No .MDL ouput in GMAX

[Gnome]

I've just downloaded and installed GMAX 1.2 on a new machine but it won't let me export as .MDL.  I have installed MakeMDL from M$ (renamed makem) and Middleman into the plugins folder.

The file I'm trying to export is from GMAX 1.1 but it all seems to work OK in GMAX 1.2 so have I forgotten something else or is that the problem?

Thanks.


Kev

[Travis]

Well, WHY won't it let you export?

[Felix/FFDS]

gmax+makemdl = nothing.

Remember, you need to install the GMAX gamepack so that the converter plugin (FSModelExp.dle) gets installed.

You can have MDLCommander, middleman, makemdl, etc., but without FSModelExp.dle, you're not getting anything out of gmax that makemdl can handle.

[Katahu]

The Gmax Gamepack can be found here:

http://www.microsoft.com/games/flightsi ... k.asp#gmax

Just scroll down a little to look for the highlighted download link. It has all the files that you need. Let us know if you need any help on how to install it.

[Gnome]

Ah, my fault then.  
I develop for FS2002 exclusively as FS9 runs as a slideshow on my machine...  Can I still produce the older type MDL files?

I ask because I have noticed that many FS9 aircraft won't even display in FS2002.


Kev

[Felix/FFDS]

Yes.  

Since you build for FS2002, just remember NOT to use ANY of the FS2004 specific XML animations.  

The best way is to simply remove (move to some other location) the makemdl.parts.xml file

The SDK tells you how to create and install an FS2002 "gamepack".

If you have FS2002Professional Edition, the FS2002 specific export module would have come there.  You can still use the FS2004 gamepack export module with the caveat shown above.

[Gnome]

That's good news.  Thanks Felix.  I'll backup the MakeMDL.parts.xml file and vape it then.


Kev

[Gnome]

That did it.  It can now output MDL and BGL files.
The other good news is that a model that peviously wouldn't compile with a VC now does.  :-)
The bad news is I work strictly in imperial and my model ended up hundreds of feet tall!

Please tell me there is a really easy way to convert it other than scaling otherwise there will be a LOT of animated parts that will need having their scale removed.  :-(


Kev

[Mathias]

[quote]
The bad news is I work strictly in imperial and my model ended up hundreds of feet tall!

Please tell me there is a really easy way to convert it other than scaling otherwise there will be a LOT of animated parts that will need having their scale removed.

[Gnome]

Thanks Mathias, that seems to have worked (GMAX didn't scold me this time).  I won't know until this evening as I don't have FS on this machine yet.


Kev

[Felix/FFDS]

MAthias - I think that for FS, the most important setting - as far as units go - is for the systems units = 1m to be set in the Preferences tab.

The particular "Units setup" for the scene can be either in imperial, or metric units (or cubits, if that's your preference)

[Mathias]

Yes that's correct so let's expand this as a hint for the next project:
Under preferences set units to meters, under Units Setup set to feet or whatever you like.  ;D

[Gnome]

That sounds like the setup I have got in GMAX 1.1.
The newer MakeMDL and/or the latest Middleman certainly does a better job of outputting the model.  Nice to see my Triebflugel with a VC at last.  :-)

Revealed a whole lot of missing parts though and as I released the source files to some CFS guys (who have done wonderful things with it) I shall keep my word to them and not release another version.

Now to see how well GMAX 1.2 converts DXF files....

Thanks everyone, for your help.


Kev