Any way to view multiplayer models correctly?

[apollosmith]

I've been doing the sim thing forever and am generally very pleased with FS2004. However, there's one think that is really bugging me.

I do almost all of my flying online (not Vatsim). Why is it that I see nearly every custom model in other players as the same thing - either a Cessna or a 737? And if I get in a custom model, they see me in one of these two. Even if I select a custom (i.e., Delta) skin for a default plane, they see a Cessna. Things only work if everyone is in the default planes or if we all have and fly the exact same add-on plane.

Isn't there a way to install basic models for most planes that could show up in multiplayer? It would just be nice if my flying buddy is in an A320 for me to see a basic A320 model (I don't even care about livery), or any Airbus model, instead of a Cessna flying at FL330 at Mach .8.

Vatsim has the CSL libraries that work, but they don't seem to work in other multiplayer environments.

It would be super cool if I could get my ProjectAI models to show up appropriately in multiplayer!!!

Any ideas/solutions?

-Smitty

[madmatt7]

Greetings, Smitty.
I haven't flown any multiplayer with FS2004, but as I recall from FS2002, other flyers' non-default aircraft will only display properly from your viewpoint if you have the EXACT same model in your own library. For instance, I had PSS' SR71 in my own library and I had no problem spotting another player using the same SR71 on one particular crazy evening over at Meigs Field. Same thing with one guy who was trying to take off at KJFK with a flying boxcar. No one else in the session could tell what kind of aircraft he had except for me because I had the C119 in my own library. Hope this helps. - Matt D.

[apollosmith]

This is exactly what I want to get around! Why can't I load basic textures for a SR71 and a boxcar (or something close, ala ProjectAI models) and not the full model and have it show up in multiplayer?

It's seeing Cessna's flying at Mach 3 that is bugging me. It doesn't seem like too difficult of an endeavor. Also, I like to fly my BA747 and I always have other planes taxiing into me because they see a Cessna or 737.

FS is sending the model name, it should be able to display a matching aircraft on your system, provided one is available.

-Smitty

[littlebirdie]

Download the csl basic aircraft models at www.vatsim.net or www.avsim.net they are about FS98 quality but it will show the right aircraft.

[apollosmith]

But I don't think the CSL files work unless you're using Vatsim, right? Or am I wrong?

I'd like the other models to show up in other multiplayer environments too.

-Smitty

[vgbaron]

Smitty -

You don't have to install the WHOLE model. SKip the panel, gauges and sound, Just install the textures and the model files and it should work fine. Of course, you are filling your HD with stuff you don't actually fly but that's your choice. I know you won't need the panel and sound but you can try deleting the model folder and see if the a/c shows in MP. Obviously, if you try to load the plane you will get an error.


HTH,

Vic

[apollosmith]

Thanks for the advice. Though this is a possible solution, it's not a very feasible one. I really don't want to download every model I can find, just so it will show up in multiplayer. And what about payware? I'd rather not have full models flying around me anyway, when the projectAI-like, stripped down models are more frame-rate friendly. I've got 100's of them anyway.

I have about 80 planes installed as it is and still have this problem. In short, you can never install every model you might run into. Nonetheless, it sure would be helpful if FS9 were a little better about displaying models that are close to correct. For instance, if someone I'm flying with has a PMDG 737 and I don't, you'd think that FS9 could look at the model name, see that '737' is in there and show me a 737. Instead, it freaks out and shows a default Cessna.

This may not work with some uncommon model names, but it's major, commonly flown, non-default aircraft (MD's, Airbus, Boeing, etc.) that I'd like to see.

-Smitty

[matsis]

What we at PFSG (Philippine Flightsimmers Group) are experimenting with is to post the title of our plane and the type ahead of the MP session in their forum (http://www.philskies.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=1). Then we make new additions to similar aircraft.cfg's in our own FS setup with a new [fltsim.X] section AND THE EXACT SAME TITLE as posted, i.e.
title=Cessna Skyhawk 172SP
It seems to work, I shall see for myself this saturday.
And by the way, this is a perfect post for the new Multplayer Forum just around the corner!

Mathias

[capn_sonic]

Hey Matthias, Thanks for the promo man, Why not pop over and join in the fun. Only up a week now so we are just finding our feet and finishing off the todo's and we will be all set.

Smitty>
This is the age old MP question and to my knowledge no-one has come up with a reasonable ( Un-complicated ) Solution to date. However, you can determine what aircraft shows up as default when viewing other aircraft during MP. If you have the Cessna Citation for example and others in your session don't then what will show up will be whatever they were in when they joined the session. So, if you wanted to do a session in the citation you could request that users joining without the Citation must join in the learjet. Even if they change their aircraft to another one that you don't have you will still see them in the lear.

Is this making any sense?..........................:-)

When you join a session from the main menu (Before you have selected a fligt) then you will be in the default cessna to others who don't have the same aircraft as you. You need to start a flight and select a default aircraft suited to the session and then join the MP session to be seen as just that.

Nope..................it is getting more and more complicated.......:-)

What happens when everyone is in a seperate addon plane the no one else has got is beyond me. I guess everyone would see everyone in the default cessna...............:-)

Anyway, If you like MP ing then shoot over to the New Multiplayer forum and pull up a stool. The drinks are on the bar waiting.
We will be organising some neat MP stuff this year hopefully, providing we get the interest. Of which I am sure we will.

You know, the advent of ADSL means that more and more are now more than capable to maintain a solid link to an MP session and maybe they don't realise just what they are missing. I love MPing FS it's a real buzz and great for meeting and speaking with likeminded peeps.

Come on over, you will be made welcome.