B17 Flying Fortress [ARMA REFORGER] (WIP)

[meager umbra]

Hi guys I'm very glad to announce the development of the b17 bomber model still few months to go to polish it and finish it., i hope to see if fully finished and in the game

i want people to be freely able to move inside aircraft as we did in games like call of duty but with modern graphics

[candid rune]

Hell yea!

[velvet hollow]

what size runway do you aim for it to be able to take of from, and will grass/desert airfields also work? From a physics standpoint, or will it need a smooth long runway to take of from.

im asking as a mapper, who might be interested in using this asset for future game modes on the maps my team is developing

[proud nebula]

I'm making about 2 kilometers runways for my maps

[velvet hollow]

that is massive, my team we are currenly working with 1km runways they are large enough for everything up to and including a C-130 albeit an Antonov and C-5 galaxy cant land there 😂

[meager umbra]

idk about runways ill need to learn workbench first but for now i aim to finish the model first and rig it and optimize it and eveyrhting thats needed and sorry if i am not respodnign im buys

[proud nebula]

Don't know how long is runway on Everon, maybe 1.5? True is, smallest map what I'm working on is Parwan, and there I have 1 kilometer runway. Other maps are 20x20km and 35x35km. There I have longer runways

[velvet hollow]

damn are you working with a team because 20km by 20km is massive my dude

[proud nebula]

Nope, I'm working alone

[velvet hollow]

sounds solid, also just my input but it would be awesome if you published it as a model just as a prop, im sure the guys at operation overlord would also help you with it if you asked them, hell they might even take you on their team, might be worth joining the modders lounge and hitting them up 😅

[velvet hollow]

i can invite you to our terrain makers discord server if you like, we have all the best mappers in there and we regularly share info, tips and tricks + trouble shooting

[candid rune]

May I get a inv also prolly could use some tricks with the Utah beach map we’re making

[velvet hollow]

you are operation over lord right?

[candid rune]

Yep!

[velvet hollow]

also i need to share some info with you in regards to that map, which you can either take in a good or a bad wa, but under strict confidentiality

[candid rune]

Dm it to me

[muted kraken]

How? Why? Is it even possible for a single person to make a map that big?

[hybrid cloak]

sadly having people walk inside it would be impossible. desynch would be a nightmare

[proud nebula]

We're talking about a year of work, but yes, I think

[muted kraken]

Impressive, good luck man.

[meager umbra]

Why would that be an issue
The issue I thought was player will slide when plane moves but we can parent the player once he enters

I am a programmer I feel like I can make something good but the thing is I'm not familiar with this workbench

I used to do scripting in unity so I do have ideas about prefabs components just need to get some idea on how to work with enfusion bench thing

[simple solar]

Maybe try make a proof of concept first before building the whole B17 then find it impossible to make walking around in a moving object and get frustrated. A moving box would do.

Would be very nice if it works though. It opens for a lot of possibilities.

[stiff harbor]

should see moorea

[velvet hollow]

lz is a buddy of mine xd, the guy is amazing but in the unlikely event that he is unable to finish the map, new world mods will help finish it for him ☺️

but man Mo,orea is a very nice map

[hybrid cloak]

i mean. there are work arounds but you'd likely need to use compartments otherwise it'd be way too janky. vehicles are incredibly laggy and complicated. I once tried to make a drivable carrier but the desynch was unbearable. the only way I can see it working without some crazy scripts would be by using compartments.

[full barn]

When was this?

[hybrid cloak]

eons ago. adams towing has so vehicles can be attached to other vehicles and moved around. that's the best bet for this kind of thing but still entities on top of entities doesn't usually work well

[full barn]

Oh have you tried the redline one because I heard it’s a lot more better

Uppercut uses that one for their vehicles

[hybrid cloak]

yes that's the one. but there are issues as I said above

[full barn]

Okay

[meager umbra]

Let's finish the model first 😭

[meager umbra]

https://youtu.be/fumv6laAOOc?feature=shared

[hybrid cloak]

ofc lol. just may not be exactly how you're envisioning it due to engine limitations but I'd be more than happy to help you out with making this thing fly.

[meager umbra]

Yea sure as long as it can't fly I am good as for walking walking I want to limit it as well due to conjusted build of aircraft

For example moving from

Waist <----> tail
Waist <----> radio
Radio <---->Bomb
Bomb <----> cockpit
Cockpit <----> navigator

So you only have restrictions on entry points

But for the 1st version it will be just teleportarion to different areas

[hybrid cloak]

yeah you'd have to do with compartments and seat switch. you could do some wacky animations like RHS has but that's a ton of trouble lol

main thing that's annoying are anims. you can get away with procedurals when it comes to flaps and aleirons and stuff. but the way bi does it is through anim injection if I'm not mistaken. making it fly is a piece of cake thanks to adams flight model stuff

[meager umbra]

BTW I tried porting gta5s hind helicopter but it was nothing other than nightmares tons of error pooping in the workbench

Is there anything I need to consider like colliders rig setups anything that's needed please inform me

[hybrid cloak]

colliders and rigging is very different. the tutorials by BI will help you figure out what enfusion needs specially. also maybe don't publish anything with models from other games... against eula

[hybrid cloak]

also enfusion wants FBX files. trying to import blend files directly will choke it

[meager umbra]

Well I know ow that much I have been working with game engines 😭

Blend file ain't a model file it's native blender file

Can u forward links for what enfusion needs

[hybrid cloak]

I mean, sorry if it's patronizing but you gotta expect the worst sometimes lol. people here can be slow sometimes... but there are some pretty comprehensive tutorials on the basics of the engine.

[meager umbra]

I personally don't like reading that's the issue with me

[hybrid cloak]

https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Arma_Reforger:Weapon_Creation/Asset_Preparation

https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Arma_Reforger:Car_Creation

take a look around the forums, it has some pretty in depth tutorials

[meager umbra]

Also do u have Andy idea about how gauges work in game are they animated?

More specifically the gauge that tells aircrafts tilt and pitch

With blue and brown background

[hybrid cloak]

yeah... I personally learn by breaking shit open and putting it back together in weird ways. works like a charm

[hybrid cloak]

oh if I'm not mistaken r3dline does it via a custom script that's messing with layouts. ralian did show me how it worked but I forgor how exactly

[meager umbra]

Probably through shaders my guess

By offsetting uvs not sure though

[hybrid cloak]

well. it's done through a layout in the workbench itself tho

[meager umbra]

Oh OK idk what it is

For 1st version I'll leave them blank

Since I have the base done I'm thinking of working on the physics now for checking hwo things are working and basic points for position like gunners pilot etc

I'll just finish modeling wheels tomorrow and let's see the flight test ✈️ 💣 💣

Just need to get that thing I to workbench without errors 😭

[hybrid cloak]

do you have colliders and rigged bones?

[meager umbra]

Not now

[hybrid cloak]

that's the most important of all. suggest taking a look at the a10 for reference

[meager umbra]

But can do it in span of seconds meshes are not complicated and detailed rn

I just want to see the base thing working then I replace it with more detailed rigged opti.ized model with textures

I will make basic rigs like one root bone, bones for aerosols flaps and rudder and landing gears

[meager umbra]

How to do it

[hybrid cloak]

just open the mod in the workbench

download it. copy files into AR tools and open it when workbench prompts you what workspace to open on start

[boreal knoll]

this looks to be coming along super well man, excited to see what the future holds for it

[meager umbra]

The moment I think about workbench I start to faint 😭

It's so complicated

[candid rune]

lol trueeeeee

[dawn lodge]

🔥

[meager umbra]

Oh no Oh no

had a heart attack that i had wrong sized blueprints but after reaserching i found out it is indeed very compact so free roaming not possible nless we have a great procdedual aniamtion systems

but still will it work in game like i mean camera clipping out players head poking out???

just look at the mannquin in waist compartment he had to bend his head to fit inside

The thing has a height of 170 cm +=- 2cms

short animmation on how the player enters ball turret

beautifull alley way

[full barn]

That’s sick

You could buy a real B-17 then use yourself as the animations for getting in and out

[meager umbra]

Ahh that would cost 2 kidneys

May I have them? 🙏

[full barn]

Nah I like livening

[meager umbra]

But it will make my life easier 🥺

[full barn]

You can steal one?

[meager umbra]

The "you see him, idont wanna see him" button shall be pressed and I may exist no more and no b17 for reforger

[full barn]

Then make one?

[meager umbra]

What am I doing now?

[full barn]

Makeing a b-17 Out of cardboard

[meager umbra]

Hmm but no worries I saw apps that have procedural animation so u have one input file only

[full barn]

Oh okay

[meager umbra]

I'll use mixamo animations as base and edit them as to suit my needs if reorger supports humanoid retargeting it will be great

Because mixamo rigs are different from that of reforger

[full barn]

Okay nice

[meager umbra]

Or maybe we break rules and scale up the aircraft for the size issue🤫

Like 1.25 x bigger than original

[full barn]

Yeah

Will you be able to walk inside of it?

[meager umbra]

Man at this point I just wanna see a block out model of it flying around in workbench how to do it idk

[full barn]

I think Adam or naomyth can help

[meager umbra]

Yes I talked to him he told something which I didn't understand but said yes 😅

BTW u have any idea how can I load mod in worknch to inspect them and where the mods are downloaded because I don't find it steam directory

[full barn]

I got no clue I don’t even know how to mod

Look for it on YouTube?

[meager umbra]

No tutorials sadly

[full barn]

Oh I’ve seen some for the basics lemme find them

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-bEJPix4MxA I think this should answer your question

[full barn]

Here what I found

[meager umbra]

@hybrid cloak I tried doing the above step but....

[meager umbra]

Nvm I had to port r3d core as well did that and it worked

[distant panther]

Did you ever figure out how to get walking inside the plane to work?

[patent quarry]

It won't work till BI reworks some things.

[distant panther]

Ah ok. I know nothing of modding, but could you not use like localized physics? I know that’s what some halo mods use to make it so you can walk in phantoms and such.

[patent quarry]

The animation system currently in use does not allow for that. They are aware, and it's been advocated for. It's just up to whether it's deemed worth the time and resources to implement, and at the moment there are more pressing things requiring BI's time and resources.

[distant panther]

Like making the base game function correctly

[patent quarry]

Like adding all the things they had planned for the base game.

[distant panther]

That too

[meager umbra]

update

[boreal knoll]

Looking awesome

[stiff harbor]

i have hope. in the recent experimental update when leaving a mi8 you spawn in the cabin and have to physically walk outside. this could be in preperation no?

[meager umbra]

my main concern is not that, how do i get htis thing flying

workbench i dont understand whats happening there are so many components

[full barn]

I think you gotta take the flight model of the A-10 then adjust it to your liking and then put the B17 model over it. This is what I think u gotta do but idk I would ask for help from Adam or naomyth if this doesn’t work

[hybrid cloak]

it isnt that hard if you know how to make a vehicle. as adam said its a flying car technically. but it is annoying to get everything working, its time consuming

[acoustic dove]

@vagrant thistle

[hybrid cloak]

@meager umbra again. if you want we can figure some time out and i can help you makke this thing fly,

[vagrant thistle]

.

[acoustic dove]

@meager umbra can confirm if you get with nao he can help streamline getting this baby in the air!

[meager umbra]

@hybrid cloak sure but looks like my day is your night when can we fix it

[hybrid cloak]

hmm send me a dm when you can.

[meager umbra]

@hybrid cloak r u here? I have hour and half

[hybrid cloak]

sup

[meager umbra]

Give me 10 mins and I'll be here

[hybrid cloak]

im at work brother

[meager umbra]

Oh ok

[hollow sand]

Holy shit!!! I've been begging for someone to finally do this!!!

I just hope the maps will be long enough for the Bombers. Will the roles on the aircraft include the navigator/Bombardier Nose position for the interior???

What about uniforms too?!

Oh bro I'm so fucking Excited!!!!

I heard the Chernarus map from DayZ will be implemented for Reforger so that would mean longer Air travel maybe?!?!

@meager umbra dude I got so many questions!!! Can I dm you?!

[cerulean plover]

Chernarus is already in, not completed, but it's in

[hollow sand]

@cerulean plover but will it be as wide like on DayZ?

For the B-17?

[cerulean plover]

It's ported over as the same size from dayz yes, however the map isn't finished and there is a lot of empty land, like zimmetra

I'm unsure if it's even still in development I haven't seen it be expanded on in a while

[hollow sand]

Ah gotcha

Still exciting to see how that'll work I got some great ideas for a server involving B17s and that map

[wild pond]

Yes it's still in development

[meager umbra]

@hollow sand yes the roles will be there not sure hoe they will work because I'm just a modeler

As for the seats available

1 Tail seat
2 waist seat
1 ball seat
1 radio seat
1 upper turret seat
2 pilot seat
1 bomber seat & gun
2 passenger seats(extra)

[hollow sand]

What about Navigator?

[meager umbra]

The suit thing I'm not sure just wear what u want and hop in

[hollow sand]

He's behind the bombardier

[meager umbra]

Oh I included it as passenger

But there's a desk for him I made

For the roles we and how the will work we have to discuss

[hollow sand]

Ah gotcha, does it have the navigator table/cheek gun?

FUCK YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!

@meager umbra is there any way I can help with the insight of the B17? I used to work at the air museum and used to give tour guides of the B-17s

[meager umbra]

yea man help me with the proportion please

[hollow sand]

It'll be tricky to include the Flight Engineer seat since he would also be right in the middle between the pilot's aside from handling the top turrey Gun, and as well as the Bombardier Seat. Depending on the B-17 Variet he'll either be a Nose Gunner or a chin gunner

[meager umbra]

i dont care about seats im ready to add of it as said im just a modeler

Dm me please

this time thing is annoying

[hollow sand]

Yup, sent ya a message

[meager umbra]

[not mean for showcase)]

[meager umbra]

Guys do we already have bombs or I have to make them

[meager umbra]

Radio Section Detailing Started.....

As few people asked me how long it will take a short answer for them....months!

[full barn]

I think redline core has them

[hybrid cloak]

redcore has mk82s. and they are broken.

[hollow sand]

Then thr reward for it will be worth it

[meager umbra]

btw @hollow sand how much detail there needs to be for radio models

[cerulean plover]

The A-10A comes with them but they don't work at all, id honestly recommend just making your own.

[meager umbra]

i am thinking of applying static textures to it

[hollow sand]

There needs to be an oxygen Tub/Mask assembled on the left side of his desk and a parachute next it

[meager umbra]

oxygen and lamp lights with few papers are gonna be there for sure but i mean for the radio devices

is simple intreaction butto nenough like i mean no meters and those stuff right the radio guys just sits in the table and listen to radios atleast thats what we need for a game

[meager umbra]

yea i have images and refrences my question is simple intreaction button with those button devices are enoguh right

[hollow sand]

He'd have secondary seat to his right not behind him since that station were only used as like a Radar

[meager umbra]

ok i get it no worries will detail it as much as i can ill focus on the this section only for now

[hollow sand]

Oh yeah I'd imagine, I think for oversimplification purposes maybe He'd just need 3. One to turn on/off the radio another to switch channels and another for the aircraft intercom

[hollow sand]

I'll try to find someone who would be down to helping out too so you aren't burning yourself out

[meager umbra]

im good tbh its just the more information the better

[hollow sand]

Coolio

[dawn lodge]

@meager umbra Is there way you could make a transport version? I completely understand that B-17s were not at all transport planes but it would be not to difficult to modify it to accommodate paratroopers no?

[acoustic dove]

it was never historically done because transport planes were cheaper and easier to manufacture. also the bomb bay of a b-17 isnt the same as the entire seating area of a c-47.

in short just diffrent planes for diffrent purposes

[dawn lodge]

Yeah I completely understand that I just think it wouldn’t be difficult to change it to be a transport plane. Obviously this would be completely ignoring historical accuracy but nonetheless it would be cool

[hollow sand]

That's not a B-17 you're thinking of the C-53 Skytrooper which wouldn't have the 10 man crew just the two pilots

[dawn lodge]

I know that. I’m just saying for modding purposes it would be easier to just strip the inside and modify a little

[hollow sand]

Although some like very few B-17 sure, were custom made but there's only been a handful of that such as Winston Churchill Avro Lancaster

[hollow sand]

Ah gotcha, i feel like that would defeat the whole purpose of it being a B-17 then

[dawn lodge]

Yes it would but like I said, it would be much easier to modify the b-17 to be a transport then it would be to make a whole new one

[hollow sand]

From my understanding he's just making like a baseline for the early version just for flying purposes at first

At least what I gather

[mighty beacon]

Awesome. Did you know MicroProse are making a B-17 for Flight Simulator 2024? I'm super excited for it; those guys have 30+ years experience in B-17 simulations.

[hollow sand]

@mighty beacon fuck off?!?!?! I'm about to bust in that case

better be free on game pass

[hollow sand]

Holy shit you're right!

[meager umbra]

Will be taking break

[meager umbra]

Updates:
-Radio section almost doen excpet adding few more communication devices and oxygen tank
-Started Detailing cockpit
-A liite bit work done on tail gunner(Block out only)
-Navigator section done sligh(might change plan to add gun for the navigator)[chin gun still included]

The model is now ready for flying just cnat get this blender tool to br working

[acoustic dove]

lets see them textures!!!!

very exciting!!

[meager umbra]

No no textures yet far from textures but good to go for flight

[keen shard]

You may have to reinstall the enfusion tools add on in Blender. New update made some changes to it

[meager umbra]

I have done everything

[meager umbra]

It's working now

[cinder thorn]

Do you have 3.6 for the blender Enfusion tools

[meager umbra]

It's working I had to update the tool itself

🤦

[cinder thorn]

Ahhh ok

[jolly wave]

Wowww solid work! RAH!

[eternal pawn]

Hmm I watch this with interest.

[meager umbra]

Who wants to be in the ball turret it's very comfortable down there, once you say yes u are not allowed to comeback its very comfortable so u don't need to eb back

[meager umbra]

Guys I'm thinking of also making the crew dress but where can I grab the model for the base body eith the rig

[hybrid cloak]

@meager umbra https://github.com/BohemiaInteractive/Arma-Reforger-Samples/tree/main/SampleMod_NewCharacter%2FAssets%2FCharacters%2FSampleCharacter also please don't ping me and delete the message afterwards

[hybrid cloak]

sample car is there as well so you can take a look at the colliders and rigs

[meager umbra]

thanks a lot

[meager umbra]

Pilot leather jacket

it will be cold up there, the cpatain shall not let anyone in without the required suit

[hollow sand]

Comfortable is an oxymoron lolol

[meager umbra]

You were not suppose to tell them now who will sit in there! You?

[hollow sand]

Oh right, Its cozy as fuck guys

You got your own radio for Spotify and 0% casualty ratio literally the safest spot

[meager umbra]

Yea that's better

Crossing legs is a viable option you can relax properly

[cinder thorn]

Now that is drippy

[fallen kelp]

When is it dropping? This looks amazing m

[meager umbra]

Not anytime aoon

[hollow sand]

But with more people involved the sooner it'll be

[meager umbra]

helmet is not included in base outfit but will be vaiiliable as a seprate wear

in other words only the dress share same texture set

[mighty beacon]

@meager umbra Are you interested in freelance work? Modelling WW2 air crew uniforms for a Flight Simulator addon.

If yes, let's talk.

[meager umbra]

done with the baby cap

[boreal knoll]

Looking super good man, have you got her up in the air yet?

[meager umbra]

lovely modding.... just wow!

[meager umbra]

no decided to take some break and work on other stuff, i said the mod is still months away from completion

[meager umbra]

@mighty beacon I'm usually busy I do these works in my free time so I don't think I'll find much time maybe later if u could mention how many then I may consider like 1 or 2 is fine more than that it will take time

[mighty beacon]

Maybe I take the oportunity to learn how to do it myself, but idk exactly where to start; only ever did hard surface modelling before.

[boreal knoll]

Yeah, of course. Take your time

[meager umbra]

Allow me to dm you

[hollow sand]

@meager umbra there's now a parachute mod that can be finally used

[meager umbra]

I know amazing

[meager umbra]

2 squashed models are don the pants and the tops
all headwear remains and the yellow life vest as well
might get the whole thing done by today or tommorow and will then move back on the the aircraft

1 more thing is remaining the straps pilots and crew wore on top of everything is left and not finalized if i should add it or no (if you know the name please mention it)

apart from that this is it, this is all that will come along with the b17 pack but i will make another mod which may include other stuff as you guys request

[south oyster]

You know you can go a bit higher on polygons right ? Those models look too low poly bro.

[meager umbra]

when 5 k will look the same as 1k whats the point

i know it looks edgy up close it will be unnoticed from far specifally speaking baout head the pants and tops have good count

[meager umbra]

Yea looking back at 1 model the officer cap the count was too low but is fixed now

Sorry for that I thought it looked fine until I compared it to other assets

[quick heath]

I remember going to this museum to see the plane. Love the work going on here so far.

[meager umbra]

Guys due to other interests take this mod post as a side project

The work will be very slow so don't take it as a must, but hope so it will be finished

[meager umbra]

i realized i had wrong blueprints or more so in accurate but heres a better version i worked so far

this is much closes to what we have in real life and yes now i have he bomb bay doors this time

[boreal knoll]

Looks great 👍

[meager umbra]

porting it to new fuselage

[meager umbra]

BTW guys if anyone has worked in high end games on projects like this please contact me I want to discuss few things about uv maps and materials

Reason I haven't worked with AAA games are graphically intensive I have a more opti.ised mindset but I see hardwares have progressed so it would be good to have a talk

[meager umbra]

Working on the serry turret and stuck in final part update more on it later

sperry turret is ready to be armed with the 50 caliber guns

[meager umbra]

And I saw someone asking for passenger plane yea sure we can turn into passenger plane aswell

Just give me more information

[hidden mulch]

its comin along nicely

[hollow sand]

There were custom made B-17s for VIP

[hollow sand]

There already is like 8 seats in the mid section of the aircraft for the crew/Passengers

[meager umbra]

B17 USAF Attire mod is available

[icy pelican]

very late response, but i think he could attempt it easily after they add a box to the bottom of the character model that lets it stay on top of the Humvee and truck bed. IDK if the speed at which the b-17 will move at will be stable

[icy pelican]

oh yeah also

https://tenor.com/view/gem-alarm-gem-gemson-gapejak-wholesome-soyjak-gif-27193685

[timid sonnet]

Goddamn that really nice looking B17 bomber! Looking forward to seeing it in the game!

[meager umbra]

As of now only outfit is availaible

[timid sonnet]

Awesome 😁

[meager umbra]

https://reforger.armaplatform.com/workshop/64F8C1AB4CFD207A-USAAFBomberAttire

But there is no further plans for the plane itself the progress is slow so I will only finalise gear

[grave void]

Did the bomber ever drop?

[meager umbra]

Update for the gear

the items are availaible but names + ui issues may exist

[meager umbra]

https://reforger.armaplatform.com/workshop/64F8C1AB4CFD207A

[timid sonnet]

@pastel zealot also this is the B17 bomber I was talking about 😁

[meager umbra]

my custom flight physics

👌 best in the world, you will not find it anywhere else

[shell crater]

That sick man and funny

[opal pulsar]

Are you making a C-47 as well?

[azure flint]

Is there a timeframe for the B17 and C-47?

[meager umbra]

Sorry to say this but atm no
I could just finish off using thr r3d core physics but I'm still considering the choices

[azure flint]

Copy

[meager umbra]

C47 maybe finished but b17 idk
Did actually got it up in air but was not satisfied with the physics

[azure flint]

C47 I would love

[meager umbra]

I'll try to get it done I'm aiming for realism like not just starting engine
Like following all procedures having the right amount of fuel mixtures etc

[azure flint]

Love it, my group and another few groups are doing a WW2 campaign and the C47 would be huge for it

Keep me updated if possible but we’ll be checking in here supporting your work!!

[pliant dragon]

There was a c130 that made you start it up by going through steps like turning battery on then engine if i remember correctly I hope you do well love the look of everything

[random wedge]

Same!! Our community would go nuts for a C-47

[meager umbra]

AircraftLightConroller adding aircraft specific lights

[meager umbra]

This video is from simulator

[timid sonnet]

Neat!

[azure flint]

@meager umbra how’s it coming?

[meager umbra]

It's gonna take quite some time

[azure flint]

Ahhh damn

[meager umbra]

Atm only engine simulation is done and will require few debugging tests

[azure flint]

Hopefully it’s playable around March!!!

[acoustic dove]

Lmao we are 2 years from the announcement of this mod, that’s not “gonna take some time” more like never gonna happen

[sinful crow]

How is the c47 coming along?