In addition to the built-in Characters included in the Dream Flight Adventures library, you can also create custom Characters using 3D models of your own.
1. File Format
Custom 3D models must be in .OBJ format, and they must have an accompanying material in .MTL format.
2. Getting Started
Before you can use custom models in a mission, you must first configure them in advance. It’s important to do this before the real simulation begins, without any crew inside your simulator.
After you have your 3D model ready, launch Dream Flight Adventures on the Viewscreen computer and select “Viewscreen” to start a simulation.
Then, hit the Esc key on your keyboard to bring up the menu and select the “Settings” button. At the bottom of the settings there is a section for Custom Models. Select “Configure.”
A pop-up will warn you that configuring custom models will interrupt the running simulation. Select “Continue.”
This will load the custom model configuration tool. To get started, click the “+” button in the panel on the left. Enter a name, and then click on the “Configure” button.
3. Configuring the Models
First, use the two “Set” buttons to locate your model’s .OBJ and .MTL files.
Then, select the “Preview” button to load the model. You can click and drag on the model to view it from various angles.
Use the “Rotate 90°” button to rotate the model, as needed.
You can specify the character’s color, which affects its trail (if applicable), weapons, and glowing long-distance indicator. It does not affect the model’s own appearance–that is controlled by the .MTL file and its associated textures (handled in your 3D modeling program, not the Dream Flight Adventures app).
Use the checkboxes next to “Engine Exhaust” to add or remove exhaust plumes. When checked, you can click on the exhaust plume and reposition them as desired.
Use the checkbox next to “Trail” to give your character a glowing movement trail, if desired. You can reposition the endpoints–marked with green and red spheres–to fit your model’s shape. The green and red spheres are for configuration convenience only–they will not be visible in the final result.
When you’re satisfied with your model’s setup, click the “Save” button.
Repeat the above steps for as many models as you want. When you’re done, click on the “Done” button to be returned to the normal simulation mode.
Note: These advanced configuration steps only need to be done once per model. Once this setup is complete, you can use the custom model as many times as you want.
4. Using the Models
When creating a Character from the Flight Director Controls, select any of the “Custom Model” options, which are found in the “Other > Misc.” section of the Flight Director spawn controls. There are several preset options available, each of which will determine how the character behaves (e.g. like a spaceship, a building, an underwater creature, etc.). You can use whichever presets suit your needs.
Then, when giving the Character a name, insert the name of the custom model (specified in #2 above) followed by a “/” and then the name that should appear on sensors.
For example, a Character named “Planet/Neptune” would use the custom model “Planet” and appear as “Neptune” on sensors.
Please let us know if you run into any problems or need further assistance. Happy flying!