Gmax tutorials

[matthew954]

Does Anyone Know of any good Gmax tutorials?

[Felix/FFDS]

The "progression" that I recommend is:

1. gmax default tutorials - to learn the basics of using the program (especially if one does not have 3D modelling background)

2. Aircraft Modelling Tutorials - such as the 3DWorld Magazine Gmax Tutorial at http://www.aerodynamika.com/gmaxtut/gmax000.htm, and especially the "Stupid Idiot's Guide to Making a Plane with Gmax"  (http://www.simviation.com/gryphon/tutorials/gMax_00.htm)

3. "Specific" tutorials, such as any of Firestriker's tutorials (to which I've linked from the FFDS Tutorials Section) to deal with specifics - scaling and setting up views, boolean operations, making a wingtip, etc. etc.

For these and more, check:
http://bhoth.pair.com/freeflt/tutorials.htm
and http://bhoth.pair.com/freeflt/tips.htm

Also VERY important is reading the design forums here in Simviation and the Freeflight Design Shop (http://www.aerodynamika.com/forum.html)

Once you get the "hang" of the program, the pointers and tips the come up in the forums are invaluable.

[matthew954]

Well I do have moderate experience in 3DS Max 5.
This program just seems way different.

[Felix/FFDS]

Well I do have moderate experience in 3DS Max 5.
This program just seems way different.

I understand that gmax is "basically" 3DSMax4(?) without the rendering and NURBS.

Before books like gmax Bible and gmax Handbook came along, we were also recommending people to pick up the 3DSMax4 "Bible".

I thnk that, given your modelling experience, your "problems" will lie in the peculiarities of the conversion to flightsim model - such as "thou shalt not mirror by using mirror tool - though shalt clone and apply a mirror modifier", and such.

[matthew954]

Ok, I have the max 4 bible.  But how do I make the various files needed to make an aircraft?  I have been able to export an .mdl file, but haven't been able to figure out all of the other files.