I'm pretty sure they're water tight. - - - Updated - - - Low poly model's done. It consists of 49 different pieces! Though that number could increase if I have to jbeam the interior as well. - - - Updated - - - So I now have 49 jbeam files and no idea what to do or how to do it. Can I somehow put many of them in the same file? Cause Mitch's B-25 has 63 parts and yet only 19 jbeams and works perfectly. Can someone please help me?
I probably should have specified that you don't strictly need slots to create separable pieces. You can do that within any given JBeam file, slots just divide up the JBeam between multiple files. I would recommend starting with a single, central section that will contain all the exterior camera references. Make that the 'main' slot, and build outward from there. There's also breakgroups, but I have no earthly idea how they work. Edit: Oh, and it's possible to include multiple slots inside of a single JBeam file. Not always helpful, but it might keep things organized.
Well, I didn't ever plan on making these all slots, they're just the parts that can break off. - - - Updated - - - Got rid of most unnecessary vertices/nodes and joined some stuff as a single object (Each bomb bay door was a single object, now both are attached to the nacelle, for example). Looks like I still have some node trimming to do, I just counted and the Mariner currently uses 668, well above the recommended limit of 600. Managed to reduce it to 595 without much effort or affecting the structure too much.
I have no clue if I'm doing this right, but it seems to be working. Honestly, Jbeaming is easier than I thought. A lot more boring though.
That may take a while, I still gotta learn how to make it fly or even float. Plus I'm currently getting the game to glitch out and I'm not sure what file's causing it. - - - Updated - - - Okay, so I need help. Turns out everything was very glitchy because I didn't know I had to give the nodes from different parts a different prefix, now they all show p. THe problem is they sink right through each other! It's like they're not even there! Can someone please help?
- Why are you making wheels out of N/B? Wheels in the official cars are generated from a few parameters, less nodes to work with. - Nodes will move through each other because you don't have any collision triangles. Collision triangles will allow nodes from the vehicle itself and other vehicles to collide - You have way to many beams and not enough nodes. It should look like a latticework, just like a really low poly 3D model. I really suggest using the jbeam blender plugin (http://www.beamng.com/threads/5775-Blender-Script-to-Export-Nodes-and-Beams), that way you can work a lot quicker, a visually see the entire jbeam before export.
I am using that plugin, the amount of nodes may seem too little, but there are actually different objects here, two huge ones with few nodes and two small ones. About the coltris, then is this supposed to happen 'til I add them? And I haven't added wheels yet, that's the landing gear strut. I realize now it was a poor name choice.
Almost done exporting the jbeam, you can seen it's starting to look like a Mariner. - - - Updated - - - A shot with the engines in place: B-25 for scale: - - - Updated - - - There we go, full jbeam! Well, before adding all the hydros and wheels, of course. And 2 screenshots with the parts selector
Thanks, man. She might become usable as a boat pretty soon, Razer's helping me out with buoyancy. As a plane, might take longer. PS: I just counted, only 459 nodes! That's less than the B-25! Then again, I am missing all the hydros and wheels.
You're welcome. Having an aircraft that can land/takeoff/float on water is yours for the taking and would be an incredible leap in my book.
Looks like it's coming along! Can't wait to see it! And prove you're better at this stuff than me! (lol)
Well, release is still miles away, but jbeam is coming along nicely. I might look into thrusters in the future, to simulate JATO:
So today I managed to find the ONLY picture that clearly shows the Mariner's nose in detail, with a very visible color. Others are of the last surviving Mariner, which is painted black and dark blue, making it very hard to see details.
Nothing like building landing gear without blueprints. CrazyCarBoy, you think your buddy can help with this? There are literally no blueprints of the PBM-5a.
He may be able to. I can check in with him, but he might have trouble, considering he doesn't usually work with landing gear in his game, but it couldn't hurt to check. ☻☺
My it's hard to find anything on this plane. Anyway, thought I'd throw my weight against it, came up with this book. There's a few assembly pictures in the preview, not sure if they're any use to you, but they can't hurt.
