AI Hovercraft

[Dieter]

Long time RTMM users will remember way back about 2011 when the first CIRP version was published. There was an AI Hovercraft part of the package.
This Hovercraft made the trips between Soule Landing and the Stewart, BC area.
Now that we have the new "CIRP_Hovercraft_2019" it should be possible to create an AI version again.

- I tried following: I took the old version (veh_Hovercraft_sm) and changed the [model] folder using the new one from "CIRP_Hovercraft_2019". Additionally I used in the old traffic file (trafficSouleHover.bgl)
- Result: AI Hovercraft is in action.
Problem: the prop doesn't spin.

Ok, I'm not a specialist in this business. Maybe someone more experienced user will find a solution.

[nbrich1]

Got it going too last night. Same procedure Dieter: copied the fsx native model from the updated hovercraft model folder to the ai hovercraft  folder (veh_Hovercraft_sm) and kicked on the ai traffic file (trafficSouleHover.bgl).. and voila it's working again. No spinners but working. Nice.

[Dieter]

And don't forget to put in the old effects getting the wake:
- hama_SRN_1
- hama_SRN_side
- hama_hover_tchdrt

[stiletto2]

You didn't mention copying over any textures.......you might try copying over the prop_srn.bmp texture though I wasn't involved in the final packaging of the 2019 release nor do I have the AI version.  Backup the one you have now just in case it changes nothing.

A spinning prop probably uses the texture I mentioned above....just a thought.

Rod

[Dieter]

Yes, correct, I forgot mentioning the textures.
I copied the folder \texture.CIRP  of  CIRP_Hovercraft_2019.zip. In there is a file called "prop_srn.bmp" but no success.
As I mentioned I'm not a specialist in creating AI models, this was just for my own use.

P.S.
This problem already existed in FSX which I just checked but I wasn't aware of it anymore.

[stiletto2]

Ok, if the prop didn't work for the AI Hovercraft in FSX then the method used to automate the prop for the original Hovercraft may not be compatible with AI operation.

Rod

[Dieter]

Ok, that's what I afraid, too. Thanks for answering.

[stiletto2]

Dieter, I sent you an email.  There are still a few things I can try to see if I can get the prop to spin in AI Mode.

Rod

[stiletto2]

I took a quick look at the files in question and find that the AI sim config was built to operate the hovercraft as a boat.  However, the CIRP_Hovercraft_2019 model and supporting files were built to operate as an airplane.  Therefore, in order for the Hovercraft prop to spin, it would have to be supported by an Airplane AI implementation.  This might require modification to the aircraft.cfg supporting the CIRP_Hovercraft_2019 model but more importantly it would require a completely different traffic file to handle the AI as an airplane.  It is doable but constructing traffic files are outside of my knowledge area and the only one on the staff who knows aircraft traffic files is Dex  In my opinion it is probably not worth the work just to get a prop to spin that  never was able to rotate in its original implementation.

Rod

[dexthom]

Here's a link to the original package.  It is FS9 and was adapted to operate as an AI boat.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/3crg33miu1udfre/HOVER_v03.zip?dl=0


Rod, Just a thought, AI shipping radars are animated, perhaps you could check how that operates..

[Dieter]

Rod,

many thanks for looking into the files. I understand, the problem is bigger than expected.
Anyway, if this can't be done it's ok like it is now.