Simviation Forums

I have recently been trying to create a bit of scenery for FS using gMax, but to no avail.  Every time I fly over, all I can see is the shadow cast by the object.  When I enter slew mode, however, the object becomes visible and stays that way.  Pause doesn't do it, just slew.

I at first thought it had something to do with the model itself, but I created a model just the way the gMax SDK scenery tutorial told me to, and it just did the same thing.

So I thought it might have something to do with the converters.  I use MDLCommander and Middleman in conjunction with MakeMDL.  So I removed the extra two programs and reverted back to the original type.  Unfortunately this didn't do anything for it.

Then I noticed something about the scenery tutorials instructions for converting.

8.      In the Select File to Export dialog box, make sure the Save as Type box is set to Flightsim Scenery Object (*.MDL).

(farther down the page)

11.  This will export two files into your C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Flight Simulator 9\Addon Scenery\Scenery  directory.  One file is an .XML file and the other is a .MDL file.  The .MDL file contains all of the model data.  The .XML file contains all of the information needed to place that model in the Flightsim world.

First off, I don't have an option to save as "Flightsim Scenery Object (*.MDL)".  I have:
         Flightsim BGL File (*.BGL)
         Flightsim MDL File (*.MDL)
         plasma (*.P3D)

Secondly, I tried saving under all three of those formats.  I never got an XML file, I just got an X File, two ASM files and the BGL or MDL.  What gives?  Is this the problem?

Has ANYONE got ANY advice in ANY form?

Hi Locke, You are correct in thinking you should have the option to export as a scenery mdl. Can't answer that.

One thing to try if your object doesn't have a texture is to disable "render to texture" in the FS display hardware tab. Might solve it if the problem isn't as above. Try with clear sky weather theme when you do this as it can cause a crash for some unknown reason with certain add-on clouds.

Birdy

Edit - If you're getting an X-file it could be something to do with middleman. You may want to try removing middleman and just using MDLcommander.

The options to export to bgl and mdl are FS2002 exporter options. The options you are referring to Flightsim Scenery Object and Flightsim Aircraft Object are FS2004.

Check your setup.

http://www.oregon-coast.net/Tutorials/Multi_Gamepacks/index.htm

Lou

notice from your screen shots of folders that in mine i do have the make mdl config file anywere on my pc

even tho i have exported model's into fs9 and use them
how inprotant is this make mdl config file ??

might be why i have some problems with my model ie there size cnat make any over 65k ploygons or is that the limit size on make mdl have amde larger models which have work in the past but lost file due to a crash
reinstalled gmax and fs9 but have never noticed this makemdl file before

eddie

Eddie,

When you export a model from gMax with the FS2004 gamepack there is no pause to allow you to select any export options. The makemdl.cfg file is not required but is a convienence so you can tell makemdl how you want it to function if its defaults are not working the way you want. You can make the makemdl.cfg file using notepad or any other simple text editor and tailor it to your need for your particular project These options are basically the same for FS2004 as they were for FS2002 with the addition of the XML option.

If you start makemdl.exe as a stand-alone program you see there is an Options tab and on this page there are several check boxes. The makemdl.cfg just does the checking off for you.

Here is a list of the makemdl.exe options for FS2004.

http://www.oregon-coast.net/Tutorials/M ... ptions.htm

None of the options have been really been explained by MS as to there true function but many are those kinda "Well Duh" things, so be carefull of which ones you turn on and off. Some only work with scenery and some only with aircraft. Some seem to be for converting *.X files made with and exported from 3dsMax.

Example: Say you want to tweak the asm code. By default, makemdl.exe does not Keep the *.asm and *_0.asm files and does not pause to allow you to select this option. So by making a makemdl.cfg file you can tell makemdl.exe not to delete these files.  The command in the makemdl.cfg file would look like this:

;;-- start code--

[Options]
Keep=1

;;-- end code--

Here is an example of a large makemdl.cfg file:

;;-- start code--

[Settings]
LastDir=C:\gmax\gamepacks\FS2004\meshes
SaveDir=C:\gmax\gamepacks\FS2004\meshes

[Options]
Debug=0
ViewLog=1
ViewBGL=0
View=0
KeepErrorLog=1
Keep=1
Il=0
I8=1
In=0
I=0
TexPage=1
SoftMat=0
FullMat=1
Deffallback=1
Specularcanopy=1
WeldPoints=1
DLL=0
Info=0
Optimize=0
Flatten=0
NoAnimate=0
HasReflectMap=1
HasNightMap=0
HasLightMap=0
HasDamageMap=0
NegateZ=1
NoLeftToRight=0
SwapBH=0
Vis=1
Vistest=0
Crash=0
XML=0

;;-- end code--

Lou

thanks for the reply firestriker found the config so thats ok
i was using mdl commander and middleman 2 years ago but when i reinstalled it on a clean drive to use with gmax i could get no joy getting it to run to export my stuff for some reason i made a seaking which in gmaz was about 5.9 megs in size was able to export it to use in fs9 then after a crash on the pc and reinstalling everything i did some rework on the model went to export it then the export failed checked the log noticed it was saying at the bottom reached limit ie over 65k polygons  check the old gmax back file for the seaking and that was around 85 k polygons ?? which exported ok
noticed this a lot on working on my models i go back and do some rework then go to export then if fail's every time i have this happen i have to make the model smaller in size each time to do any rework on them

like my discovery at moment have reached the stage now were i wnat to add the vc cockpit to it but know at this stage the polygon count is around the 58k mark the vc i have been making is around 25 k (poloygon) so i know that if i go over this number 65k it wont export

even tho the main body is called exterior (group name)
tho the vc named interior (group name)  so there total size pologon count will be around the 90k mark or bigger depending on how detailed i get the vc

would love a make mdl with no size limit but thats a dream lol

eddie