NZFF

Hi Everyone,

Since there has been a few sceneries for NZ talked about here lately, I thought I would share my project with you. I've been porting over my Riddlez New Plymouth (NZNP) which I developed for FSX originally to the new Microsoft Flight Simulator. I have been working on this, off and on since late Feb when I first got access to the MSFS Beta SDK.

I thought this would be a relatively quick project to port across to MSFS. Especially since the models are mostly completed from the first Riddlez NZNP (apart from the new terminal, a couple of new buildings and a few other things that need to be added). The initial Beta SDK from MSFS was a bit lacking for a while and with work life and few other MSFS sceneries I've been tossing up which on to concentrate on first. It has taken a bit longer than I thought to create.

I've got the architectural building plan (both and exterior) for the new terminal from the District Council. This makes it ALOT easier to create the model as I don't have to guess the dimensions from reference photos! I'll post some updates soon when its textured. It looks a bit dull with no textures. I've kinda made a precedent for myself with by adding in terminal interiors on my last projects. So this this one will be no different.



I look back at the old modelling and texturing I did from the last NZNP and cringe a little at it lol As it looks a bit crap in some places lol. So I'm upgrading ALL the existing models and texture to look better in MSFS. Here’s a comparison of the old FSX style vs the new model for MSFS. I've just upgraded my computer so haven't bothered to install FSX/P3D on my new system. So the old model is from 3Ds Max here.



I LOVEEEEEE the PBR from MSFS. FINALLY we have PBR implemented properly into Flight Simulator. I can do nice realistic reflections. P3D had a particular problem with bump maps and specular maps for sceneries. So I gave up on them. As you can see here with these screenshots, is an example of what PBR I have implemented for Riddlez New Plymouth.



I'm waiting on the airport construction crew to add in a new carpark where the former terminal was so I can update the ground polygons (or projected mesh as it's called now). Not much needs to be changed other than the new terminal area and a new apron for a refueling area by the tower. As well as some new painted lines on the sealed areas.


On another note. Not sure if anyone saw this. They knocked the old terminal down. Almost shed a tear when I saw the old terminal being knocked down! Though the new one is like a mini international terminal and is pretty cool for New Plymouth!


I'm currently away from the office, so when I get back to my work station and project, I will post some more screens.

Will keep you updated!
Riddlez (Che)

Fantastic Riddlez, keep up the good work, look fwd to the release (and to installing MSFS myself )

Amazing, Che. Yeah, I will certainly go along with how MSFS handles PBR, it is really allowing me to build scenery which is a lot closer to my original vision. And it is important to rework a lot of stuff to take advantage of it.
Keep up the good work. I am sure that your ground work will be right at the top of the field, as always!

Awesome work, that looks fantastic. Well worth the work to upgrade to PBR.
I have been through NP airport dozens of times this year (both before, after and during the new terminal opening. I love the new terminal.

Cheers Guys thank you!

deaneb wrote:Awesome work, that looks fantastic. Well worth the work to upgrade to PBR.
I have been through NP airport dozens of times this year (both before, after and during the new terminal opening. I love the new terminal.

Hi Dean, from memory you come from down south Taranaki? You reminded me I forgot to mention, I'm also doing Hawera, Stratford and Norfolk Rd Aerodrome as part of the package too. I went and got reference photos of them last year and thought it would be good to include them.

Yeah - I grew up in Hawera. Left to join the Air Force when I was 18 way back in 1986 and never lived in the Naki since. My parents now live in NP. I live in Blenheim but was working for Todd Energy in the NP office from Jan to August this year as part of their acquisition of the Kapuni Production Station.
Can't wait to see Taranaki done!!

Im looking forward to this!
Hopefully my copy of MSFS will be not as broken as it now when it’s released.

deaneb wrote:Yeah - I grew up in Hawera. Left to join the Air Force when I was 18 way back in 1986 and never lived in the Naki since. My parents now live in NP. I live in Blenheim but was working for Todd Energy in the NP office from Jan to August this year as part of their acquisition of the Kapuni Production Station.
Can't wait to see Taranaki done!!

Small world! I'm living back in New Plymouth fulltime now since last year. I probably past you in the street an didn't realise!

Naki wrote:Im looking forward to this!
Hopefully my copy of MSFS will be not as broken as it now when it’s released.

Thanks mate! Yeah it is a bit broken at the moment. I was hoping to add in flowering red Pohutukawas and Cicadas for the summer season in this NZNP project, but MSFS hasn't really implemented seasons yet either.

WIP. Haven't placed all the buildings and objects I've been working on yet (especially the terminal which I'll do at the end of the project). Sorry the project is a bit rough atm haha, I wanted to post some screens when I had the Pohutukawas installed, but oh well haha. Ignore the missing windows lol, which I'll install on most of the buildings all at once. The ground at the real NZNP hasn't finished yet so the real airport is a WIP too haha. I've got plans of the new carpark layout which I have modeled up. Just waitinag on them to finish it off in real life, but the plans don't always match real life so I'll wait until its complete.

Wow! Looking good! Any previews of Stratford?

That is looking great. Out of interest is there any way to "mow" the grass in MSFS? From most MSFS sceneries I have viewed the grass seems unreasonably long.

Awesome stuff, cant wait to see it.

Thanks everyone!

I haven't got a preview of Stratford yet. I'll most likely get them completed after NZNP along with Hawrea and Norfolk Road.

I haven't found a way yet to mow the grass. Not sure if it is possible, Robin may know? I'd really like to know lol.

The grass seems to depended on the colour of the aerial image underneath. Darker green seems to have longer grass than lighter green. Its especially annoying if the bing map imagery is dark. And if its brown it defaults to a dirt texture and there isn't a way to changed it. I flew out of NZNP this morning actually. And the grass taxiways/runways have their grass mown really short compared to the rest of the airport, so I hope Asobo fix this!

Any news on this project?

Naki wrote:Any news on this project?

I've been talking to Riddlez, he's unable to get MFS to run on his PC after the updates. Reinstalling doesn't even fix it. So progress has essentially stopped for the last two months.

Oh bugger. Had the same issue myself but finally got there.

Sorry about not posting an update about this sooner.

I'm roughly 75% of the way through completing this project. Got the interior of the terminal to complete, which will be the last big hurdle. As well as lots of miscellaneous different items to finish off. It seems like there are 1000 little things to complete before it's done!

I might release NZNP first then do a Taranaki addon later. This will have the 3 other airports (Hawera, Stratford and Norfolk) as well as adding in landmarks around Taranaki Like the chimney, Hawera water tower, those sort of things.

I really want to do either Palmerston North or Hamilton for my next New Zealand airport. Both are roughly the same distance away from me being based in Taranaki to go an take reference photos etc. I'm not sure which one to do, both seem like good options.

Great to see this progressing, Che! As always, your 'ground' work is impeccable.

Yes ....that's awesome news...thought the project might of died... looks great!

Outstanding. Attention to detail is amazing!
Totally appreciate the time it takes to get this done. As an aside are you planning on doing Beck Helicopters site at Eltham?