Military AI Works

Since that happened mostly in my time of absence…. May I ask if we have a clear script for migrating aircraft from FSX to MSFS?


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Yes, we have a manual that documents the process Martin, including PBR texturing. It's a complex process and will only be worthwhile pursuing once we have a stable AI engine and sources of scenery to put the AI in, as Steve says.

Pete continues to innovate, so it's an ongoing learning process of course.

John

...ok, so long time no see -

As promised, Ambient Occlusion added to the F6 "Bare Metal finish".

( Developmental Shots, for illustration purposes only )









12 of those beauties in a row wouldn't half look good !!!!!

If you compare the Images of the F1 at the start of this post, to where we are now with the F6 at the end, I think we are much nearer to how the bare metal finish would have looked, shiny in direct sunlight but maybe a bit dull in other daylight conditions.
This exercise in PBR work really has pushed the envelope of just what can be achieved.
Substantial knowledge continues to be gained whilst awaiting what will come next with FS2024.
I remain confident it will be useful going forwards.

Pete.

That does look very good, Pete.

It is a shame that we don't have a true T5 to add to those but I can live with the T55 as a substitute.

That's lovely Pete - the AO just gives so much more depth to the shape and form. I'm eagerly awaiting FS2024 to see what we can do with.

John

I can't speak technically but it does make a model look so much more realistic.

Now that you have been able to achieve what you have, how much work do you reckon it takes to do this and how easy would it be to pass the knowledge on to others?

The Ambient Occlusion (AO) element is just one part of PBR texturing. I found that quite a challenge for MSFS and needed some help from Pete, but mainly in the other elements.

For FSX and P3D, you can add an AO layer to the texture relatively easy with XNormal, but you first need to generate the map from a 3Dmax model. You can get that by conversion of the airframe part with MCX. I have a tutorial somewhere if anyone wants it.

This is the link to the freeware XNormal: https://xnormal.net/

John

That is the key thing, I think.
What skills you need to start with then what tools do you need to carry out this work plus you have to have a guide to be able to follow.

I know that we are talking about bare metal aircraft specifically here but the technique involved is, I am guessing, necessary for painted aircraft as well. I would bet that some established painters will be put off unless they know exactly what is involved. If so, it will unfortunately place a greater burden on those remaining.

I don't think that it will be as noticeable in the flyable arena but I think that the AI arena.

My one hope here is that the work could be part of a paint kit. If so then the effect could be negligible, except for those that have to produce the kits.

Can this work be part of a paint kit?

Yes that's right Steve, my Paint Kits have included an AO layer in the multi-layer .PSD file for many years. Re-painters just need to include it when they save their work. I know Kevin and Mike have produced them too.

John

That is indeed good to know. All we need know is to educate the rest on how to do it.

@Steve,

The same technique as used on the F6, when applied to a painted Model - The F-15E sporting new PBR.







Its hard to see, but the " Die Cast " or " Enamel" look has been practically eliminated by the simulated " Rivet " look incorporated into the panel lines.

I am not expecting the Modellers such as John ( JY ) to do anything different as to what He/They have done so far with what they have produced for FSX.
To ask any more of them would simply take their workload to another dimension.

My point has been to demonstrate how far we can bring those models up to date for possible use again in the near future.
I hope you will agree that I rest my case, If they fix the AI Aircraft Engine in FS2024 and everything works again, hopefully we will be in for a real treat !

Pete.

I do agree with you. That finish appears to be the best, most natural, that I have seen on models in MSFS.
They look believably matt.

Now I do have one question, and because of other work you have done you may be the best person to ask. How does rainy weather affect the look of the textures?
I would not expect anything dramatic but anybody that has been to an airshow in or after a downpour will know what I mean. Aircraft do look different until they dry off.

Is this way to niche of an effect to be be even counted as a thing?

....whilst we continue to wait patiently, I continue to push on developing the PBR envelope, this time demonstrated on the venerable JYAI F-15C model.



The same techniques used on the Lightning " bare metal" development, have now been upgraded and are really proving their worth on the "painted" models too.


Regards,

Pete.

That has a lovely look on the nose.

does anyone know how pete managed to do this? i would like to have a crack at it myself!

Well, I would suggest sending Pete a pm and ask him if he has written down a procedure that you could follow.

I've PMed Pete, all I'm waiting for is his response

....so right from start of this topic, to where we are now, it has all been based on the evolution of the Texturing Workflow.
As you have seen the progression, the Albedo, Comp and Norm ( Material or Texture names in MSFS ) Textures have all been modified, but essentially have originated from the Textures provided in the Paintkit, for the JYAI F-15E Model.

For an AI Aircraft model, they just look superb !!









Regards,

Pete.

They absolutely do.

These pictures are very inspirational, and I can only hope that MSFS2024 allows us to inject AI without putting up too many barriers.

Have you shared these over at FSDev, Pete? I think you'll get a warm reception!