On
this page is my Portfolio. Basically a collection of images and text from the
development of my previous Projects for Flight Simulator.
Over the course of the past 2 years I
have been 3D modelling low polygon count models of modern day military aircraft
for use as Artificial Intelligence background objects in Microsoft Flight
Simulator. These models even though purely a cosmetic upgrade to the
environment of the simulator allow users to fly in and around any airbase in
the world, and to have it populated by other aircraft. Although the concept of
AI models in flight simulators has been embraced with recent editions, the
world of Military Aircraft was not, and it was for this niche market that I
targeted my time and efforts.
My first project - EUROFIGHTER TYPHOON
As my first outing I look back and
sometimes wonder if I could have made it better but I learnt the basics of
modelling with FS Design Studio from this project. It was on this project that
I developed all the main skill bases, texturing, shading properties, animation
keyframes, and level of detail modelling. Many, many thanks to Rysiek Winawer
for taking this project onboard and finishing the LODs when I went away to
Afghanistan, and for the loan of his Pilot model.
ROCKWELL
B1B LANCER
Whipped up pretty quickly before I
went away to Afghanistan with the RAF. This model took a whole new level for
me, as I started to do my own textures for it, using MSPaint at the time. It
was also an experiment in Swing Wing modelling, using XML coding to get the
wings to sweep according to the aircraft’s speed. This project also owes
alot to Rysiek Winawer as he developed most of the LOD models for it in my
absence.
SEPECAT
JAGUAR GR3
The first model of mine to be done
Solo, i.e with no outside help apart from consultation and advice. The Jaguar
was developed while I was in the dirt of Afghanistan and finished upon my return.
This was my first introduction to making LOD models myself and I also learnt to
merge loadouts onto a basic clean model for ease of compilation. The Jaguar
comes in the GR3 and T4 versions. An animated Drag Chute was a new challenge
here and I based my work off that of Kev Reed from his AI F-117.
NORTHROP
GRUMMAN B2A SPIRIT
A relatively easy aircraft to model in
terms of time scale, but a bugger to get it looking right, and follow the
curves, and get the intakes looking correct. But she came out ok in the end and
looks lovely flying around Whiteman AFB. Again many thanks to Graham King for
his textures for this beast.
BOEING
F-15 EAGLE
The most audatious project yet, a
massive undertaking simply because of the loadouts and variants on offer. The
Project folder in FSDS for this contains 107 source files. I was lucky enough
to be able to do some firsthand research on this as I did alot of it while on exercise
at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas.
LOCKHEED
MARTIN F-22 RAPTOR
Partly inspired by my sighting of this
aircraft at Nellis AFB, but also because it seemed like an obvious follow on
from the F-15, was the F-22. I built into this a animated vectored thrust
engine nozzle and animated weapons bay doors. This aircraft was the first time
I had created a paintkit, myself, for one of my models using Adobe Photoshop,
although Mike Pearson did the paints for the final release packages.
GRUMMAN
F-14 TOMCAT
What can I say...probably my most memorable
project to date and the one that really developed my skills in modelling. I
learnt an awful lot about blending polys, adding parts and joining parts from
this. My attention to detail went up a notch with this aircraft also, and I
feel that the finished article was probably the most accurate of the models I
had made so far. Many thanks to Steve Holland for his persistent work with me
on the swing wing model for this model as well. It also ended up being my first
large project for Military AI Works and led me to manually creating over 300
paint schemes myself, from the photoshop paintkit I created.
McDONNELL
DOUGLAS A-4 SKYHAWK
Once the F14 Project had reached full
tilt, it became apparent that it needed to be released as a retro package
featuring the aircraft of NAS Miramar in the “TOPGUN” era. In order
that the F14s had something to fly against apart from Kev Reed and Jake
Burrus’s T-38 disguised as a “Mig-28”, I decided to make a
one-off A4-E Skyhawk to be used as an aggressor aircraft at Topgun. This was
only a small project with a limited amount of options but came out as a really
nice looking model in the end. Again the textures for this model were done
completely by myself.
BAe/MDD
Harrier
I took a big break from modelling for
a while after finishing the Topgun package and it was only in November of 2007
that I decided to make a start on something that had been asked for and that
was not on the drawing board anywhere. A huge undertaking again, but one that
went reasonably well and was quite easy to model. I started off with the
Harrier GR9 of the RAF and then developed this into the AV8B and AV8B+ of the
USMC, Spain and Italy. Also included was the 2 seat trainer version.
BAe
Hawk
Probably my favourite project, simply because
I have been working with it for getting on for a year now is the Hawk. Another
badly needed model at the time of development (at the same time as the Harrier,
I was making both at the same time). Lovely easy model to create in the first
instance and not too difficult to adapt to different variants such as the T-45,
Hawk 100 and 200. I have now put together 11 Hawk packages for MAIW, including
6 sub parts, covering all the current, and some retro hawks in service around
the world. An audatious project you might say, but one that has opened my eyes
things I never knew about world politics from my research.
And here is a collection of all the versions
and repaints I have done for the Hawk series being released by Military AI
Works. All of these packages have now been released by MAIW (with the exception
of the Red Arrows which may come soon depending on the man behind the AI
display flying.)
Valmet
L-70 Vinka and T-34C Mentor
2 very small projects here, but ones
that were great fun to work on. The T-34C was made at the request of Des
Burrell from MAIW as an accompaniment to the T-45 Goshawk, and the Valmet Vinka
that I made to include in a package covering the Transports and Trainers of the
Finnish Air Force, to accompany my own package of the Finnish Hawks. Both of
these models were my first attempts at creating prop driven aircraft and so
provided a few challenges with regards to the animations and Flight Dynamics
beautifully engineered again by Mike MacIntyre.
McDonnell
Douglas F-4E/F Phantom II
Following several requests, mostly
from Steve Holland, I decided to make a dedicated AI F-4E Phantom, to fill a
gap left by Fernando Martinez after he produced his excellent F-4C series. The
E is the later version of the Phantom that is still in service with numerous
Air Forces around the world, including the USAF as Full Size Aerial Targets. My
model features all the usual bells and whistles, and will be coming in every
version of the F-4E including the German F-4F, USAF F-4G, and the Terminator
and Peace Icarus versions of Turkey and Greece. Also including the F-4EJ of
Japan, and finally the RF-4E Reconnaissance version. This model is the first to
feature my very own pilot model. Instead of relying on the Pilot model of
Ryseiek Winawer which has been used on all my previous fighter aircraft, I
decided to make my own this time and you will also see him piloting the Mirage F1 above.
Chinook
My first go at AI Helicopters was very
successful, including the original tests of the Take-off animation that you
will also see on the AI Apache. The animated take-off sequence is clever
trickery of xml coding and animation in which, when the aircraft throttle goes
upto 90% or above the aircraft rises off the ground and pitches forward,
reminiscent of a real helicopter take-off, the aircraft then returns to level
flight when and levels off. Features fully animated cargo and crew-entry doors,
pilot, co-pilot and loadmaster as well as blurred rotors. Initially developed
as the RAF HC2, I have also done the CH-47D.
Dassault
Mirage F1
Wow....is all I can say, Ive
astonished even myself with this one. By far my favourite model project to date
and something that I’d not even thought about until I saw a picture of
one on Fighter
Control. Im making her in every variant that is currently or
recently in service including; F1C, F1CT, F1CR, F1E several variants of
including F1EJ, EQ, ED etc, and F1B Twin seater
Model features full animations and
some clever new XML tricks to give her a half opened canopy while taxying and
half flaps for take-off. 20 different models of the C alone with various
weapons loads. Suitable for every conceivable mission
AH-64
Apache
My second attempt at Helicopters for
AI and something I’ve wanted to do for quite some time now is the AH-64
Apache.She will come in the following versions:
AH-64A Apache
AH-64D Apache
AH-64D Apache Longbow (With Longbow
Radar Dome)
AH-64D Apache (Dutch Variant)
WAH-64D Apache (UK Variant)
AH-64D Longbow Apache (Israeli
Variant)
All models feature: Animated Cockpit
Doors, Animated Take-off sequence, Animated Gun and FLIR linked to pilot and
co-pilots heads, 8 loadout options for each variant
McDonnell
Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
One of the most eagerly anticipated
Military AI models yet, and it has been a long time in the making. Originally
started by Rysiek Winawer, I took over this model once Rysiek took a sabbatical
from modelling. With a drastic remodel to incorporate all my own personal
modelling techniques and tricks, I came up with the NBAI F/A-18. The model
comes in all variants including A/B, C/D, and E/F Super Hornet as well as the G
Growler. Putting together all the experience I have learnt in the years I have
been making these models and featuring all the animations I could possibly get
into her, including new animations for a turning nose gear and animated hose
and drogue refuelling system for the E/F Super Hornet. Look out for upcoming
packages from MAIW including US Navy, USMC and Spanish, Australian and
Malaysian Hornets. Be sure to check out the Finnish Hornets package which I
created which completes the MAIW Finnish Air Force Project, and will well and
truly populate this beautiful country in your Flightsim.
TO
BE CONTINUED>>>