DP Tool Club 24/CD_ASCQ_24_0995.iso/vrac/aafdoc.zip/AFQUIK.TXT

Text File | 1995-06-15 | 7KB | 140 lines

AFQUIK.TXT
Quick-Start instructions for the Aircraft Factory
=================================================
by Bryant Arnett



Remember the last time you built a model airplane?  It may have been
a complex balsa wood masterpiece meticulously carved from scratch,
or a single sheet of paper folded in just the right places. The
basic principle, however, was the same:  You took the necessary
parts and put them together in just the right way to create your
finished product.  In the old days, we would clear off the dining
room table, spread out newspaper, gather the neccessary toothpicks,
brushes, and razor blades, and then spend the next two months
inhaling toxic glue fumes as we attempted to convince our spouse (or
at that time, our parents) that this was WORTH IT.  Why did we go to
so much trouble?  Because we knew that it WAS worth it.  There is
something really great about making a model airplane, and it's even
greater to be able to FLY it!  Now, thanks to the Aircraft Factory,
we can create any plane that we can imagine, and fly it through the
vast worlds of Flight Simulator.  There is nothing quite like the
satisfaction in watching your very own airplane take off and soar
into the FS sky.  However, you must remember one thing:  although
the toxic fumes are gone, the need for patience and perseverance is
still the same as it was in the "old days".  If you want to
immediately make a plane that looks as good as the DC-10 that comes
with AAF, you are bound to run into a wall of frustration very
quickly.  You should plan to start out very simple, and as you gain
experience you will discover that your airplanes improve.  The
purpose of this file is to get you started.  In the next ten minutes
we are not going to make a beautiful plane, but we ARE going to make
a plane, and it will fly, and that is a good start...

You should probably print out this file so that you can follow along
with the directions that are soon to follow.  The more closely you
follow the directions, the better are your chances of getting off
the ground.  I have to assume that you have already successfully
installed AAF and have spent a few minutes moving around from place
to place.  You may have already put together flyable versions of the
demo planes, too.  Now it's time to make your own first plane, so
let's get flyin'...


QUICK START --- Getting your first plane off the ground.
========================================================
The first step begins before you open Aircraft Factory.  Use the
File Manager (or whatever method you are comfortable with) to create
a new directory under the AF directory.  Give this new directory a
nice name, something like "FIRST" or something like that.

Now open Aircraft Factory.  You should be looking at the
Administration Building screen.  Select the "FILE" menu and then
select "Change project directory".  A window will pop up that shows
your current project directory. Find the directory you just created
(your "FIRST" directory) and click on it so that it is highlighted.
Then click on the OK button.

Press the "PARTS" button or select "Parts Shop" from the "Go to"
menu.  You are now looking at a Parts Shop workorder.  Ignore this
and immedeatly select "Parts Bay" from the "Go to" menu.

Now you are looking at an empty blue print.  Draw something.  Draw
anything. It doesn't matter what it is, just draw.  It could be
something in the shape of an airplane, or it could be the silhouette
of a loved one, it doesn't matter.  There will be plenty of time for
realism later.

Now click on the "File" menu and select "Save".  You will be sent
back to the workorder.

Fill out the Job Description first.  Give it a description like: "My
first part" or something just as clever.

Now provide a file name, perhaps "First" would make a good name.

Next, under the Construction Method select "Solid", and under the
Function select "Standard: casting shadow".

Now select the "File" menu and select "Save Part".  Your part is now
saved.

Since this is your first airplane, you are only going to make it out
of one part for the sake of simplicity.  It's now time to assemble
the part you have made into an actual airplane.

Select "Assembly Line" from the "Go to" menu.  You are now looking
at the Assembly line work order.  Ignore this for now and
immediately select "Paint/Special Effects Shop" from the "Go to"
menu.

Now you are in the Paint/Special Effects Shop.  Click on the "Add to
Assembly" menu and then select "Part".  This will open the "Parts
Bin" window.  Since you have only created one part, you will only
see this one part listed. It should already be highlighted so click
on the OK button.  Now you will see "My first part <first.afp>" has
been added to the parts list.  This means that "My first part", the
part you just drew in the parts bay, is now a part of your
airplane.  Select "Assembly Line" from the "Go to" menu.

You are now back at the workorder.  Fill out the Job Description
with the name you would like to have appear in the FS4 aircraft
menu.  I suggest "My first plane" as a good description.

Click in the "Source SIM" box where it says "choose".  This will
open a window that lists all of the aircraft that are currently in
your Flight Simulator directory.  For now, select SIM1.SIM (this is
the Cessna).  What this means is that your new airplane is going to
fly just like the Cessna.  It does not matter what your plane is
going to look like;  It will take off, fly through the sky, and land
exactly like the Cessna.

Next, give your assembly a name in the "Assembly Name" box.  "First"
will do nicely here.

Now click on the "Flyable" button.  You will be given an indication
when the plane has been constructed.  Now, at last, it is time to go
for a test flight.  Click on the "Flight Test" button and you will be
taken to Flight Simulator.  From the Aircraft Menu, select "My first
plane".  That's all there is to it!  You should now be able to fly
your new creation.  As I promised, it probably is not the most
beautiful plane you have ever flown, but that is OK.  You are flying
your own plane and that is what matters.

What have you done?
===================
The process of making a plane is to create parts, and then add them
to the assembly.  That's all there is to it.  We have just gone
through this entire process in its most basic form.  From this
point, you can start to create more complicated (and realistic)
parts and add them to an assembly to create the plane of your
dreams.  Creating Structures or Components is just a more
advanced form of creating elements to be added to the final assembly.
The basic principle, however, is the same.  There are a great many
tools available to you in the Aircraft Factory.
The way you use them is up to you.

The most important thing is to get started...