Ray, just dl'ed the new version of EAW and go it all running fine ( although the B-17 in default map explodes on mission start). Very nice indeed! (Mostly, LOL!)
Anyway, started poking around my old cockpit notes and may have found an answer to something that eluded me for a long time. Question for you, though, are the U through Z 3dz files still devoted to the cockpit and views from it? I have an experiment that needs doing.

Cheers,

CJ

Well, butter my butt and call me a biscuit, good to have you back, Jack.

Not sure what's up with the exploding B-17, Nazi saboteurs perhaps?

And, yes the U-Z files are still preserved for cockpit use.

That said, I don't know if you are aware but we now have assigned all letters of the alphabet for use on the exterior views. The new ones are:

D - hardcode 30
I - 31
J- 32
K - 33
O - 34
Q - 35

If you poke around the 1.6 airfcraft_ inventory folder you will see I've make extensive use of them as add-on bits and pieces, like gun turrets, landing gear, exterior propellers and even squadron ID lettering. Some of the more complex aircraft models, like the new B-29 use every single one of them.

The downside is they don't show up in 3dz Studio but there are creative ways around that limitation.

One thing I've never gotten around to is editing the 4 engine cockpits so they have a set of gauges for all four engines. So, if you want take on a project AFTER whatever it is you've planning, that wouldn't be a bad place to start.

Good to know the file structure for the cockpits remains. I knew you had implemented the additional letters; I assume you build them with existing letters, then rename them when done?

I did go looking for some of my old friends, namely the pview file, vcg, and the 3dz files. I found them intact, but not really utilized to their full potential. I saw that the B-24 cockpit still only uses two gauge sets, and the engine start cockpit view doesn't show each engine starting individually. I had that fixed at one point, I think, in the B-17 but it was exploding on me, I'll try again. But, that is one fix I have in mind - I think I have a partial 4 gauge on the B-24 already, in storage.

I am at home convalescing from shoulder surgery on the left shoulder, right shoulder coming up. Needing something to occupy my time, so thought what the hell.

Any advice on getting Windows 10 to recognize my old Cyborg Graphite joystick?

Cheers,

CJ

Ray, you mentioned you couldn't display these new 3dz files in Studio. I was playing around with it this morning, give this a try - it uses D.3dz as the main file.


https://www.filehosting.org/file/details/919977/3DZ%20Studio.exe

I know it's an older version of Studio but it's the first one I ran across. If this is what you need, I can dig up a newer version.

Cheers,

CJ

Yeah, that's pretty much what I did for all the new letters. Sometimes I use them but they're based on a buggy version that crashes if you look at it wrong. Sometimes I just rename them to one of the original file letters until finished editing.

I don't know if you recall but probably 10 or 12 years ago (YIKES!) I made you a set of cockpit specific 3dz Studio editors using the same idea.

I used that file for a comparison, actually!

Ray, I have a question or two. Seems to me we made the pcx files 512x512, is that correct? Wasn't there also something about using bmps instead?

Need to get Iron Mike in the conversation. He knows a lot more about the graphics than I do.

I'm not sure about the 512 x 512 pcx question but you can use BMP's. You need a complimentary blank TPC file with the same name for each BMP you want to use. I used it quite successfully to add hi-res nose art to some of the aircraft. I know that wasn't the original intent but I adapted the modification for my own use.

Look at some of the aircraft subfolders in the 1.6 Aircraft_Inventory that have the term "multi". I think you'll be able to suss it out. If not, I'll assist in getting you up to speed.

I also don't know if the same system of hi-res graphics works for your area of expertise, namely, the cockpits, but if it did there's a real opportunity for a massive improvement in the game.

Yes, what applies to the exterior also applies to the interior, graphics wise. The issue then became that the needles for each instrument became too thin and elongated to be readable. So, each type of needle needs to become a sprite instead. This can be done, and there are only several needle types, but it's a bit tedious but can result in some pretty outstanding improvements. I had done some tests but had difficulty recoding the cockpit editor to the 1024 x 768 code, so the adjustments may have to be hacked into compiled code. I still have all my notes, and spent the last couple days going over that stuff, but I also have test shots of 512 x 512 pcx files, so there you go. I'll take a look at Iron Mike's work and go from there. I have about 80% or so of all gauges needed already done in Photoshop in quite high resolution, will be a matter of making the new tpc files.

Looked all over for the folder you mention, can't find it. Dl'ed another version ( I now have 16 November 2020 and 13 June) . I did find two of Mike's Ju-87s, shows the bmp, in 256 x 256. Could be we didn't get the 512 to work. I'll look into that in my notes.

Cheers

if you still have access to the GEN's server, navigate to the folder named "aircraft inventory only". In there you will find the latest set of 1.6 aircraft and another subfolder with earlier versions.

In particular look at the ETO, B-26 folder. That's the first one I set up with BMP nose art.