AC Aircraft

[Gilikov1994]

I'm excited Voltaire

[Voltaire]

December 4 2009

747-8 Basic Texture Set complete



The lower hold doors are finished now as well... the small bulk compartment door folds inwards, so only the opening is visible. Panel lines here are darker than usual, because this is my test setup. Nightlights are next, and the ground equipment after that.


Thanks, Gilikov!

strucka, Requests are going to have to wait until current projects are done. There is a huge backlog of aircraft BATing and Lotting to accomplish, and I'm currently projecting completion of everything around April-May 2010.


Stay tuned... this should progress more rapidly now, because the catering truck and pallet loader are complete too 

[ShadeSlayer]

Looks good. Do you have any pictures of the cargo loader?

[cameron1991]

That looks awesome!

The 747-8 is my favourite aircraft, I'm so happy that it will soon be in SC4! 

Will you be doing the 747-8i variant as well?

[strucka]

Great job Voltaire! 
Yet again you amaze us.
About that request... donworriaburit... =) It wasn't even a request... just a small wish...

[pete3d]

that´s really cool work!

respect!!!

[Voltaire]

December 31 2009

Mega Update - 747 Project

To wrap up the year, I'd like to show the great progress happening in the 747 arena. For the last six months, 3D-modelling was split into three branches -- the new 747-8, modifying the 747-400, and new ground equipment. Now these development branches are converging, with great results so far, and much more to come.

To say it's been a struggle is an understatement -- the 747 model changelog is two pages long and still growing.  Preliminary in-game testing of six alpha versions showed flaws in the LODs, lighting anomalies, and a few dumb errors... must un-hide wings before rendering 

Many dozens of improvements, whether designed or discovered by chance, have finally been distributed across the entire series... which means it's finally time for photos   
I don't usually post the full-scale images, but it seems appropriate given these are the first photos of what you'll actually get in the downloads.


The first complete livery for the 747-8, Emirates SkyCargo






New 747-400, El Al Israel Airlines






When making the catalog earlier this year, I was reminded how I was never really satisfied with the United white livery... too much contrast, not enough detail. A quick trial run (old textures, current model) turned out much better, so I decided that it deserved a full rebuild.

A little work on the tail and main logo, and it looks a new plane 




And, some news on the release lineup. The 747 set will be split in two releases, the first has nine passenger airlines, followed by a separate Freighter package. The second release will feature more than just the 748F -- also the 787, and the passenger-to-cargo conversion 747-400BCF.

=========================

A closer look at the loader for ShadeSlayer




Cameron - yes, a Lufthansa passenger version is definitely in the works -- and I'll be delighted to make more, if new orders are placed

Thanks strucka and Pete3D!

======================


From myself and the AC Team,

Have a Safe and Happy New Year!

[jpj_starfleet]

Awesome Work!!! especially love the loaders, the one item missing from all the airport packs and I Just saw an EL-AL 747 on the LAX webcam and now here it is in Sim City!!

[Girafe]

These planes are awesome 

fantastic 

[adroman]

Looking mighty fine, Voltaire... you must have the patience of a saint to model every single piece to the sets 

I'm looking forward to seeing some more Downunder liveries!

One question, though, are these going to be rendered in HD?

Havva good one,
Adrian.

[Gilikov1994]

Great!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm excited if there's comming a new 747 package

[Jack Bauer]

That's such a great update!! the Emirates 747 looks huge and the El Al one is perfect. The 747 United is looking truly better. Have you planned to make the Air France 747?

[ShadeSlayer]

Marvelous. I am simply amazed. I suppose I'll have to make a bit of an add-on package with 747's for my Cargo Loaders that are already out.

[JDOG4545]

These are amazing but what about airtran?

[nekseb]

Wonderful airplanes - would it be possible to become the lufthansa 747 only as a prop airplane (without finger and ...) because I try to build the Rhein-Main-Airport at Frankfurt in SC4 and I wan't to make some lot's with the machines at Taxiways - Thanks.

[manchou]

Wow ! Very great work ! I love your planes ! It's wonderful 

[Voltaire]

February 6, 2010

First Complete 747-8



The first finished ACAircraft 747-8 is a passenger version, for launch customer Lufthansa 

A little background - in the real world the first 747-8 (freighter version) is just completing construction, and will fly for the first time very soon. The passenger type represented here, will begin assembly sometime in 2011.

Visible differences vs the 747-400 include: larger windows, stretched upper deck, longer wings, larger engines, new wing-body fairing (hardest part!), and new landing gear.







The newest 747-400 addition, Delta Air Lines (ex Northwest)




================


Thanks Girafe, Gilikov, ShadeSlayer, manchou

Jack Bauer, Air France is not in the passenger package now, but I will be doing a request session this summer, stay tuned. I may re-release the Cargo version to reflect their new livery, but that's not decided yet.

Jdog, AirTran Airways does not fly the 747 -- they have only 717 (MD-95) and 737 planes.

nekseb, yes each plane will be available in multiple styles this time -- with and without jetways, and some airlines will have the supertug attached too.

Adrian, I've tried some HD renders... my conclusion is that the current HD process is unsuitable for large objects.  The problem can be seen in this 757 comparison:



The HD prop's zoom-5 looks worse than the normal version, especially the tail. Yes, the zoom-6 becomes outstanding but at the cost of zoom-5, I don't think it's worth it. Fixing the issue requires EA granting access to the EXE source code, which will likely never happen.

However, if a better HD method comes along that makes zoom-5 and zoom-6 look great, I'll be happy to switch over.

===============


With multiple versions of each plane, comes a lot of extra rendering time, so I actually got another computer up and running to double the pace. This project should now be on track to begin Lotting in a couple weeks.

next up: Korean Air -- they have recently ordered the 747-8 passenger version 

[jpj_starfleet]

Outstanding work Voltaire! especially the Delta 747, I have one question/comment... isn't all bagage on the 747's containerized before reaching the plane? do they use small belt loaders airside like in the picture?  Thanks


GO SAINTS!!

[cameron1991]

Awesome work! I really like that Delta livery! 

[oktoberfest]

now this is friggin amazing! Do yall kno when these r gonna b released?