Improving the C182
Update:
June 30, 2020
The Cessna 172 re-modelling is progressing very nicely, but I need a faster airplane, and the Cesna 182 is the ideal candidate. The FG 182 is really quite inaccurate and block like so I will have to build by own. The latest 182 version will require a lot of work to run in FG 1 and also it is not really simple enough for my purposes, degrading the aircraft would be the only result.
Standard 182 model in FGRUN: inaccurate and thin window pillars.
The 182 RG is somewhat improved, however the shape is not rounded enough - especially the cowling. Could be remodelled, however. Again, in the FGRUN window
The Cessna 182 RG in G3D viewer. Its just possible that this could be edited to resemble the real thing. Many polygonal shapes as can be seen here, but window pillars and seats are better.
Steps:
1. Copy the c182 folder and paste it. It will be renamed c182 (copy). Change the name to c182n301dp.
2. The aircraft is started in FG using the name of the set file, so I rename the file c182n301dp-set.xml
3. The description inside the file was also edited to show in the Flight Gear launcher.
<description>Cessna 182 N301DP</description>
4. The 3D model was imported into Blender version 2.64 (win32) that allow import and export of .ac files and exported into .obj format. This is the best intermediate format for exporting models that have to be imported into Wings 3D (1.4 version)
I had to re-export the model to .ac from Blender and then re-import the model into Blender, then export to .obj format, presumably cleaning up the file. Importing the .ac file and re-exporting to .obj did not work, Wings 3d crashed.
5. The model imported into Wings 3D, changes were made. The model was then saved into the c182n301dp folder
6. The aircraft model reference was changed to 182v1.3ds in the /aircraft/c182n301dp/models folder settings file which is named c182-dpm.xml
The model loads and runs, needs to be rotated to the right 90 degrees, however.
