the last couple days. The lighting issue draws me back.

n4gix said:
Effects will never illuminate anything except the ground when placed as a scenery object...
Click to expand...

I'm not sure If I have seen an effect light even the ground with my tests the last couple days. Do you know which effects do that? Combing that with your method would probably be the best route.
 
Heretic

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Tejal Bernardo said:
as it can be developed I guess it will be a " must" in any scenery, is something which draw the attention of anyone.
Click to expand...

Don't count on it. Some tings, especially if they require more effort or rethinking things, don't necessarily catch on.



n4gix said:
One of these days I'll maybe find some "free play time" for myself and give it a whirl at 33MO.
Click to expand...

Do that and let me know!
 
n4gix

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UtahJazzfan said:
I'm not sure If I have seen an effect light even the ground with my tests the last couple days. Do you know which effects do that? Combing that with your method would probably be the best route.
Click to expand...

An effect attached to a user flown aircraft will illuminate the a/c to which it is attached.

An effect attached to a scenery object will not illuminate any aircraft, and I've never gotten it to illuminate the ground under any conditions.

Why else would I have taken the time to create an alternate method that does work if using .fx files were a viable method?
 
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