This is a preview to the 3D flight simulator model previously published on this blog. You can download the Excel Model or check out how to build this animation from scratch here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Read More... "A 3D Flight Simulator – video preview"
This section displays the landscape on a 2D scatter chart and also upgrades the joystick chart by adding a dial behind the joystick image. This technique of using a stack of a back chart to display dial sprites and a front chart with transparent background to display various control devices, indicator needles and text will extensively be used in this… Read More... "Flight Simulator Tutorial #7 – upgrading the joystick chart, adding a reset button and a throttle scroll bar"
This section finishes the macro analysis and continues with the conversion of the u-v 2D formula array into a chart-able 1D array. It also adds two columns to the chart-able array, a masking condition for each triangle and masked u-coordinate which will throw out of the visible portion of the chart any shape which has a minimum of one vertex… Read More... "Flight Simulator Tutorial #6 – macro review, scene derivation and integration, mapping of the 2D u-v data into a chartable 1D array, rejecting image artifacts"
This section explains the spreadsheet implementation of the perspective rotation and translation formulas within the Present array. It also shows the implementation of the 3D-2D conversion formulas within the Past array, then it goes on to presenting the VBA macros used (the Reset and JoyStick macros). [sociallocker][/sociallocker] A Basic Flight Simulator in Excel #5 – the worksheet implementation of the… Read More... "Flight Simulator Tutorial #5 – the worksheet implementation of the perspective handling formulas and VBA the macros"
This section explains the top level functionality of the model, it also allocates the data and formula arrays needed for manipulating the scene image. The roll rate, pitch rate and throttle formulas are implemented in the worksheet. [sociallocker][/sociallocker] A Basic Flight Simulator in Excel #4 – creating the initial, current and previous landscape matrices by George Lungu – This section starts… Read More... "Flight Simulator Tutorial #4 – matrix allocation and input parameter formulas (roll rate, pitch rate, throttle)"
This is the first version of a 3D flight simulator in Excel. Start by adjusting the zoom on your file to fit the screen, so you can see the whole chart and the buttons underneath, then click “Reset” and then click the red dot in the center of the joystick. After that, the joystick handle will “stick” to your mouse pointer so… Read More... "A First Flight Simulator Model in Excel"
This section deals with a simple method of creating the appearance of scene movement during the flight. Beside reviewing standandard rotation and translation formulas described before on this blog, the presentation begins to explain how to apply numerical-like methods to create a live and interactive model. A Basic Flight Simulator in Excel #3 – calculating the scene rotation and translation as a result… Read More... "Flight Simulator Tutorial #3 – scene rotations and translation"
This is the second part of a tutorial explaining the creation of an “in-cockpit” flight simulator (versus the remote control simulator) model in Excel 2003. This section introduces some basic piloting background and nomenclature. A Basic Flight Simulator in Excel #2 – airplane positioning, control surfaces and turn dynamics by George Lungu – This tutorial explains the basics of airplane… Read More... "Flight Simulator Tutorial #2 – basic airplane positioning, control surfaces and turn dynamics"
This is the first section of a tutorial explaining how to build a 3D flight simulator in Excel. This part deals with creating a joystick and a triangular ground mesh. The joystick model was explained in a previous post from January 2011 and the ground mesh was already used in the 3D roller-coaster. [sociallocker][/sociallocker] A Basic Flight Simulator in Excel #1 – using… Read More... "Flight Simulator Tutorial #1 – the joystick and a ground mesh"