forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com

The Hobby Showroom => Aircraft in Pixels / Flugzeugwerke => Topic started by: uncletony on February 03, 2019, 01:29:10 AM

Title: Merged: Old Aircraft in Pixels posts
Post by: uncletony on February 03, 2019, 01:29:10 AM: (https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4888/46949780791_3ed7932628_k.jpg)

Aircraft in Pixels 2 | Albatros DV is a virtual model airplane kit that runs on Mac and PC computers. It's not a replacement for styrene, glue and paint, but rather another outlet for our fascination with these old planes and how they are put together. Detailed 3D models of airplanes exist in the flight sim world but those cater to a slightly different audience and with a different purpose than what I am trying to do, which is replicate some of the joy and knowledge gained when putting together a highly detailed and accurate scale model airplane. Closer to our world, there are the Kagero 3D books on the Fokkers as well as the excellent Mark Miller renderings, but neither of these allow one to truly interact with the model, but rather merely view the finished product. For a few of us, there are CAD packages and texturing systems that allow us to conjure up anything we can imagine, but these tools are out of reach for the average hobbyist both in terms of cost and complexity. Ergo, Aircraft in Pixels.

The subject of this second edition of Aircraft in Pixels is the Albatros D.V. In the virtual model kit, you'll assemble the fuselage frame by frame and stick by stick. You'll install cockpit equipment, fuel, armament and propulsion systems just like on the real aircraft. Eventually the Mercedes motor will be detailed down to the crankshaft and connecting rods. Noted Albatros expert Jim Miller has contributed much of his knowledge as well as as access to his extensive archive and his own artwork in order to help me make this model as authentic and accurate as the medium will allow.

Aircraft in Pixels is in soft-rollout mode. I'm gradually ramping up the price as the product gets closer to finished. The $5.00 and $7.50 levels have sold out. A limited number of seats are now available at $7.99 each. This is still less than half the anticipated price of $20 when it is complete. If you purchase the app now (which is a work in progress) you will lock in all future updates to the main application. (Additional content in the form of decals and optional parts may become available later at extra cost.)

If you are interested, you can learn more here: https://bomonroe.itch.io/aircraft-in-pixels-2

And thanks for your support!

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4900/31828715197_ac37f3b287_o.gif)
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels No. 2: Albatros D.V Early-ish Bird Special
Post by: uncletony on February 06, 2019, 02:42:37 PM: Here a few screenshots from the studio mode I am currently working on for AiP. In Studio mode you can choose from at least 10 backdrops and dozens of camera color profiles to create a huge variety of evocative images.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4913/47001919111_aafae99b80_b.jpg)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4893/33126365428_11506391b3_b.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7851/46950052022_64beb07d13_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels No. 2: Albatros D.V Early-ish Bird Special
Post by: uncletony on February 07, 2019, 08:12:51 AM: Some more pix from the Aircraft in Pixels Studio mode, which went live today:

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7913/40045166123_a364ab0c82_k.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7904/47010033351_f3831a865d_h.jpg)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4907/46958250152_339515e3ae_k.jpg)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4872/47010068841_7bf792044d_k.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7920/47010059311_0a610f1a20_z.jpg)

more info here https://bomonroe.itch.io/aircraft-in-pixels-2
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels No. 2: Albatros D.V Early-ish Bird Special
Post by: uncletony on February 08, 2019, 01:25:28 PM: The $5.00 and $7.50 levels have sold out. Seats are now available at $7.99 each until these sell out (10 total)

Thanks guys for your support!!!

--Bo
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels No. 2: Albatros D.V Early-ish Bird Special
Post by: uncletony on February 09, 2019, 08:38:54 AM: It's not a virtual model without a virtual box filled with virtual parts...
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4878/33155743618_a5cea3581c_o.gif)

(Coming soon)
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels No. 2: Albatros D.V Early-ish Bird Special
Post by: uncletony on February 16, 2019, 01:15:08 PM: New details slated for the next update of Aircraft in Pixels (http://"https://bomonroe/itch.io/aircraft-in-pixels")

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7874/33233336978_6d5646c8ed_b.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7801/47108504141_af6055366b_b.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7870/46194765065_6bc8bc6cb2_b.jpg)
Title: Aircraft in Pixels Mac & PC Demo available - free download!
Post by: uncletony on February 16, 2019, 11:09:15 PM: Demo version of the desktop title which runs as a native application on Mac OSX or Windows PC:

https://bomonroe.itch.io/aircraft-in-pixels-demo
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels No. 2: Albatros D.V Early-ish Bird Special
Post by: uncletony on February 22, 2019, 08:35:33 AM: (https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7826/46447017604_742c6e5db1_o.gif)

Fuel panel with 40 separate pieces to assemble now live with current version of Aircraft in Pixels (http://"https://bomonroe/itch.io/aircraft-in-pixels")
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels No. 2: Albatros D.V Early-ish Bird Special
Post by: aircare84 on February 22, 2019, 08:48:22 AM: Bo,
Can we update the additions if we already purchased?
Larry
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels No. 2: Albatros D.V Early-ish Bird Special
Post by: uncletony on February 22, 2019, 09:19:55 AM: Quote from: aircare84 on February 22, 2019, 08:48:22 AM
Bo,
Can we update the additions if we already purchased?
Larry

Yes!

Go to the link https://bomonroe.itch.io/aircraft-in-pixels-2 and log in. You will be able to grab the latest version. If you install the Itch app, and install Aircraft in Pixels through it, you'll be able to update the app automatically -- the Itch program will just download a much smaller "patch" each time. And there are a lot of updates to come!

Thanks for your support, Larry
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels No. 2: Albatros D.V Early-ish Bird Special
Post by: uncletony on March 05, 2019, 04:48:27 AM: New stuff with version 0.1.5:

Blueprints :)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7912/33404617498_15e2dc2435_o.png)

More structure!
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7896/47280381211_5009b88a05_o.png)[/url]

cowlings and bits!
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7927/32338877717_c360e4a19d_o.png)

lots more new stuff...

https://bomonroe.itch.io/aircraft-in-pixels-2
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels No. 2: Albatros D.V Early-ish Bird Special
Post by: Gene K on March 06, 2019, 04:27:09 AM: Really enjoying mine. Your computer skills are beyond my comprehension. Thanks.

Gene K
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels No. 2: Albatros D.V Early-ish Bird Special
Post by: uncletony on March 06, 2019, 04:59:47 AM: Quote from: Gene K on March 06, 2019, 04:27:09 AM
Really enjoying mine. Your computer skills are beyond my comprehension. Thanks.

Gene K

Thanks Gene!
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels No. 2: Albatros D.V Early-ish Bird Special
Post by: uncletony on March 06, 2019, 07:04:57 AM: Version 0.1.6 is building now and will be off to the beta testing group -- and then the general public -- soon.

This version includes decals and masks to create the Böhning, later Hopf Jasta 76b Albatros D.Va. (Hopf version depicted below, with Würzburg Wappen device)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7881/46377749885_e963e149f9_o.png)
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels No. 2: Albatros D.V Early-ish Bird Special
Post by: uncletony on March 06, 2019, 01:51:18 PM: build 0.1.6 is live.

This video shows off the new scheme, plus a quick run through of some of the photo studio features:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2ecWbtitLA
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels No. 2: Albatros D.V Early-ish Bird Special
Post by: uncletony on March 08, 2019, 11:05:18 AM: The Mercedes-Benz D.IIIa top-end gets a [texture map] overhaul:

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7894/46590203484_f269069bce_b.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7850/32371553937_296043d361_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels No. 2: Albatros D.V Early-ish Bird Special
Post by: IvotB on March 08, 2019, 08:38:10 PM: It's a nice package :) In building I haven't passed the second phase for the tail assembly. I downloaded the instructions of the WnW Albatros to find some help, but I'm not sure if it will give me the details. But is a different kind of building and a nice game for us modellers, but even more so for our children who are addicted to their tablets and smartphones. Perhaps this way they may be lured towards the real thing: actual model building ;D

regards,
Ivo
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels No. 2: Albatros D.V Early-ish Bird Special
Post by: uncletony on March 08, 2019, 10:48:00 PM: Hi Ivo--

First, thanks!,

Second, regarding getting stuck at the tail building step: something similar was reported by one of the testing elves. It seems it was possible to attach the curved piece to the leading edge of the framework such that it appears to be in the right place, but it doesn't lock. In that case, the last remaining part (the angled piece that forms the upper trailing edge) will not attach. When something like this happens (or for instance you "drop" a part and it gets buried inside the model) there is a RESET button that will do just that for any loose parts. It's the circle with the arrows chasing each other in the upper right corner second one down.

Having said all that, I did make a modification to that step which went live with the very latest version - 0.1.6. This is the Version that introduces the checkerboard Bavarian scheme. If you have this version and you are still getting stuck on the tail step, please let me know!

Thanks again,

--Bo
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels No. 2: Albatros D.V Early-ish Bird Special
Post by: uncletony on March 21, 2019, 09:35:05 AM: The latest version (0.1.7) is live, lots of new and refactored content in the form of Albatros bits.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7915/40464776573_16e51743d0_b.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7883/46707450874_974eecc527_h.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7907/46707447874_afbb845a23_b.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7854/46707446844_4fa1b757d0_b.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7921/40464778383_9d78121b4c_b.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7818/47377683372_8f2bcc7cee_k.jpg)

more info (http://"https://bomonroe.itch.io/aircraft-in-pixels-2")
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels No. 2: Albatros D.V Early-ish Bird Special
Post by: uncletony on June 14, 2019, 01:56:07 PM: Work continues on the Albatros D.V/a (virtual) model -- notably, the undercarriage geometry was recently completed:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48059093956_f1ac49660a_h.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48059063103_f156bf579d_k.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48059177807_51d1e35388_k.jpg)

Meanwhile, a new feature has been developed. A couple of raw shots from the upcoming "Museum Photo Studio" feature, which complements the existing "Aerial Action Photo Studio."

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48058883096_bd9d6e9288_k.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48058884386_74a72fc0db_k.jpg)

watch it in action here!: https://youtu.be/Cw9puDetOTs

And we're expanding! -- a very, (extremely) preliminary shot or two of the next model to be featured in Aircraft in Pixels:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48059058978_001b8078b6_k.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48058999406_eeefede3d7_k.jpg)

And very soon I should be able to share news of an very interesting collaboration project with someone many of you have heard of ;)

more info (http://"https://bomonroe.itch.io/aircraft-in-pixels-2")

Finally -- we have a new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/aircraftinpixels
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels No. 2: Albatros D.V Early-ish Bird Special
Post by: uncletony on June 15, 2019, 09:23:09 AM: This happens to not be the collaboration that I was hinting at in the previous post, but nevertheless I'm extremely grateful to Richard @ Aviattic for supplying a full range of artwork for me to use in Aircraft in Pixels, starting with his unsurpassed lozenge camouflaged fabric patterns in all the flavors...

Here is a test application on an Albatros D.V lower wing model, screen shot taken straight out of the game:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48063942338_384471cb38_o.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48063942443_fc483394ef_o.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48063892026_baf81e2cd1_o.jpg)

(lower loz slightly distorted -- will be fixed next go round...)
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels No. 2: Albatros D.V Early-ish Bird Special
Post by: Gene K on June 15, 2019, 10:13:27 AM: Quote from: Flugzeugwerke on June 14, 2019, 01:56:07 PM

.... a very, (extremely) preliminary shot or two of the next model to be featured in Aircraft in Pixels:

Another one to look forward to! When do you anticipate the Dr.1 will be available for purchase?

Gene K
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels No. 2: Albatros D.V Early-ish Bird Special
Post by: uncletony on June 15, 2019, 10:55:12 AM: Quote from: Gene K on June 15, 2019, 10:13:27 AM

Another one to look forward to! When do you anticipate the Dr.1 will be available for purchase?

Gene K

Hi Gene!

Probably this Fall is realistic for an early release version. There's work left to do on the Albatros D.V as well as the framework to support multiple models -- but I've made a lot of headway in that regard -- partly goaded along by the Fokker Dr.I -- partly by the yet to be announced collaboration ;)

Thanks for your interest & support,

--Bo
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels No. 2: Albatros D.V Early-ish Bird Special
Post by: Whiteknuckles on June 15, 2019, 12:58:56 PM: Hi Bo,

forgive me if you have answered elsewhere: with your excellent renders, such as the D.V's undercarriage, how do you get the texturing/patina to look so great?
Is it based on photo's of your models or just another awesome skill of yours??

Thanks in advance,

Andrew
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels No. 2: Albatros D.V Early-ish Bird Special
Post by: uncletony on June 16, 2019, 12:39:13 AM: Quote from: Whiteknuckles on June 15, 2019, 12:58:56 PM
Hi Bo,

forgive me if you have answered elsewhere: with your excellent renders, such as the D.V's undercarriage, how do you get the texturing/patina to look so great?
Is it based on photo's of your models or just another awesome skill of yours??

Thanks in advance,

Andrew

Hey Andrew!

An awesome skill... or merely something I know how to do, depending on your perspective :)

I'm afraid this gets into how the sausage is made... have a seat.

The model starts out as a mesh:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48066858412_308e1946b6_b.jpg)

We can view it with shading and apply colors to the individual parts in the modeling tool, but the magic happens later:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48066806233_929fb6d80c_b.jpg)

First, we have to map out all the faces of the mesh onto a flat "texture space." This is called "UV mapping." This is the least fun step, but also highly critical to get nice results. This is a map of everything in the model pictured above, minus the wheels and tires, which were done separately:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48066754081_40abbb82d0_h.jpg)

Now we import the model into a tool called Substance Painter. This is where the magic happens. One of the first steps is generating Ambient Occlusion -- the shadows that occur in nooks and crannies. Think of it as akin to a pin wash in 'real' modeling. With this step it's already starting to look convincing...

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48066810633_691364a7e3_b.jpg)

Next, we apply a "steel" texture to the entire model. This is a recipe that comes out of a bottle, so to speak. The recipe is made up of several layers that work to together to make a convincing looking metallic material.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48066809588_40b61fad35_k.jpg)

Now comes the "albatros paint" layer. This is a recipe that I've come up with, based on stuff that others before me have created -- it's a multi layer concoction that starts with a uniform color base layer, and adds various layers of imperfections, grunge and chipping, all generated based on the geometry of the model. In short, it's kind of magic:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48066758361_9d1375fa34_k.jpg)

Wood and other materials are created in a similar way. When it's all done, Substance spits out a bunch of "maps" -- 2D image files -- with different properties of the materials each going into a separate map all laid out according to the UV map created earlier. For instance, there is a map for "glossiness" which is a black and white image, with black standing for full-on shiny gloss, and white completely matte, with all the shades of grey representing the continuum in between. These maps are imported into the project in the game engine, where the model will ultimately be rendered in real time. This picture shows a bunch of maps of all kinds in the game engine, with the "albedo" map -- the "base color" if you like, enlarged in the inset. The blue maps are "normal" maps -- these affect the apparent geometry and make things like paint bubbles and scratches appear to have real depth by altering the way light bounces off the model at that particular point. The gray scale maps are things like glossiness, metallic, and ambient occlusion...:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48066762606_48ad452119_k.jpg)

All these maps are recombined into a "material" in the game engine. When the resulting materialis applied to the sample sphere, it looks like nonsense:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48066874172_4d3a9e73ba_h.jpg)

but when it's applied to the actual subject... viola!

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48066825558_52218ec63f_k.jpg)
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels No. 2: Albatros D.V Early-ish Bird Special
Post by: Gene K on June 16, 2019, 03:10:36 AM: Quote from: Flugzeugwerke on June 16, 2019, 12:39:13 AM
An awesome skill... or merely something I know how to do, depending on your perspective :)

Yes on both counts, I think! Your "sausage making" summary just underscores your technical competence as well as your artistic talent.

Gene K
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels No. 2: Albatros D.V Early-ish Bird Special
Post by: uncletony on June 16, 2019, 10:44:14 AM: Thanks Gene :)

Here's an update on the Fokker ... Aviattic "Fokker Streaking" artwork applied to the WIP Dr.I model. My virtual application mimics exactly how you'd do in with the real decals -- CDL underpainting with assorted grunge & mottling, and the streaking overlaid.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48069976877_b74e858118_k.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48069976937_3a1c022553_k.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48069869666_371dfc410f_k.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48069869776_3683859139_k.jpg)
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels No. 2: Albatros D.V Early-ish Bird Special
Post by: Whiteknuckles on June 17, 2019, 09:29:45 AM: Thanks very much for the detailed explanation Bo - definitely a skill and a talent I'd say!

Wonderful work - your post actually helped explain some of the terms the Livery makers use in X Plane :)

Andrew
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels No. 2: Albatros D.V Early-ish Bird Special
Post by: uncletony on June 17, 2019, 09:44:23 AM: My pleasure Andrew. :)
Title: Aircraft in Pixels No. 2: Albatros D.V/a Update
Post by: uncletony on June 19, 2019, 10:52:55 AM: Basic upper wing structure for generic D.V complete. Still need to add a bunch of details -- gusset plates, compression bars, & details specific to D.V and D.Va variants. & then of course "paint"...

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48089426501_d8d1500d67_h.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48089427021_4d1f0c953b_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48089464123_082fc29a9d_h.jpg)
Title: Aircraft in Pixels Albatros Summer Sale
Post by: uncletony on June 22, 2019, 01:45:31 AM: As part of the Itch 2019 Summer Sale, Aircraft in Pixels: Albatros D.V/a is 50% off through July 1st

https://bomonroe.itch.io/aircraft-in-pixels-2

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48058884386_74a72fc0db_k.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/7868/47377717342_de82f8cf90_h.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/7847/32292108197_85e85af5fe_k.jpg)
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels Albatros Summer Sale
Post by: Gene K on June 22, 2019, 01:48:20 AM: What is Aircraft in Pixels No.1?

Gene K
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels Albatros Summer Sale
Post by: uncletony on June 22, 2019, 08:19:37 AM: Quote from: Gene K on June 22, 2019, 01:48:20 AM
What is Aircraft in Pixels No.1?

Gene K

Good question -- it was a project I did about 10 years ago. The subject was the Messerschmitt Bf-109e. It ran on Facebook (as an imbedded app) and also as an iPad app. It was the original basis for this new iteration, although in the end I ended up scrapping it completely and rewriting it from the ground up.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48105337216_d8bb807e96_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48105334331_149a04a5b8_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels Albatros Summer Sale
Post by: uncletony on June 22, 2019, 08:27:31 AM: PS -- I've already revealed what Aircraft in Pixels #4 will be -- The Fokker Dr.I -- but can you identify what #3 is?

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48105421063_4a892b65c7_k.jpg)
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels No. 2: Albatros D.V Upper Wing Framework
Post by: uncletony on June 23, 2019, 10:28:39 PM: first pass texturing the upper wing framework for the Albatros D.V/ D.Va. A few details subject to change...

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48113509308_59e29e946b_h.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48113470871_26dd036acd_h.jpg)
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels No. 2: Albatros D.V Early-ish Bird Special
Post by: Bughunter on June 23, 2019, 10:42:27 PM: Bo, if you could now invent a export option "Export to the real world" and I can put the result to my glass cabinet, that would be nice ;) 8)
If that is not possible, I would stay in the real world and try to reach, what you have created virtually.
Your pictures are looking sooo real ...

Cheers,
Frank
Title: Re: Aircraft in Pixels No. 2: Albatros D.V Early-ish Bird Special
Post by: uncletony on June 24, 2019, 01:35:56 PM: Quote from: Bughunter on June 23, 2019, 10:42:27 PM
Bo, if you could now invent a export option "Export to the real world" and I can put the result to my glass cabinet, that would be nice ;) 8)
If that is not possible, I would stay in the real world and try to reach, what you have created virtually.
Your pictures are looking sooo real ...

Cheers,
Frank

Cheers Frank! I know you are joking, but that day may be closer than you think! We’re already at the point where hi rez desktop printers are entering the true consumer price range; full color 3D printers exist but the quality is fairly awful... but please remember back not that very long ago when the same was said about 2D color printers!
Title: more upper wing framework
Post by: uncletony on June 25, 2019, 12:24:10 PM: completion of the D.V style aileron frameworks and pulleys leaves the upper wing structure substantially done...

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48123958446_3790ce5de8_h.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48123986988_b43e9facd8_h.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48124052172_dd17f4192c_k.jpg)