Sorry hooter, that model isn't suitable for AI. It's an FSDS model so none of the retractable gear or other animated surfaces will work.

There's only one GMax DC3 that I know about and that's Lou Volland's, file n31eack2.zip.

It doesn't fly well initially as AI but I've done an AI fde (available on my website) and not only does it work beautifully it also looks a treat as it comes into land and touches down. I love it!



Roger

Roger,

Thanks for the help.  Downloaded the N31eac_FS2K model and it flies well as an AI aircraft.

Now, about repaining.  I don't know what kind of model this is, but I can't find the bmp files to re-name the aircraft.  On others, I've been able to alter bmp's to get what I want.  This one is different as I cannot see any text (should be "Eagle Air Charter").  Any thoughts?

Hooter

Quote:


No need to rename any of the texture files, Hooter. Do that in the aircraft.cfg file. For example, the top section of one of my AIs using this plane looks like the following

[fltsim.0]
title=
sim=
model=
panel=
sound=
texture=
checklists=
atc_id_enable=1
atc_airline=China Dragon Air
atc_id=
atc_flight_number=
atc_heavy=0
ui_manufacturer=Douglas
ui_type=DC-3
ui_variation=China Dragon Air Charter Livery
description=Douglas DC-3 in fictional China Dragon Air Charter livery.

[General]

performance=Length: 64 ft, 6 in.\nWing Span: 95 feet\nWeight: Empty\/Max: 19,300\/28,000 lbs.\nPower: 2 1200 hp P&W R1830 Twin Wasp\nCruise Speed: 145 knots, Max:187 knots\nService ceiling: 21,900 ft.\nRange: max payload\/fuel: 300\/1100 miles\nDeveloped from original design by: John Kelley CIS 73670,3107\nRedesign by: Lou Volland

The line in red is important as it defines the model for AI. You'll need a corresponding line in your aircraft.txt file as follows

AC#5256,150,"DC3 Dragon AI"

and you use AC#5256 in your flight plans

The bit in blue refers to your plane's air file (ie mine is DC3_AI.air)

Don't forget to include the lines shown in green in your cfg file otherwise you won't get the plane being recognised properly by ATC.

Hope this helps.

Roger

Ah Hooter - now you're getting into the realms of painting.

The files you need to alter are F1l_t.bmp, F1r_t.bmp up to and including F4l_t.bmp and F4r_t.bmp (8 files).

These are all DXT3 with alpha extended bmps so you will have to open them with DXTBMP.exe and save them as 24 bit bmps to work on them. You'll also have to use DXTBMP.exe to export their alpha channels and then create new alphas that match any changes you make to the artwork on the 8 files.

And don't forget the tailfin - you'll need to extract Taill_t.bmp and Tailr_t.bmp in the same way to change the Eagle motif.

Then after you've made your changes eg using PaintShopPro, you'll need to use DXTBmp to put everything back together again.

If you're not a reasonably experienced painter you could find this a wee bit daunting - esp if you also want to make changes to wing artwork and stuff (colour, reg no), that'll mean extracting almost all the texture XXX_t.bmp files.

Hope this helps!

Roger

Hi Hooter

Can't see your pic I'm afraid.

Remember that the URL must be bracketed by [img] identifiers
ie

{img}pic_url{/img}  but use square not curly brackets (had to use curly or YaBB can't show them)

Also the pic url must contain the EXACT identity of the uploaded image  eg .JPG is not the same as .jpg

also don't include any spaces in the image name (use _ instead) and try to keep the name no longer that 8 characters!


Afraid you can't just use any old airline name - do a search on airline names because I recently posted a full list of the default allowed ones.

You can add new ones (PAI do it all the time) but you will need to download and install EditVoicePack and the Microsoft Network and then create your own and install it.

How to do that is beyond the scope of this post! However, it's not that difficult - you'll do it in an evening.



Roger

My pic may have been too wide at 810 pixels.  This one is 778, so maybe it will work this time.

Roger,

Just to finish the thread --

That's great news and well done.

You're always very welcome