file conversion

[Firebar]

i have seen reference to converting fs2004 to cfs2 .mdl files. does anyone know how this is done and willing to explain the process to me and give reference to where to obtain the applications to perform the conversion?

[Hagar]

You need a little utility by Ivan Hsu (archisoft) named MDLC. Do a search for the latest version. He's continually updating it.

PS. Try SOH.

[Firebar]

i think i've got the latest version, v2.0 but the instructions arent very clear and what i got out definitely wasn't a .mdl file

[Hagar]

Try mk_mdlc_v2.zip by morton HERE
It has a Windows interface which makes it easer to understand. It might not be the latest version but it's the one I use.

[Firebar]

ive got that version, could you actually give me instructions on how to convert the files because i found the readme quite difficult to understan and i get various error messages etc.

[Hagar]

It's a while since I've done this. Which aircraft do you wish to convert? Tell me where to download it so I can give it a try.

PS. It's quite possible that someone has already done it.

[Firebar]

its a fs2004 TSR2 from http://www.bluesteelfs.com ive tried trail and error but that doesn't work as well.

thanks for tour offer of help, although as for someone already converting it i like to be able to do things for myself.

[Hagar]

OK. It took me a while to find the files.
Download MDLC Beta 117 (MDLC117.zip) HERE
Extract the folder to any location on your PC. Then paste mk_mdlc.exe from mk_mdlc_v2.zip into the MDLC folder. Run it from mk_mdlc.exe & select the TSR.2 MDL file.

This aircraft appears to be an early FS2002 model modified for use in FS2004. You can convert the model direct from the CFS2 option. See my shot.



Click on the Start Conversion buttion & wait for it to do its magic. If it's successful it will create an MD2 file in the right-hand box. You can use this by renaming it to MDL or try the "Fix animation" option. This will create an MDT file which again will need renaming to be recognised.

I converted the TSR,2 & tried it in CFS2. It displays OK but the flight dynamics will need tweaking. You could try replacing the AIR & Aircraft.cfg files with the FS2002 version from the same download page.

thanks for tour offer of help, although as for someone already converting it i like to be able to do things for myself.

My point was that if it had already been converted & posted it would probably have been done by someone specialising in this sort of thing. This can be complicated & it would have saved you a lot of messing around & frustration.

[Firebar]

thanks very much, although with the version i converted the textures appear blurred, ill give it a go your way and see if its better, thanks

[Hagar]

thanks very much, although with the version i converted the textures appear blurred, ill give it a go your way and see if its better, thanks

That might depend on your video card. You could try saving the textures in a different format with DXTBmp.

PS. I just checked & the roundels are blurred. It could do with a repaint.

[Firebar]

this is what i ended up with. when you converted the files was the aircraft translucent. if you  look at the gear bay you can see thriugh it!



that's what i get, can you show me what you got?

thanks

[Hagar]

There is some bleedthrough. To be honest it's not the best model I've ever seen.



The main textures are in DXT3 format. You could try converting them to DXT1 without mips.

[Firebar]

or i can use another model. i found, deep in the recesses of my pc a file called TSR2_219, lo and behold its a bueat, i converted it your way and now im just playing with the dp and the panel i have to get it just so

thanks