PlaneMaker-15-Blender-01 Establishing a Link btwn PlaneMaker & Blender

[ForethoughtPro]

I've got a little problem, the insulation of the xplane2blender went smoothly enough, but when I try to import a .obj that was generated in plane-maker, it doesn't show up. No error code, just doesn't show up. I can export .obj for xplane just fine and they show up in plane maker, but I cant import any thing...

[danklaue]

@ForethoughtPro What version of Xplane2Blender are you using? 3.20? I don't think it supports importing PlaneMaker objects. You'll have to use Blender 2.49 and XP2B 3.10 to get the object into Blender 2.49, then import it into Blender 2.5+.

[ForethoughtPro]

@danklaue Ahh.. that could be the problem, I'll try it out!

[Warp10000]

Hi, Dan. I tried to followed this tutorial but when trying to export the cube into x-plane as you suggest i get this error message: "Xplane2blender error you must create X-Plane layers first". I'm using Blender 2.61 and script version 3.20 beta 1. Have you ever encountered this error? Or am I missing something? I wasn't able to find any help with this on the web so far ...

[Warp10000]

@Warp10000 There was this one tutorial which suggested tighing the cube to an empty before exporting it to X-Plane, but that didn't seem to help, actually ...

[danklaue]

@Warp10000 Well, you need to set the export layers. the 3.20 script requires you to define which layers you want to export. You do that on the "Scene" button. Under "X-Plane," go through and define what the object names and their respective textures should be. Then, depending on which layer is currently active, that object will be exported.

[Warp10000]

@danklaue

I got it, it works now, thank you very much!

[ZaneIsRandom]

when the prompt pops ups during the install, I am getting a screen that states "Failed to find the correct location for the scripts", any suggestions?

[danklaue]

@ZaneIsRandom Are you using the correct version of the script for the correct version of Blender?

Script version 3.10 is for Blender 2.49

Script version 3.20 is for Blender 2.5+

3.10 will not work in Blender 2.5, and likewise, 3.20 will not work in Blender 2.49. These two versions of Blender use different Python implementations.

[MrMoorkey]

I don't appear to have the misc. objects button in plane maker. (X-Plane v8, Win Vista). Any advice? (Not 'buy a mac'. ha ha. Never heard that lol)

[danklaue]

@MrMoorkey You need X-Plane v9, not v8. You can download a free demo of X-Plane v9, which includes the PlaneMaker software.

And yes: get a Mac. :)

[MrMoorkey]

@danklaue Thanks! I have just downloaded the update to 8.64, and that does misc objects. UCAV EDI and Airwolf on the way! (well, if I can figure out how to make wings invisible hahahahahahahaha) Cheers buddy!

[danklaue]

@MrMoorkey X-Plane version 8 is ancient. I do recommend just getting XPv9, as these tutorials are meant for that version. Show/Hide functionality can be found under PlaneMaker's "Expert>Invisible Parts" menu. I show this in my tutorials as well.

[MrMoorkey]

@danklaue Cheers. Haven't the money to buy X-Plane 9, or a newer PC for that matter :-( Thanks for your help anyhow.

[Trevorpilot123]

Thank you so much for these tutorials! I do have a small problem, however. When I install the plugin, all looks normal, but when I open blender and go to "import" or "export", then I can't find the format that X-Plane can read. Can you help me with this? Thanks!

[danklaue]

@Trevorpilot123 Have you tried following the Readme's instructions (included in the script's download)?

If not, maybe you're missing the most recent version of Python. That's a free download as well, which you can just punch into Google to get for your platform.

[EmberDrakon]

For some reason the link you show to X-plane does not work! i was wondering if you had any idea what the problem could be because i have tried several times with no success.

[SeabassD]

Dear danklau,

thank you for the tutorial. I have come until the point where I see my png file on the right and my plane in textured view on the left within blender, but now I am unable to select my png texture file so that I can link the two. I would appreciate your help on this. Thanks Seabass!

[sareedco]

When I attempt to install the Blender scripts I get this error:

Installing Blender scripts . . .

Failed !!!

Install the Blender application, eg by copying it from the disk image

to your Applications folder or Desktop, then run this installer again.

logout

[Process completed]

Blender is copied to my Applications folder. Can the scripts be copied manually. What is the destination folder?

Thanks for your tutorials! They are excellent!

[Rubahnn]

@sareedco I've got the same problem :(

Anyway, nice tutorials. The HD quality makes it a lot more easier to follow the steps.

[randymeredith]

Dear Danklaue,

Thanks heaps for your tutorials. I have become quite excited about building planes in X-Plane.

I do have one question: How can you use Plane-Maker to create non-symmetrical engine nacelles? I am trying to create a Saab 340B, and it does not have the nice round shapes of the ERJs.

Thanks again!

[danklaue]

@randymeredith

X-Plane's rudimentary 3D capabilities are not adequate to make non-symmetrical shapes. You could either just roughly model the Saab's nacelles and make do with what PlaneMaker has to offer, or try to get creative using miscellaneous bodies to make the halves different; or, if that still doesn't cut it, you'll have to sharpen your teeth and bite into Blender or some other 3D graphics software to make the parts you want modelled more accurately.

[randymeredith]

@danklaue

Thanks for the very prompt reply. I have taken your advice to heart and am sinking my teeth into Blender. I am blown away that such a program is freely available. With all the tutorials (video & PDF) out there, I feel I am making reasonable progress.

I will jump ahead in your Blender/X-plane tutorials a little bit to pick up a few tips as well. Thanks again.

[weylin6]

How does X-Plane do for simulating airships? Is there any support for it?

What about collision detection between aircraft?

I wanted to test the plausibility of something like a flying aircraft carrier, and different mechanisms from a docking hook to a runway

Carriers and frigates move around yet are collideable, I don't see why an aircraft couldn't be, except for that fact that there's space below them.

[danklaue]

@weylin6 It simulates lighter-than-air craft... If I remember correctly, someone has already built a flying aircraft carrier. Google it. You'll probably find it.

[donnchadh5]

EXCELLENT SERIES!

[owntor1]

I am having a problem with the python scripts. I ran the install script and that seemed to go well.

Clicking file/export/x-plane v8v9 object in blender gives me a message box saying there is a python error. In the console I am getting these errors: no module named math; no module named _socket; could not locate runnable browser.

I am using Blender v2.49, python 2.3 build, mac OS 10.4. I am using the default python installation. What could be the problem here?

[danklaue]

It could be any number of things. I'd start by updating Python. The stable release is at 2.61 right now.

That's my best guess, given the info I have.

[danklaue]

@owntor1

Not 100% sure... my guess is, that it's your version of Python. Try updating it.

[owntor1]

@danklaue I updated to OS 10.6 and that did the trick.

[Champ7ACMan]

Never mind. I manually copy and pasted the files into the directory specified in the command prompt. Keep up the great tutorials!!!

[Champ7ACMan]

Great videos Dan, It's awesome the amount of information you have given to the community through these tutorials. I absolutely love them!

I do have a problem though. When I install the script for Xplane2Blender it says in the command window, "Installing scripts...

Access is denied"

and then it asks if I extracted all of the contents of the zip. Which, I have - I've double checked. Perhaps you could shed some light on this?? Or should I contact the creator of the application for this? Thanks!

[danklaue]

@Champ7ACMan

It sounds like you're maybe working on a computer that you don't have root access for? Or maybe you need to install Python. (Free download. you can google it.)

Other than that, I wouldn't know what to recommend. I hope you figure it out!

Try creating a new folder somewhere, opening up the .zip file, and dragging the contents of the .zip file to the new folder you've created. Maybe that'll work.

[dvds4ever]

i am putting the obj file into X-plane and nothing happens. i put it in wireframe to and nothing is there.

[danklaue]

You made something in Blender, exported it, and it doesn't show up in X-Plane? Did you make sure that whatever it was that you made was in layer 1 in Blender?

THE SCRIPT WILL ONLY EXPORT WHATEVER IS IN LAYER 1, 2, or 3, but LAYER 1 IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE. (2 and 3 are for lower-res objects at higher distances).

Keep watching the tutorials. You'll get to the part about layers. If you get stuck on something, sometimes it's best to skip over that part, watch the rest, and get back 2 it.

[dvds4ever]

IT DOESN"T WORK!!!! When I load it up and look at the screen nothing is there!!!

[danklaue]

You're not being specific enough. What are you loading up? An .obj file in PlaneMaker or an .acf file in Blender? What screen are you looking at, and did you go through the instructions properly?

I can't help you if you're not describing your problem.

[TheCosmicFrog]

Question:

Does X-Plane recognize a Blender object as something which physically alters the geometry of the plane? If you built wings in Blender would they create lift in X-Plane?

[danklaue]

No it does not recognize .obj files as containing any aerodynamic data. Hence, you'll have to model the plane twice: once for aerodynamics and once for looks.

Luckily, the process of creating a plane in PlaneMaker isn't all that difficult, and the results are quite decent.

The workload ratio between PlaneMaker and Blender is about 1:10, depending on how detailed you want the plane to be. If you spend x time on the PM model, expect to spend 10x on the Blender hi-detailed model.

[TheCosmicFrog]

Aww, that's disappointing. But still, as you said, you can make a very competent flight model using PM alone. I've just completed takeoff and landing tests using an original aircraft based off of your tutorials i.e. it's not an ERJ 140, but I used many of the ideas you set forth. Thank you for giving me the confidence to do this. I look forward to creating many great aircraft in the future and possibly even posting them up on the org forums for others to enjoy.

[danklaue]

Actually, it is said that X-Plane models the aerodynamics within 3% accuracy. So, if you build a 747, and you have all the relevant data available, and it's accurate, and you punch it in to PlaneMaker, the 747 should have the same cruise speed, top speed, stall speed, roll ratio, etc. with a +/- 3% error, of the real thing.

That's quite amazing, actually!

You see, MS FS requires you to build the 3D model, and then punch in the stall speed, top speed, etc. as standalone parameters. Sucks.

[TheCosmicFrog]

(continuation)

Just a quick question:

My plane seems to have a serious lack of lift. Is there anything I can do to increase lift aside from increasing the size and length of the wings? How does "dihedral" affect lift i.e. positive and negative angles?

[danklaue]

Lift is attained with the right selection (or creation) of an airfoil. Go to the "Airfoils" menu in PlaneMaker, and select one of the available options. Most of those are popular ones.

AirfoilMaker is still somewhat obscure to me.

[TheCosmicFrog]

Great, thanks!

[TheAvFreak]

I don't know why, but I get a whole bunch of text like rudder1_deg next to the segments of the plane. Any idea what the cause might be?

[danklaue]

We'll get to that in later tutorials. Those are datarefs... and we'll use them later to animate stuff. For now, just delete the objects in Blender called "Bones" or "Armatures" (using the "Select" menu at the bottom left, and "Select all by type" and "Armature".

[Breyne]

Nice introduction tutorial, I use blender a couple o months, I not try to make a plane yet just aprimoring my abilities, but I don't make ideia how to append .obj to planes, keep up the good work!