RKSL Studios - WIP Discussion

[da12thMonkey 1943]

We're experiencing technical difficulties in generating the Typhoon's download page. When it's fixed, we'll put a release announcement on these forums.

[brad7 4]

Allright cheers

[da12thMonkey 1943]

Rock has resolved the minor technical hiccup that we were experiencing, so we can now finally announce that we've released a couple of addons to celebrate Armed Forces Day here in the UK:

RKSL Eurofighter Typhoon V2.6

RKSL Foxhound LPPV V0.5 BETA

Hope you enjoy them.

[tom.tucka 75]

Hey rock are you still making a Tornado GR4 as us here at 16AA would like one very much

[cannonouscrash 12]

Excellent news on the release, I will be sure to push this into our clan modpack.

[rksl-rock 1300]

OK minor update.

Apologies for the cockup on Saturday I was not actually near a PC from Thursday and was using my phone to get everything uploaded and posted. Sadly I have fat fingers and I managed to make a bit of a mess of the start and end publish dates. As well as the permissions on the Documentation. P@ss poor planning and performance on my part I'll make sure Im actually around next time.

I left some important out of the credits by accident. All the new sounds were donated by Rob aka Rexeuk and were previously used in his rTyphoon sound pack. :)

This coming Wednesday wont be a WIP one it will be an update to the recent releases

• The Typhoon documentation is getting a "tweak" - I hadnt realised that some much hadnt been updated. :o
  
• The Commented Config and Texture Templates "should" be released - Typhoon version.
  
• The "proper" Plugins will be released. More squadrons for the RAF some minor tweaks and a new plugin or two. :o
  

Also we'd really like to hear if anyone has any issues. maxx2504 is reporting and issue that I cant replicate - if anyone else is having the issue can you please get in touch.

Thanks

Rock

[evil_brownie 17]

If the issue he's having is the german (at least) typhoons not having functioning afterburners, it's a typo in the rksl-typhoon-de config file, it's a missing underscore (_) in the eventhandler and pre_init_evenhandler sections ("rksltyphoon_init", where it should be rksl_typhoon_init).

Hope this helps.

Edited June 30, 2013 by Evil_Brownie
spelling...

[rksl-rock 1300]

If the issue he's having is the german (at least) typhoons not having functioning afterburners, it's a typo in the rksl-typhoon-de config file, it's a missing underscore (_) in the eventhandler and pre_init_evenhandler sections ("rksltyphoon_init", where it should be rksl_typhoon_init).

Hope this helps.

<<Banging Head on Desk>> Some days I shouldnt be allowed out unsupervised. Sorry guys I wasnt seeing the error on my side because its fixed in the version I have. Maxx I apologise. As I said earlier I uploaded an older version of the plugins by mistake. Not the one built from the latest source on my Q drive. There is a planned update for Wednesday with the proper (ie latest) build of plugins for wednesday. If you dont mind waiting until then it will all be fixed.

Apologies again. :(

PS Thanks Maxx and Evil_Brownie for speaking up :)

Edited June 30, 2013 by RKSL-Rock
typo

[rksl-rock 1300]

WIP Wednesdays

Week 30 - July 24th 2013 - Day of the Jackal < NEW

After a few "quiet" WIP weeks and a few releases we have another WIP update. But first a little Lynx snippet. More to follow at a later date, ive run into a few issues i want fix before pushing out the updated Lynx so dont worry it will be out soon-ish. With that I'll hand over to Messiah for this weeks update.

Phew... after a very busy release period for RKSL, we've finally found a little time to catch up on our lives, go on holiday, and enjoy the sweltering weather. Personally, it's been a relief to have gotten the Foxhound out as a public beta, and the feedback received has been fantastic, as well as some extremely useful bug reports and general wishes in terms of functionality and config. I'm working on a small update which should be finished soon, that will address some of the main items people responded about, and from there it's off to ArmA 3!

Week 29 - Team Summer Break

Week 28 Release Week - Merlin and Puma Release

Week 27 Release Week - Typhoon v2.601 Release

Week 26 - June 27th 2013 - Start Counting Kids

Week 25 WIP Wednesday - Shhh... dont wake Rock up!

Week 24 WIP Wednesday - Roll Up! Oh its a Rollup..

Week 23 WIP Wednesday - Take a Seat

Week 22 WIP Wednesday - Apologies and Guess Who #3

Week 21 WIP Wednesday - Its alive! ALIVE I tell you! - Website goes live...finally!

Week 20 WIP Wednesday - Its systematic, It's hydromatic... - I am so very sorry about this...Messiah loves Grease! :(

Week 19 WIP Wednesday - Whats that coming over the hill? - Monster update.

Week 18 WIP Wednesday - Serious Words and Guess Who#2 - Slightly harder but it was a JSHV.

Week 17 WIP Wednesday - Guess Who... It was a Gazelle AH1 someone guessed really quickly.

Week 16 WIP Wednesday - Lights, Power, Action... Foxhound in game!

Week 15 WIP Wednesday - Birds, Boats and Fire Extinguishers

Week 14 WIP Wednesday - Staying Inside - Foxhound Update

Week 13 WIP Wednesday - Postponed <br /> Week 12 WIP Wednesday - Headsets and Bath toys

Week 11 WIP Wednesday - It's all in the (level of) detail

Week 10 WIP Wednesday - Sorry, we're closed

Week 09 WIP Wednesday - I can see Uranus

Week 08 WIP Wednesday - Baked Barracuda

Week 07 WIP Wednesday - Who ordered Chinese?

Week 06 WIP Wednesday - Coming Soon - Part Deux

Week 05 WIP Wednesday - Coming Soon

Week 04 WIP Wednesday - Online at last... lets hope it lasts

Week 03 WIP Wednesday - PC Drama cut Rock off.

Week 02 WIP Wednesday - Foxy Lady - Rock's hangover gets the better of him

Week 01 WIP Wednesday - Whoops I forgot it was wednesday - Rock's hangover gets the better of him

Week 52 WIP Wednesday - Twas the Night after Christmas - The Que... Rock's Christmas Message

[scarecrow398 43]

Awesome, Are you only doing the Jackal or is there a chance of seeing a Coyote/Extenda too in the future? :)

Would be a nice feature if you could script a working Extenda.

[Messiah 2]

Awesome, Are you only doing the Jackal or is there a chance of seeing a Coyote/Extenda too in the future? :)

Would be a nice feature if you could script a working Extenda.

I'm sure Da12th will be along to correct me, but in practice I don't believe we actually procured many extendas (as in the bolt on extension) for regular boots on the ground blokes - only for the various secret squirrel types. All the extended wheel base Coyotes are built as such from the ground up (i.e. always 6 wheels).

The plan is, so far, to produce:

Jackal 2 4x4 - GMG, HMG

Jackal 2 4x4 LRRP/SF - GMG, HMH, Dual GPMG

Coyote 6x6 - GMG, HMG

Although I suspect you'll see the Jackal 4x4 as a standalone vehicle, and then the others will be added via updates.

Edited July 30, 2013 by Messiah

[ei8ght 11]

I'm sure Da12th will be along to correct me, but in practice I don't believe we actually procured many extendas (as in the bolt on extension) for regular boots on the ground blokes - only for the various secret squirrel types. All the extended wheel base Coyotes are built as such from the ground up (i.e. always 6 wheels).

The plan is, so far, to produce:

Jackal 2 4x4 - GMG, HMG

Jackal 2 4x4 LRRP/SF - GMG, HMH, Dual GPMG

Coyote 6x6 - GMG, HMG

Although I suspect you'll see the Jackal 4x4 as a standalone vehicle, and then the others will be added via updates.

This is great news to have the Jackal version 4x4 and 6x6 , I put this topic to favorites.

[rksl-rock 1300]

WIP Wednesdays

Week 32 - August 7th 2013 - Give that Plane a Sandwich < NEW

Ok so this is a revisit of an old project. I've not had a lot of free time the last few weeks so this is something that shold have been posted in June.

I was recently talking to someone about materials technology, specifically aerospace composites. (We have some 'interesting' chats) We were originally discussing aeroelasticity in aircraft design, then we predictably got onto stealth technology. And of course, which is best etc. F-22 vs the world kinda BS (More on that later) but the Chengdu J20 came up and then we finally got back on to addons...

Week 30 -WIP Wednesday - Day of the Jackal

Week 29 - Team Summer Break

Week 28 Release Week - Merlin and Puma Release

Week 27 Release Week - Typhoon v2.601 Release

Week 26 - WIP Wednesday - Start Counting Kids

Week 25 WIP Wednesday - Shhh... dont wake Rock up!

Week 24 WIP Wednesday - Roll Up! Oh its a Rollup..

Week 23 WIP Wednesday - Take a Seat

Week 22 WIP Wednesday - Apologies and Guess Who #3

Week 21 WIP Wednesday - Its alive! ALIVE I tell you! - Website goes live...finally!

Week 20 WIP Wednesday - Its systematic, It's hydromatic... - I am so very sorry about this...Messiah loves Grease! :(

Week 19 WIP Wednesday - Whats that coming over the hill? - Monster update.

Week 18 WIP Wednesday - Serious Words and Guess Who#2 - Slightly harder but it was a JSHV.

Week 17 WIP Wednesday - Guess Who... It was a Gazelle AH1 someone guessed really quickly.

Week 16 WIP Wednesday - Lights, Power, Action... Foxhound in game!

Week 15 WIP Wednesday - Birds, Boats and Fire Extinguishers

Week 14 WIP Wednesday - Staying Inside - Foxhound Update

Week 13 WIP Wednesday - Postponed <br /> Week 12 WIP Wednesday - Headsets and Bath toys

Week 11 WIP Wednesday - It's all in the (level of) detail

Week 10 WIP Wednesday - Sorry, we're closed

Week 09 WIP Wednesday - I can see Uranus

Week 08 WIP Wednesday - Baked Barracuda

Week 07 WIP Wednesday - Who ordered Chinese?

Week 06 WIP Wednesday - Coming Soon - Part Deux

Week 05 WIP Wednesday - Coming Soon

Week 04 WIP Wednesday - Online at last... lets hope it lasts

Week 03 WIP Wednesday - PC Drama cut Rock off.

Week 02 WIP Wednesday - Foxy Lady - Rock's hangover gets the better of him

Week 01 WIP Wednesday - Whoops I forgot it was wednesday - Rock's hangover gets the better of him

Week 52 WIP Wednesday - Twas the Night after Christmas - The Que... Rock's Christmas Message

[chortles 263]

Have you made any changes to the cockpit that you linked in the article, or is it currently only the exterior's that's looking that good? :D

[rksl-rock 1300]

Have you made any changes to the cockpit that you linked in the article, or is it currently only the exterior's that's looking that good? :D

I'm planning a major re-work of the cockpit. As I mentioned in the article that particular design (look at the left hand panel and plan form) is probably intended for the J-31. The J-20's is apparently slightly more "conventional" in layout at least. With a projector HUD etc. I have some interesting ideas about the use of Class MFD on this particular project too :P

[cimalex 3]

I can see that Lynx pack has been updated to ver. 2.010 (see project rotary wings) but I can't find download link...

Possible Next update ?

Merlin and Puma HC1 pack updated to version 2.010 are available.

Thanks

[chortles 263]

I'm planning a major re-work of the cockpit. As I mentioned in the article that particular design (look at the left hand panel and plan form) is probably intended for the J-31. The J-20's is apparently slightly more "conventional" in layout at least. With a projector HUD etc. I have some interesting ideas about the use of Class MFD on this particular project too :P

http://downloads.rkslstudios.info/RKSL/wip/wednesday/2013/wk32/J-20_cockpit1.jpg

Please note that my follow-on questions are as someone who played Artemis the day before... :lol:

I see that you described your J-20 addon thus:

With ArmA3 looming in the near distance this will definitely only be an ArmA3 project. After the game goes gold we (RKSL) will probably make the jump over to the new platform. That all for this week.

Considering that there is so far no word about "MMA3" or even rumor of another analogous mod for Arma 3, and allowing for the paucity of official stats, what are you planning as far as simulation of avionics and weapons guidance for your J-20 mod? For example, do you have any intent to incorporate your own RWR/ECM/active/passive capabilities simulation with your J-20 mod, or it is just "whatever vanilla Arma 3 has" unless a "MMA analogue" comes along? After all, vanilla A3 already has Arma 2-style lock/launch warning for the transport helos...

Also, Class MFD?

P.S. Trivia: the Chinese name is actually "Annihilate-20 Fighter" (aka "Dominant/Powerful Dragon") while the Chinese Wikipedia article attributes to it a NATO reporting name of "Fire Tooth/Teeth"... though this may just be a Chinese BBS nickname.

[rksl-rock 1300]

I can see that Lynx pack has been updated to ver. 2.010 (see project rotary wings) but I can't find download link...

Possible Next update ?

Merlin and Puma HC1 pack updated to version 2.010 are available.

Thanks

It was mentioned several times on the last WIP Wednesday updates. I hit some snags with it. For some reason the laser designator and TOW missiles are no longer working so i need to look properly at that.

it will get released i just need to get the time to bottom the issues.

Please note that my follow-on questions are as someone who played Artemis the day before... :lol:

I see that you described your J-20 addon thus:Considering that there is so far no word about "MMA3" or even rumor of another analogous mod for Arma 3, and allowing for the paucity of official stats, what are you planning as far as simulation of avionics and weapons guidance for your J-20 mod? For example, do you have any intent to incorporate your own RWR/ECM/active/passive capabilities simulation with your J-20 mod, or it is just "whatever vanilla Arma 3 has" unless a "MMA analogue" comes along? After all, vanilla A3 already has Arma 2-style lock/launch warning for the transport helos...

I have no idea about MMA, Ive never used it. Re features well right now that depends on UNN's free time as I am a lousy scripter. But as far as simulation of avionics goes we'll have to see. I havent had much time to experiement in ArmA3 yet but I do intend on making all the display practical or at least far less static than the BIS standard.

Also, Class MFD?

Its the command that allows you to draw HUDs and MFDs as I've done in the Typhoon v2.601. With a bit of patience its actually pretty useful.

P.S. Trivia: the Chinese name is actually "Annihilate-20 Fighter" (aka "Dominant/Powerful Dragon") while the Chinese Wikipedia article attributes to it a NATO reporting name of "Fire Tooth/Teeth"... though this may just be a Chinese BBS nickname.

I'll stick with the J-20 Designation the translations just make me smirk :p

[chortles 263]

Thanks for explaining! I'm definitely interested in what you can do with the MFD command, considering how seemingly much of the current Arma 3-native fixed-wing offerings -- and truthbetold, a bunch of Arma 3-native vehicles -- either have explicitly WIP interiors that for example lack textures, or instead are older aircraft that used analog instrumentation but whose simulation is uncertain, i.e. it may or may not even function and a nonfunctional instrument "dashboard" may be so WIP that it's not even cosmetic.

One of the reasons that I asked was because of my sudden interest in these aspects of the aircraft simulation after having given a try of Artemis (in order I played comms, then science, then engineering, then weapons) and enjoying my experience with it. What's your design concept as far as how to use the Arma 3 displays "far less static than the BIS standard"?

P.S. Hey now, an actual official name of "Annihilate-20" is cool... although after quick comparison of Chinese Wikipedia pages, it looks like just about all PLAAF fighters are called "Annihilate-#". :p (They all use jian, hence the "J".) The others I wrote are just nicknames or a possible NATO reporting name.

[rksl-rock 1300]

Thanks for explaining! I'm definitely interested in what you can do with the MFD command, considering how seemingly much of the current Arma 3-native fixed-wing offerings -- and truthbetold, a bunch of Arma 3-native vehicles -- either have explicitly WIP interiors that for example lack textures, or instead are older aircraft that used analog instrumentation but whose simulation is uncertain, i.e. it may or may not even function and a nonfunctional instrument "dashboard" may be so WIP that it's not even cosmetic.

One of the reasons that I asked was because of my sudden interest in these aspects of the aircraft simulation after having given a try of Artemis (in order I played comms, then science, then engineering, then weapons) and enjoying my experience with it. What's your design concept as far as how to use the Arma 3 displays "far less static than the BIS standard"?

Well the "stock BIS solution" is a static background texture with a few animated needles that do not change. The 'RKSL Solution' is to draw the content using class MFD and take advantage of various animation sources available in class MFD to produce a display of useful info that changes depending on selected weapons and pitch/roll/yaw etc. You can also provide targeting and weapon information.

I'm told that there should be improvements in the way class MFD works and the sources available which should make it even more useful. Which would be nice.

P.S. Hey now, an actual official name of "Annihilate-20" is cool... although after quick comparison of Chinese Wikipedia pages, it looks like just about all PLAAF fighters are called "Annihilate-#". :p (They all use jian, hence the "J".) The others I wrote are just nicknames or a possible NATO reporting name.

I guess it depends on how literally you translate it. I was told that "Jian" translates in this context as "Fighter" but the more direct translation of the word is Sword - specifically the classic Chinese double-edged straight sword.

The names seem to vary depending on who translates the text. My favourite by a long way is the J-10 "Vigorous Dragon". It makes it sound like a marital aid. I'll possibly die laughing if someone comes out with the J-40 "Rampant Rabbit" :p

Edited August 11, 2013 by RKSL-Rock
typo

[chortles 263]

I want to be clear, when you define "the stock BIS solution" as "a static background textures with a few animated needles that do not change", is this in regards to how even when a vehicle's instrument panel is all-digital none of the flight display units (DUs) are simulated as being "function-switchable" MFDs, only primary flight displays (PFD) with attitude and heading indicators (if even) and other "single function only" DUs?

For what it's worth, I have seen BI-made PFDs with even more information, such as the Arma 2 MV-22's and the Arma 3 CH-49's, while the Arma 3 UH-80 has a PFD with attitude/heading and throttle while the remaining instruments are on a separate DU. Also, I find the UH-80's current arrangement solid and somewhat essential for no-HUD flight, but there's a seemingly "cosmetic only" panel that I couldn't find an appropriate "stimulus" to get a visible reaction from -- it doesn't even do "RWR" against MANPADs (i.e. an OPFOR AA Specialist). The CH-49 on the other hand packs all of its "relevant" (animated) instruments onto the PFD but has a superfluous middle display, the far left end is another PFD and there's two blank displays in between the three, if you feel like experimenting on them.

P.S. It's not actually "sword", since the tonal system means that there's more than one jian: the jian for double-edged straight swords is 剑 (Simplified, it's åŠ in Traditional) while the jian for "Annihilate" that's used for PLAAF fighters is æ­¼ (Simplified, it's 殲 in Traditional). Also, with the J-10 it's "Fierce Dragon"... no idea who the hell it was that translated that as "Vigorous", but that was just incorrect. :P For what it's worth, the J-10's Chinese article purports the J-10 to have a NATO reporting name of "Firefly".

[rksl-rock 1300]

I want to be clear, when you define "the stock BIS solution" as "a static background textures with a few animated needles that do not change", is this in regards to how even when a vehicle's instrument panel is all-digital none of the flight display units (DUs) are simulated as being "function-switchable" MFDs, only primary flight displays (PFD) with attitude and heading indicators (if even) and other "single function only" DUs?

Yes this is about "glass cockpits". The MFDs in the BIS aircraft are all common. They all show a very basic set of dials (on the display) which is in reality a texture that is rotated into place via animation triggered by the RPM anim source. There are also some animated needles on those panels. But once the engine is on these panels do not change. You can see for your self, Lynx Wildcat, Chinook, Merlin they all share the same displays. You get the Primary display then a stock "engine management" one. By using the "RKSL Solution" aka Class MFD command we can draw displays that actually change with the weapons, target ranges etc. Check out the RKSL Typhoon v2.6+ and see for yourself. In my opinion it gives a more immersive feel to flying in game and done properly its far more useful than just static panels.

For what it's worth, I have seen BI-made PFDs with even more information, such as the Arma 2 MV-22's and the Arma 3 CH-49's, while the Arma 3 UH-80 has a PFD with attitude/heading and throttle while the remaining instruments are on a separate DU. Also, I find the UH-80's current arrangement solid and somewhat essential for no-HUD flight, but there's a seemingly "cosmetic only" panel that I couldn't find an appropriate "stimulus" to get a visible reaction from -- it doesn't even do "RWR" against MANPADs (i.e. an OPFOR AA Specialist). The CH-49 on the other hand packs all of its "relevant" (animated) instruments onto the PFD but has a superfluous middle display, the far left end is another PFD and there's two blank displays in between the three, if you feel like experimenting on them.

Nah that's no real change from ArmA1/2 days. I'm trying to make all the displays relevant if not realistic.

P.S. It's not actually "sword", since the tonal system means that there's more than one jian: the jian for double-edged straight swords is 剑 (Simplified, it's åŠ in Traditional) while the jian for "Annihilate" that's used for PLAAF fighters is æ­¼ (Simplified, it's 殲 in Traditional). Also, with the J-10 it's "Fierce Dragon"... no idea who the hell it was that translated that as "Vigorous", but that was just incorrect. :P For what it's worth, the J-10's Chinese article purports the J-10 to have a NATO reporting name of "Firefly".

I am aware of the tonal changes but I'm being told this by a native Chinese speaker. His translation does not match with your own.

The J-10 Vigourous Dragon seems to be the popular translation. Its made it into all the main media http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chengdu_J-10 even into Jane's Defence Weekly as well as the Air Power and a few defence conferences I've been to in the last few years. Its become the accepted translation for many.

So far in my professional dealings I've never seen it refered to anywhere are "Firefly". In the official NATO threat register I saw last year it was referred to only as J-10A, J-10S or J-10B. Typically the practice of NATO reporting names seems to have ended.

[specta3 1]

Hi

Just want to say a big thanks to RKSL

Ran your Euro fighter in Arma3 using AIO. tonight

Handles great and the model is very impressive

Smoke trails are first class :)

Edited August 21, 2013 by specta3

[cyclone83 6]

Somehow I cannot switch between the different weapons of the Eurofighter (German Luftwaffe). Every time I press the switch button i can see the rockets f.e. for not even half a second and it switches back to mg :( Can someone confirm this issue or got a solution?

[chortles 263]

Are you using GLT Missilebox or Mando Missile Arma by any chance? I understand that the German Luftwaffe Eurofighter Typhoon doesn't require it but MMA may have an "enforced" config for it that would override the default guided armaments...