Aechelon Technology's C-NOVA™ Model Library is designed to fulfill the requirements of any training, simulation or battlefield visualization project.
Additional models are constantly being added to this fast growing library. This rapid expansion helps to minimize the amount of custom/project-specific modeling that must be undertaken by the customer. The models in the library have all been optimized for maximum performance in meshing, rendering and graphics hardware acceleration compatibility. These models have tested favorably against those available in competing model libraries in both quality and performance (for similar hardware configurations).
Professional services are also available from the Aechelon Technology Modeling Division to assist in meeting project-specific modeling requirements.
On startup of the C-NOVA image generator, the model library is loaded and automatically optimized in geometry, texture and hardware specific characteristics to maximize performance of the image generator hardware platform at the highest possible fidelity. Controls are provided to bias the optimizations and to allow project-specific control of the quality vs. performance trade-offs for different model groups (e.g., targets, main models, etc.). All the models in the library have been extensively benchmarked on many different hardware platforms and configurations to ensure optimum performance. This consistent attention to performance and hardware specific optimization is what has made Aechelon Technology a leader in performance and quality of models in this market segment.
This method of model library optimization helps makes the library "future-proof." Because the models are created at the highest possible fidelity and dynamically optimized to fit the profile of the graphics hardware of the image generator at runtime, advances in the graphics state-of-the-art will automatically be taken advantage of, resulting in higher fidelity runtime models with no additional reworking of the model library. These "future-proof" models provide investment protection for future hardware upgrades by automatically adapting to the capabilities of image generation hardware as it improves.
Level of Detail
Each model in the C-NOVA Model Library is generated with multiple levels of detail engineered to completely preserve model color and shape characteristics over distance transitions.
The model is constructed from a hi-resolution count to a minimum, in several steps.
All the steps may not be currently necessary at a given project phase for a variety of reasons (the model is a target and never shown at a close-up; the actual hardware polygon count has a maximum optimized allowed count, output display resolution, etc.), but the step is preserved in order to preserve our (and our customers') investment for future projects or graphic hardware generations to come.
Fading of detail distance between levels is measured as well, in order to achieve seamless transitioning.
Articulated Parts
Hierarchical animated parts are present in all models that require transformation, movement or control from the ICD or PI, as a part of a trainer requirement. Each dynamic component of the geometry is controlled through C-NOVA with the engineering constraints in limits or degrees of freedom of the real hardware.
Model articulations may include but are not limited to :
- Variable Wings, Propellers, Helix and rotor blades.
- Landing Gear.
- Turrets.
- Missiles.
- Weapon systems (CIWS, Rockets/Missile Launchers, Guns, etc.).
- Cameras.
- Train wagon segments.
- Refueling probe.
- Deck elevators, Screws and Rudders.
- Radar Systems.
Camo schemes
The C-NOVA model library is updated monthly with new models and variants.
All models are based on real world photographic information, and follow the standards on chemical color profiles for painting (FED-STD, STANAG, RAL, etc.), when applicable. This standard information is also retained in the process of material sensorization of textures.
Models are supplied in a range of variants, based on country, operator, air wing, division, and camouflage scheme.
The Aechelon Technology Modeling Division also delivers customer specific project needs.
Examples of various paint schemes may be:
- NATO winter.
- Desert sand.
- USMC camouflage.
- Blue CIS camouflage.
- United Airlines paint.
Special effects
Aechelon Technology models have special effects attached to animations, which serve to increase realism under C-NOVA.
These effects include but are not limited to :
- Animated / Static Rotor Blades.
- Animated / Static Engine Helix.
- Chaff, Decoy, Flare and Missile Launch.
- Engine and Afterburners.
- Exhaust Trail.
- Dust Trail.
- Gun and Machine Gun Shot.
- Landing Lobes (custom and correct illumination trough scene and environment).
- Shadow on Terrain.
- Ship Wake.
- Wheel Marks.
Damage States
Swappable Damage and Destroyed states exist for each OTW and sensor model, with or without smoke column/fire effect activation under C-NOVA.
Sensors
The model library fully supports multispectral information for the C-RADIANT and C-RADAR sensor modes, and other multipass rendering extensions for increased realism, such as:
- FLIR / NavFLIR.
- NVG.
- Litening II Pod
- Radar (SAR, RGBM, etc.)
Lighting
Aechelon Technology models have all the necessary lighting elements, taking into account physical/real world specifications in order to have the closest approximation that C-NOVA and the current graphics/display hardware configuration permit.
All models contain information about intensity level, color and color blending, NVG compatibility, operational angles, intermittency, etc.
When belonging to a particular lighting system, the control of visual position and distance based parameter changes. These changes are achieved seamlessly through C-NOVA and C-RADIANT.
Intensity ratio (each PAR type) and decay with distance or weather conditions is considered.
Sea models may include:
- DAPS Optical Landing System.
- HAPI Optical Landing System.
- HPI.
- Stabilized Glide Slope Indicator System.
- Wave-off.
- Nozzle Rotation Lights.
- TRAMLINE Lights.
- Drop Line Lights.
- Aft Athwartship Lights.
- Stern Athwartship Line Lights.
- Safe Parking Line Lights.
- Forward Port Edge Lights.
- Starboard & Port Edge Lights.
- Deck Edge Lights.
- Deck Surface and Overhead Flood Lights.
- Island, Deck and Structure LPS Flood Lights.
- Runway Edge Lights.
- Hangar Wash & Ext. Lineup Line Flood Lights.
- Line-Up Lights.
- Warship Mast Lights.
- Helicopter Landing Spot and Nosewheel lights.
- Helicopter Landing Spot and Extended Pad Lights.
- Helicopter Main Wheel Marker Light.
- Homing and Rotating Beacons.
Ground models may include:
- Vehicle on route lights (headlights, rear and front).
Aerial models may include:
- Landing and taxi lights and lobes (customized per aircraft).
- Anticollision lights.
- Landing lights.
- Position lights.
- Wing/Tail lights.
- Fuselage lights.
- Aerial refueling lights.
- Formation lights.
Airfields may include:
Approach landing systems.
- High Intensity Approach Light System (ALSF-1).
- High Intensity Approach Light System ILS CAT II (ALSF-2).
- IACC Type AA (Palmerston Cross, New Zealand).
- IACC Type AB (Bent Tee, New Zealand).
- IACC Type AI (Centerline & Bar, S. America).
- IACC Type AF (Overrun Centerline High Intensity, EUR).
- IACC Type B (U.S. Configuration B).
- IACC Type BD (Changi Double Cross, UK).
- IACC Type BE (Hong Kong Curve, UK).
- IACC Type BF (Centre Row RCAF, Canada).
- IACC Type BG (Left Single Row, Canada).
- IACC Type BJ (Bulawayo Left Row Bars, Rhodesia).
- IACC Type BL (Centre Row Navy High Intensity, Canada).
- IACC Type BN (NATO Standard C).
- IACC Type BO (Centre Row Modified Calvert, Canada).
- IACC Type BP (Centre & Double Row Interrupted Modified Calvert, Canada).
- IACC Type BQ (Centre & Double Row RCAF Standard, Canada).
- IACC Type BR (Portable Approach Strobes, U.S.).
- IACC Type C (Neon Ladder, U.S.).
- IACC Type D (Navy Parallel Row & Crossbar, U.S.).
- IACC Type E (Two parallel Rows, U.S.).
- IACC Type F (Left Row High Intensity, U.S.).
- IACC Type G (Navy Composite, U.S.).
- IACC Type I (AF Overrun, U.S.).
- IACC Type J (Calvert, UK).
- IACC Type O (Centerline High Intensity, EUR).
- IACC Type Q (Alternate Centerline & Bar, EUR).
- IACC Type L (Left Single Row, EUR).
- IACC Type M (Single Row Centerline, EUR/Asia/S. America).
- IACC Type N (Narrow Multi-cross, UK).
- IACC Type R (Champagne Tree, Congo).
- IACC Type S (Cross, EUR/Africa).
- IACC Type T (Centre Row DOT Standard High Intensity, Canada).
- IACC Type U (Singapore Centerline, SE Asia).
- IACC Type W (Cisneros Arrow, Spain).
- IACC Type X (Centerline-Two cross bars, EUR/Africa).
- IACC Type Y (Whenuapai Centerline & Bar, Australia/N.Z.).
- IACC Type Z (Nandi Pyramid, Fiji/N.Z.).
- Lead-In Light System (LDIN).
- Medium Intensity Approach Light System (MALS).
- Medium Intensity Approach Light System w/sequenced flashing light (MALSF).
- Medium Intensity Approach Light System w/RAIL (MALSR).
- Omni-Directional Approach Light System (ODALS).
- Runway Alignment Indicator Light (RAIL).
- Short Approach Light System (SALS).
- Simplified Short Approach System (SSAL).
- Simplified Short Approach System w/sequenced flashing light (SSALF).
- Simplified Short Approach System w/RAIL (SSALR).
- U.S. Army Approach Light System.
Airfield Lighting elements.
- Airfield Identification Beacons.
- Approach Direction Lights.
- Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System (FLOLS).
- Helipad Beacons.
- Helipad Floodlights.
- Helipad perimeter Lights.
- High Intensity Runway Edge Lights (HIRL).
- Landing Direction Lights.
- Low Cost Visual Approach Slope Indicator (LCVASI).
- Medium Intensity Runway Edge Lights (MIRL).
- Obstruction Lights.
- Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI, APAPI).
- Pulsating Visual Approach Slope Indicator (PVASI).
- Pulse Light Approach Slope Indicator (PLASI).
- P Visual Glidescope Indicator (PVGI).
- Runway Centerline Lights (CL).
- Runway Distance Markers.
- Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL).
- Runway End Lights.
- Runway Exit Lights.
- Simplified Abbreviated Visual Approach Slope Indicator (SAVASI).
- Taxiway Centerline, Edge and Guidance sign Lights.
- Threshold Lights.
- Touchdown Zone Lights (TDZ).
- Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI, AT-VASI).
- Visual Glide Slope Indicating System (VGSI).
- Wind Cones.
Application Libraries
Some additional application models exist in order to support special features in the C-NOVA runtime.
Some of these include:
- Designators.
- Fonts, vectors and instrumentation.
- Intel icons.
- Lighting effects.
- Paths and trajectories.
- Sensor effects.
- Tactical and Mission Rehearsal models.
- Threat domes.
- Weapon effects.
- Weather effects.
Project Optimization
Factors such as LOD polygon count, number of levels and transition fading ranges are automatically selected by the C-NOVA runtime based on hardware performance characteristics and project priority selection in models activated for the project.
Textures are re-sampled from high-resolution source to the optimal resolution based on hardware performance characteristics and project priority selection in models activated for the project.
Hardware Optimization
Textures and meshing are loaded and stored by C-NOVA in an optimal format, based on graphics hardware configuration and capabilities in order to maximize performance.
This process is seamless to the user, and based on Aechelon Technology's years of experience in graphics hardware and libraries.
Model Import
The model library is embedded in the C-NOVA image generator and is not exportable.
Generation and use of legacy databases in C-NOVA may be accomplished through the remapping of features from the old database to corresponding models in the model library using tools from the C-Genesis™ Database Generation System (DBGS).
A limited number of features that have no corresponding model in the library may be imported into the library for use at runtime. This is one approach to re-mapping legacy databases and provides a cost effective and less risky path to transitioning legacy databases to higher performance image generation platforms.
The library does not prevent the importation of customer-generated models although obviously no performance or quality guarantees are provided for imported models.
For maximum performance, quality, cost effectiveness and protection of your investment for future hardware upgrades, Aechelon Technology strongly recommends using models from the C-NOVA library.
If a specific model is not currently available in the library Aechelon Technology offers professional services to expedite the development and inclusion of that model into the library, in order to meet your project requirements.