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SAMM not finding texture that is there

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us-nevada
Hi everyone,

I am fairly new at this and understand some models work and some don't when creating static aircraft with SAMM, but here's one for you:

Trying to make a static model of Premier Aircraft Design's DHC6-300 in Scenic Airlines livery.

I am getting error message that SAMM cannot find a texture used by the model. Then when I go to the screen to add it manually, it won't let me, the "use" box is grey'd out.

SAMMerror1_zps0c2879b1.jpg


SAMMerror2_zpsa98a084c.jpg


Kind of a bummer because other aircraft from same builder (Premier Aircraft Design) convert just fine.

Is this a layer thing with a texture having transparent windows? Here is screen capture of flying model next to static one with the missing texture.

PADDHC6ScenicStatic_zpsa1e1c29b.jpg


Just curious. SAMM is fun to tinker with, see what I can make or not. :)

FSX Gold Edition, Vista HP, 2009 Alienware DuoCore
 
Basically, what's happening is that the texture list of the aircraft .mdl contains textures which are not referenced by the "drawing code" retained by SAMM. Normally SAMM will eliminate such textures from the texture list. But, in this case it appears it does not. As well, in this case, it would seem those textures are required even though, perhaps, not referenced.

I'll download the aircraft and se if I can duplicate (and fix).

Don
 
Having downloaded the aircraft, both the FS9 and FSX versions, it appears my earlier hypothesis was premature. (I was unduly swayed by the title of your post, i.e., "
texture that is there".) The real problem is that the textures declared missing are, in fact, missing from the texture folder. In the case of the FSX aircraft (which appears to be the one you are attempting to convert) one of the missing textures is in the texture.base folder and SAMM should have found it. I'll investigate why it didn't. However, the other missing texture "allblank.bmp" is nowhere to be found. The textures you see listed in the Texture Editor dialog reflect the texture list in the aircraft.mdl, not the available textures in the texture folder(s).

With the FS9 model, three textures are declared missing - two the same two as FSX. Since FS9 does not support multi-tier textures, I'm not sure where SAMM is supposed to look. But, despite the error message, the static model created from the FS9 aircraft.mdl is fine. I suggest you use it instead of the FSX aircraft.mdl.

My guess is that PAD simply forgot to delete the texture references for textures it no longer uses.

Don

Just to be clear, the missing windows on the converted FSX aircraft have nothing to do with the missing textures.

It appears that PAD based the design of this aircraft on an earlier version and replaced certain textures (e.g., DHC6_LFuse.bmp with Vista_LFuse.bmp) but neglected to remove the now-unused texture names from the texture list in the aircraft .mdl file. That's the cause of the error message. The missing windows in the converted FSX aircraft are a result of PADs design techniques (which, it would seem, SAMM doesn't know how to handle). However, the windows are rendered just fine when you convert the FS9 aircraft - and you get an identical static model otherwise.
 
Last edited:
Way cool Gadgets, thanks for the great reply. Next question: Will the static model created with the FS9 model work with FSX OK? I have never used FS9, my flight simulation experience is all with FSX.
 
With FSX, yes. P3Dv2 - maybe.

However, if you have trouble with either, SAMM will convert the FS9 model for either.

Don
 
Following up on yesterdays posts, I noted that SAMM should have found one of the missing textures for the FSX model. Turns out the reason SAMM didn't find that texture is that the base texture folder was named "Texture.base" and not simply "Texture" as specified by the SDK. If you rename that folder, SAMM will find one of the two missing textures. (But, it won't make any difference because the texture isn't used!).

Other things I discovered while investigating:
  • the FSX aircraft .mdl file is, in fact, in FS9 .mdl format;
  • FSX renders that static model WITH windows on my system (don't know why the windows weren't there on yours); and
  • if you enable the missing textures alert in FSX.cfg, FSX too will complain about the same "missing textures".
PAD must really have been in a hurry to "close up shop".

Over the next few days I'm going to try to suppress the "missing texture" message for textures that aren't used. (But, that won't change "FSX's mind".)

Don
 
I did something wrong, the FS9 plane is there with windows, but all black. Told ya I was new at this LOL :) Gotta try again.

Unfortunately the model designer for PAD passed away last year and Bob May is only doing repaints of existing models. So that may be where the problem lies.
 
Sounds like some textures haven't been copied into the right folder.

Don
 
The plot thickens. :stirthepo
For the life of me I cannot get the windows to show on the static model using either FS9 or FSX versions and SAMM 2202.

So just for kicks I closed out SAMM version 2202 and opened up the old SAMM 2104. Version 2104 made the static model without issue on the first try.
(Play Twilight Zone music here)o_O

So I am keeping both models, putting the windowless static model into a hanger like it is being painted (using ADE).
My new model made with 2104 will go on the ramps.

:cool: Lemonade out of lemons. Consider this topic closed - I must have a bad download of 2202. Thanks again for all the help and technical insights Gadget, much appreciated!

Here is screenshot of 2104 static model on the ramp, 2202 static model in the hanger and the flying model in foreground. FSX Gold (w/acceleration), Vista HP 64 bit, 2009 Alienware Duo Core.
PADDHC6ScenicStatic3_zps7c9dd789.jpg
 
I must have a bad download of 2202
Highly unlikely. More likely is a misplaced texture or an "uncooperative video card. (All my work was done with 2.2.02.) But, since you've found a way to make it work and you're happy, I won't spend any more time on it.

Don
 
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