Community add-on: Apache AH-64D - Need help

[nodunit 397]

Now now there is nothing wrong with two or more people wanting to make the same thing, you think that stopped the many OFP addon creators? Such a thing would make a terrible waste.

I am glad you gave credit and did not call it your own.

This model has two major obstacles, one being the polycount but two being that so many parts are disconnected, this doesn't mesh well at all and can be tricky to weld vertices.

My recommendation to you would be to make your own, I would be willing to help you build it, here's my current. http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee200/NodUnit/Model%20work/AH-64D/fullviewWIP.jpg?t=1250153089

If you do decide to go that route I think you may find much of the apache is surprisingly easy to model and since you have 3ds max 2010 it makes it all that much easier for me to help you :) if you decide to go that way of course.

If it's reference material you are looking for I suggest, Flickr, Airliners.net, Picasaweb, Webshots, Prime Portal, tpubs AH-64A manual and blueprints from Airwar.ru/skycorner. Doing an extensive google search will also yield some surprising results I've found.

I have a database of 1.38gb in terms of the Apache from various angles of various parts and sizes and am more then willing to share the wealth, just drop me a PM if you are interested.

Edited August 13, 2009 by NodUnit

[p75 10]

Now now there is nothing wrong with two or more people wanting to make the same thing, you think that stopped the many OFP addon creators? Such a thing would make a terrible waste.

I am glad you gave credit and did not call it your own.

This model has two major obstacles, one being the polycount but two being that so many parts are disconnected, this doesn't mesh well at all and can be tricky to weld vertices.

My recommendation to you would be to make your own, I would be willing to help you build it, here's my current. http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee200/NodUnit/Model%20work/AH-64D/fullviewWIP.jpg?t=1250153089

If you do decide to go that route I think you may find much of the apache is surprisingly easy to model and since you have 3ds max 2010 it makes it all that much easier for me to help you :) if you decide to go that way of course.

If it's reference material you are looking for I suggest, Flickr, Airliners.net, Picasaweb, Webshots, Prime Portal, tpubs AH-64A manual and blueprints from Airwar.ru/skycorner. Doing an extensive google search will also yield some surprising results I've found.

I have a database of 1.38gb in terms of the Apache from various angles of various parts and sizes and am more then willing to share the wealth, just drop me a PM if you are interested.

Hey mate,

thank you, appreciating your help...I'll send you a PM after work.

[MehMan 0]

- downsizing the model (current polycount is:169,633, Vertices: 87,359)

If you're doing that by hand it's usually a tedious and long process. If using various tools, it's usually messy. In either way, you're probably going to lose some UV map data and sections of the model would have to be remapped. Chances are you're also going to have to remodel parts of the helo rather than reduce the fidelity as it'd be easier. All in all, I think in most cases reducing the polycount by 90% is going to be as much work as remodeling it from scratch.

[p75 10]

If you're doing that by hand it's usually a tedious and long process. If using various tools, it's usually messy. In either way, you're probably going to lose some UV map data and sections of the model would have to be remapped. Chances are you're also going to have to remodel parts of the helo rather than reduce the fidelity as it'd be easier. All in all, I think in most cases reducing the polycount by 90% is going to be as much work as remodeling it from scratch.

Hi Mehman,

Thank you for the input.....I've received this advice now from several persons, which has me looking at the alternatives.

[InFireBaptize 0]

you guys are geniuses, how do you find the time to do all that? are you already in the computer programming field or this is a side hobby?

---------- Post added at 12:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:32 PM ----------

@p75, the cockpit details you have in the photos is good enough for arma2, it is very close to the blackshark cockpit details.

[MadCatChiken 10]

Well as for cockpits. These are two 360 views taken from the british army site.

Front: http://www.army.opticalfx.co.uk/popup/tours/low/3.htm

Rear: http://www.army.opticalfx.co.uk/popup/tours/low/4.htm

[p75 10]

you guys are geniuses, how do you find the time to do all that? are you already in the computer programming field or this is a side hobby?

---------- Post added at 12:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:32 PM ----------

@p75, the cockpit details you have in the photos is good enough for arma2, it is very close to the blackshark cockpit details.

Thanks, it should be more high res than that, though. Those are quite low res textures.

---------- Post added at 01:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:27 PM ----------

Well as for cockpits. These are two 360 views taken from the british army site.

Front: http://www.army.opticalfx.co.uk/popup/tours/low/3.htm

Rear: http://www.army.opticalfx.co.uk/popup/tours/low/4.htm

Thank You Very Much for the links, mate, that is great work, really great!!!

[da12thMonkey 1943]

BIS might save you some effort.

[nodunit 397]

Well as for cockpits. These are two 360 views taken from the british army site.

Front: http://www.army.opticalfx.co.uk/popup/tours/low/3.htm

Rear: http://www.army.opticalfx.co.uk/popup/tours/low/4.htm

Wow that is simple amazing, I think my jaw dropped.

[p75 10]

Wow that is simple amazing, I think my jaw dropped.

I had the same :D

Fullscreen 360 degrees!!!

[MontyVCB 0]

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/5650/56907armaiioperationarr.th.jpg

BIS might save you some effort.

Where did ya find that mate? Offical expansion? :O

[nodunit 397]

It looks nice and very game friendly but...the shine makes me want to cry.

Hmm I thought it looked familiar http://armaholic.eu/wolle/pix/ukf/uk_apache_ah1.jpg

Obviously they aren't the same, the base is from VBS2 but it's more enhanced, either way I applaud the effort.

[p75 10]

http://img198.imageshack.us/i/56907armaiioperationarr.jpg/

BIS might save you some effort.

Wow, this thread is going faster than my neurons can fire :D.

That is great, so we can focus on a retexturing, the cockpit model and its weapons systems.

Wouldn't it be sweet if BIS would also add real FLIR??? And a texture to render feature???

---------- Post added at 01:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:55 PM ----------

It looks nice and very game friendly but...the shine makes me want to cry.

Hmm I thought it looked familiar http://armaholic.eu/wolle/pix/ukf/uk_apache_ah1.jpg

Obviously they aren't the same, the base is from VBS2 but it's more enhanced, either way I applaud the effort.

Exactly my thoughts, mate. Model looks good, though!

[Guest RKSL-Rock]

Obviously they aren't the same, the base is from VBS2 but it's more enhanced, either way I applaud the effort.

It IS the VBS2 Apache with ArmA2 RVMATS applied. From what i can see there isnt much "enhanced" on the model. Considering how much of a fuss you made about a curve out of place on my own model i expected you to be jumping up and down about this one. :rolleyes:

One bonus is that no matter how bad the VBS2 model was its one redeeming feature was a very nice cockpit.

[p75 10]

It IS the VBS2 Apache with ArmA2 RVMATS applied. From what i can see there isnt much "enhanced" on the model. Considering how much of a fuss you made about a curve out of place on my own model i expected you to be jumping up and down about this one. :rolleyes:

One bonus is that no matter how bad the VBS2 model was its one redeeming feature was a very nice cockpit.

Rock,

You have some snapshots of those?

[nodunit 397]

It IS the VBS2 Apache with ArmA2 RVMATS applied. From what i can see there isnt much "enhanced" on the model. Considering how much of a fuss you made about a curve out of place on my own model i expected you to be jumping up and down about this one. :rolleyes:

One bonus is that no matter how bad the VBS2 model was its one redeeming feature was a very nice cockpit.

I simply pointed it out, nothing more atleast that is how it was supposed to come out, since my firefox crashed 3 times at the end of the more lengthly calm messages I lost my patience and decided to go quick with it.

But this is different, BIS's goal may be to have a longbow but to have one that is very game friendly, not as detailed as the community would make it.

Besides even if I sent a PM pointing it out I doubt they would do anything about it so why bother?

Drat my page didn't load, here I thought I was editing in safety D:

Edited August 13, 2009 by NodUnit

[Guest RKSL-Rock]

Rock,

You have some snapshots of those?

Most VBS2 cockpits just have a token gesture towards details. But the Apache's is pretty nice, even if it isnt functional.

http://downloads.rkslstudios.info/favours/vbs2apache/VBS2_apache_001.jpg

http://downloads.rkslstudios.info/favours/vbs2apache/VBS2_apache_002.jpg

http://downloads.rkslstudios.info/favours/vbs2apache/VBS2_apache_003.jpg

http://downloads.rkslstudios.info/favours/vbs2apache/VBS2_apache_004.jpg

http://downloads.rkslstudios.info/favours/vbs2apache/VBS2_apache_005.jpg

http://downloads.rkslstudios.info/favours/vbs2apache/VBS2_apache_006.jpg

http://downloads.rkslstudios.info/favours/vbs2apache/VBS2_apache_007.jpg

http://downloads.rkslstudios.info/favours/vbs2apache/VBS2_apache_008.jpg

http://downloads.rkslstudios.info/favours/vbs2apache/VBS2_apache_009.jpg

http://downloads.rkslstudios.info/favours/vbs2apache/VBS2_apache_010.jpg

http://downloads.rkslstudios.info/favours/vbs2apache/VBS2_apache_011.jpg

http://downloads.rkslstudios.info/favours/vbs2apache/VBS2_apache_012.jpg

http://downloads.rkslstudios.info/favours/vbs2apache/VBS2_apache_013.jpg

I simply pointed it out, I don't recall a "OMG FIX IT".

But this is different, BIS's goal may be to have a longbow but to have one that is very game friendly, not as detailed as the community would make it.

Besides even if I sent a PM pointing it out I doubt they would do anything about it so why bother?

AFAIK it is relatively low poly but as withthe C-130, put it next to the UH1Y and it look s a bit "naff" which in todays market and with a large part of the ArmA2 community very concerned with looks as well as performance it would seem an important issue to consider.

You never know if enough people make a point of commenting about it perhaps they will bother?

Edited August 13, 2009 by RKSL-Rock

[p75 10]

Most VBS2 cockpits just have a token gesture towards details. But the Apache's is pretty nice, even if it isnt functional.

Thanks for the pictures, Rock.

[nodunit 397]

Perhaps, but with all the materials and textures done at this point it seems moot, besides who all who point it out? I would if I had some support but I'm not sure there are many others that really care about it as much.

Edited August 13, 2009 by NodUnit

[p75 10]

Perhaps, but with all the materials and textures done at this point it seems moot, besides who all who point it out? I would if I had some support but I'm not sure there are many others that really care about it as much.

I do, mate. As do others!

[MadCatChiken 10]

Another picture of the cockpit. Taken from the EE:AvH site.

http://www.razorworks.com/enemyengaged/apache/photo5.html

[p75 10]

Another picture of the cockpit. Taken from the EE:AvH site.

http://www.razorworks.com/enemyengaged/apache/photo5.html

Thanks!

[PuFu 4600]

I need help for:

- downsizing the model (current polycount is:169,633, Vertices: 87,359)

- creating a full functioning 3D cockpit

- making TrackIR slave the gun (scripting)

- making an exact copy of the weapon systems (scripting, camera work)

- retexturing the beast after downsizing the model (I maybe have a professional doing this....pending)

- professional sounds, rotors/gun/rockets and missles

- real FLIR (scripting/(texturing))

- if possible, big if, because it is not standard in the engine - rendering to texture for the MFDs (scripting...)

- enhanced flight model (scripting)

I don't want to bash you in any ways. But after reading what your community project is all about, i have a question:

what are YOU going to do from the above list?

You say you aim for "perfection" (whatever that means for you). Then i suppose your modeling, scripting and texturing skills are on par. Or at least one of those.

Point is: ideas don't create addons...

but, good luck with your project nevertheless.

[nodunit 397]

Unfortunately true, I'd have my own apache ingame by now if atleast to test if I didn't have to leech on a friend to get it into the game.

Although to incorporate a true authentic AH-64 systems on par with say Janes Longbow, I don't think it is possible with Real Virtual, as nice as render to texture, slave gun features and fully functional cockpit sounds I think that is engine base not so much scripting.

But I'm not going to say it is impossible, the community does some amazing things.

Btw BIS has released more screenshots of Operation Arrowhead.

http://www.armaholic.com/pfs.php?m=view&v=3-arma2_arrowhead__vehicles_apache.jpg For a game company unit I'm actually rather impressed, the PNVS bugs the hell out of me and I want to slap whoever set the specularity but otherwise it's looking good in and out.

http://www.armaholic.com/pfs.php?m=view&v=3-arma2_arrowhead_ingame_shot_02.jpg

http://www.armaholic.com/pfs.php?m=view&v=3-arma2_arrowhead_ingame_shot_13.jpg

http://www.armaholic.com/pfs.php?m=view&v=3-arma2_arrowhead_ingame_shot_05.jpg

Oh by the way.

Is there going to be a functional FLIR system out of the box (everything has heat based textures)

Jennik: Yes, there will be a FLIR system. We have one of the most sophisticated FLIR simulation systems already done for VBS2 and we will bring it in Arrowhead to fans of ARMA2 too.

Source http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=84463

Edited August 21, 2009 by NodUnit