.gmax to .mdl?

[SoccerBoy]

sorry if this is posted in the FAQ, but from what i saw its not

anyway, how do i convert a file from .gmax to .mdl?

[Felix/FFDS]

sorry if this is posted in the FAQ, but from what i saw its not

anyway, how do i convert a file from .gmax to .mdl?

You need to have installed the gamepack from the Microsoft gmax SDK.

Once you've installed the gamepack, you'll have the correct export options installed so that when you export from gmax, one of the choices will be aircraft mdl ..

[Bell206freak]

This is something I was going to ask about as well, since I had trouble in this area.

Has anyone tried converting a GMAX model to the *.mdl format that FS2004 uses, and got an error?

I downloaded an open-sourced version of the Bell 407 by Alan Devins over at Hovercontrol and made some changes. Every time I tried to export, I got errors saying "MSXML Error. config files won't be read" (pops up twice in succession), and then the MakeMDL exe program pops up and then it gives another error message. The message there reads:

Running model

Running model

Start! (C:\Program Files\FS2004SDK\MakeMDL_SDK\Bell407)
Loading X C:\Program Files\FS2004SDK\MakeMDL_SDK\Bell407...
ERROR:  Invalid X file: C:\Program Files\FS2004SDK\MakeMDL_SDK\Bell407.
Error!
Error!


Anyone else ran into the same problem?

[Matrix]

I've been running into a similar problem. I get those two "MSXML Errors." Both pop up in succession, but after the MakeMdl program comes up and the model exports fine.

I used to get that other error message. My problem was that Gmax wasn't exporting the models into the right folder. The only thing I can think of is you check that Gmax is exporting your model into the "meshes" folder. Just go to the "Customize" tool bar and select "Configure paths." Choose the General Tab and choose export from the list, then a button will appear on the right side of the window ("Modify") click it and then find the "meshes" folder in the Gmax directory.

Hope this helps

[FSEdge]

I downloaded an open-sourced version of the Bell 407 by Alan Devins over at Hovercontrol and made some changes. Every time I tried to export, I got errors saying "MSXML Error. config files won't be read" (pops up twice in succession), and then the MakeMDL exe program pops up and then it gives another error message. The message there reads:

Running model

Running model

Start! (C:\Program Files\FS2004SDK\MakeMDL_SDK\Bell407)
Loading X C:\Program Files\FS2004SDK\MakeMDL_SDK\Bell407...
ERROR:  Invalid X file: C:\Program Files\FS2004SDK\MakeMDL_SDK\Bell407.
Error!
Error!

The Error occurs due to colocated vertices. I took a look at the source file and found several problems on the original that need attention before it will export. That said, there my be others too now that you have modified the source.

Here is the list of colocated vertices you'll need to fix just on the un-modified source:

Code: Select all

Running Cockpits

Start! (C:\gmax\gamepacks\fs2004\test407_interior)
Loading X C:\gmax\gamepacks\fs2004\test407_interior...
Processing...
(Part Shape02) Found colocated vertices within triangle
    (-0.234130, 0.097090,-0.058163)
    (-0.233909, 0.045163,-0.058166)
    (-0.234812, 0.097090,-0.058162).
(Part Shape02) Found colocated vertices within triangle
    (-0.226632, 0.125692, 0.010698)
    (-0.225973, 0.125694, 0.010643)
    (-0.234127, 0.125678,-0.032025).
(Part Shape02) Found colocated vertices within triangle
    (-0.234127, 0.125678,-0.032025)
    (-0.234809, 0.125678,-0.032024)
    (-0.226632, 0.125692, 0.010698).
(Part Shape02) Found colocated vertices within triangle
    (-0.234809, 0.125678,-0.032024)
    (-0.234127, 0.125678,-0.032025)
    (-0.234128, 0.121363,-0.039223).
(Part Shape02) Found colocated vertices within triangle
    (-0.234128, 0.121363,-0.039223)
    (-0.234810, 0.121363,-0.039222)
    (-0.234809, 0.125678,-0.032024).
(Part Shape02) Found colocated vertices within triangle
    (-0.234810, 0.121363,-0.039222)
    (-0.234128, 0.121363,-0.039223)
    (-0.234129, 0.115783,-0.046041).
(Part Shape02) Found colocated vertices within triangle
    (-0.234129, 0.115783,-0.046041)
    (-0.234811, 0.115783,-0.046040)
    (-0.234810, 0.121363,-0.039222).
(Part Shape02) Found colocated vertices within triangle
    (-0.234811, 0.115783,-0.046040)
    (-0.234129, 0.115783,-0.046041)
    (-0.234130, 0.107650,-0.052481).
(Part Shape02) Found colocated vertices within triangle
    (-0.234130, 0.107650,-0.052481)
    (-0.234812, 0.107650,-0.052480)
    (-0.234811, 0.115783,-0.046040).
(Part Shape02) Found colocated vertices within triangle
    (-0.234812, 0.107650,-0.052480)
    (-0.234130, 0.107650,-0.052481)
    (-0.234130, 0.097090,-0.058163).
(Part Shape02) Found colocated vertices within triangle
    (-0.234130, 0.097090,-0.058163)
    (-0.234812, 0.097090,-0.058162)
    (-0.234812, 0.107650,-0.052480).
(Part Fuse_exterior01) Found colocated vertices within triangle
    (-3.522017, 1.494319,-0.215817)
    (-3.488321, 1.479289,-0.221739)
    (-3.488324, 1.479307,-0.220889).
(Part Fuse_exterior01) Found colocated vertices within triangle
    (-3.488324, 1.479307,-0.220889)
    (-3.488321, 1.479289,-0.221739)
    (-3.486315, 1.475868,-0.221155).
(Part Fuse_exterior01) Found colocated vertices within triangle
    (-2.693154, 1.479307,-0.220889)
    (-2.693156, 1.479289,-0.221739)
    (-2.659662, 1.493980,-0.229402).
(Part Fuse_exterior01) Found colocated vertices within triangle
    (-2.695162, 1.475866,-0.221154)
    (-2.693156, 1.479289,-0.221739)
    (-2.693154, 1.479307,-0.220889).
Model units are 1024.00 units/meter
eyepoint: (0.000000,0.000000,0.000000)
Sorting alpha polys by distance to eye...
Sorting by Material...
Optimize Parts...
Welding...
Generate BGL...
Done!
Running model

Start! (C:\gmax\gamepacks\fs2004\test407)
Loading X C:\gmax\gamepacks\fs2004\test407...
ERROR:  Invalid X file: C:\gmax\gamepacks\fs2004\test407.
Error!
Error!


To fix theses problems you will need to track down the vertices and weld them together.

I used to get that other error message. My problem was that Gmax wasn't exporting the models into the right folder. The only thing I can think of is you check that Gmax is exporting your model into the "meshes" folder. Just go to the "Customize" tool bar and select "Configure paths." Choose the General Tab and choose export from the list, then a button will appear on the right side of the window ("Modify") click it and then find the "meshes" folder in the Gmax directory.

Hope this helps

There are restrictions as to which folder one needs to export into. It would be preferable however that *.mdl files be sent directly to the model folder in the aircraft container to assure all needed files are present in the container.

FSEdge