NKP, why not? umm I think there is a limit to the number of hours in the day last time I looked. For the last four months it has been at least 40 to 50 hours a week, an interesting hobby.
my philosophy is:
I like to make something different;
I do models that interest me.
I don't wish to spend too much time doing an all dancing operating interior which no one uses, a friend told me once he spent 600 hours on one steam loco, I would lose interest long before that for one model;
This is a learning project, as I find how to do new things, like make the flaps work, or roll the aircraft, I have to go back and update a number of models, this takes time;
I added the working flaps to the A380, then decided to go back and do it to all the finished 747 models - this meant modifying all the different versions of the aircraft. Originally I had closely mapped the colour schemes individually to each, but at the end I used a common model for the mapping and you can see some misalignment of the lines etc, sorry but necessary or I would still be doing it;
I like to see your screenshots, it shows how you use the models and gives me ideas for improvement;
As I get feedback, which I appreciate, we think of new things to do, like the three fixed track sections to make a compact turnaround, this may require some of the models to be updated, I hope you don't mind having to replace some as they improve;
I appreciate suggestions for models. Links to resources and information help. What doesn't help is an email with no heading, no salutation and no name at the bottom, one line "would you make this...". If they cannot take the time to give me background and their first name to go with it, I have trouble getting enthused. I appreciate your feedback and kind comments on the forum;
Finally, I try to do a reasonable quality in a reasonable time frame, and hope it is useful.
On the models, I want to finish the F-111 and Osprey soon, not all models will have all functions (for instance the 747s do not have working spoilers like the A380). In between I will be updating some of the older models, the Spit and Mustang to add automatic landing gear etc, and perhaps a roll function.
I will replace the airport terminal, to fix some of the track destinations and attachment points, or to incorporate suggestions. Some of the fixed track segments will be replaced, to fix attachments point direction so they snap together correctly.
I had started on a commercial, military and a domestic airport version of the terminal, smaller, and perhaps the concept of making some of the parts modular instead of a larger complex like the International terminal might have merit.
A suggestion, place some tracking cameras near the runway models, and you get a very realistic view of the models taking off and retracting landing gear.
While I thought to make a thread in the Freeware Announcements section on all these things, there is so much info here it would not be useful to split it, hope you don't mind that I use this thread to keep you informed.
Have fun.
Ian
