FSDreamTeam forum
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Azframer on March 18, 2016, 02:11:00 am
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I downloaded the Boeing 777-9X plane and loved the way it flew. Problem was, and don't get me wrong here, I am not knocking the panel that was installed in it at all. It just was not even close to being a fit.
So I did what I have found many others trying to do and that is use the old Posky Cockpit with the beautiful upgrades. Not 100% but would have been acceptable. Problem is it can't be done Polsky's cockpit and plane are all in one models, not a separate cockpit model like it seems.
I wanted a better cockpit so I started looking for measurements and everything I could find for numbers for the cockpit layout. I do have Project 777 PDF and his pictures. Being that this is the 9X they have gone glass on the MIP all else is pretty close from what I have gathered.
If you know of any info that I can dig around in it would be much appreciated. So far this is what I have gotten done.
Thanks
Rick
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Update as of finishing last night. I have to say this is tough to do with what I have for info. Translating numbers into angles curves and what not have been working on me.
But I want this cockpit, I want it to be the glass cockpit that Boeing is transforming it to be.
Rick
Edit: I failed to mention as you can see I am running TurboCAD, but I can save to 3DS format and move it into Blender or GMAX.
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Looking good so far! :)
Hope you can get it all, totally, completely. I bet you will, too...
Pat☺
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Yea I working on it steady as I can Pat, working out things, taking it as I can get it figured out.
I got that Blender figured out now, I was missing my Blender2FSX tools and found out they were not going in the same place as previous version I had been watching videos of. It makes it's own tab on the left hand tool bar at the bottom.
Rick
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I have been trying to get the 2D drawings of the seats worked out where it is acceptable to me, that has been tough, I think I might have a total of 5 measurements on document that shows the seat in a skewed angle. But saved as 3DS format in Blender.
Rick
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Great progress so far! Don't quit. Looks like you will have it done before you know it. I know it feels slow when you're doing it, but suddenly it will be done and you will think "That wasn't so bad at all!"
You wait and see :D
Pat☺
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Giving up is not in my vocabulary, I don't want to quit with the progress I have had. I am liking the way this is turning out so far. I got the seat back done and have turned to the arm rests now. Seat has a lot of detail I will try to duplicate.
Once this process comes out of the CAD program it will slow downa bit for me because I will be in the learning stages of Blender.
Thanks for your interest
Rick
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Well from here on out it is going to slow a bit with many smaller detailed items coming up. All the grooves placing switches knobs and screens just a ton of smaller things that take time to size up and stuff. Not giving up just getting started. I leave you guys interested in this a couple of pictures.
Rick
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Excellent work so far!
I know, I keep saying that, but only because it's true :)
Now come the little details part, which will take a while, I understand.
You're doing "stuff" I can't even dream about. I can't draw a straight line with a friggen ruler, for heaven's sake.
I can admire other's work, though, and your's is lookin good, and can only get better :)
Keep it up!
Pat☺
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Well I got hit with some bad news yesterday, we have had bad wind for like 4 days straight, we are off the grid and sand/dust must have shorted out our inverter. I will be cut short on time working on this project severely, and will be limited to internet during the process until we have a new inverter or replace the one we have. Any where between $1,500 to $1,800 to replace with new one. The demons of living off the grid....
Rick
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Ahhh, but the benefits!
Peaceful, quiet, lets you do what you want when you want, no neighbors to worry about annoying you...
When I lived in Yuma, which I despise, we had problems with sand/dust getting into EVERYTHING too, so I can empathize. Not only is the stuff horribly abrasive, but I think it has a high metal content, so it can be tough on electrics, I know that! And it seems like it doesn't matter how well you THINK you have it sealed up, the bloody sand/dust gets in anyway...
Well, good luck getting you Inverter replaced. Sorry it costs so much...
Pat☺
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I got this done today, I did try a little in Blender to get this done, when I tried to duplicate knobs I ended up distorting my panels. I got frustrated and went back to Cad. I have a few more things to do on auto pilot panel. I will have to end up learning it sooner or later. Just going to keep trying till I get it.
Rick
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Best way to learn, I've found. Learn by doing.
If you KNOW how to do something in CAD, but can't get it in Blender, just use CAD. No reason to upset yourself :)
At least you can switch between the two. Use CAD to do what you can't figure out how to do in Blender. Use the best tool for the job :)
Pat☺
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Well I think the panels with the auto pilot and such are now done, just need to put it in with the others. Going to start on MIP Main Instrument Panel next.
Rick
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It looked so good after I got them in place I had to share another. Off to start the MIP.
Rick
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Wow! Lookin great. You integrated the AP panel very well.
If all the rest of the MIP and instruments come out that well, I will be totally impressed :D
I am not much of a tube driver. I stick to the v16.1 Hornet, but I know a good cockpit when I see one, and you are well on the way to a great one.
I look forward to every step, AND the final result.
Pat☺
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Thanks Pat it means a lot to hear you are liking it so far. It takes a lot of time, I have a much higher appreciation for all those who have done this out ahead of me.
Work on the MIP has slowed a bit, I have some F-16 doing some mock dogfights above me today. A peak at the MIP in 2D so far, it is raw and has some overlap that will be taken out before I go 3D.
Rick
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Last picture I posted, is going to ne wrong for the 777-9X. The screens are much bigger and even staggered. The one screen half over center console is higher than the outer screen, as seen in this video
Rick
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What I have decided to do is continue on with cockpit of the 777-200/300 models as in my model pictures I have posted. While I continue that I will also be continuing research for the 8X/9X versions, finding out more about the displays as I can and try to incorporate as much function as I can in FSX without being to much a burden on frame rates in the VC.
I have found few photos of the actual cockpit that show enough to really get a grasp of the cockpits real layout. I feel most changes are in the avionics and replacing those will be quite easy after the 200/300 is complete.
I have had interest in me working on a cockpit for the SkySpirit 767 and I may end up giving that a shot, most SS 767 are being pushed out with 737-800 cockpits and they are not really that close.
So more will be coming down the pipe.
Rick
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Okay those that have been watching saw where I was on the 2D of the MIP just above. Then I found some picture and video and started the 8X/9X version only to realize I really did not have enough to get as close as I wanted.
So I added a picture of where I was on the X version when it started hitting me. Then I stashed it on another layer so I can come back to it when I have more info.
Almost had to start over with the 2D of the 200/300 MIP and made it to this point before shutting down for the night.
Rick
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Woofta! So you're starting over on a new cockpit?
Well, it's you're choice, obviously :D
Looks like a decent start on the panel. I hope the rest of it goes as fast and easily.
Putting the gauges/displays in seems like the easiest part. Just pick the right one, size it, and place it properly. I've done a lot of "stuff" with 2D panels, using different gauges, placing things on the panel and so on. Loved every minute of it :D
Have fun! Don't over do it though. Take a couple hours out in the spring sunshine, read a book, whatever. It helps, really. It sure does me!
Pat☺
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Just started over on Main Instrument Panel, the MIP in the 200/300 is different than the 8X/9X. Just going to settle in and do the 200/300 cockpit till I get better info on the 8X/9X cockpit.
Figure I'd throw some contrasting colors to make it stand out a bit.
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I have more of the detail done on the MIP. Still a long way off.
Rick
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Kind of bumming right now, this Blender is so different than Running CAD. I am so used to drawing a object in CAD and being able to subtract a object from another and I can't figure out how I can cut my window holes in the cockpit now.
Rick
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Searched videos until up against my limits, daughter moved back home and all she does is watch videos. Throwing in the towel on it, stashing it on Google files until I figure out how to do the windows in Blender.
Rick
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I got someone who found these video that will be shedding a lot of light and answering a lot of my problems I am sure.
That is a play list of Blender tutorials I needed. They are for X-plane and the guy is running a Mac, but Blender may look different but commands are the same it seems like.
Rick
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Okay I had run into some issues,son went into the hospital with walking Pneumonia and a few days after that I had surgery on my nasal passages and I am still healing from that. While my son was in the hospital I talked about having hard time making the frame for windows on SkySpirit page on Facebook and Hiroshi gave me permission to use his from his model. So before my surgery I separated the Window Frame Glass and Wipers. Today I scaled them up positioned them in place. Had to stop at this point due to eyes burning and will step it back up as my eyes allow me to do more.
I need to fine tune my fuselage here and there, little cutting and such.
Rick
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Started back at it again this week. Working on center console, the busiest part of the console, the section with the most detail. Getting the 2D work done so I can come back and do my extrude to give it more detail and depth. This is what I had done as of last night. Just now got home ready to start up now and get some more things done.pretty close to starting the extruding part now.
Rick
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So I get where I am almost ready to start lofting things into 3D and noticed some thing with phone and had to move it forward. I was going by what was drawings in the PDF and went to pictures to get more of the details. I found that where the paper out feed is actually inset and will be making that adjustment tomorrow. along with a few other lines need to be moved forward, need to make inset parts where connectors hold each piece of the electronics in place. Very time consuming, cross checking trying to get things right before lofting.
Still working at it
Rick
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Today I started lofting some of this. Just a quick post.
Rick
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Holy cats! That's coming along fast! It looks like it's going to be one great panel soon!
I'm sorry to hear about you and your son's health problems. I am glad they're getting better now. Surgery is never ever fun at all, I know. Especially the little areas of the face. I've had a couple eye surgeries, and they were painful for a long time after, so I can empathize. I am glad everything's improving now though. Just don't over do it while you heal up. I'd hate to see it all fire up again!
Sorry I haven't been keeping up very well, but I've only had time for quick checks on the '18. I hope things keep going well for you, though. No more problems now, just smooooth sailing :)
Still, looking great though! That's going to be one heck of a plane when you get done!
Pat☺
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Thanks a lot Pat, My son is well, I am all better now, eyes quit burning since the surgery and it is allowing me to work on this now. My eyes felt burnt like I had been flashed by a arc welder too many time, felt like sand was in them all the time while trying to work. All is good now.
A little more done, of course I have stayed up too late getting this done.
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Some more screen captures of what I had gotten done last night. Once I get out of CAD I will try to find the right textures for the seats. Just applied those to it while in Cad.
Rick
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Wow! (again :) )
The detail you instill is amazing! I am not a tube driver myself, but if I were, I would be waiting eagerly for this cockpit to hit the sites.
I am assuming, since I know next to nothing about this stuff, that the instruments will "fill in" all those blank panels, thus completing the detail? I know the VC is very dependant on the model file for the instrument placement, and even being able to see them at all. Is this going to be the same with yours, or is this the 2D cockpit? Just wondering :)
No matter, still amazing work so far!
Glad all the medical problems are gone now :) I know how painful stuff can be!
Pat☺
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I am assuming, since I know next to nothing about this stuff, that the instruments will "fill in" all those blank panels, thus completing the detail? I know the VC is very dependant on the model file for the instrument placement, and even being able to see them at all. Is this going to be the same with yours, or is this the 2D cockpit? Just wondering :)
Yea I am still working on some of it now. I work with layers in CAD so I can turn some on and off as needed to speed things up a bit when trying to render and check on things as I go. In CAD it is a bit more harsh than is Blender where the animation will be added will be written for this cockpit. I turned the 39 knobs I was showing earlier in post before, here is what I have ATM.
Thanks
Rick
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That is truly SH, Rick! Those knobs are beautiful.
I really admire people that do this stuff. Me? About the best I can do is create an Icon .Cab file, for adding an Icon to the 2D/VC . If there's already a BMP file for it. Or a JPG I can make a BMP :D
But hey, I know my limitations ;D
Pat☺
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Well this is my first attempt at this, in doing so I have a different appreciation for those who have stepped up long before me to put freeware stuff out there for me to use. It is very time consuming and will get more time consuming as I get further into this project.
Rick
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I am here to report some bad news on my cockpit. Bad news is that while drawing in CAD in my comfort zone I have found out some things while they looked good, they will not work for the cockpit so well. After having in depth conversation with Hiroshi I will need to tone down the polygon count by a huge amount to make this possible. I had already accumulated over 252,000 polygons and was not quite close to being done yet.
I have been trying to get a handle on GMax because that is what Hiroshi uses....not going to happen right away. He did give me a copy of his GMax PDF that he has been working on. I promised I would not in any way pass this out, please don't ask.
Frustrated over not getting anywhere with GMax I have returned to Blender and started to get somewhere now. GMax has the actual polygon counter, Blender gives you a counter for faces and from what I gathered is going to be pretty close to a polygon count. Details I am leaving off in modeling will be taken up in textures to save polygons. Somehow I have got to keep cockpit down to 140,000 to 150,000 polygons.
I have started in Blender where I was last working in CAD, the largest most busy part of center console. I will betrying to work in as much detail as possible with the restraints I have been handed.
Picture is of a knob I did and one of a now Hiroshi duplicated using texture way, his looks better.
Rick
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If his is on the left, I hate to say it but it does look better. Far fewer polygons, too which is so much easier on FPS.
But I have faith in you! You'll get it soon. Just don't waste your whole summer on it. Get out, have some fun, enjoy life a little. It really will help you concentrate better.
Anyway, don't give up! I am sure you'll get it perfect before you know it :)
Pat☺
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Thanks Pat, I decided to take a little time off from it the past few days, I had some other things I needed to do, I needed to do some flying in the sim. I had put flying off for too long. I started where I was working before in CAD before I had to start over. Getting close on the 3rd part of center console, when I get done with this section I will move to the throttle section.
I got a bit of Blue Angels and Training Squadron 101 (VMFAT-101) news. Lt. Damon Kroes made the cut for the Blues for 2017 team.
Navy Lt. Damon Kroes, 34, of Fremont, California, is an F/A-18 Hornet Instructor Pilot currently assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 (VMFAT-101), the “Sharpshooters,” at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California. He is a 2006 graduate of San Diego State University, San Diego.
http://weartv.com/news/local/blue-angels-announce-2017-officers
Rick
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Y'know, I was IN VMFAT-101. Starting in '80 (1980, thank you very much. I'm not THAT old!) to 86, with times off for Marksmanship Instructor, and a few other additional duties. This was back when they were flying F-4 Phantoms, a variety of N's, J's and S's. AND, much as I hated the place, they were in Yuma, Az. So, back then, I might have known Lt. Kroes. By the same token, back then, as far as I know, all the IP's, as well as students were Marines. That's Pilot/RIO teams, although I understand if they just couldn't stand each other after a while, they could request a change.
In fact, when I transferred to VMFA-333 in 86, a year before they transitioned to F/A-18's (coincindentally, just a year before I got out), there was 1 pilot who had gone through several RIO's during his time there. He had a nasty habit of being a real hot-dog, I don't follow rules or procedures type guy. His worst trick was flying under a bridge there in Beaufort SC. His last RIO told him if he pulled that he'd eject them both, so he did it inverted. I happened to be in S1 when the RIO stormed in, still in flightgear after that stunt, and threatened to turn in his wings if they didn't DO something. So they transferred the Pilot to another squadron, that was already in F/A-18's. Single seaters. He lost his wings when he managed to kill another pilot, coming the wrong way off a bombing run, and flying his wingtip through the man's canopy. And head. We heard he said he thought it would look "cooler" if they crossed over on the bombing run pull-off. Really "cool", huh?
ANYway, the ONLY thing I liked about being in Yuma, for 30 years, the ONLY thing I liked, was El Centro was just an hour away by freeway, so all winter I could go watch the Blue Angels practice. And I did, too, nearly every week-end and every other day off I could get away. It was great!
They even had one come over to Yuma, in an F/A-18, and pull the neatest trick. He went down the runway, about 100' AGL, and got slower, and slower, and his nose got higher and higher, until he was standing it on it's tail, pointing straight up. Just riding the engine's thrust! When he first started, we thought for sure we were going to see a crash right there and then. But after balancing it there for a bit he just went straight up and out of sight. It was AWEsome to watch!
Sorry, I was reminiscing. I apologize. I am glad you took some time off, flew some, had fun in general :D
Looking forward to the throttles. Those look hard to do, but I can't draw a straight line with a ruler. About as artistic as a rock...
Have fun, no matter what :)
Pat☺