Instant Object Maker

[Kahu]

What do you scenery designers think of this program? I would like to get into scenery design but don't have a huge amount of spear time at the moment, but this looks like this maybe the answer to basic scenery design and not to expensive either

Instant Object Maker

[creator2003]

I havent used it but id say it would be as it says it is ,though id say it would still need the SDKs for export import into sim etc also you would have to place it ...
there is more info about Gmax out there so could be hard to find support when you need it for this one ..

[toprob]

If it works as advertised, then it would certainly be a good way to get into something simple. Since it relies heavily on photo textures, you would still need to do some serious work building textures, which generally accounts for more than half of the time I spend modelling with GMAX.

I don't think you could build an airport, though. Normally developers go to a lot of trouble to optimise scenery for FSX, by reducing vertices, both in the model and the mapping, but IOM just makes a separate object for each face of your model -- so when vertices are normally shared (such as the corner of a box) IOM just repeats vertices, so an IOM model will have at least 3 times the vertices of an optimised model -- maybe more because mapping each face as a separate object doubles the number of vertices.

Still, you wouldn't notice any impact for a handful of models.

[FlyerMike]

I have just started with Instant Oject Maker as Gmax seemed such a hill to climb to get started!
I am trying to reproduce my little local airstrip at Kaipara Flats and luckily that only means 3 buildings and a windsock so frame rates should not be affected.
As Robin said this is really a "quick & dirty" (my words) solution with each part of the building a separate piece with its own texture but the object can be exported to a library and I have successfully tried placing it in scenery with Whisplacer which allows you to see the result in FSX as you do it (Like Ezscenery - but free!)
Anyway I have found the experience fun and will keep going - possibly on to Gmax later - who knows?
I would have liked to incude a screenshot of my first imperfect attempt at the Rodney Aeroclub Hanger but do not seem to be able to attach an image.
Cheers
Mike

[Alex]

Nice work Mike, it's very cool to see something you've made 'come to life' in the sim.

As to the images, check out this guide on how to get it sorted.

Alex

[FlyerMike]

Thanks Alex
Here is the image:

Cheers
Mike

[Timmo]

Doh!

Ive already made it! Id be happy if you wanted to finish it though?



(having problems getting the alpha channel sorted on the trees)



This is for FSX and has window reflections but no light maps. I had intended to model the bridge across the little stream at the entrance and finish the trees......so it just needs a tidy up. If you are making yours for FS9 I dont know what would be easier: Converting my work or continuing with yours?

[FlyerMike]

Oh B****r
Sorry Timmo, reinventing the wheel am I?
Perhaps I should find your scenery first and have a rethink?
I was going up to the airstrip tomorrow to see Rod Millar, to take some better photos but guess you have done it all!
Are you in this neck of the woods? (I live at Snells Beach.)
Anyway it is getting me going with the scenery design - which is highly addictive much to the chagrin of SWMBO - as I have the internal decorating to finish!!!
I will go search for your scenery.
Cheers
Mike

[FlyerMike]

Sorry Timmo
Reread your post and yes I am making scenery for FSX. I do not think the Instant Oject Maker handles transparency at all so I don't think I can attempt the bridge. (Fencing suffered in the recent flooding I fear) I am using photoreal backgrounds from Google via SBuilderX so these cannot be shared I understand.
I could not find your scenery for NZKF - is it still "coming soon"?
I await your input before proceeding!
Cheers
Mike

[Timmo]

Yeah I havent uploaded it as it isnt finished yet....as I say it isnt far off finishing, it just needs some things like trees etc added.

Ill spend some time on it this weekend and send it you- Send me a PM with your email address.

I live in Auckland but went for a drive and took reference photos for Parakai, Spring Hill and Kaipara Flats aerodromes- Ive only modelled Kaipara Flats though.