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AI ships - some show, some don't

I

irmurray

Messages
69
Country
scotland
Hi all,

I've created a ship MDL which I want to move as an AI ship, but am really headbanging trying to get it to work. :banghead:

As a first step (even before doing AFCAD changes), I decided to install an existing package, then change the MDL, but even this has produced bizarre results.

I started by installing an existing AI ships package BOSSHIPS.ZIP, and I can see motor cruisers in Boston harbour OK (wakes, bow wave etc.).

In theory, all I need to do now is substitute in other MDLs, and it should work ... but no ...
- using the Coastguard cutter MDL from CGCUTTER.ZIP works fine
- using the motor cruiser MDL from AI_SHIPS.ZIP works fine
- using the HMS Endeavour MDL from AI_SHIPS.ZIP, nothing appears
- using some existing aircraft MDLs as ships work fine
- using some other aircraft MDLs as ships, nothing appears
- using my own ship MDL (created in FSDS), nothing appears
- using a one-part FSDS object MDL I created myself, works fine
- using a five-part FSDS onject MDL I created myself, nothing appears

As all I am doing each time is simply changing the MDL name in Model.cfg, I can't see why some MDLs work and some don't. Incidentally, my own MDLs all appear OK when I use them as flyable aircraft, just not as AI scenery!

I've done this all on two different machines, and both behave the same way!

Can anyone explain why I get this bizarre spread of results for my MDLs? I particularly don't understand how I can get a one-part object to appear, but a five-part object does not! :confused:

Thanks for any suggestions!


Iain.
 
Hello Iain,

sorry if this is a silly question but have you adjusted the AFCAD parking spots to the size of your mdl objects? Vessels often require very large parking spots the minimum size of which can be checked in AFCADs Aircraft Editor submenu.

Another issue I could think of is that there may be an interaction between the mdl file and the aircraft.cfg and .air files. This could potentially explain no-shows as well.

Cheers, Holger
 
Hi Holger,

Thanks for your reply.
sorry if this is a silly question but have you adjusted the AFCAD parking spots to the size of your mdl objects? Vessels often require very large parking spots the minimum size of which can be checked in AFCADs Aircraft Editor submenu.
Click to expand...

No, I've not touched the AFCAD. However, I've now tried replacing a much larger vessel (an oil tanker) with my medium-sized ship, and it DOES appear correctly, so it looks as though that is the answer.

Another issue I could think of is that there may be an interaction between the mdl file and the aircraft.cfg and .air files. This could potentially explain no-shows as well.
Click to expand...

I've had a go at some modifications to the aircraft.cfg file, and it certainly seems that some changes cause the object to vanish again!

Thanks for your advice, which was right on the button. Now I know my ship MDL will work as traffic, I'll try my own AFCAD pattern for it.

Thanks again,


Iain.
 
AI Ships - Calmac

Hi Ian

I believe you supplied the Calmac vessel for the Scotflight scenery pack ? If so, have you converted it to be a AI Ship? I have now worked out the routes etc for the Calmac Routes in FSX and need a replacement. Failing that I need to find suitable tutorials in Gmax and have a bash myself at modelling.

Les
 
Hi Folks

Ian -
Probable issue may be the contact points need tweaking.

Save a flight in paused mode,
and you may find the ships appear initially,
then 'bounce' and dissappear as soon as unpaused.

For test purposes,
I find increasing the static height by 1m,
usually ensures they appear.
Then tweak accordingly.

HTH
ATB
Paul
 
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