Is it possible to add high-g vapor effects to the F-18?

[Hodge001]

Hi GR27

I don’t think you have done anything wrong.

After checking the effect again, it looks as though you have hit on a major problem with this effect that I hadn’t noticed during my tests.

The problem appears to be that the vortex effect is indeed conflicting with the afterburner effect, and although I’m still trying out other configurations, it seems that for the time being this mod could be a no go, unless I can actually change the gauge to take it’s trigger from some other source instead of the wing lights.

So sorry folks, I’ll keep trying but for the time being I would suggest that you remove the effect for now.

Jim H

[Razgriz]

Thats exactly what happened with me, its like they put the engine in backwards and forwards :O

[shylock]

What happend to me you have to turn on all lights (the L key) and the vapor stays on.I know on the super hornet that you got this from does it when you make ur 3-5 g turns.

Im working on it on my end also and if I get it i'll put it up in here

[GR27]

Hi Jim, i've managed to add vapor effect to the F-18 with Alphasim Hawker Hunter, i add ALPHA_Hunter.cab file to the F-18 Panel and i add to the Panel.cfg this line:
gauge xx=ALPHA_Hunter!Hunter_Vapour_WING,                 (change xx to the next number on the list)
In [Vcockpit01]

And to the Aircraft.cfg i add this line this:
light.xx= 8, -13.5, 0, 1.25, fx_ALPHA_Hunter_vapour, //Wingroot          (change xx to the next number on the list)
In [liGHTS]

As you can see i use the same numbers you use but it does not "seat" correctly on the F-18 as you can see in the picture

The effect is too much far from the plane to the side of it, i don't know what numbers should i put, beside this it works correctly.
I know it is not as good looking as the Team FS KBT FA18 effect but there effect works only when reaching 10 G' and more, so for i will now settle with the "lighter" vapor effect from Alphasim, i hope you can help me with the numbers so the vapor effect will get closer to plane as they should.
Thank you.

[Voodoo]

I think it's very cool that at least a couple of independent outfits have created vortex effects for the leading edge extensions [as in image 1], but I haven't found anyone who has created the low-pressure condensation effects over the wings on high-g turns [as in image 2]. I think I'm going to have a go at creating that from scratch, and if I can make something presentable I'll share it on the board.


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[GR27]

VooDoo VooDoo you're the man, if you can't do it no one can...
I am sure you are going to make something "presentable", go for it.
Thank you.
 

[Razgriz]

I have so much time on my hands I would love to make it.  Can someone tell me how to make effect files?

[Voodoo]

I would say your first place to start reading is the SDK (Software Developers Kit). You will probably already have this installed if you bought the FSX Deluxe Edition. It will give you loads of reference information as well as tell you how to install some of the tools that came with FSX, one of which is the handy FX Tool.

It's a bit heavy going but don't give up - read up a bit and experiment with copies (don't knacker your originals) of your .fx files to get a feel for how it all hangs together. I'm no expert and some of it remains very confusing to me...even after a long time tinkering.

A useful online forum is www.fsdeveloper.com , to see how others are tackling various effects issues. But you may find other sites via the Developers pages on the FSX Homepage www.fsinsider.com too.

[Razgriz]

I'll go for it but at 7 Eastern its movie night so I may not have long

[Razgriz]

No breakthroughs?  I'll see what I can do.

[Voodoo]

Well, I've got the first incarnation of the effect mostly the way there. Having trouble orienting it the way I want, but I should be able to sus that out eventually.

The other problem is getting it attached to the model. Just learning all this as I go along, but effects generally seem to start life off as Scenery effects. You want to attach them to a model, the conventional way seems to be to create attach points in the original gmax or 3ds model and attach your effects to those. At this time, we don't seem to have any aircraft MDL editors or exporters to try out that path. Soooo...I am tinkering with existing aircraft lights contact points (although I've really run out of those, what with the Sonic Boom effect and all), so next I'm going to have a tinker with smoke attach points and see what comes out of that.

Then I'm gonna have to learn how to do the XML to control it. LOL

So, maybe something eventually but not for a while yet. And knowing me, the first version of it will not be one that I consider good enough, so probably a second re-worked version is more likely to be the one that sees light of day. And hey, if it's not great, it doesn't matter...I'm having a lot of fun with the learning process. 

Let us know how you get on though, Raz.

[SUBS17]

It might pay to check at what speeds certain effects happen as depending on the vapour if its coming off the wing tips indicates a different speed to when the vapour is coming off the LEX. You can use this in dogfighting to determine roughly what speed the bandit is flying as hes turning. I'm not sure what the specs are for the F/A-18A.

[Voodoo]

That's a good point, Subs.

Anybody know what the real conditions are to produce over-wing condensation?

[Razgriz]

Don't know but it worked!  It was ahead of the aircraft by about two and a half feet.  Now lets just move it back and soo perfect.

[SUBS17]

That's a good point, Subs.

Anybody know what the real conditions are to produce over-wing condensation?

Heres one effect not related to g
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prandtl-Glauert_singularity

The LEX and wing is probably high g at high speed eg probably 400kts + and I think the wingtip effect is at lower speeds but the difficult part is the numbers required since its an effect that is influenced by altitude and humidity. I haven't found any solid info on the internet as to what the actual numbers are you might have to talk to an F/A-18 pilot.