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Dropship readout display videos
http://forum.alienslegacy.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6191		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  friendlyskies [ Wed May 20, 2009 8:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Dropship readout display videos
Hi all

As you know, we're making a short film and just recently completed filming the dropship scenes. I thought it would be nice to offer everyone here the chance to contribute in some way. To that end I have posted a couple of pics below showing the inside of the cock pit. You will see five different highlighted screen areas. The idea is to produce some video (only needs to be 10 seconds long for each screen) that will be composited into the shots.
What I am looking for is some appropriate readouts. One of which needs to be an Horizon indicator that should appear to be level and then bank left and then a few seconds later back to where it was. The other screens, I'm open to ideas on. Anything you feel would be appropriate really.

This first shot is whilst the dropship is in the hangar so does not need to simulate any kind of flight taking place.

Image

The second shot is whilst the drop ship is in flight and should have an horizon indicator on one of the screens as mentioned above, probably the one directly above the control stick

Image

If anyone can produce this then please get in touch or post here. If you can't do anything like this then please feel free to throw ideas in that may inspire others.

Cheers

Darren
Author:  Ttaskmaster [ Wed May 20, 2009 9:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Dropship readout display videos
Heya dude,

First off, I do know one of the developers who works for "a well-known computer game" company. They might be able to knock you something decent up or help rip some code from a flight simulator program, if you want me to ask?


Anyway - Here's some ideas.... I can draw this out for you, if it's easier to picture than my rambling explanations :D

I'm assuming this is the standard Cheyenne UD4-L Dropship that we're used to? No biggie if it's not, though.


Pic 1
I'd suggest this is used to display some 'start-up' screens of a computerised pre-flight check.
Things like fuel levels, engines powering up, circuit mapping and diagnostics, checklists checking, weapons, primary couplers, internal cross-lock & drop stations, pre-launch auto cycle and other such stuff.
An obvious schematic of the Dropship with various areas highlighting would look good.


Pic 2
Left screen is the biggest one, therefore the most important info probably wants to be here. I'd suggest an enhanced image of the forward view would be good.
Think a combination of a SatNav and the view through an Apache Helicopter's night/thermal imaging, with salient points being highlighted. Add a bar along the bottom with a wiggly line, like on a voice print/radio wave reader.

Lower screen on the right, probably something like a Radar/scanning thing, with a few boxes of altering numbers and a couple of text lines that alter.


Top screen on the right - I'm thinking a combination of Speed and a few other altering numerical readouts, all in boxes along the botom. A set of Engine Throttle Gauges (one for each engine) on one side would be cool too.

The main Artificial Horizon could take up the vast majority of the screen space.


However....
That blue/beige instrument on the left of the frame, immediately below that person's elbow, looks to be an Artificial Horizon anyway. It looks to be The same instrument in the top dial on the right of the console in pic 2.
Is there a way to overlay that one with the appropriate graphic, maybe brightly lit?
Author:  friendlyskies [ Wed May 20, 2009 10:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Dropship readout display videos
Ttaskmaster wrote:
Heya dude,

First off, I do know one of the developers who works for "a well-known computer game" company. They might be able to knock you something decent up or help rip some code from a flight simulator program, if you want me to ask?


That would be cool thanks. Just to note though, it's all voluntary so there's no money involved if they ask.


Ttaskmaster wrote:
Anyway - Here's some ideas.... I can draw this out for you, if it's easier to picture than my rambling explanations :D


Pics would be good mate if you can. Would also help others to come up with something maybe.

Ttaskmaster wrote:
I'm assuming this is the standard Cheyenne UD4-L Dropship that we're used to? No biggie if it's not, though.


Mostly....

Ttaskmaster wrote:
However....
That blue/beige instrument on the left of the frame, immediately below that person's elbow, looks to be an Artificial Horizon anyway. It looks to be The same instrument in the top dial on the right of the console in pic 2.
Is there a way to overlay that one with the appropriate graphic, maybe brightly lit?


Yes your right mate. But the instrument was dead during filming and the screen directly above the control stick had a larger graphical representation of the horizon level but was also dead (due to a power cut unfortunately)

Everything you said sounds good though. When you mentioned overlaying a Graphic though, I want to be clear that I'm not looking for a still image to put onto these displays but actually real time readouts if you know what I mean. I'm sure you got that but I just want to be sure everyone understands that.

Cheers

Darren
Author:  Ttaskmaster [ Wed May 20, 2009 10:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Dropship readout display videos
friendlyskies wrote:
That would be cool thanks. Just to note though, it's all voluntary so there's no money involved if they ask.

Yep, no worries.
I will ask. However, he is currently working on "that game" that's mentioned on here in another thread :wink:


Oh yeah - definitely moving displays!!!!

The big one will be pic 2, left screen.
If you have that showing a moving terrain map, overlaid with twin columns of horizontal lines, you'd have no need for an actual Artificial Horizon. Even if the Dropship is in space, the moving display behind the columns would give the same effect;

____________ ____________ -043°
____________ ____________ Range 014
____________ ____________ A/S 620
____________ ____________ Alt 20,000
____________ ____________ Thrust 72 %
____________ ____________

EDIT: Actually, the Forum won't let me display it properly, so imagine there's a good 1" gap between the columns there.

Basically that, floating over the moving graphic. As the Dropship banks, the terrain map/space display turns appropriately but the lines stay square with the monitor.
Kinda ripping off the Dropship display in Aliens itself, but with our own take on it :wink:


Are you coming by the Drop this weekend?
If so, I can have sketches done for you by then...
Author:  friendlyskies [ Wed May 20, 2009 11:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Dropship readout display videos
Thanks Woody but no I won't be at the drop this weekend mate.

Sounds good what your suggesting though bud. Anyone on here that could actually do this though I wonder?

Cheers

Darren
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