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Major Updates - SWL-120 Progress Update 4

49.3k PlaneFlightX  2.3 years ago

< Part 5 | Part 3 >

Welcome back to the fourth main progress update for the SWL-120. In this update I will explain how the SWL-120 in theory will have over 10,000 parts, despite having just 1000. I will also explain the latest updates for the SWL-120, which are new engines, progress on the interior, and a new tail section.


Over 10,000 Parts?

A while ago I was working on the SWL-120's wings, and I had an idea of having custom 3D modelled parts. This idea eventually developed into exporting groups of parts from SimplePlanes and adding them back as single parts. The Aircraft Seats mod is a good example of this, and as well as co-developing that mod, I also created my own mod exclusively for the SWL-120. This mod will include things like the entire fuselage as one part, and parts for each "static body", or group of parts which moves together.

By having one part instead of a whole group, the game only has to run one physics script instead of anywhere from tens to thousands, making it possible to have the equivalent of tens of thousands of parts, even though the actual part count is far less. This video explains in detail how this process works. Knowing I could make it into a few parts at the end, I constructed a ultra-high detail engine, based on the GE-90. It includes every single compressor and turbine stage, and also has stator vanes. The main fan was built by klm747klm747 for his own 717, and I (with permission) used it as the front fan for my engine. The spiral was 3D modelled in other software to be perfectly flush with the cone, and as such will not be included in the no mods version of the SWL-120.

Interior Updates

The last progress update featuring the interior is the second update (Part 2), and a lot has changed since then. I made a copy of the plane and removed the wings and cockpit interior, and then started working on the fuselage. The following things are new as of writing this post:
- Fuselage lengthened to be more realistic
- Windows redone to be smooth with the fuselage
- Nose door height increased to reach the ceiling
- Two sets of doors added to main fuselage
- Rear fuselage remade to be similar to the 787
- "Ultimate class" modelled and added to front space, as well as toilet doors and a galley
- Other small updates
The first video in this three part series (for the fourth main update) explains in detail how I can 3D model parts like this. Just like the spiral for the main fan of the engines, the front interior part will not be in the no mods version, since it is a custom modelled part. In fact, the whole interior, including windows, will not be in the no mods version, since they would increase the part count significantly. The fuselage alone with just the windows is 1000 parts. Not ideal. I'm going to make the no mods version a cargo variant.

Ultimate Class

Interior (Seats To Be Added)

Front Galley

Door View

Engine Updates

Since the second update (the third only mentions wings), I have completely redone the engines. As I knew I was going to convert the engines to a mod, I made a fully detailed engine core, with N2 and N1 shafts, with all of the turbine and compressor blades (and stator vanes) included. The second video of this update series is all about coding the functions of these engines.


Tail Updates

Just like the wings, the previous tail section of the SWL-120 used the variable wing mod. Since I want to make a reasonably realistic no mods version, I made the decision to remake the tail. I actually made a video about doing this, and you might know it as my custom wings tutorial. The tail airfoil has been completed as of writing this, with the rudder to be completed shortly after.


Different Versions

As I've explained, the SWL-120 will feature several different versions. The current planned versions as of writing this post are below. There will be three public versions and a few unlisted versions.

Please note all versions will feature an "autostart" similar to the SWL-10's easy mode.

  • Main Version | Full thing. It will include mods to reduce the technical part count of 9000 to just 1500 (approx).
  • No Mods | Full plane, but no mods. The interior and windows will be removed, and the N2 and N1 components of the engine (aside from the front fan) will also be gone. Most minor details like rivets and possibly the livery will also be gone.
  • VR Edition (Flying Cockpit) | Just the cockpit and essential "physics parts". Meant to be used in VR where you spend the entire flight in the cockpit. This will be able to be curated, hopefully. I may have to remove random backend systems to make the 5000 performance cost requirement.

This sounds really complicated, how do I fly this?

What I'm planning is to make a whole manual explaining every single switch, every lever, just everything, including labelled diagrams. There will also be a checklist similar to the SWL-10. Alternatively, you can just go into the "simulator settings" (a little book in the back of the cockpit containing controls usually found in a simulator, not part of the cockpit) and click "autostart". This will set up the aircraft with engines running, and all other switches ready for flight.

Release Dates

Not sure yet, I'm still a long way away. I'd say the end of December at the very minimum.

Video Links

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  • Profile image
    60 NGC543

    Oh

    7 months ago
  • Profile image
    49.3k PlaneFlightX

    @NGC543 Making a mod for Steam Workshop is the exact same as making a normal mod. You just export for Steam Workshop instead of saving normally.

    7 months ago
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    60 NGC543

    @PlaneFlightX ask Andrew or Jundroo how to make mod For Steam

    7 months ago
  • Profile image

    Ik

    1.7 years ago
  • Profile image
    49.3k PlaneFlightX

    @ThatRandomCouchPotato This plane uses mods.

    1.7 years ago
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    My ipad will have a meltdown trying to load this

    1.7 years ago
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    49.3k PlaneFlightX

    @ThatRandomCouchPotato The pillow is 3D modelled, not even built in SP. The rest of the interior is about 1200 parts (and then 15000 parts of seats) batched into two parts. Heavily GPU intensive, not so much CPU.

    1.7 years ago
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    Bet that the pillow has 40 parts

    1.7 years ago
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    OK!

    2.0 years ago
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    49.3k PlaneFlightX

    @TimsonAviation No, I have no idea how to even do that. Everything's on this website anyway, it makes more sense to put everything on this website instead.

    2.0 years ago
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    Can the mods be on Steam workshop?

    2.0 years ago
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    49.3k PlaneFlightX

    @MrCarrot It depends. If I have the modded parts version, about a thousand, but if I don't, it's a few thousand. It's in several files right now so I don't know.

    2.3 years ago
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    35.4k MrCarrot

    How many parts rn

    2.3 years ago
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    Only the strongest of device who can run this kind of bulid

    +1 2.3 years ago
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    50.6k BeastHunter

    T

    2.3 years ago
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    35.4k MrCarrot

    Waka Waka -Pac Man

    +1 2.3 years ago