AIR FILE?

[garymbuska]

Ok I am a little curious. I know that there are programs like GMAX for making aircraft and bulidings but what do you use to make the AIR file with. I would imagine any spes one might have for the real plane would be helpful.
 This has probably been asked before but I am a little lazy and did not feel like searching for post on the subject.

[Felix/FFDS]

Only because you're a nice guy, but perusing the sticky 1st thread  will show:

AIR FILE and Aircraft.cfg issues.

Check the post by ivan for interesting links.

Basically, you're looking at AirEd for *.air file editing, and Notepad for aircraft.cfg editing...

[garymbuska]

Thanks Felix for the reply but I was looking for was how to make a AIR file from Scratch.
In other words say I have made a aircraft using gmax I know I compile the data to make the mdl file and use a program like FSPANEL DESIGN STUDIO to make a panel with, but how do you make the needed air file? does GMAX do that also are is there some other program needed to make this

[Felix/FFDS]

That's the EASY part.....

First of all, I don't think that other than from the original Flight Shop, you can even CREATE an air file "from scratch"   (Of course this is the technically correct, but useless answer.)

What you do is you copy the air file from a similar airplane and start adjusting from there.

This is the same way you take an aircraft.cfg file from a similar plane and start changin... (or a panel.cfg, or a sound.cfg).

This is the one tool that the compiling process from gmax lacks.  When you compile a model the first time from FSDS, the programs copies all these files from your "seed" airplane and adds in the basic information.

In a nutshell, you have to copy and modify from a seed airplane to create your model's file hierarchy.

[garymbuska]

  Thanks a lot Felix that is what I wanted to know.

I like the way U say that is the easy part from my experience with gmax I have to agree with you. I have to hand it to the builders they certainly have more paientance than I do.
I almost pulled every hair out of my head trying to make the P38 lightning in the GMAX tutorials and wound up Gray headed and nearly bald
But I did manage to make a good looking building I now use as a line shack at my base air port. So it was not a complete loss. I have thought about getting the two cds for GMAX and trying the tutorials in those but have not worked up the nerve yet.

[curlyo]

Hi Garymbuska

I understand just where you are coming from. After creating models in FSDv3 the only way too give them an airfile is through the use of aircraft airfiles in your sim. This I do' but I too wish to have my own airfiles. Felix is correct in what he says. If there's away too create my own airfiles' I will find it. However untill then. Stock airfiles are the way too go.  Keep trying to get your own airfiles. My requests too use other designers tweaked airfiles' in my models have fallen on deaf ears. This is why I need my own.

Cheers

Frank.

[Felix/FFDS]

Remember, one nice thing is that FS does provide a resonable set of "sample" *.air files, of course, these are the default planes, but they're a good starting point.

WIth the tools available, one can make a reasonable first approximation, and from there keep tweaking and tweaking, until you get it "right".

[curlyo]

Hi Felix

Where would we be without the stock aircraft airfiles. No sim of course. Once again your correct in what you advise. Howewever I will get my own airfiles eventually' so for now its Tweak, tweak,and tweak' untill I get it right. Thanks for your time Felix.

Cheers

Frank.

[Milton]

Download and read the FSEdit SDK.  There are specific instructions for creating a new aircraft folder complete with templates for all the folders.  See the Section Adding New Aircraft.  Of course you have to create the model. :-)

http://www.microsoft.com/games/flightsi ... ds_sdk.asp

[Felix/FFDS]

Or, if you have FSDS (any version) create a very primitive model in FSDS - just a series of blocks and the reference points (wheel and scrape points, pilot view) and compile it from FSDS....

then go into gmax and create your model - when you compile, you have the ready-made "seed" plane already made.

(and I bet it happens more than we think/admit)

[curlyo]

Hi Milton

Thanks for the link. This should give me a fair go at working with the require airfiles. These forums are fantastic in helping others with their problems. Without that Link I would not be moving forwards, as I'am now. I do create my own models' in FSDv3, so i have no big problems there. Thanks again Milton.


Cheers

Frank.

[Hagar]

Has anyone tried Jerry Beckwith's Flight Dynamics Workbook?
http://www.mudpond.us/utilities_index.html

[Milton]

That's what I use and love it!  8)

[curlyo]

Hi Hagar

Thanks for the link. Will give Jerry's workbook a go.

Cheers


Frank.

[curlyo]

Hi Milton.


Got the download in for FS EdIt. Thanks again for the link.

Cheers


FRank.