GMAX model converting question.

[South]

i know i have been "flooding" the Forums lately with all my questions, sorry if anyone is offended by it.  :-[

anyways...

I can't figure out how to convert a GMAX model that i have made to a .mdl file so it can be used in FS.
I can't finds it in any of the tutorials  :-[

please help.
thanx!

[Berserk]

You need to download the "Make Model SDK" at http://www.microsoft.com/games/flightsimulator/fs2004_downloads_sdk.asp with that program you make the mdl for Fs2004 Only, if you want a flyable model in fs2002 you need the  "Make Model SDK" for Fs2002

I dont know exactly how configure it in gmax cause I use FSDS.

Regards

Berserk

[Greg Ebnit EApilot]

I'm not sure if I'll be able to help but here is a couple of questions that will help the other members help you.                                                                                    1.What version of FS are you trying to make the model file for?  2.What game pack or SDK do you have installed in your Gmax pluggins folder. Is it for FS2002 or FS2004?  3.Is the model meant for scenery or is it aircraft?  FS2002 Makemdl SDK is a good game pack for scenery and is most used for the purpose of Aircraft and scenery in FS2002 and scenery in FS2004. Many people have different pluggins folders setup for making scenery for FS2004 using the FS2002 SDK Makemdl. Then they switch to the FS2004 Makemdl pluggins setup for exporting aircraft for FS2004 because of XML gauges and part name differences.

[South]

1.What version of FS are you trying to make the model file for?

FS2004

2.What game pack or SDK do you have installed in your Gmax pluggins folder. Is it for FS2002 or FS2004?

don't know i have any, where do i get them?  :-[

.Is the model meant for scenery or is it aircraft?

I would really like to make both, but mainly scenery.

[Travis]

ACOF SDK's (Software Developer's Kit): Get the Make Model one and the Gmax one.  Install both to their predetermined folders and all will be well.

[South]

thanx! i installed it.

Now for the catch
what are the steps In the GMAX program for exporting a model file that can be used in FS?

as you can see i am very new to this

[South]

also
how do you join (or combine) two objects in GMAX?
say for example i made two boxes in GMAX and wanted to join them to make something else, how would i do that?

i can't find it in the tutorials

[Travis]

Okay, conversions will have to wait until tomorrow or later.  I'm too tired right now . . .

As for joining two objects, select one (has to be editable mesh) and then scroll down in the editor menu on the right.  Look for "Attach".  Click that and then click on the other object.  Voila!  Attached.

Now go into sub-object selection and "Vertex".  Select all the vertices of the object and go down to "Weld".  In the box next to "Selected" type in 0.01 and then click the button.  This will weld any vertices that are colocated (in the same spot), which would cause problems when you're trying to export.

[South]

Still no luck

I click "Selected" (what i think you mean when you just say "the button") and it tells me
"No vertices within weld threshhold"

[Travis]

When that happens, don't worry about it.  The instructions I gave are just to prevent problems when converting later on, as MakeMDL does NOT like colocated vertices.  If it says "no vertices, etc" then just move on to the next bit of your project.

[South]

ok thanx!