Nimrod AI project for P3D (and FSX)

Post by **hschuit** » 02 Jan 2021, 15:14

After doing dozens of FS9 > FSX/P3D AI model conversions I thought it was time to build my 1st AI model. I chose the mighty Hunter because there are no true AI models for P3D available, the amount of variants/textures is not too complex and I can use the excellent Simshed flyable model as a blueprint. My goal is to make the early MR1 and several MR2 variants (also with Sidewinders, laser/boz pods).

I am using Blender with the fsDeveloper FSX/P3D plugin, the model has 3 LODs, I managed to keep the highest LOD triangle count below 7000 and only 27 drawcalls.

Post by **gsnde** » 02 Jan 2021, 15:20

Henk, this looks awesome! I think you nailed the model.

jimrodger · Post by **jimrodger** » 02 Jan 2021, 15:26

FYI
The MX-15 pod was camera only , there was no laser facility. We would have liked it but the bean-counters wouldn't have it

If it's got a probe it would have Loral/Yellowgate pods on the wingtips

Jim

Looks really good, you seem to have caught the shape really well

Post by **hschuit** » 02 Jan 2021, 15:31

Jim, in the screenshot you see a mix of parts for early/late models, I have made 2 sets of wings (podded / non-podded), I will make sure the release models will have the correct configurations.

Henk.

jimrodger · Post by **jimrodger** » 02 Jan 2021, 15:34

hschuit wrote:Jim, in the screenshot you see a mix of parts for early/late models, I have made 2 sets of wings (podded / non-podded), I will make sure the release models will have the correct configurations.

Henk.

No probs, thought it might be, just making sure

Sent from my SM-A405FN using Tapatalk

Post by **John Young** » 02 Jan 2021, 15:41

Well done Henk. It certainly looks and feels like a Nimrod. You have captured that tricky fuselage double curve cross-section behind the cockpit particularly well. Look forward to seeing the finished result.

John

Manschy · Post by **Manschy** » 02 Jan 2021, 16:32

Wow, what an increadible fund of legacy military aircraft here. And still it grows and grows...what a promising start, Henk!

Post by **miljan** » 02 Jan 2021, 17:16

Amazing Henk,
keep up with good work.

Roebuck_XV · Post by **Roebuck_XV** » 02 Jan 2021, 17:33

Fantastic!

Post by **TimC340** » 02 Jan 2021, 18:32

Excellent stuff!

I hated the real thing, but it's great to see it returning to the AI stable in far more detail than the old UKMil version - which still performs sterling service for me in FSX.

Post by **gsnde** » 02 Jan 2021, 18:50

TimC340 wrote:Excellent stuff!

I hated the real thing, but it's great to see it returning to the AI stable in far more detail than the old UKMil version - which still performs sterling service for me in FSX.

Not too much longer, I bet...

From mobile hence short

Post by **gavinc** » 02 Jan 2021, 21:46

Looking very good Henk
I'm impressed, my modelling skills haven't progressed much beyond two squares.

Gavin

Post by **hschuit** » 08 Jan 2021, 15:28

It is a lot of work to get the master texture file right but I am getting there I think (textures will be 2048 pix).

Post by **shaggy22** » 08 Jan 2021, 15:42

Looks fantastic so far Henk

I was lucky enough to go on patrol in one back in the day. So I may run a modern setup but there will be a Nimrod or 2 flying around in my sim that's for damn sure

Post by **gsnde** » 08 Jan 2021, 16:47

Love it, Henk!

The white-gray color looks great, I have never seen that one. I only knew the white top, blueish button paints.

They will be great company for the V-Force and Habus in my modern setup...

From mobile hence short

Fin · Post by **Fin** » 08 Jan 2021, 19:53

this is gonna be great henk! already looking awesome

Delboy99 · Post by **Delboy99** » 08 Jan 2021, 23:09

Looking really good Henk. Thank you for taking on this model. Can't wait to populate Kinloss and St Mawgan with them.

Post by **John Young** » 09 Jan 2021, 06:31

Nice job with the texture Henk. 2048 textures can cause stuttering when several aircraft all come into view at the same time. You may be fine with Kinloss and St Mawgan, but you might want to test with individual textures before release.

John

Post by **hschuit** » 09 Jan 2021, 07:37

John, thanks for your valuable advice. I hesitated between two 1024x sheets and a single 2048x sheet. I use mipmapped DXT1 format so the size is much less than DXT5. I just tried a 1024x downsized texture and to my surprise it does not look too bad compared with the 2048x version. Looks like I will keep the paint kit at 2048x and use that to produce 1024x textures for the package.

Henk.

Post by **John Young** » 09 Jan 2021, 10:07

That's exactly what I do Henk. 1024 is absolutely fine in FSX and P3D for AI aircraft. 2048 textures need 4 x the storage space with a consequential increase in download bandwidth. Mipmapping certainly helps to prevent stuttering. I think 2048 textures are fine for specimen paints, but not for whole squadrons. I also like to consider users with more modest graphics cards.

John