parts won't display in fs2002

[f104g]

Hi there,

I am building a model using fsds v2, and I am finding that there are some elements of the model won't display within FS2002.

[Oz]

The problem with the panel might be that it needs to be decreased in color depth so that it wont be so large a file. You can use any paint program  to decrease it (except MS paint..) I cant help with the other problems though, sorry

[Hagar]

I supect your problem could be caused by the parts display order. Try this. In Part mode, select the canopy then cut & paste it. (Ctrl + X then Ctrl + V). Now produce the model in FS2002 & see if that fixed it. Please save the modified version under a new name in case it doesn't work or something goes wrong.

[f104g]

Hagar,

thanks for your help. Your suggestion worked.

But I don't fully understand what the 'parts display order' problem is, and how to avoid it in future.

cheers

[Hagar]

Great. I'm pleased that fixed it.  ;)

But I don't fully understand what the 'parts display order' problem is, and how to avoid it in future.

I don't fully understand all the aspects either. I do know the display priority is important for certain parts to display properly. Open your project in FSDS2 & click the Part List icon on the FSDS toolbar. Each part on the list will have a number in brackets like this  f_canopy [22]. The number in the brackets shows the priority on the display order. The next part added will have the number [23]. I assume you added the panel after creating the canopy which gave it a higher number & explains why it didn't show up in the sim. To fix it you need to change the display priority of the canopy to make it further down the order (higher number) than the panel. There are more accurate methods but the quick & dirty way of doing this is the Cut & Paste method I showed you. I hope this rather clumsy explanation helps.  ;)

[Felix/FFDS]

Typically you want your transparent parts - canopy, windows, etc., drawn "last".  The quick and dirty way is to cut and paste.

Another way that seems to work is to place all your transparent parts in a second model page (sort of like making the VC model, but not checking the VC box).

If you want to keep all your parts in the same main model "page", then you can also use the "parts file merge list" which now can include comments.  Since it's a text file, you can cut and paste the parts in the order you want.

[f104g]

thank you both for your assistance and comments.

[Oz]

well that jet looks very nice; excellent work and good luck

PS: how bout a good ole F104 afterwards...?  ;)

[f104g]

yes I Also have an F-104 well on the way to being finished. They're one of my favourite aircraft after all (see my avtar). Just need to decide on textures and add a few more features.

There are quite a lot of F-104's already out in freeware, with just about any textures you can think of ...  

[Oz]

The 104 is also one of my fav jet fighters. Most of the 104s add-ons out there are so-so when compared to todays standards.

PS: Can you make the 60s USAF scheme for it too with different payload variations
PSS: Captain sim is makin a payware 104, you might wanna go to their site to get ideas on your 104  ;) (www.captainsim.com) Good luck, this is one nice plane im really looking forward to have in FS