I am new at aircraft making and...

[gijake]

I have a 3ds model that I want to turn into an aircraft in this game?  Where is the editor for this?

[Katahu]

Any file that is made in 3Ds Max [a rather expensive design tool] will have the extention *.3DS. Gmax [a free design tool] can import this file so that you can can model it. You can download Gmax and register it at www.turbosquid.com.

Be warned. In Gmax, or in any design tool, modeling an addon for FS is not going to be easy. 3D modeling never is easy. There are tutorials available www.freeflightdesign.com. The turbosquid website provide basic tutorials on how to model a P-38 using simple objects.

There are a handleful of websites that can provide tutorials that range from basic modeling to complex techniques and steps for exporting a model to FS. When you install Gmax, you need the following gamepack from Microsoft:

Make Model SDK - http://www.microsoft.com/games/flightsi ... ds_sdk.asp

Just scroll down a little and click on the highlighted link that says Make Model SDK.

EDIT: The Gmax Gamepack SDK also provides important files needed for exporting.

[gijake]

I have the model done I imported it to gmax.  I havent the slightest idea of how to texture it and put it into flight sim.

[Katahu]

That's where the tutorials come in. However, the part of the textures will be the tricky part since you will have to grasp the understanding on how naming a texture can effect the looks of a texture in FS. Not only that, you also have to understand the steps that are involved. Here are the basic steps for texturing:

Create a normal bitmap texture* > Apply to model in Gmax > line up textures in Gmax > Convert textures to neccesary format > reload textures in Gmax** > Export model to FS.

* Make sure to save the new texture in a texture subfolder of the new addon in the Aircraft forlder.

** Reloading the textures in Gmax will refresh the information about the textures. The new info will make the converted textures look all grayish in Gmax just before exporting [this is normal].

[H]

Just a little info by someone likened to do retexturing: if possible, try to split textures along natural breaks. That is, say, you have verticle color bands or sheeting edges that can be put along the border of one of the textures where two textures meet. This may, however, have some conflict with the 'stretching' effect if one texture is applied to a larger area of the finished view than the other. Obviously, the more textures that are applied to a finished side view, the less stretching takes place.
As said, just a mention, if possible.

[Milton]

This might be a good start on model UVW mapping, applying textures, etc.

http://www.aerodynamika.com/cgi-bin/yab ... 1137606206

[Felix/FFDS]

This might be a good start on model UVW mapping, applying textures, etc.

http://www.aerodynamika.com/cgi-bin/yab ... 1137606206

Someone actually read that post?  I'm amazed!

[Milton]

LOL Felix.  If one heeds not your posts, then one is missing many intricate tidbits about FS life itself.  Thank you for summing up the 1,2,3's of learning mapping in that post.  We need more of that kind of thing for budding designers.  ;)