FSX sdk

[mossdog]

Can any one fill me in on whats new with FSX DSK. I bought FSX deluxe and i hear that the sdk is on the first disk but i was wondering how it works. The only programe ive ever had expieriance with was gmax (and you cant really call it expieriance lol) So how does it work? From what ive gathered i need to learn something about c++ ? Am i right? Cant wait to install it when i get my new pc

[Felix/FFDS]

The SDKs are the documents and helper applications used to create content - missions, scenery, aircrfaft, etc - for FS-X.  As it comes out of the box with FS-X, you get the tools for 3DSMax only.  The SDK SP1 update, downloadable from the microsoft insider site (fsinsider.com_) updates the SDKs and adds the gmax tools.

[mossdog]

Thanks Felix so (just to clarify) i get gmax when i download the update for it but i can use the sdk as it is to produce add on planes?

[Felix/FFDS]

Presuming you do NOT have gmax already installed.

1. When you install the SDK from the FS-X disc, gmax gets placed in a folder.  You then have two folders setup:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\gmax

and

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\SDK

Within the C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\gmax folder, you have the three gmax executables  - gmax12.exe; gmax12_help.exe; and gmax12_tutorials.exe.  Install each (the default is to c:\gmax) - you'll have to go through the registration process at turbosuid.com - or do the gmax workaround that you can download here at Simviation  (don't worry, it's an accepted and allowed workaraound)

Within the C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\SDK are the various SDKs for content creation but with the 3DSMax tools only!!  (It does inlcude the FS9 plugin for gmax, but all you could do is create a static object... forget that it's even there).  For now, leave the SDK alone, except to read and memorize the documents (written exam in two hours).

2.  DOwnload and install the SDK SP1.  WHen complete, this download not only updates the SDK documents, but also adds the gmax FS-X gamepack, which gets installed to:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\SDK\Environment Kit\Modeling SDK\FSX_GmaxGamePack

You WILL bodily copy (or move) that FSX_GmaxGamepack and place it into your C:\gmax\gamepacks folder keeping the same structure, etc.

WIthin the FSX_GmaxGamepack folder there will be an FSX_gmax shortcut - send that to desktop and always start your FS-X modelling with that shortcut.


Of course that above instrictions are not etched in stone, and you can change paths, etc. (as you can see in the documents) but keeping it as close to the default installation paths as you can will avoid problems.


CAVEAT:

In the
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\SDK\Environment Kit\Modeling SDK folder you will see a folder called \bin and it has but one file:  modeldef.xml  LEAVE IT THERE!  the gmax plugins are hard coded to look for it in that particular folder.

[mossdog]

Thanks so much for your help. really appreciate it and cant wait to get started (new computer in a couple of weeks . But im counting down the days.  Im sure im going to hit all kinds of problems in gmax but thats what these forums are for i guess. Thanks again

[Felix/FFDS]

May I also suggest that, considering that it is increasingly fashionable among FS-X flightsim modellers , that you get your head shaved NOW?

[mossdog]

Ha i dont know about that ive got people here to help me out. Besides i dont think shaved would suit me lol.