AutoCAD and designing airplanes........

[nosefirsteverytime]

I have AutoCAD 2000, as it came with the computer, and I have a few ideas on repaints/designs I'd like to do. What should I get/do now to get started making planes? My sims are CFS1 and FS2004 (when I can get that working!).

[X_eidos2]

If you're just starting out - starting with re-paints of existing aircraft, I'd suggest getting a good image editing program like PhotoShop or PaintShop Pro.

If you're just learnig AutoCAD 2000 - I'd recommend not bothering with it at all and invest in a copy FSDS2 (Abacus' Flight Sim Design Studio version 2). To get from AutoCAD to something that can fly in any sim, you'd have to do quite a few extra steps, file conversions, etc.
FSDS is designed to take you from start to finish in making a plane.

[Felix/FFDS]

For CFS1 you're SOL.  CFS1 uses an older model style, and the only way to create models for it (without going into the hadn coding, etc.) is using either Abacus' Aircraft Factrory 99 or ACT Publishing's AD2000.

For FS2004/FS9/FS-ACOF (take your pick of name), you can model in autocad, export as a direct x file and use Microsoft's amkemdl.exe directly on the x file.

Makemdl is available as a stand alone item with the scenery SDK.

Required readings, though, are the Aircraft container SDK, MAKEMDLSDK so you can have the correct part names, etc.

[Hagar]

For FS2004/FS9/FS-ACOF (take your pick of name), you can model in autocad, export as a direct x file and use Microsoft's amkemdl.exe directly on the x file.

Makemdl is available as a stand alone item with the scenery SDK.

Required readings, though, are the Aircraft container SDK, MAKEMDLSDK so you can have the correct part names, etc.

Felix. What are you on today & can I have some?

To clarify, if I remember correctly Makemdl.exe is included with the FS2002 MakeMDL SDK. There is no FS2004 SDK available at this time. The FS2002 SDKs are posted here. http://zone.msn.com/flightsim/FS02DevDeskSDK00.asp

[Felix/FFDS]

hehe IMAGETOOL is included with the scenery SDK, Makemdl is included with the makemdl SDK.

(Note:  I did not mention either FS2K2 or FS9 SDKs, just SDK..  I presumed that we all knew that FS9 SDKs aren't out yet...

Felix. What are you on today & can I have some?

To clarify, if I remember correctly Makemdl.exe is included with the FS2002 MakeMDL SDK. There is no FS2004 SDK available at this time. The FS2002 SDKs are posted here. http://zone.msn.com/flightsim/FS02DevDeskSDK00.asp

[Han]

Although I might stand corrected, I dont think ACAD 2000 can save x files...better go the DXF route...
Create in AFCAD each part on a different layer, name that layer according to the SDK naming conventions and gmax should pick that up...