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LOD question
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sophocles, in Thirdwire: Strike Fighters 2 Series - Mods & Skinning Discussion
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By crisisloaner
Hello to all you super modders out there, I have no idea what I'm doing but have managed to obtain a free 3d model from Turbo_Squid and have managed to use Blender to turn it into a Lod file. Problem is I have no idea what to do next regarding the ini's and skins ...I do not have 3ds and am a complete novice with blender (to be honest,I haven't even read the guidance on it yet !). Any help ion trying to create a viable game object much appreciated !
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By MigBuster
So......what was happening back in 2011 I wonder?
Well there were rumours of a new version of Falcon 4 which was later released by Benchmark Sims (BMS), and in February of that year DCS: A-10C Warthog was released.
The Strike Fighters community was eagerly awaiting the release of Strike Fighters 2: North Atlantic - and it was also the year that Combat Ace member Sophocles bit the bullet and decided to get into 3D modelling.
Now many years later, he has now released what certainly looks like the best modelled aircraft ever to grace Strike Fighters 2, and that includes all of Thirdwires efforts.
Many modder projects start and look promising and then wither and die (especially after so many years) so we decided to ask Sophocles some questions about this project.
The F-5A thread starts around 2012 - what year did you start the F-5 model exactly?
I started the model in December of 2011. I'd never done any 3d modelling, but I was determined to learn, having done a lot of free-ware/payware texturing work for CFS2 and FS9.
What 3D programs do you use to create 3D models?
3dsMax..
It is unusual for someone to stay on a single project after all this time - what has kept you going all these years to continue the project?
Well, I spent about a year finishing the external model (learning all the basics as I went along, ie. modelling, mapping, animating) and then another year doing the cockpit.. I'd planned for a release in 2014 but by that time my world caved in together with the Greek economy..) lost my business, house, went through divorce and even lost the dog!! As you can imagine, the last thing on my mind was the F-5A model!!!
I tried over the years at times to re-invest in the project, but real life just kept getting in the way... Many Combat Ace members were involved in the project, some actively helping along and contributing in one form or another (will thank and present their contributions in their entirety when the project is complete), others offering encouragement and emotional support (this is the best thing about the Combat Ace community!) but the one individual who for the most part inspired the level of detail in the model; and who subsequently worked the hardest getting the project moving again was Volker (ravenclaw).. without whom the project would not have been revived (post-2017). I really need to get the F-5A out to the community because their support (and patience, LOL!) has been incredible.
After this do you think you will continue to do other 3D models on this level?
Sure, with all the knowledge and experience I've accumulated over the years, any new projects (and there are a few..) will take a fraction of the time .. given the world doesn't implode...again!!!!!
With special thanks to Sophocles you can download Hellenic Air Force F-5A Volume 1 here and looks like there will be more high quality volumes to follow:
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By sophocles
View File Hellenic Air Force F-5A Volume I
July 2020
===============
Hellenic Air Force F-5A Freedom Fighter Volume I VERSION 1.0
------------------------------------------------------------
F-5A variants included in the Package:
HAF F-5A standard version (1965 - 1974)
HAF F-5A with Martin Baker IRQ-7a ejection seat (1975 - 1999)
HAF Rf-5A reconnaissance variant with 4 K-92a cameras
We are proud to present the F-5A HAF Volume I, the first of many to come, focusing on one of the most enduring American military aircraft designs ever produced during the Cold War period. This first Volume depicts the following Hellenic Air Force variants; the HAF F-5A standard, the HAF F-5A with the Martin Baker IRQ-7a ejection seat, and the HAF RF-5A reconnaissance variant. It has been our goal to provide to the simmer a highly detailed model and texture base which preserve the beautiful lines of this aircraft; and to engineer flight files and a cockpit/gauge file-set that are authentic and add to the immersion of the flying experience within the Strike Fighters 2 series.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS:
--------------------------
1. Copy the contents of the "To Mods Folder(S)" to your SF2 Mod directory.
Allow directory merging and overwrites, provided the overwrites pertain to "fake pilot" entries, as well as weapons made by ravenclaw_007, which are included in this and many other releases.
2. Add the entries of "ADD_TO_SOUNDLIST.txt" to your SOUNDLIST.INI (located in the "user\Saved Games\ThirdWire\StrikeFighters2\Flight" folder).If one does not exist, then you will need to extract it using the 3rdWire CAT extract utility. You are simply required to substitute the "XXX"s with the next sequential number in the sound file section of the file.
NOTE 1:
------------
Both Regular and Higher resolution cockpit textures are included in their own distinct folders in the package.
The user may alternate between the two by "commenting out"
the relevant line in the F-5A_STANDARD_COCKPIT.ini
[CockpitData]
//Directory=cockpit
Directory=cockpit_Lo-Fi <---This is the default
In order to "activate" the higher resolution textures
you would decomment the previous line and comment out
the next line, thus:
[CockpitData]
Directory=cockpit <---This is now Hi-Res
//Directory=cockpit_Lo-Fi
NOTE 2:
------------
Another frame-rate friendly option for those with older hardware is to use the Next level of Detail Model as the primary external model. This simply involves changing the first line in the F-5A_HAF.ini from this..
[LOD001]
Filename=F-5A_STANDARD.LOD
to this..
[LOD001]
Filename=F-5A_STANDARD_002.LOD
Much effort was made to provide those with lower end systems an alternative lower poly-model to be able to enjoy the F-5a, so please take advantage of this _002.LOD model should you experience frame-rate issues. While not as "rounded" as the Higher poly version, it is nonetheless just as detailed and extensive.
NOTE 3:
------------
For those who may find loading times excessive, the .jpg files in the texture folders can be reduced to 50% of their size without sacrificing too much surface detail.
Keys:
-------
SHIFT+0 -> canopy open
CREDITS:
sophocles - 3D Model, Cockpit, textures
ravenclaw_007 - 3D Modeling, Animations, Weapons,textures
baffmeister - Flight model, testing
crusader - Avionics and data tweaks, Beta testing
Guuruu - Sounds and Afterburner effects, Beta testing
Guest contributors:
Alfa2 - Loadouts and a wealth of info on the HAF variants.
gkabs - pilot figure
Special Thanks to the staff and members of Combatace.com whose passion and efforts have enabled this game to endure, and to provide so much fun and excitement!
Additionally, many thanks to the following Combat-Ace Modders, who either actively contributed to the project over the years, or who invested their time either providing much needed hints and help, or researching various aspects of the model.
Brain-32 - Modeling advice, initial cockpit.cfg + more
NeverEnough - Initial work on the Flight model
Russouk2004 - Always answering questions when I needed help..Cheers!!
Dag - RoNAF textures and research (to be included in a dedicated future RoNAF F-5a module)
Derk - Many, many references!!!
Blade - Excellent mini-tutorial on damage textures
Finally, thanks to TK and Thirdwire for creating such a fantastic game.
****************************************************************
FEATURES:
* Three model set including the HAF F-5A standard version (1965 - 1974), the HAF F-5A with Martin Baker IRQ-7a ejection seat (1975 - 1999), and the HAF RF-5A reconnaissance variant with 4 K-92a cameras; each with their own custom loadouts.
* Three, highly detailed external 3d models, including the RF-5A, whose nose was graciously modeled by ravenclaw_007.
* Specular color and Normal (bump) maps on all models
* Seven Level of Detail models (LODs) for each model, providing an almost seamless transition from distance to distance; and perhaps more importantly, ensuring that the frame-rate "impact" of the aircraft is as low as possible.
* Two sets of highly detailed external Fuel Tanks by ravenclaw_007; both the Factory variety and the Sargent Fletcher variants.
* Fine-tuned flight parameters in three distinct aircraft data configuration files for all 3-D models, emphasizing the F-5A's agile and highly maneuverable characteristics - courtesy of Baffmeister.
* 8 high resolution texture sets; thoroughly researched historic depictions of the Aircraft fielded by many HAF Wings and Squadrons.
* Quality sound-set included. Base sounds, by Guuruu, were sourced from existing recordings of various aircraft at air-shows and were modified to match the prominent characteristics of the F-5A General Electric turbojets, the "buzz" of the M39 Pontiac 20mm machinegun, and the flap/Air-brake, undercarriage deployment and retraction sequences of the Freedom Fighter.
* Super detailed 'Virtual Cockpit' with animated throttle control, rudder pedals, control stick, landing gear lever, canopy, canopy lever, drag-chute lever, weapons selectors and weapon station arming flick switches.
*Accurate and functional representation of the Norair F-5A gun sight, with animated Mils selector and accompanying animated combining glass. (Mechanics by Crusader)
* A full complement of highly (or should I say "insanely" detailed HAF weapons carried by the HAF F-5A, all by ravenclaw_007.
* Complex animation of canopy opening mechanism, and animated Turbine blades; both thanks to ravenclaw_007
* GKAB's superb highly detailed crew figure with authentically modeled oxygen mask and flight helmet.
* All new afterburner, emitter, and engine smoke effects by Guuruu.
******************************************************
PILOT NOTES
-----------
F-5A Limit and Reference Speeds. [Indicated Airspeeds]
FLAPS: 300kts for both leading and trailing edge.
NOTE: The F-5A uses full flaps for take off but due to a game bug you must manually select full flaps for take off when player flown. The AI will use full flaps although you can hear the flap sound cycling between flap 1 and flap 2.
LANDING GEAR: 240kts
DRAG CHUTE: 165kts
CANOPY: 50kts
NOSE WHEEL STEERING: 65kts
MAXIMUM INDICATED AIRSPEED: 710kts [redline]
MAXIMUM MACH: 1.72 Mach design limit but thrust/drag limited to about mach 1.50 in a 60deg dive from 50,000ft.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAKE OFF ROTATION SPEEDS
13500lbs: 155kts [full internal fuel and two sidewinders]
20500lbs: 195kts [about the maximum weight possible with included stores]
NOTE: Use full flaps for take off! Adding 6kts for every 1000lbs above 13500lbs should give good aft stick/rotation speeds.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLIMB SPEEDS
Military Power
13500lbs: 375kts with a transition to mach 0.89
20500lbs: 310kts with a transition to mach 0.74
Maximum Power
13500lbs: 595kts with a transition to mach 0.93
20500lbs: 480kts with a transition to mach 0.85
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINAL APPROACH SPEEDS
With 500lbs fuel remaining and some empty racks use 160kts. Add 5kts for every additional 500lbs of fuel.
NOTE: Target touch down speed is 20kts less than final approach speed.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*************************************************************
THIS AIRCRAFT MOD OR ANY PART OF IT ARE TO BE EXCLUSIVELY HOSTED BY COMBATACE.COM AND MUST NOT BE HOSTED OR POSTED FOR DOWNLOAD ON ANY OTHER WEB SITE. THIS PACKAGE AND ANY PARTS HEREIN MAY NOT BE UPLOADED AS PART OF ANOTHER MOD NOR MUST THEY BE SOLD OR OFFERED FOR SALE EITHER IN PART OR AS A WHOLE WITHOUT MY EXPRESS PERMISSION.
*************************************************************
Sophocles
July 2020
Submitter sophocles Submitted 07/16/2020 Category F-5
-
By sophocles
July 2020
===============
Hellenic Air Force F-5A Freedom Fighter Volume I VERSION 1.0
------------------------------------------------------------
F-5A variants included in the Package:
HAF F-5A standard version (1965 - 1974)
HAF F-5A with Martin Baker IRQ-7a ejection seat (1975 - 1999)
HAF Rf-5A reconnaissance variant with 4 K-92a cameras
We are proud to present the F-5A HAF Volume I, the first of many to come, focusing on one of the most enduring American military aircraft designs ever produced during the Cold War period. This first Volume depicts the following Hellenic Air Force variants; the HAF F-5A standard, the HAF F-5A with the Martin Baker IRQ-7a ejection seat, and the HAF RF-5A reconnaissance variant. It has been our goal to provide to the simmer a highly detailed model and texture base which preserve the beautiful lines of this aircraft; and to engineer flight files and a cockpit/gauge file-set that are authentic and add to the immersion of the flying experience within the Strike Fighters 2 series.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS:
--------------------------
1. Copy the contents of the "To Mods Folder(S)" to your SF2 Mod directory.
Allow directory merging and overwrites, provided the overwrites pertain to "fake pilot" entries, as well as weapons made by ravenclaw_007, which are included in this and many other releases.
2. Add the entries of "ADD_TO_SOUNDLIST.txt" to your SOUNDLIST.INI (located in the "user\Saved Games\ThirdWire\StrikeFighters2\Flight" folder).If one does not exist, then you will need to extract it using the 3rdWire CAT extract utility. You are simply required to substitute the "XXX"s with the next sequential number in the sound file section of the file.
NOTE 1:
------------
Both Regular and Higher resolution cockpit textures are included in their own distinct folders in the package.
The user may alternate between the two by "commenting out"
the relevant line in the F-5A_STANDARD_COCKPIT.ini
[CockpitData]
//Directory=cockpit
Directory=cockpit_Lo-Fi <---This is the default
In order to "activate" the higher resolution textures
you would decomment the previous line and comment out
the next line, thus:
[CockpitData]
Directory=cockpit <---This is now Hi-Res
//Directory=cockpit_Lo-Fi
NOTE 2:
------------
Another frame-rate friendly option for those with older hardware is to use the Next level of Detail Model as the primary external model. This simply involves changing the first line in the F-5A_HAF.ini from this..
[LOD001]
Filename=F-5A_STANDARD.LOD
to this..
[LOD001]
Filename=F-5A_STANDARD_002.LOD
Much effort was made to provide those with lower end systems an alternative lower poly-model to be able to enjoy the F-5a, so please take advantage of this _002.LOD model should you experience frame-rate issues. While not as "rounded" as the Higher poly version, it is nonetheless just as detailed and extensive.
NOTE 3:
------------
For those who may find loading times excessive, the .jpg files in the texture folders can be reduced to 50% of their size without sacrificing too much surface detail.
Keys:
-------
SHIFT+0 -> canopy open
CREDITS:
sophocles - 3D Model, Cockpit, textures
ravenclaw_007 - 3D Modeling, Animations, Weapons,textures
baffmeister - Flight model, testing
crusader - Avionics and data tweaks, Beta testing
Guuruu - Sounds and Afterburner effects, Beta testing
Guest contributors:
Alfa2 - Loadouts and a wealth of info on the HAF variants.
gkabs - pilot figure
Special Thanks to the staff and members of Combatace.com whose passion and efforts have enabled this game to endure, and to provide so much fun and excitement!
Additionally, many thanks to the following Combat-Ace Modders, who either actively contributed to the project over the years, or who invested their time either providing much needed hints and help, or researching various aspects of the model.
Brain-32 - Modeling advice, initial cockpit.cfg + more
NeverEnough - Initial work on the Flight model
Russouk2004 - Always answering questions when I needed help..Cheers!!
Dag - RoNAF textures and research (to be included in a dedicated future RoNAF F-5a module)
Derk - Many, many references!!!
Blade - Excellent mini-tutorial on damage textures
Finally, thanks to TK and Thirdwire for creating such a fantastic game.
****************************************************************
FEATURES:
* Three model set including the HAF F-5A standard version (1965 - 1974), the HAF F-5A with Martin Baker IRQ-7a ejection seat (1975 - 1999), and the HAF RF-5A reconnaissance variant with 4 K-92a cameras; each with their own custom loadouts.
* Three, highly detailed external 3d models, including the RF-5A, whose nose was graciously modeled by ravenclaw_007.
* Specular color and Normal (bump) maps on all models
* Seven Level of Detail models (LODs) for each model, providing an almost seamless transition from distance to distance; and perhaps more importantly, ensuring that the frame-rate "impact" of the aircraft is as low as possible.
* Two sets of highly detailed external Fuel Tanks by ravenclaw_007; both the Factory variety and the Sargent Fletcher variants.
* Fine-tuned flight parameters in three distinct aircraft data configuration files for all 3-D models, emphasizing the F-5A's agile and highly maneuverable characteristics - courtesy of Baffmeister.
* 8 high resolution texture sets; thoroughly researched historic depictions of the Aircraft fielded by many HAF Wings and Squadrons.
* Quality sound-set included. Base sounds, by Guuruu, were sourced from existing recordings of various aircraft at air-shows and were modified to match the prominent characteristics of the F-5A General Electric turbojets, the "buzz" of the M39 Pontiac 20mm machinegun, and the flap/Air-brake, undercarriage deployment and retraction sequences of the Freedom Fighter.
* Super detailed 'Virtual Cockpit' with animated throttle control, rudder pedals, control stick, landing gear lever, canopy, canopy lever, drag-chute lever, weapons selectors and weapon station arming flick switches.
*Accurate and functional representation of the Norair F-5A gun sight, with animated Mils selector and accompanying animated combining glass. (Mechanics by Crusader)
* A full complement of highly (or should I say "insanely" detailed HAF weapons carried by the HAF F-5A, all by ravenclaw_007.
* Complex animation of canopy opening mechanism, and animated Turbine blades; both thanks to ravenclaw_007
* GKAB's superb highly detailed crew figure with authentically modeled oxygen mask and flight helmet.
* All new afterburner, emitter, and engine smoke effects by Guuruu.
******************************************************
PILOT NOTES
-----------
F-5A Limit and Reference Speeds. [Indicated Airspeeds]
FLAPS: 300kts for both leading and trailing edge.
NOTE: The F-5A uses full flaps for take off but due to a game bug you must manually select full flaps for take off when player flown. The AI will use full flaps although you can hear the flap sound cycling between flap 1 and flap 2.
LANDING GEAR: 240kts
DRAG CHUTE: 165kts
CANOPY: 50kts
NOSE WHEEL STEERING: 65kts
MAXIMUM INDICATED AIRSPEED: 710kts [redline]
MAXIMUM MACH: 1.72 Mach design limit but thrust/drag limited to about mach 1.50 in a 60deg dive from 50,000ft.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAKE OFF ROTATION SPEEDS
13500lbs: 155kts [full internal fuel and two sidewinders]
20500lbs: 195kts [about the maximum weight possible with included stores]
NOTE: Use full flaps for take off! Adding 6kts for every 1000lbs above 13500lbs should give good aft stick/rotation speeds.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLIMB SPEEDS
Military Power
13500lbs: 375kts with a transition to mach 0.89
20500lbs: 310kts with a transition to mach 0.74
Maximum Power
13500lbs: 595kts with a transition to mach 0.93
20500lbs: 480kts with a transition to mach 0.85
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINAL APPROACH SPEEDS
With 500lbs fuel remaining and some empty racks use 160kts. Add 5kts for every additional 500lbs of fuel.
NOTE: Target touch down speed is 20kts less than final approach speed.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*************************************************************
THIS AIRCRAFT MOD OR ANY PART OF IT ARE TO BE EXCLUSIVELY HOSTED BY COMBATACE.COM AND MUST NOT BE HOSTED OR POSTED FOR DOWNLOAD ON ANY OTHER WEB SITE. THIS PACKAGE AND ANY PARTS HEREIN MAY NOT BE UPLOADED AS PART OF ANOTHER MOD NOR MUST THEY BE SOLD OR OFFERED FOR SALE EITHER IN PART OR AS A WHOLE WITHOUT MY EXPRESS PERMISSION.
*************************************************************
Sophocles
July 2020
-