Help with creating VC's

[cvonsteen]

I just recently got into developing, as of yesterday. And I'm mostly a VC flyer and its really disappointing when I download a aircraft with a poor quality VC, or not one at all. So I thought I could get permission from modelers and develop cockpits for them somehow. The bad part is, I don't even know where to start. So If you guys can point me in the right direction, or give me some pointers that would be AWESOME.

One question I have right away- Are Virtual Cockpits part of the plane model itself or is it a seperate model utilized when only in the virtual cockpit view?

[hairyspin]

Originally Posted by cvonsteen

...Are Virtual Cockpits part of the plane model itself or is it a seperate model utilized when only in the virtual cockpit view?

Depends which sim. For FS9 (and earlier) it's part of the aircraft model, for FSX it's a separate model (and for X-Plane and others I haven't a clue). You'll need to learn Gmax and go from there, but I must warn you it's no small task: I find VC modelling the most demanding part of model building. Perhaps that's why it's so rewarding when the necessary skills are learned.

Unfortunately I don't know of a useful VC building tutorial, sorry.

[lionheart]

When I first got into it, it was REALLY difficult for me. Making gauge polygons was pretty difficult for me, but once I figured it out, it became a downhill thing. Making interior parts animate, clickable switches, was also hard at first. How to make an interior is like making a ship in a bottle.

I later figured out shortcuts.. For instance, you hide all but the parts you need to do your work. You unhide everything when you do an export and a test model for FS.

My advice, one day at a time, one part at a time. Model your parts to scale and with accuracy, make them one at a time, be patient. When doing a 'department' like learning gauge polygons, or illuminating them (an entirely different ball park), take your time to fully learn it. Dont rush through things or you miss key points. I did that.


Patience and before you know it, your mountain is conquered...



Bill