The long road to create a Wing42 add-on
Discover the long, and intricate process of creating Wing42 add-ons for Flight Simulator!
1. Research
Before any work can begin, we’re acquiring as much information about the aircraft we build as possible. We buy pilot’s operating handbooks, technical drawings, maintenance and overhaul manual, research what type of equipment was commonly used and collect manuals of that as well.
We reach out to pilots, museums and other organizations to assist us with our research.
Required time: ~1 month
2. Gathering Reference Material
As many photographs and drawings are being collected and organized on a large canvas for quick and easy access. This library is constantly being extended throughout the whole process.
Required time: Many hours, but parallel to the rest of the development.
Tool used: PureRef
3. 3D Modelling
4. Texturing
To really bring the aircraft to life, Substance Painter is used to create those high-definition PBR textures.
Required time: ~1 month
Tools used: Substance Painter & Photoshop
5. Flight Model
6. Sound Engineering
A kick-ass add-on requires a kick-ass sound! We take great care at sourcing all our aircraft and environmental sounds to match our original aircraft. WWise is used to bring those sounds into the flight simulator.
Required time: ~1 month
7. Programming
8. Documentation
Great care is taken in compiling the various manuals, which assist in the use of our add-ons.
Required time: ~1 month
9. Debugging, Testing, more debugging
10. Deployment
Towards the last days of the testing phase, we develop the installer for the addon. The final step is to upload the file to the wing42 servers and set up the Product pages.
Required time: ~2 week
