Contents:

What is PRE-Flight?

Quick Start

Advanced Topics

Support

Uninstalling


What is REALIZE
What is PRE-Flight?

PRE-Flight is a fully user-configurable flight simulator and aircraft designer in one integrated package. PRE-Flight can be operated by a wide variety of RC transmitters and/or standard PC peripherals like the joystick or keyboard. PRE-Flight's "Physics and Rendering Engine" allows fast and accurate simulation of aircraft from parameters which are fully configurable by the user - down to the 3D shapes and color of the aircraft!

It is this special feature which allows aircraft designers to "build", test and simulate their design prototypes before putting the first parts together or even buying the first components! Critical decisions on powerplant, wing area, dihedral - even paint schemes and tank capacities can all be simulated on PRE-Flight along with anticipated wind conditions and flying field dimensions. CL and CD tables can be included in the flight model to allow accurate flight physics. PRE-Flight's "dynamic parameter" specification files allow user-defined equations and function tables to govern all aspects of the flight model.

In addition, you can easily incorporate photos downloaded from your digital camera (or scanned images from your conventional camera) into customized scenery as digital “billboards”.

PRE-Flight is fully modifiable - all elements that make up an aircraft or scene can be altered by the user:

All equations - including tables that represent wing/fin/prop/rotor surfaces

All geometry - size and shape of fuselage, wings, fins, etc.

All scenery elements - pylons, obstacles - move and size them how you like.

All animated components - from rotors to windmills - you decide if, when, and how they move

All contacts - sliding to sticky ground contact - from wheels to skids

All sounds - accepts .wav files - record your own!

All colors, texturing, etc. - PRE-Flight comes with REALIZE

All scenery lighting - dawn, noon, twilight, midnight, on earth or otherwise -
sunlight, moonlight, spotlights, point sources, any color and orientation

All upgrades free - and available as soon as it is software tested

 New aircraft - as with upgrades - available on the internet or email (if required)
Aircraft designers can use PRE-Flight to let potential buyers "test-fly" their
new products.


Quick Start

Important Note:  If you encounter any problems running PRE-Flight, it is probably because you may not have the latest version of DirectX.  You need version 6.1 or higher.

When you first run PRE-Flight, you will be prompted to enter the comm port where you attached the transmitter interface.  If you happened to enter the comm port where your mouse or system pointing device is attached, the mouse may freeze. In this case, go to the pull-down menu File then Interface and change this setting to the proper value.

You should first calibrate your transmitter for PRE-Flight to work properly.  Press F3 or go to pull-down menu File, Calibrate.  Moving the transmitter inputs should register as a movement on the corresponding channel.  If the incorrect channels are registering, try closing the calibration box and pull-down Controls.  Choose the more compatible brand of transmitter and see if the channels are correct.  If this fails, re-assign the incorrect channel to the proper input by clicking on the “conf.” button.

Press the “Calibrate” button and move the transmitter sticks and other inputs to their maximum positions.  Make sure you do this for all settings like dual rates, normal, stunt modes, etc. before pressing OK.

If you want to play the pre-recorded flight demos at this point, pull down menu Recorder then Play Recording.  Select the desired .rec file for viewing.

Select Show Controls from the Recorder or File drop-down menu or press Alt-F2 to show the Control Stick positions of the recorded or actual flight.

You can select the scenery by pulling-down Scene and directly selecting the desired Scene in the Speed List.  If you have installed new scenery,  this may not appear on the list.  You then have to pull-down Scene, then Load to point to the proper scenery definition.  The Speed List will automatically maintain the last used Scenery at the top of the list.

Selecting the desired Model and Controls definitions are done in the same manner as the Scene.

Editing the Scene, Model, and Controls definitions are modified using the windows notepad editor - pull-down Scene, Model, or Controls then Edit.

The following keys are active while running the simulator:

F1	Help

F2	Change Graphic mode

F3 	Calibrate

F4	Zoom in

F5	Zoom out

F6	Rotate view left

F7	Rotate view right

F8	Rotate view up

F9	Rotate view down

F10	Scene views

F11	Model views

F12	Reload simulation

Alt-F2	Show Control Window

space	single step

Enter	stop/go

If you are a beginner in RC (especially in RC helicopters), you can edit the TimeFactor parameter under the [Main] group in the scenery definition file (.sce).   Pull-down menu Scene then Edit and use notepad to change the parameter to about 2 or 3.  This slows the simulation down to a learnable level after which you can gradually bring it down in steps of 0.2 back to 1.   Do not attempt to fly the real RC aircraft after simulating it at any value above 1!

The recorder feature is used to play back pre-recorded “movies” as well as create them for distribution to everybody (the demo version of PRE-Flight can playback your recordings).  Pre-recorded “movies” are not recorded frame-by-frame as in conventional videos - the .rec files are actually instruction sets telling PRE-Flight to render 3D objects in a pre-recorded sequence.  This means that movies play back at maximum resolution at whatever video size the playback computer is on.  This also means the user making a recording must ensure that copies of  the scene and model files (.sce and .3dm) are in the computer which will play back the recording otherwise an playback error will result.

The recorded files also play back the stick positions used in the flight. Select Show Controls from the Recorder or File drop-down menu or press Alt-F2 to show the Control Stick positions of the recorded flight.


Concepts
Advanced Topics

The following is a discussion of the parameters in the Scene and Model definition files.  Scenery and Model definition files are text and user-modifiable using a suitable text editor (like notepad.exe).

File Extensions Used:

*.sce	- Main scenery definition file (text)

*.3dm	- Main model definition file (text)

*.3df	- 3D model object definition (binary - edit using REALIZE)

*.bmp	- 2D image format for displaying custom photos in scenery/model

*.wav	- Wave format for sounds

Units and Conventions used:  PRE-Flight uses the metric system - meters for length and kilograms for weight and seconds for time. Degrees are used for angles.  “Yes/No” or Boolean parameters have a value of “No” or “False” if 0 or “Yes” or “True” otherwise.  Cartesian coordinates are used in a “left-handed” system with Y pointing upward, Z pointing North, and X pointing East.

General form of Parameters:  Parameters usually take the following general form (case-sensitive):

;This line is a comment

[GroupName]

GroupEntryName1

GroupEntryName2

...

[GroupEntryName1]

;the parameters depend on the GroupName

ParmName1=<value>

ParmName2=<value>

...

[GroupEntryName2]

...

Note: <value> is usually a constant but can be a sophisticated, time-varying amount (see below).

Exceptions to the rule include [Main], [MainModel], and [Viewer] which act like independent GroupEntryNames.

GroupNames in Scenery definition:  The following lists the parameters associated with the GroupNames.   A very common set of parameters is PositionX-Z which indicate positional

information.  Another is  VectorX-Z which indicates a direction, given the x,y, & z components.  Colors are indicated by 3 components: R,G,&B for Red,Green,and Blue

[Main]	- 	Contains the ShortTitle which appears in the pull-down Speed List.  A FogPresent value of 0 means no fog, otherwise fog will start at a distance of FogStart from the observer and will totally obscure any objects beyond FogEnd.  The color of the fog takes after WindowBackgroundColorR-B.  FOV is field-of-vision in degrees.  TimeFactor allows simulation time control.  A value of 1 is real time.  A value of, say, 2 has the effect of increasing the user reaction speed by 2 (and slowing the apparent speed of the simulation by the same factor).

[Lights]	- 	Type may be Point,Spot,Directional,ParallelPoint.  Point,Spot, and ParallelPoint types require Position.  Spot, Directional,and ParallelPoint require Vector.

[Models]	- 	Specify what models appear as part of the scenery (as opposed to the MainModel).  FileName specify what .3dm file to use for this model.  A value of true for Static means the model is not animated.  A value of true for NoPhysics means the model has no simulated physical properties (ie: it cannot “fall” or get blown away by wind).

[SpawnList]	- 	Specify which models (defined under [Models]) will appear in the scene in the specified position, speed, rotational position and rotational speed.  Models may be spawned more than once.

[MainModel]	- 	Specifies where the main model (the aircraft you fly) will appear in the scene . You can specify position, speed, rotational position and rotational speed.

[Viewer]	- 	Specifies where the viewer ( you) will initially appear in the scene.

[Winds]	- 	Specifies wind elements in the form of cylinders.  Position parameters specify the location of one end of the cylinder.  An OrientationY value of 1.0 and zero for the X and Z points the cylinder straight up.  The values for WindVectorX-Z can be simple constants or sophisticated equations that may specify varying winds or even a vortex patterns with circular winds.

GroupNames in Model definition:

[Main]	- 	Contains the ShortTitle which appears in the pull-down Speed List. MaxLifeTime is zero by default and means it “lives” forever.  A positive non-zero value here represents the seconds of model “life” before it disappears.  MaxEyeDist is the farthest the model can appear from the viewer.  ModelNumber is required to “spawn” the model (see “spawn” under System Functions).

[ScreenDisplays]	- 	Defines the text display in the upper part of the screen. Format specifies how the item is displayed.

[UserVariables]	- 	Defines the user variables to be used in <value>s and other expressions.

[Functions]	 	- 	Defines user functions (as opposed to system-defined functions - see below).  Especially good for defining Type=Table functions (for CL/CD).  Type Table functions can specify NumberOfPoints then the x-y pairs.  Calling the function interpolates intermediate values from the table data.  NumberOfParameters can be specified for functions that take more that 1 parameter.  Parameters are represented by %1, %2, and so forth in the Value parameter.

[Masses]	 	- 	Defines model components in terms of mass.  Position specifies the center of the mass component.

[Forces]	 	- 	Defines model force components (as opposed to WindForces - see next).  Position specifies where the force is applied.  Vector specifies the direction.  Value specifies the magnitude.

[WindForces]	 	- 	Defines model aerodynamic components (as opposed to plain Forces - see above).  Position specifies where the force is applied.  Vector specifies the direction which is zero degree angle of attack.  UpVector specifies the direction where angle of attack is positive 90 degrees   Typically, Vector points to the direction where the wing faces and UpVector is straight up perpendicular to the wing upper surface.  Area is surface area. CoeffOfLift and CoeffOfDrag are typically Tables (see above under [Functions]).  OffsetFactor modifies the resulting wind force for angles of attack which are not “head-on” ( for example, a wing on a plane that is experiencing side slip).

[Winds]	- 	Specifies wind elements in the form of cylinders.  Position parameters specify the location of one end of the cylinder.  An OrientationY value of 1.0 and zero for the X and Z points the cylinder straight up.  The values for WindVectorX-Z can be simple constants or sophisticated equations that may specify varying winds or even a vortex patterns with circular winds.

[ContactForces] 	- 	If contact handling is desired, four contact points must be defined.  Enumeration should always be counter-clockwise (viewed from top) and all four points must be co-planar (all in one plane).  CoefficientOfFriction is 0 for frictionless to 1.0 for perfectly sticky.  OffsetFactor is 0 for skids to 1.0 for tires with perfect grip which

face in the direction indicated by Vector.

[Colliders] 	- 	If collision handling is desired, a number of collision sphere volumes can be specified.  Collision is detected when spheres from another model touch any of the model’s collider or when any of the colliders touch the ground.  The Message value (usually text) is displayed.

[3dObjects] 	- 	MeshFile indicates a .3df (from REALIZE) to be displayed as part of the model.  It may be scaled, rotated, and positioned (with respect to the model) before it is displayed.  A value of 0 for Shadow means it cannot cast shadows.  A LightingFactor value of greater than 1 will make the object appear to glow (only applies to non-bitmapped, and non-reflective parts).  A Condition value of 0 will suppress the rendering of the object.   Enlightened use of the parameters can make rotating, inflating, oscillating, flashing, etc. effects in 3D.

[SkipRenderOn... ] 	- 	These are for rendering efficiency and indicate which objects are to be skipped.  Typically, you may skip rendering the shadow of  transparent part, etc.

[Sounds] 	- 	SoundFile specifies the .wav file to use. Position, Orientation, Cone angles, etc.  are all used to simulate the sound in 3D.  On and Off are conditional.  PRE-Flight will start playing the sound repeatedly when On is non-zero and will terminate when Off is non-zero. A Frequency of 0 will playback the sound in its original frequency otherwise the higher this number is, the higher pitched the sound will play.

[Views] 	- 	Specifies the “camera”  positions attached to the aircraft and are activated and cycled by pressing F11 while the sim is running.

[Models] 	- 	Specifies the sub-models that may be “spawned” by the main model (like smoke, bombs, rockets, tracers, etc.) See System-Defined Functions below.  Static means no animation,  Nophysics means no “floating”, “falling” etc.

Operators Supported:

+	addition

-	subtraction

/	division

*	multiplication

^	raised to the power of

( ) 	parentheses

= 	logical = operator - returns 1 if equal, 0 otherwise

< 	logical less than operator - returns 1 if less than, 0 otherwise

> 	logical greater than operator - returns 1 if greater than, 0 otherwise

# 	logical not equal operator - returns 1 if not equal, 0 otherwise

! 	logical not operator - returns 1 if false, 0 otherwise

System-supplied variables in Model definition:  All System-supplied variables are reference-only and cannot be altered.

System-wide variables:

_Tick	-timeslice in seconds

Model-specific variables:

 _AngularSpeedX-Z	-xyz angular speed of model

_CGX-Z	-Center of gravity position (xyz) of model

_distance	-Model distance from viewer

_LocationX-Z	-Model coordinates (xyz)

_OrientationX-Z	-Model rotation (xyz)

_SpeedVectorX-Z	-Model speed (xyz)

_SpeedX-Z	-Model speed (xyz) with respect to model orientation

_TotalWeight	-Model total weight

_UpVecX-Z	-Model “Up” vector with respect to model

Special variables for specific use only:

_AngleOfAttack	-Angle of Attack in degrees (For WindForces only)

_AngleOfOffset	-Angle of Offset in degrees (For WindForces only)

_VectorX-Z	-For [Winds] only, xyz position.

System-defined functions :  All System-defined functions are available for use in Scenery and Model definitions.  Note: all angles in degrees.

abs(x)	- Absolute value

acos(x)	- Arccosine

asin(x)	- Arcsine

atan(x)	- Arctangent

cos(x)	- Cosine

dist(x,y)	- Distance in 2D (sqrt(x^2+y^2))

dist3d(x,y,z)	- Distance in 3D (sqrt(x^2+y^2+z^2))

exp(x)	- Exponent

if(x,y,z)	- If x is non-zero, return y, else return z

int(x)	- Return integer value

ln(x)	- Natural log

log(x)	- Log base 10

max(x,y)	- Return larger of 2 values

min(x,y)	- Return smaller of 2 values

rnd(x)	- Random number from 0-x

sin(x)	- Sine

spawn(...)	- “Spawns” a sub-model.  Spawn has 13 parameters:

1  	: model number (ModelNumber  - see [Main])

2-4	: x,y,z position

5-7	: x,y,z speed vector

8-10	: x,y,z rotational position

11-13	: x,y,z rotational speed

sqrt(x)	- Square root

tan(x)	- Tangent


Support

For problems, questions, and comments contact:

Internet WWW home page:	http://www.users.bigpond.net.au/atv/preflight001.htm

-for the latest news, the latest versions, and the latest models and scenery!

Internet Email:	ttransce@bigpond.net.au

Mail:  	Transcendental Technologies
Suite 148, 66 Kingsway
Glen Waverly Vic. 3150
Australia

PLEASE SEND TEXT MAIL ONLY - no attachments.


More Models

Visit our Internet home page:

http://www.users.bigpond.net.au/atv/

-for the latest news, the latest versions, and the latest models!  See Support.


Other Products

The following products are available from this site:

http://www.users.bigpond.net.au/atv/

3D Forever Builder: 3D Forever Builder allows you to design and create attractive, visually appealing 3D screen savers in a complete, ready-to-distribute package.  The built-in 32-bit rendering engine shows lighting effects (hilites, reflections, and transparency) as animated 3D objects are displayed from all directions.  The distributable end-product has a optional special "reminder" feature which takes the user back to your web-site with a push of the button (via the user's web browser and internet service provider).

3D Forever - Registered version:  3D Forever is an attractive Windows screen saver which displays visually appealing 3-dimensional animated objects.   Its powerful 32-bit rendering engine shows lighting effects, reflections, and transparency as objects are displayed from all angles.  Unlike most other screen savers, 3D Forever is upgradable - it is based on the .3df  file format which can be obtained from various sources (Compuserve, Internet, etc.) or created by REALIZE 2.  Each file can be displayed in over 100 different ways.   Custom models can be developed for advertising and Corporate logos in 3D.  3D Forever combined with the compact size of the .3df format is a great alternative to showing high-resolution animation.  As an added bonus, the .3df file format is protected from unauthorized changes.

REALIZE:  Realize is a Windows-based, real-time, 3D system for creating and viewing 3D models. It is quick, fully Windows compatible, realistic and  inexpensive. It is easy to use and install, is very compact and has lots of features. It can be used to create 3D scenery, visualization aids, demos, adverts, company logos, even eye-catching 3D screensavers! All of the 3D Forever objects (.3df) come from REALIZE.

REALIZE features:

    - Create 3D shapes like spheres, blocks, cones, and toroids to your specifications.

    - "Solidify" True Type Font 2D characters into true 3D objects.

    - Import 3D .dxf files from applications like AutoCad and 3D Studio.

    - Perform advanced extrusion and Surface of revolutions.

    - Perform advanced object manipulation like scaling and stretching.

    - Texture objects using advanced effects like reflection and transparency instantly.

      Review the finished fully textured objects in real-time from all possible angles!

    - Other effects like bit-mapping 2D pictures to 3D objects and hilites are supported.

    - Create objects for customized screen savers that run on all 32-bit Windows platforms.

      (To use as a screen saver will require a copy of 3D Forever Screen Saver or

      see 3D Forever Screen Saver Builder).


Ordering Information

See Order Form.   Print the form by clicking on the Print Button.   If you have problems printing this way you can print the order form by printing the file “ORDER.FRM” in the REALIZE directory.  Refer to Other Products for more detail on product information.  Fill up the order form and send to:

Transcendental Technologies Pty.Ltd.

17 Beechwood cl.

East Doncaster

Victoria 3109

Australia

If paying by check, please make check payable to “Transcendental Technologies”.  Also, please remember that check payments incur a $25.00 Australian clearance charge if you are ordering from outside Australia.

Send your order via mail in a sealed envelope and allow 6-8 weeks for delivery.


Order Form

Transcendental Technologies Pty.Ltd. (Australia)

Please use this form when ordering by mail.  Print by clicking on the Print Button Above.

You may pay your order by check or credit card. Please note that the accepted credit cards are: MasterCard, Visa, or Bankcard only. Also please note that checks from outside Australia incur an additional charge of $25 Australian for clearing - see below.

Please send me the following items:

3D Forever - Registered version        	$25.00 Australian per copy  _____________

REALVIEW - Registered version	$20.00 Australian per copy  _____________

             	Postage and Handling    	$ 6.00 Australian per order  _____________

 Extra Packing Charge(Outside of 	$ 7.00 Australian per order  _____________

                	Australia)

             Check Clearing charge   	$25.00 Australian per check _____________

             (Outside of Australia)

           	   TOTAL _____________

I enclose my check in full payment

                    or

Please charge this purchase for the above total amount to my MasterCard/Visa/Bankcard. (Please indicate)

My full card number is:	_____________________________________________________________

Valid from _____________________________  until end ____________________________________

Name on card _______________________________________________________________________

Company___________________________________________________________________________

Address____________________________________________________________________________

City/Town__________________________________________________________________________

Country______________________________Post Code______________________________________

Signature____________________________

Please make checks payable to Transcendental Technologies. Mail to:

Transcendental Technologies Pty.Ltd.

17 Beechwood cl.

East Doncaster

Vic 3109

Australia


Obtaining Win32s

Win32s is a free Microsoft upgrade from Windows 3.1/3.11 that enables 32-bit programs (like REALIZE) to run.  Installation of Win32s is quite painless and installation kits are available in various places:

From Transcendental Technologies: Our web page has a link to a page where you can download a free copy of Win32s:

http://www.users.bigpond.net.au/atv/

Your local BBS: Your local Bulletin board probably has it.

Microsoft - Compuserve: Go to the W32SDK forum, lib. API-Win32s, search on key 	win32s.  Version 1.3 is currently available in 2 parts.

Microsoft - Internet: HTTP://www.microsoft.com or their anonymous ftp site:

FTP://ftp.microsoft.com

Other software products: Other software products (like some versions of AutoCad for example) actually have it.  If you own any of these you may already have it installed.

Of course, you can just upgrade to Windows 95 or Windows NT.


Uninstalling REALIZE
 Uninstalling

To uninstall PRE-Flight,  go to Start, Settings, Control Panel then click on Add/Remove Programs..