Models and accuracy and feedback - Oh my!

[+Laton 4]

Given the events of the last few days I though I’d post my perspective on making models for this sim.

 

This has turned into a bit of a hobby for me, I do it because I enjoy building these things and like seeing them in-game. Prior to 3D stuff I built scale models for quite a few years (more on this later). I don’t claim to make the perfect product either.

 

Probably the best thing I’ve done is team up with v. Deutschmark and peter01 to make this stuff (by the way its not an exclusive team - I'll work with anyone who wants to lend a hand. Its a good way to get your favorite plane built ). We have a good and free flow of information going and it allows me, as a modeller, to make my mistakes in private and get them pointed out before release.

 

And I’ve made a few – I think I got the stabilizer area on the SP3 wrong 3 times before I figured out what was going on with the plans. Take a look at the latest Fokker E.III screens I posted – yep that’s a 7-cylinder engine rather than the correct 9-cylinder – teach me for re-using parts from the Pfalz – it’s fixed now.

 

There will almost always be areas that are not quite up to scratch. It’s often difficult to find good references on rigging, especially around the tail/empennage area. Sometime’s its best to leave something out than get it completely wrong. I’ve found other things that are currently beyond what I can do in 3DS or get working in-game and so I’ll try to represent it but it may not be spot on.

 

I want feed back on this stuff – in the long run it makes me a better modeller. Earlier I said I used to build scale models: I’ll tell you this – the criticism of stuff I’ve seen here is nothing to what you get if you put a finished kit into a competition (I’ve been a competition judge as well so I can be as pedantic as the next guy when it comes to this sort of thing). I’ve had models that I’ve spent months working on shredded by a judge in a comp. in 10 minutes– annoying – Hell, yes - but part of the game.

 

Now, like most people I’ve been around the forums long enough to see all kinds of silly stuff. If you show up in a thread and throw crap at one of my models in general, well, I’ll probably just file your opinion away in the "moron" section. If on the other hand, you show up and question something with references to back you up – great, I’m more than willing to go back and check/correct and possibly fix something (within reason – if a step is slightly the wrong shape then I guess you’ll just have to live with the disappointment).

 

In the end, I want to see FE grow and expand as it’s a fun sim/game and I’d like to see the community stick together and make even more improvements. Most of all – I take a pretty relaxed attitude to the whole thing, lets just have fun.

Edited April 30, 2007 by Laton

[+whiteknight06604 934]

Given the events of the last few days I though I’d post my perspective on making models for this sim.

 

This has turned into a bit of a hobby for me, I do it because I enjoy building these things and like seeing them in-game. Prior to 3D stuff I built scale models for quite a few years (more on this later). I don’t claim to make the perfect product either.

 

Probably the best thing I’ve done is team up with v. Deutschmark and peter01 to make this stuff. We have good and free flow of information going and it allows me, as a modeller, to make my mistakes in private and get them pointed out before release.

 

And I’ve made a few – I think I got the stabilizer area on the SP3 wrong 3 times before I figured out what was going on with the plans. Take a look at the latest Fokker E.III screens I posted – yep that’s a 7-cylinder engine rather than the correct 9-cylinder – teach me for re-using parts from the Pfalz – it’s fixed now.

 

There will almost always be areas that are not quite up to scratch. It’s often difficult to find good references on rigging, especially around the tail/empennage area. Sometime’s its best to leave something out than get it completely wrong. I’ve found other things that are currently beyond what I can do in 3DS or get working in-game and so I’ll try to represent it but it may not be spot on.

 

I want feed back on this stuff – in the long run it makes me a better modeller. Earlier I said I used to build scale models: I’ll tell you this – the criticism of stuff I’ve seen here is nothing to what you get if you put a finished kit into a competition (I’ve been a competition judge as well so I can be as pedantic as the next guy when it comes to this sort of thing). I’ve had models that I’ve spent months working on shredded by a judge in a comp. – annoying – Hell, yes - but part of the game.

 

Now, like most people I’ve been around the forums to see all kinds of silly stuff. If you show up in a thread and throw crap at one of my models in general, well, I’ll probably just file your opinion away in the “moron” section. If on the other hand, you show up and question something with references to back you up – great, I’m more than willing to go back and check/correct and possibly fix something (within reason – if a step is slightly the wrong shape then I guess you’ll just have to live with the disappointment).

 

In the end, I want to see FE grow and expand as it’s a fun sim/game and I’d like to see the community stick together and make even more improvements. Most of all – I take a pretty relaxed attitude to the whole thing, lets just have fun.

 

 

here here

[+peter01 2]

here here

 

I agree, that was very well put indeed Laton. And adds some balance to everything thats floating around at the moment.

 

Personally, I like feedback too, and ask for it, for similar but slighly different reasons to Laton.

 

Obviously to improve. Also to understand what people like and don't like - its an incentive to provide what people want and basically thats why i'm doing it (for myself as well of course), and to do that you have to experiment - sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Feedback is good. And as you know I'm always ready to update FMs....too ready!! but Ilike the game, want things to get better.

 

The other less obvious reason to most is that you work within constraints or a need to compromise when doing FMs (eg working in Normal and in Hard requires some compromise in itself, apart from being more work). Not many FE FM'ers are out there, and so most don't know really about these difficulties. If you raise something directly, you probablly know from my past track record that I'll respond explaining why, whether its a limitation or even something i haven't done well.

 

I actually would like to see more in terms of comments in this forum - i think somehow people are just wary at the moment. Don't be, this game is evolving, now is the time to say what you like/want/expect - nicely of course, and of course nobody gets what they want all the time.....

 

It'll be a better community too.....more discussion and sharing.

Edited April 30, 2007 by peter01

[+NeverEnough 78]

Nicely said, gentlemen. You have all really raised the bar for this flight sim, both with your models and FM's and with the interaction and integrity you have shown the community.

Thanks.

[Bandy 3]

Again, well put all of you, and nice to here positive words about the "community" that is supposed to be so fragmented...

 

While I have yet to make a tangible contribution (ie: something downloadable) I feel I am part of this community, if only on the sidelines. I wanted to express some opinions in the "other" thread, but was loath to do so, as the excuses and crap that was being flung about made me sick. Some few people thrive on controversy and conflict.

 

In fact, when so very few individuals (and as far as I can tell, they are the vast minority) find something so objectionable about the rest of the community, then it really isn't a divided "community" is it?

 

If they marginalize and force themselves into virtual hermitage, so be it... It is an unfortunate and sad fact of life that some people make their own worlds to live in, and as everyone knows, don't crap where you eat.

 

Just my $0.02 for good measure.

[+Tailspin 3]

I agree, very well said. IMHO the First Eagles community isn't nearly as divided as a couple of folks would have us believe.