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 " 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...