No Flight Simulator Direct X File option?

[DanielF]

I'm trying to export on gmax with the FSX sdk, but there is not Flight Simulator Direct X File option when I try to export.

[Felix/FFDS]

Did you just install the SDK off the FS-X dvd?  That just has the tools for 3DSMAx7/8.

You need to download and install the SDK SP1 which includes the gmax FS-X gamepack, and start gmax through the FS-X gamepack icon.

[Katahu]

The Direct-to-X option is only available for 3D Studio Max. I read somewhere in the updated SDK that you should use the XtoMDL utility to convert the *.x file [left behind in the export process from Gmax] directly to the FSX version of the *.mdl file. But even then, I wouldn't know how to work the dang thing. The utility seems to be based on the use of the command prompt.

[DanielF]

The Direct-to-X option is only available for 3D Studio Max. I read somewhere in the updated SDK that you should use the XtoMDL utility to convert the *.x file [left behind in the export process from Gmax] directly to the FSX version of the *.mdl file. But even then, I wouldn't know how to work the dang thing. The utility seems to be based on the use of the command prompt.

That's the thing, I can't figure out how to get the *.x file.

[Felix/FFDS]

DAn....  One of the conditions that discreet laid out for Microsoft is that the new converter could not allow an intermediate file to be created/captured.

For gmax you first have to install the SDK off the FS-X Deluxe version disc, THEN you have to download the SDK SP1 update from the Microsoft' fsinsider.com.   It s the SP 1 update that includes the gmax gamepack.

Compiling from gmax for FS-X is now a straight through process, you do NOT compile to an x file.

[DanielF]

ah.  Yeah... the instructions warn me to never export as an mdl because it doesn't work.  I guess they didn't update the instructions with sp1.  :P

[DanielF]

ok, I got it working now.  It's a lot easier to figure out when you consider that the sdk instructions aren't written very well.    Thanks for the help!

[Katahu]

I am very interested to know how you figured it all out.