Converting to AI

[fmansam]

Hi gents,

not sure if its the right section, but.. STUPID

im after making some normal a/c models into AI, not so much for flying, as i want them purely as static a/c in my scenery i am creating.
is it possible or not? or does it just depend on what model it is.....
:think: :think:
im after doing the alphasim merlin (RN) alphasim lynx and the awesome hovercontrol Bell 412 (RAF GRAY) if anyone has the gen could you please let me know, im pulling my hair out here trying and failing..lol :brick: :brick:

[delticbob]

It is possible but its not easy.

basically you would create ai traffic files (using the Lee Swordy 'Taffic Tool's utility) that tell your aircraft to do a flight at say 2.am, or a time you are unlikely to see them flying.

You can not - as far as I am aware - take a non static aircraft (one that is either a default FS9 one or an add on) and make it static.

So any 'static' aircraft you create have to fly...thats what ai does...but as I say if you programme them to do the flying at night, then when you fly during the day they will appear static.

Hope that helps.

Bob

[fmansam]

cheers for that Bob
i understand that bit, but do i have to alter the A?C config file or anything like that?

i know people have in the past for helo's

[DaveB]

Hi Neil,

Rename the model in some way to differentiate between the live one and the AI.. unless you intend to have the live one as AI. It's possible to get AI helicopters to fly but from my experience.. they're not that keen. You need much modified airfiles and cfgs to make this happen (available online). If you want em to show as statics (easy option).. just program them to fly using TTools when you are not likely to be around ;-)

ATB

DaveB :tab:

[johnhinson]

i understand that bit, but do i have to alter the A?C config file or anything like that?

i know people have in the past for helo's

You will need to test it by watching it fly. Many FDEs will perform just fine as AI, but others (often the more complex add-on aircraft) will not.

You would need to find some working FDEs of a similar-performing aircraft and use them in yours. That's the air file and the lower part of the aircraft.cfg. This is easier said than done because you need to use the original lights and contact points and maybe some other things. You can do it if you persevere, on the other hand it may cause your hair to fall out.

J

[petermcleland]

There is no need to actually fly these static aircraft...Here is a FlightPlan.txt file for my Gate Guard at Mcleland Field:-

AC#5,RM784,5%,WEEK,VFR,6/08:59:18,TNG6/09:09:08,010,F,0008,PAMA,6/09:15:18,TNG6/09:25:08,010,F,0008,PAMA

That aircraft is one of the RealAir Spitfire XIVs (not a special AI version)...The way to ensure that it parks where you want and does not actually fly is to give its parking space and the aircraft a unique parking code like this:-

[fltsim.0]
title=Supermarine Spitfire Mk XIV RM784
sim=RAS_Spitfire_Contra-Prop
model=
panel=
sound=
texture=RM784
kb_checklists=SpitfireXIV_Check
kb_reference=SpitfireXIV_ref
atc_id=RM784
atc_airline=LEGENDARY
atc_flight_number=PM
ui_manufacturer=RealAir
ui_type=Supermarine Spitfire F Mk XIV
ui_variation=Contra-Prop Prototype
description=Spitfire F Mk XIV, RM784, Prototype contra-prop test aircraft. Due to reliability issues, the contra-prop never made it onto a production Mk XIV. \n \nSet General Realism Slider to MAXIMUM! \n \nCopyright © RealAir Simulations 2004 - All Rights Reserved \n \nPlease refer to the Flying Guide for tutorials
atc_heavy=0
atc_airline=
atc_flight_number=
atc_parking_codes=GAG

It is that last line that you add...I just invented "GAG" for Gate Guard...You could use ST1, ST2, ST3 etc. and you then use AFCAD to place a Parking Space of suitable size for the aircraft and add that same parking code to the "Properties" of that parking space. That will make sure that nothing else will park there.

Finally, to make sure that it does not actually fly, just do NOT connect that parking space to anything...Just leave it isolated. Now the aircraft will always appear there and never go anywhere, in spite of the FlightPlan for Saturdays :flying:

Just as a matter of interest...When the Staff Round the World Tour is operating, I have a Batch file that activates a different Gate Guard FlightPlan and therefore different Spitfire) for each day of the week that they are away...Then when the Tour is over it reverts to that FlightPlan above. You can use the exact text of that plan for your Statics (FlightPlans.txt file)...Just change the AC#? to one for your static aircraft (in the Aircraft.txt file) and also change the ",RM784," to your aircraft's registration then it will show correctly in the TrafficTools > Explorer

Here is where you add the parking code in AFCAD:-


That selected Parking 93 is not actually connected to anything and the Road just passes nearby to the entrance gate.

[ferryman]

Finally, to make sure that it does not actually fly, just do NOT connect that parking space to anything...Just leave it isolated. Now the aircraft will always appear there and never go anywhere, in spite of the FlightPlan for Saturdays

Congratulations on a simple and elegant solution - no more virtual letters of complaint from irate local virtual residents about broken sleep!

[petermcleland]

Thank you John

[fmansam]

Hi all

many thanks for your ideas etc...but... this one is mainly for peter,

i tried your method and i get nothing, i dont want these a/c to fly, so i did what you said, but i get nothing, i tried with several planes and helo's and it did not work.

i always thought you had to edit the a/c cfg and add ai somewhere, anyway, do you have any ideas or solutions


many thanks

neil

[nigelb]

Brilliant solution, Peter! Now why could'nt I think of that. :brick: