can NOT create a VC in gmax!

[5thranger]

I really don't know what the problem is, reading some previous advice in here, the procedure to create a VC is as follow:

1. create a dummy object, name it EXTERIOR and hyerarchy link all the components that will make the exterior of the plane, to it.

2. in a separate file, create a dummy object, name it INTERIOR, and hyerarchy link all the components that will make the VC of the plane, to it.

3. back to the exterior file, merge the interior file.

At this point, gmax asked me what to do with some objects that had the same name in both the interior and exterior files. I chose to merge and use the same name (as there is really no other option)

Then the same question but this time about materials with the same name, so again I used the exterior scene material names.

When all was said and done, I selected everything, clicked  Export selected, and off it went.

I fired up FS9, loaded up my plane...and sure enough....still no VC.

What is the problem based on this description of events?

Thanks in advance

Hector

[Mathias]

You cannot have dublicated names, that will cause those parts to not show up.

[Travis]

You cannot have dublicated names, that will cause those parts to not show up.

Not in my experience.

I ALWAYS have a seperate interior/exterior file with the exact same names for all the parts.  The ony difference between the two is the location and name of the dummy.

Make sure your interior dummy is located at the exact position where you want the viewpoint to start from.

Now open up the aircraft.cfg and find the section titled [viewpoints].  Zero all the numbers, then try exporting and viewing in the sim one more time.

If you've already done this, or it doesn't work, go back to Gmax.

1. Make sure there are two of each part in the scene you are exporting from.  One part for the exterior and one for the interior.

2.  Make sure the dummies are both present, and there is one set of parts linked to each.  i.e.--make sure the twin parts aren't linked to just one of the two dummies.

3. If you don't already have them, go get and install Middleman and MDLCommander.  These are two little progs that sit in the same folder as MakeMDL and allow you to have more control over the export process.  I still use them, and have had absolutely no trouble with MakeMDL.  They each give instructions on how to install and rename components so they are in the export path.

Middleman (Click on "Middleman" on the left)

MDLCommander (Freeware-->Go To Downloads-->MDLCommander-->Download MDLCommander)

Make sure you get both progs, then install, as they have a certain setup for each.

NOW try exporting.  When the export dialogue comes up, near the bottom it should say (if everything is set up correctly) "Interior found, autointerior will be disabled for this export" or something like that.  If it doesn't, my money is on you not having a part or two linked to one of the dummies.  Remember: EVERYTHING must be linked to one of the dummies for this to work.  If everything is linked, try unhiding all objects (right click-->Unhide All) and see if anything pops up.

[5thranger]

Locke,

thanks for your reply, I will make sure and try it all tonight.

One last thingI forgot to mention is, last night when trying the VC deal, when I selected all the elements for the EXTERIOR dummy, and linking them to it....I lost my landing gear hyearachies as well.

So what the f*ck?, should I make the landing gears a group so they dont lose the links?

[Felix/FFDS]

Locke,

thanks for your reply, I will make sure and try it all tonight.

One last thingI forgot to mention is, last night when trying the VC deal, when I selected all the elements for the EXTERIOR dummy, and linking them to it....I lost my landing gear hyearachies as well.

So what the f*ck?, should I make the landing gears a group so they dont lose the links?

I believe that you have to be careful with what you link when.

For example, you would link the parent gear part (say l_gear) to the EXTERIOR dummy, but the l_tire, l_gear_01, etc., would remain linked to l_gear.

[Mathias]

Locke, you sure you create a true FS9 model when using middleman and mdlcommander?
I thought it will just output FS8 models.
That would explain why you have no issues with dublicated nodenames.

[Travis]

Locke, you sure you create a true FS9 model when using middleman and mdlcommander?
I thought it will just output FS8 models.
That would explain why you have no issues with dublicated nodenames.

Absolutely full FS9 compatability.  Clickable VC, smooth control animations and everything.

I do, however, have trouble with converting scenery using he two extra progs, as the setup for FS9 is different from FS8.  But I just keep two "plugins" folders in my gmax (one without the two extras) and change them out if I need to do scenery.