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Welcome back to the fifth main progress update for the SWL-120. I'm getting closer to the point where the only thing left is the cockpit, with two core versions of the fuselage being assembled, mods and no mods.
My two recent YouTube videos are also related to this update. Video 1. Video 2.
Modded Fuselage
Non-Modded Fuselage
Fuselage Updates
Over the last month and a bit, I've consolidated all of my separate parts (fuselage, wings, landing gear, engines, tail) into one file (well two, I'll get to that soon). As I've mentioned in a lot of my previous updates, I am using modding to improve performance significantly, such as a 1 part fuselage.
What I've done for all you mobile players out there is created no mods counterparts to each of the modded parts (engines, fuselage, and wings). The landing gear is not modded because the physics would have issues, and the cockpit currently does not have mods. The no mods version is a cargo version, because the windows alone would add 700 parts.
Another brand new part is the cargo bays. Previously, I just had simple cargo doors to an empty cavity, but now, I have somewhat detailed cargo bays. These are only available on the mods version because the no mods version has no cargo doors, and also they are 400 parts for both bays (batched into 10 parts with modding)
Interior Updates
Since the last main progress update, the interior has been fully completed. There are many small details, as well as the galleys. I custom modelled the galleys in an external program for the SWL-120's custom mod. The seats and overhead panels are from klm747's Aircraft Seats mod, which I'm using in the SWL-120's mod as one part for all the seats. I made a video explaining most of this, with the exception of some newer modifications. The interior is a total of just 20 parts with modding.
Another detail I added a little later is passenger signs. In my quest for "Y E S details", I'm trying to add all the details I can think of, so I added them. They can of course be turned on and off from the cockpit, and are accompanied by the tones just like a real plane (this video) is the only recording of the sound I have so far.
Cockpit Updates
The cockpit has undergone extensive changes, with the center panel being separated and scaled up for easier building. I've removed the old radio and waypoint systems, and worked on creating new ones. I used the 787 heavily for inspiration, and as of writing this post, the RMCs (Radio Management Computers) are finished. They are a digitalized version of radio controls, featuring VHF, HF, and navigation frequencies all in one small computer.
The FMC (Flight Management Computer) is still in development, however the keypad input to the "temporary" value is complete. You can write any 6 character alphanumeric string to this value (1-9, ., +, A-Z, and space). The coding behind this is really long and complex, so I'll just sum it up by saying it has over 500 variables for just the RMC (the RMC is the FMC's tiny brother in terms of code length). I estimate over 1000 variables for the FMC. I sort of explain this in this video.
Just a bit of code
All for 1 label lol
Just a few variables
I've also done some work on the cockpit itself (the main file), just some simple stuff like incorporating the new engine variables, and also some tiny bug fixes and improvements.
Different Versions
As I've explained in the past, 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 uses mods to reduce the technical part count of 9000 to just 1500 (approx).
- No Mods | Full plane, but no mods. It's a cargo version, with no windows or doors, and the engines are slightly simpler, with the N2 and N1 components (aside from the front fan) being removed. Most minor details like rivets and possibly the livery will likely also be removed.
- 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.
Release Dates
Not sure yet, I'm still a long way away. I'd say the end of December at the very minimum. I'm getting closer though!
Video Links
- Fuselage Almost Completed! (First Video)
- Getting Closer (Second Video)
Dude when this comes out im trying it on my vr immediately. Keep up the great progress!!!!
@OrderlyHippo kdkfk
@CorporalWojak I mention this in the forum post, and in the latest progress update.
How much parts do you think this will have when its Finished?
@PlaneFlightX Cool thanks for the reply!
@OrderlyHippo It's a little difficult to fully explain, so here are some points
- The autopilot works by itself, you can input parameters such as heading and altitude, and it will try to fly to those targets using some pre-written code
- The waypoint system interacts with the autopilot by basically calculating a target heading to go to a waypoint, and then inputting that heading into the autopilot
- Everything is fully vanilla. The SWL-120 does use mods, but those are just 3D models to reduce part count. I don't even know how to write mods with code, only 3D models.
- It is one thing, but it does require a lot of effort. It only really makes sense when you sit down and try to code it.
Is your waypoint system used to control autopilot? And can the code be re-used in vanilla SP? So much effort for 1 thing…
That’s a lot of code
finally after taking your advice @PlaneFlightX of pressing random buttons i can finally fly the swl-10
@CanadianAircraftBuilder You're half correct. 800 for body (lots of rotators and rivets), and 1500 for the cockpit (lots of buttons and switches).
So with this modded body, its going to be like 860 parts?, (60 for everything, 800 for cockpit)
@CR929thenewSPplayer Yeah just a few, the layout is quite simple and it's a lot of repetition to store lots of different numbers.
@PlaneFlightX ohhhhhh, thanks
"FEW" variables @PlaneFlightX
@MRFOXY09 If you read the forum post, you would have noticed the heading "different versions" at the bottom.
@PlaneFlightX is there going to be an all cargo mobile variant? Or a mobile variant Al all?
@VibesGamer Sure!
Dude this is so cool that i will spread this post tp every simpleplanes friends that i have (if that is ok) :)
@PlaneFlightX well I guess you can say my iPad will explode trying to run it
@PlaneFlightX also to troll make pressing random buttons on the plane makes it explode
@PlaneFlightX alr did that didn't work
@Isuckatsimpleplanes Approximately 1500-2000 for the mods version, and 2000-2500 for the no mods version.
How many parts will this be at the end?
@Memenator1231 Click random stuff for a few hours until you manage to start the engines.
As I can see from the teaser it's really detailed inside and out but if I can't fly the last one how am I suppose to fly this? Eh I just figure it out when it's done