A-7E Corsair II – Digital Combat Simulator
Task:
3D Art – Organization of 3D scanning sessions, conducting 3D scanning, post-processing the data, and creating stunning, mechanically accurate 3D models – including UVs, LODs, bakes, PBR textures, animations, promotional renders, and R&D of new workflows.
Purpose of creation:
DCS (Digital Combat Simulator) & Microsoft Flight Simulator 20xx
The story
In 2023 I was approached by FlyingIron Simulations, with a request to 3D model the entire A-7E Corsair II.
I joined the team and realized that the project was already 4 years in development, and they were on the second revision of the model. Yet, the model still had wrong proportions and shapes due to blueprint inaccuracies.
It was clear to me, that no re-works would fix the existing model. The entire 3D model had to be modeled from scratch. There was no more space, budget, and time for errors. I knew from the start, that the only way to achieve accuracy was through 3D scanning. I began scouting the internet in search of the perfect candidate inside Europe. I found her in Portugal, and after getting in touch with the museum I established communication with Anabela. Based on my request, a shoot was organized in three museums (Alverca, Sintra, and Ovar). It was achieved thanks to Anabela and the museum’s crew.
While I was still negotiating the shoot with the museum, I began researching and purchasing all the necessary gear that my wallet could afford. It was somewhat basic but good enough to get the job done. Dates were set, I packed my gear, and I had five days to visit three museums across the country. I had to shoot two exteriors, and two cockpits, crawl inside the engine intake, and shoot internals.
The shoot was intense, but also a joy at the same time! On a daily basis, I shot approximately 3000 pictures a day. After the shoot, everything had to be triple-backed up, gear cleaned up, and charged for the next day. The schedule was like this – Travel, shoot, shoot, then travel, shoot, and travel again, shoot, shoot, and travel once again.
Upon my return home, I began to process all the data and set up a whole new structure and efficient workflow for the entire “Art – part” of the A-7E project. I began to model the exterior first, and after an updated plan I moved on to the cockpit. The A-7 we shot was a “D” version. Because of that some panels were different, and required a custom modeling approach through reference, which I’ve been able to harvest on the internet.
In the end, the A-7E Corsair II began to shine with quality and accuracy!
A-7E Corsair II is truly a flying transformer. Wireframe & UV renders are below.
Round-up
Unfortunately, due to sudden turbulence in the flight-simulation environment – factors outside my control that caused a shift in wind direction – the A-7E Corsair II project was put on hold. At the time, I was solely responsible for the “Art” portion of the project. My attempts to encourage management to push through the difficult period by putting all hands on deck, focusing exclusively on the A-7E Corsair II, and assigning it the highest priority were unsuccessful. The lack of clear direction ultimately led to my departure from FlyingIron Simulations.
Although I’m saddened that I wasn’t able to complete the A-7E Corsair II, I’m incredibly proud of what I did accomplish – the results speak for themselves! Perhaps one day the project will return to me, allowing me to complete it with the level of artistic quality the A-7 Corsair II truly deserves.
Overall, it was a great collaboration with FlyingIron Simulations, and I have many wonderful memories from my time working on this project. You can read more about my part in this project, here:
https://flyingironsimulations.com/blogs/news/dcs-a-7e-development-update
