[flyboy424]

OK, with my commercial pilot program done (by done I mean that it is only maintainance left and, yes, a port to Mac, and Linux) and more time off college then I originally anticipated, I am looking for a new project to do. I have already stated my interest in develping plug-ins to help enhance X-Planes space simulation, and will gladly take on the task of producing them, but before that I wouldn't mind getting to grips with the SDK a bit more first. I know VezePilot is wanting a space docking plug-in and I have had some thoughts about it, but before I think about committing I wouldn't mind to get a gliding utilities plug-in created as I think it should be quite similar, if my intended approach works. Basically, as a glider pilot I feel that X-Planes gliding simulation isn't quite what it could be, although I am grateful that we have winch and tow launches whereas FSX is the first FS to get even just winch launch (ahh, I remember my friend feeling so smug when he got his new copy shortly after release and bragging to me about winch launches. I though I'd let him remain happy as he'd already said he didn't like X-Plane, which I was never able to overcome the shock of to ask why ). Anyway, the part I'm really looking to work on is towing back to the start position. I'm just thinking of a series of co-ordinates, stored in a file for each airport, that the plug-in will guide the aircraft towards so that a new launch can be started. I'm also thinking, perhaps, about re-doing the winch launch system, as when I was doing my gliding we were told to release the cable at 1000ft whereas I'm barely hitting 800ft, but that could just be difference in piloting (it's kinda hard to judge in a 2d cockpit if your heels are on the horizon during the launch ). I understand that it would most likely require learning OpenGL to render the cable as I'm not too good at 3d modelling (yeah, even a straight line is hard for me ), but at the moment it is just an afterthought so I'm not to worried about that bit. I've been looking through the datarefs and a couple of the XPLM stuff and was wondering what I need to use to get the aircraft going. I take it that the /sim/flightmode/position/groundspeed dataref is what I need for towing the glider along, and obviously the local X, Y and Z for the aircraft position (which I will check against the stored co-ordinates, of course). Well, I guess all that remains now is to continue studying for my remaining exams, apologize for the long post and await Sandy's inevitable response.

This post has been edited by flyboy424: 18 June 2008 - 05:31 AM

[Sandy Barbour]

Am I that predictable. looks like it.

That is good to hear that you will be continuing the plugin adventure.
Have a read of this technote as it will come in useful when you want to control the aircraft.

http://www.xsquawkbox.net/xpsdk/phpwiki/in...?MovingThePlane

[flyboy424]

Am I that predictable. looks like it.

Look at it this way, you created the SDK so you are the best person to comment on plug-in development. By the way, 4 minutes to reply is pretty impressive, but I saw your reply on Snailpup's simple pushback as I searched the forum today and that was very impressive, just 2 mins I believe. Anyway, the link you provided is going to be a great help, and I am now thinking about letting the user steer, like in simple pushback, instead of an auto-steer (it would certainly make my job easier ). I still have 6 exams to complete, 4 next week and 2 more a couple of weeks later, so I still have time to think before getting started.

[Sandy Barbour]

Look at it this way, you created the SDK so you are the best person to comment on plug-in development. By the way, 4 minutes to reply is pretty impressive, but I saw your reply on Snailpup's simple pushback as I searched the forum today and that was very impressive, just 2 mins I believe. Anyway, the link you provided is going to be a great help, and I am now thinking about letting the user steer, like in simple pushback, instead of an auto-steer (it would certainly make my job easier ). I still have 6 exams to complete, 4 next week and 2 more a couple of weeks later, so I still have time to think before getting started.

A lot of the stuff can be answered off the top of my head.
That is because I live and breathe this stuff.
You have a lot to look forward to when your exams are over.
It has been a very long time since I sat exams but I still remember it well.

[crazymike]

"Break a leg" old US Showbiz slang for good luck on your exams.

[flyboy424]

Thanks crazymike, at least the big ones are out the way already, Maths C2 and all 3 AS Physics (although Maths Mechanics 1 is still to come). I've had a little think about it and I think I might just have a go at a new winch launch system in my plug-in. I'm thinking now about having a basic V8 version, which could do launch and tow, and a much better V9 version that takes advantage of the new object load functions in the SDK 2.00. I'll need help though as my 3d modelling ain't too good. I'll focus on my exams and getting v1.2 of my commercial pilot program out over the next couple of weeks, plus getting Upavon airfield and an Air Cadets repaint for the Grob 103 Viking done so I can re-live my gliding scholarship during testing . It took a bit to realise it but going up to that airfield every weekend for 3 months until I went solo was actually one of the best times of my life. By the end I was quite tired of it, but I do now miss it slightly. Still, soon I should start training for a PPL so the fun will really begin .

[flyboy424]

You know, I'm getting a little worried as yesterday when I had some time between lessons I immediately decided to start writing out some of the code I might need for this project, which is quite unusual for me. I think next time I'll have to bring in a book to read . Anyway, I did get some useful stuf done and worked out a few things I'm going to need to sort out for this, as well as a few things to look into further. Once I've got my commercial pilot project out the way I'll get started on this and hopefully have a finished plug-in out soon. I've got a rough outline of my current aims on my site so stop by and take a look to be sure of what I'm hoping to create (link is in my signature, in case anyone wasn't sure ).

This post has been edited by flyboy424: 18 June 2008 - 05:39 AM

[Sandy Barbour]

You know, I'm getting a little worried as yesterday when I had some time between lessons I immediately decided to start writing out some of the code I might need for this project, which is quite unusual for me.

Quite normal behaviour.
I have done some really good code in my head when I am out on my walks.

This post has been edited by Sandy Barbour: 18 June 2008 - 06:36 AM

[flyboy424]

I guess it's easier for you as your really good at this stuff, for me I'm still learning really so it's quite odd for me to do something like this. Ah well, the important thing is that I'm making progress.

[Sandy Barbour]

I guess it's easier for you as your really good at this stuff, for me I'm still learning really so it's quite odd for me to do something like this. Ah well, the important thing is that I'm making progress.

I was thinking more of when you are working on something really interesting and you just can't get it out of your head.
I have been programming for 30 years and I still enjoy it and still continue to learn.