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Platforms

arno

arno

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Hi,

I am currently working on add support for platforms. When read from MDL files they are just a collection of triangles and the shape and size won't be editable in ModelConverterX.

You can also add a new platform in ModelConverterX, but specifying the position, orientation (e.g heading) and the width and length. That will make a new rectangular platform.

I also have the idea to add an option to convert all roof polygons to platforms. Do you think that would be useful? Do you have other ideas how to create platforms?
 
I think perhaps by specifying some some existing geometry ... perhaps by material?

This would then be duplicated to use as the platform.

(This is more-or less how I make platforms in Gmax / Max)

The other consideration, might be any surfaces that face upwards (the top surfaces only) as you say .. but I am not sure how hard that would be to code.
 
Are you planning to have the rotation of the platform capable of being specified? A tilted platform is used for creating seaplane ramps.

Regards, Mike Mann
 
Hi,

Detecting which faces are pointing upwards is not so hard. I think it might indeed be useful to also specify the material used, to make a better selection.

Yes, you can specify the orientation, that includes the pitch.
 
I presume (it almost goes without saying) that it will be able to read from, retain and re-write to an FSX mdl file any platform "geometry" also.
 
Yes, the platforms that are in the MDL will be kept when exporting it again. That's something I checked already before even trying to create new platforms in MCX :).
 
Hi,

No, it is unlikely that selecting polygons will be possible soon. That will require quite some change to how the tool now works (it is a preview, not a real 3D editor). But I hope the features I have added still make it easy to add them.
 
ANRI said:
Too bad that AI couldn't use it though... :o
Click to expand...

About eight years ago I made a very smooth arched overpass "taxiway" that bridged across a four-lane, divided highway to reach the airport's relief runway on the opposite side.

Too bad that AI couldn't use it though... :o
 
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Hi Folks

I'm intrigued by these last two posts.

In FS2002
we had AI landing on invisible runways,
set approx 200' AMSL, (helidecks).

Similarly,
AI performing multi-leg flights,
around a series of waypoints,
as if on military patrol.
Again using elevated airports set at 30,000, AMSL

Above worked
without any modeled harden required.

AIUI also works with FS2004.

HTH
ATB
Paul
 
I don't understand. In FS9 I have a GMAX taxiway bridge at KJFK over the roadway, and AI and user aircraft taxi over it just fine. It is not hardened - it just has an AFCAD taxiway over the top of it.

Here is a picture of an AI B720 taxiing over it.

I admit the shadows don't follow the plane (they are on the ground), but that's the only problem reported.

kjfk_bridge.jpg


The things you have to do is depress the ground under the bridge *below* the altitude of the airport, and use apron routes to avoid bringing the ground elevation back up.

Hope this helps,
 
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Hi Tom,

Yes, as long as the airport remains flat it will work. It is a pity the AI can't handle bridge that would make an airport not flat, as many real world airports are.
 
Well, yes had my taxi bridge been flat and I'd altered the mesh to be below the taxi bridge that would have worked.

Unfortunately, in real life the taxi bridge is arched (curved)... :(
 
The key is to detach the implied flatten that the Airport file creates in FSX .. using an "Exclude Airport Background"

You can then separate the airport from the ground (place it in the air or subterranean if you so desire .... the latter not being of any particular use!)
 
Geez, I wouldn't want to have to taxi on an arched bridge!

But I remember going "down the hill" from runway to ramp at Nashville and that was quite a slalom ride, so things like that are around.
 
Well Tom, it is a very long taxiway (3,400') so the gradient isn't all that bad.

Actually, this was a "fantasy airport expansion" anyway, so it probably wouldn't work IRL... :)

It was an excuse for me to "play a bit" while experimenting with hardened platforms...
 
Hi Arno:

In your Blog page regarding the new ModelConverterX (aka MCX) "Added platform support", the screenies show either an unusually large and detailed single MDL, or several MDLs all in the frame at the same time; what are we seeing there... aside from the Helipad ? :confused:

http://msmvps.com/blogs/arnogerretsen/default.aspx

2352.Image2011_2D00_04_2D00_23-2224.05.427.jpg


Could you tell us what object(s) we're actually seeing in the screenie above... and what other wondrous things you might already be innovating for MCX thus far ? :scratchch


IMHO, the ability to use MCX as a viewer / "in-situ renderer" to display more than 1 MDL at a time within their 'relative' placement coordinate contexts (but obviously without other in-flight objects / terrain / scenery / aircraft normally shown by FS) would be interesting and helpful in some situations. :idea:


Many Thanks for all your ongoing work with this excellent FS utility ! :)

GaryGB
 
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