Do335

http://dailycaller.com/2015/09/23/air-force-instructs-airmen-to-say-positive-things-about-troubled-f-35/ Saw it yesterday, if legitimate, news from the US service might need to be taken with a (heavier) grain of salt now. I quite like the jet itself and the revolutions it brings to air combat, but the open press coverage sometimes makes things... complicated. Or does being in the service mean you automatically waiver rights such as these and 'play for the team'? But then how about the F-35 pilot that told the reporter that the EODAS does not replace the Mk 1 eyeball? While the general public could completely misinterpret it, it was straight-up truth.

Yes (without joking) that although the original idea on a wider scale would not work I'm still staying true to my words. The revised patron idea is what I believe to be a good one, and will always stand up to it and more importantly the general spirit it represents long as I'm around. placeholder screenie

Yes the original plan is flawed as have pointed out to me. In my previous (long) post the reply addressed to Stratos I've given a general layout of the new idea. Perhaps there needs to be another thread.... It is not about what I want but for CA and the community to stay alive. I'm hoping this is what everybody wants. The traditional way to do this is of course as you said, properly sell a creation. But like you said it is not what's it's cracked up to be. Staying with what we know MSFS is the one that's been doing this all along but, that community is different. Nowadays if we take a look around, commercial sims aren't what they crack up to be as well. In the traditional sense, once a sim stops getting its core programming updated it is going for a death path yes. However perhaps we're living in a different day and age now. Perhaps there's a way for individual content creators to give an old sim new life. I don't think I'm alone in this for various grassroot methods have popped up since the economic downturn. Maybe something similar is worth encouraging here? Imagine that John is a good 3d modeller. He creates quality mods, upload them to CA and for everybody to download. In his signature he provides a link and says, If you like what I do, be my patron. If I see this I'd give it a proper thought, and generally I'd have a decent feeling about this right? Or is this something that is considered to be destructive to the community spirit? (Nah man... really?) And imagine the positive effects that something like this could ripple through?.....

Stratos, Yep the original idea was flawed as pointed out to me and we've moved on to the patron system. How it works is rather simple. If you like someone's work, support him with a monthly fee i.e. becoming a patron. In return you get certain privileges, such as early preview of projects, future goals, getting to see WIP pics a week early, stuff like this. If you're willing to support with more, you get your name on a decal like Capt. __ "Stratos" __ (insert name) on the side of the canopy. If you support even more, you get private 3DSmax tutoring sessions with... something simple, like... how to create a pilot helmet. The details are purely outta my head ofc. The creator provides the tiered pricing and privilege options so you can choose something that's comfortable and good at doing (say if making videos are very cool but talking to a bunch of strangers is weird then there's no need to do that. something like that); You can setup something basic so as to make it not very disruptive time wise, or something more engaging so as to grow the patron base. This is a very grassroot thing so, a basic patron is like 1$ per month, but it can be tiered up to like 20 30.. 50$ if so choose. Link to an example. This is a guy who plays Arma3 and takes patrons. What he does is playing video games for ppl to see so I'm not sure if it's even comparable to 3d modelling. However the basic layout is absolutely the same. https://www.patreon.com/Jester814?ty=h Interesting to note that each tiered patrons are limited to 10 in numbers, so it won't end up with say 100 1$ patrons and impossible to attend to. For the patrons it's even more simple, you support someone mostly because you like what they do. (completely hypothetical here) So if you like Ravenclaw_007's hi-def weapons and jets, or if you like WBS's quality ships or if you dig Stary's cockpits.... everytime they release pics you're like this is looking nice! Well be a patron and support them in their work. There is, in no way or form, can someone else dictate what the creator works on. This is a simple explanation and I'm apparently no expert, so if Gunrunner or someone else has a better description I'm all ears, but hopefully this is the drift. Gunrunner, For once I'd like this to be not a forum pissing contest like these things are usually perceived to be, but something constructive. So hopefully you can find more problems again! Erik, Hopefully your reply is in a tone of sarcasm because if you're really giving up then I've got nothing to say. You and Dave have rang the warning in 2013 and since then it surely has been something of a concern for us outsiders as well (? if not I'm sorry for thinking too much?..). Now we know that apparently you've since then been doing it out of altruism. Should the word be "deficit" or have I gotten the whole thing opposite?? Anyway hopefully you can overlook who I am and listen to what I'm saying and maybe think of a solution together. Yes it is not my problem but whose is it then other than Erik's and combatace's? What we got here is an issue in and of the system itself. Unless someone steps up, either you, me or John Doe, it's not going to solve itself from what I see at least.

not bad at all http://devblog.sim155.com/2015/09/dynamic-campaign.html

So... nothing? So if it ain't 20 pages of forum negativity and vetocracy nobody would even think about it? Right, ready for round 2 Gunrunner?? I promise to be a better sport this time! It is disappointing. I put it another way. How do you suppose to keep combatace.com active? Take me for example, I've paid for subs. But haven't felt the need to do so these days. If we don't have more quality mods I don't think my need or lack thereof is going to change. It could be possible that what I feel is within the range of common sense.

Guys thanks for the replies. It was tbh better than I expected. The whole topic could be considered taboo in certain circles, but I'm glad we can openly talk about it. The posts are very long/bit hard to read, and with the latest we've come to the patron system. Maybe a thing like this would have some actual help in bringing new talent? Intention is still the same. Someone said iirc that once TK stopped the work, SF would be a "stable 3rd party modding platform". I'm simply saying maybe the platform can be more... alive.

OK. I don't appreciate the tone, maybe that is your way but I see your point. Perhaps by executing this idea the message could be perceived as condescending. Fwiw if I were a modder I don't think I'll be swayed by the sum that could be gathered even in a best case scenario say with a popular aircraft, unless my interest already lies in the area. What's hoped to achieve is only a light nudge to go from most likely to yes, that sort of thing. Guessing by the number of forum members man how many do you think would end up requesting the same subtype of a type of aircraft that spans from 1910 or 2015.... Mostly 1 or 2, my guess. But judging from the responses ppl tend to blow it into all seriousness over this. So maybe patroning is the preferred method here? It is a lot more proper a "business model" approach, but basic ideas like combatace free for all rule still apply. How it works is pretty straightforward/precedented. I stand by my original goal to keep SF community going, but this might take some website tech to set up. Erik, any chance that you are still willing to consider at this stage? And to the CA modders, if you've perceived the original idea as ill toned, I sincerely apologize, with no excuse. But if you're willing to look it over, and bear in mind that I am not the matter here, maybe you'd give this thought (or any variation of it) a fair assessment. The basic idea is some form of compensation. Without violating CA's ways and optional individually on both sides to take it or not. Heck if you have something in mind talk to Erik, I bet he listens better to you.

OK Gunrunner could you calm down. If you (and heck, anyone that have) perceived this whole idea as an insult then I really apologize, for it is certainly not my intention. This was meant as a compensation, not a way to "manipulate" the modders. No. Hell. I'm sure you've been staying late till 4am modding? Late for work because of modding? Had an argument with family/GF because of it? Yes? You know I had become good friends with a modder. At the end of his modding life he pinged me on IM and said "mate are there any work over there man, no jobs here." You know how I felt? Dude has been puking his heart out for something which he doesn't get a dime. Think it is fair? And I can't help him for it wouldn't have mattered, not by myself. Could he have used something like 200$. For him was a month's rent. You words may sound like a true "realist", but still.

Gunrunner, Perhaps my posts were too long and hard to read. Maybe I should've led with this: the finished product would be free for all. (Not sure if that's how you understood it.) So why would I pay for it you might've asked. I dunno but I would, if it's something I'd really like to see modelled. So perhaps, in your words, by entering this agreement, I already "waiver" my right to ownership. I pay for (a small part of, ofc) it in order for everyone to have it. A few others guys with same thought like me, and we'd have a good offer. Also, by saying foul play, are you saying there're a good percent of modders at combatace would do it. Nah I don't believe so. We're all nice and reasonable forum-active people here I'd think. If you don't trust someone, don't hand him the work. Like a new guy with 10 posts who says he's a 3d modeller with a few pictures as proof.. No. The idea is the work is only handled by members with Modder status. This should all be done in public and the end result for everybody to see. Tis one of the reasons I started a public thread instead of sending a bunch of PMs. Something in your post caught my eye: a problem that doesn't exist. I'd say it is a problem that has always existed, everywhere with freeware mods, but many ppl simply chose to swallow it, dealt with it, or withheld, like accepting it as reality. Especially as the commercial market in the down low and many turn to freeware mods. The ugliness of money is indeed a concern. But I believe we could make rules to address them. The rules can be adapted to address new problems. For example, let's say someone entered the agreement but then started asking for this and that after work started. Well the 3rd party treasurer has to be fair and firm. If his requests are legit, and said with respect and reason, but outta bounds with the original agreement, then fine perhaps there can be some goodwill to talk about it. If he's acting completely outta bounds then outta the question and the funds transfer as same. The principle is that the original agreement has to be honored, and if not, the final decision to alter that is in the hands of the modder. Or what if someone only gives 1$ and starts making requests. Maybe an entrance level fee be put in place. Something like 2 anonymous polls from 2 sides would give an indication to. Common sense is all I reckon here. ehm... Stratos maybe later, apparently it might get busy. But look man perhaps I went a bit too far as I know you meant well with your thoughts....

I read that idea from you Stratos, and I would never agree. Hiring a coder to write code is simply too "out there" to rely on a community that has all kinds of preferences and priorities. How's about you and me phone TK privately and sort something out, instead of just emailing him for some kind of pseudo permission, you know, do some real work by ourselves instead of always asking others, if we're truly serious here.

I'll tell a story. Names are intentionally left out. I'll not comment on it later. Believe it or not, up to you. I have a flight sim buddy, who's got a good job, financially rather well off, ya know. And he's a very nice guy too, I mean really really decent, completely opposite of the usual rich guy type one'd imagine. He was on this forum with another free mod group, who publically claims to work completely for free, for the community. Doesn't even accept a cent of donations. There's this modder of this group that writes flight models. See the real jet of the question has got force sensing flight controls, so control surface movements on the real thing are extremely snappy. Nice advantage in dogfights right. But obviously, such force sensing equipment doesn't usually come with your average armchair sim pilot joysticks. So the new flight model rolls out. My friend, who's got all kinds fancy gear, of course has a force sensing joystick. He asks the modder "mate, why is the FM response so sloppy?" The modder ofc denies it. It is realistic, the hard data supports it, ya know the usual back and forth debate that goes on and on. But in the end the modder implied, that he doesn't own a force sensing joystick, and he wrote the code to compensate for a common joystick with gimbals. My friend then buys the force sensing 3rd party parts for the modder's joystick, a few hundred euros apparently, ships them to his address, and said there you go, now you have the necessary equipment, so make the FM correct will ya. Which he then did. Food for thought perhaps. For sure there're stories everywhere for corporate law, intellectual rights etc etc. But both sides have stories man.

Yep the model is finished when the request is completed. So when making the request make sure to ask for what you really want. However, imagine how you would ask an existing modder to model something for you, I think it is the same way: clear and concise, but with courtesy and respect. Also the finished model is uploaded to CA, available to all. If one wanna make a private arrangement, I'd imagine PM or Skype is better way to go.... DA's words was/is also my main concern. However I hoped there would be a free choice. I'm modelling an aircraft, at the same time an offer pops up for the same plane. But I hold on to the belief of free modding, or find the request unreasonable, or find the sum too meager to mean anything, or for other reasons, to not accept it, I can keeping doing it for free without accepting the offer. Otoh, if the offer does sound worth taking I'd go for it. So.. each modder could have a choice. I reckon we're all grownups here there's nothing wrong getting a little compensation for some good honest work. Think of it like... atm the modder has to do all the work. This is a measure to meet someway in between. edit: OK Erik the owner has spoken and looks like it won't happen. But Erik look the SF community has been shrinking considerably since TK stopped working on it. If there ain't another way to revive this place it is going to keep getting smaller man. I have an idea of what your plan is when the sub fees no longer cover the download bills so, while it is a long shot, it had to be taken. PS @Erik this is not payware but more like donation, as the finished product would be available to everyone. To call it payware would be somewhat opposite of my intention! But it isn't donation either as those don't come with strings attached heh. So I don't know what to call it. The modders contribute via their skill, labor and time right. But I'm sorry I didn't study 3dsmax in school and I don't have time to learn now. How about I contribute via what I can do? That was the intention. To keep this community going.

Thanks NIELS!

Hello guys. Idea mode. edit: idea changed. See follow up posts. If a final idea forms that is agreeable I'll update it to here.

Stary should have the final say on this but I've found that, one can not mix ParticleSystem.ini and separate effects inis. If you got a PS.ini in the flight folder the game engine will simply ignore the separate effects INIs.

I'm offering a 50$ cash compensation for the 3D artist who finishes the Tu-2. What's needed is an optimized LOD0 with greatly reduced poly count and a few low rez LODs. Any other edits and fixes is considered a blessing. Money via paypal or whatever suits. I know, it could be considered a joke if you put it on the commercial market and sell it for a lot more money. But with the freeware spirit of the CA community I'm hoping you could find it in your heart to give us a big discount. Plus keep in mind that it is not a brand new creation, as Wrench already has the source max files, and the exported LOD already works in game. You just have to optimize it so that the SF2 engine can run it without too much performance hit. And 50$ is still good money I reckon, smokes, drinks, a few good meals or a video game or 2. I could use 50$ myself! Alternatively if ya want to go all in, there're some good quality commercial max files (like http://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/tupolev-2-max/774415)to build upon. But in that case my funds will likely go into purchasing the source max file instead, so this is if you're really commited. Why do this Do335.. Well the Tu-2 is not a popular aircraft by any means, I hardly see it get finished otherwise. As this is likely the last aircraft needed for korea I'm willing to give it a final push. IMO SF2 is really the best platform for a 50s era dogfight theater and would like to see it complete. In case anyone is interested plz send a reply in this thread and shoot me a PM so I know we got a taker!

ey it's a gold mine for ini editing, it's like.. the author of the source code is explaining it all in lay man terms. Anyway what I got from the thread is if it's not in the stock planes it ain't (properly) implemented. But.. just my own take.

re aircraft systems http://bbs.thirdwire.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=7127&p=44314&hilit=PNEUMATIC_SYSTEM#p44314

eh it's all good! Luckily it's not war thunder that everyone has to be on the same stuff. Overflew the chosin reservoir in a corsair. It felt.. quite historical. Since the water's not moving might as well consider it frozen:) Man I could hear the screams. @Emp_palpatine single missions are always good. Campaigns not yet. In time i'll probably make it work so.. shouldn't be too bad.

Yeah those are just cosmetic texture changes, I made north korea ABs use TK's North vietnam/eastern europe runways to provide some variety is all so no biggie. But I also added some placeholder cities as strategic nodes on the south korean eastern coast so the campaign could function, like forming the pusan perimeter etc. I'm gonna have to add those in when I got more time. Long term plan's staging Incheon and Wonsan/hungnam amphibious landing. No idea if I can pull it off

eh... It is self criticism.

hmmm... From the outlook it seems as a 'FC3' level Harrier with CV Ops and dynamic campaign. The idea is quite solid imo! I mean I don't really need extreme hi-fi FM or an avionics suite a direct copy paste from the pilot manaul.. as long as it's fun to fly, which CAP2 seems to be about. I guess a lot of KS campaign has so little going, if they spend more time developing the project before showing them to the public it might have more pull, especially in CAP2 as they claim to have other funding. ...Or maybe I just dont get the spirit of KS..eh. Another explanation... it is a bit similar to SF2NA no? Notice that TK got burnt by NA pretty bad. Personal thing, not a lover of the harrier that much. It's a bit 2nd tier/alternate for me. Ofc lots of ppl love it, but surely the numbers can't compete with say the hornet. Anyway I still hope they stick with it, it does sound like a fun sim and could become its own. Just the dynamic campaign part can be a life saver, if the ppl moaning and complaining with DCS/Bos has any genuity that is! (heck, want dynamic missions? Don't buy russian! See, avionics and flight modelling, it's just research, or more plainly, about copying. It's just spending time and money to get the source material, the best original so "your sim is realistic" or, the copying is accurate! Missions and campaigns... Now this takes genuine creativity. There's NOTHING for you to copy from. The russians get the copying part pretty down pat, they can get right down to every tiny detail -- if the real thing had a toilet in the back, we put toilet in back! But creating mission generation and campaigns.... You live in a collectivitity for so long man.. it leaves a toll on your individualism and thus, creativity. Tis perhaps something the western people have difficulty imagining. So, the "russian" solution is either no auto mission generation at all, or just pit the humans against each other. They are unable to invent something like that. It is not who they are. --- My personal realization since 2009.)

BOBII is the stuff! Campaign is awesome, historical immersion is way up there at the top. It is indeed old, takes a bit messing with files to setup, and the campaign engine has a learning curve. One of those for real sim nuts.

STEALTH.