Help a newbie with aircraft modelling...

[spitfire boy]

...pretty please?

I have started using GMax, and I've come up with a basic model that I'd like to export to FS (I have FS9) as a sort of test. I'm going to be using the flight dynamics of another aircraft, and no textures for the moment.

I have heard that exporting models from GMax to FS involves a program called Makemdl, and a series of other downloads and procedures that have succeeded in completely befuddling me.

Please could someone talk me through the process, including links to software I'll need to get - as far as I'm aware I have none of the supporting files or software - and please no jargon, as mentioned I'm a newbie to this.

Thanks in advance - any help would be hugely appreciated.

P.S. the model in question is;

I didn't say I was any good.

[Travis]

Well, if it would help, I have a setup for Gmax that makes it possible to export to FS9.  If you would like the files, I can email them to you (2.5Mb).  Just PM me with your email and I'll send it to you.  It includes MakeMDL, Middleman (very usefull!) and MDL Commander (another VERY usefull tool).

Middleman can be found here and MDLCommander can be found here.  These are both EXTREMELY usefull tools for Gmax, as they allow you to oversee all the functions of MakeMDL.

[microlight]

Spit,

Looking good!

F.A.B.

[spitfire boy]

[quote]Well, if it would help, I have a setup for Gmax that makes it possible to export to FS9.

[Fr. Bill]

"colocated vertices" means that you have one or more vertex points "on top of each other" in the same polygon. You need to take careful note of which part(s) it is complaining about and then find and WELD the colocated vertices to get rid of them...

[spitfire boy]

Thanks for that.

I'll get there eventually, but for now I'm having yet more problems...

Three things; first of all, when I try to get the newly-created gmax model to fly in FS9, only part of the rear of the model shows up. I have tried several times to rectify this, but nothing seems to be working. Anything to recommend that I might have missed?

Second; whenever I try to export a model, a message pops up telling me that the model isn't saved in meters... even if I have changed the units setting to meters just before exporting.

Third; this may be linked to my second problem; the model has a tendency to show up absolutely gigantic in FS; no matter how small I resize the model in gmax beforehand.

Any help would, again, be massively appreciated.

[Felix/FFDS]

Thanks for that.

I'll get there eventually, but for now I'm having yet more problems... ::)

Three things; first of all, when I try to get the newly-created gmax model to fly in FS9, only part of the rear of the model shows up. I have tried several times to rectify this, but nothing seems to be working. Anything to recommend that I might have missed?

Second; whenever I try to export a model, a message pops up telling me that the model isn't saved in meters... even if I have changed the units setting to meters just before exporting.

Third; this may be linked to my second problem; the model has a tendency to show up absolutely gigantic in FS; no matter how small I resize the model in gmax beforehand.

Any help would, again, be massively appreciated.

Youngling (in modelling terms, of course, you'll know youself if it applies to other aspects of yourself)...

Make sure that your "System Unit Scale"  in gmax are set to 1 unit = 1 meter.

You will find this under Customize->Preferences->[Tab:General]  "System Unit Scale"

[spitfire boy]

Thanks for that.

I'll get there eventually, but for now I'm having yet more problems...

Three things; first of all, when I try to get the newly-created gmax model to fly in FS9, only part of the rear of the model shows up. I have tried several times to rectify this, but nothing seems to be working. Anything to recommend that I might have missed?

Second; whenever I try to export a model, a message pops up telling me that the model isn't saved in meters... even if I have changed the units setting to meters just before exporting.

Third; this may be linked to my second problem; the model has a tendency to show up absolutely gigantic in FS; no matter how small I resize the model in gmax beforehand.

Any help would, again, be massively appreciated.

Youngling (in modelling terms, of course, you'll know youself if it applies to other aspects of yourself)...

Make sure that your "System Unit Scale"

[Greg Ebnit EApilot]

Hey.
Model size problem=
I model in US units you can model in either US or Metric. Then Gmax will convert them. What you do is start Gmax go directly to Customize tab at top then Units set up. Choose either Metric or US. Making sure to either pick Meters or Feet with decimal inches. Press OK.
Next reopen the Customize tab and go to Preferences. There under System Units Scale choose Meters making sure to check Automatic Units Conversion

[Fr. Bill]

Everyting you wrote was "good advice" except the bit about "Group"ing...

While there's no danger in using the "Group" function in Max/GMax, there IS A PROBLEM that can occur if you ever need to "UnGroup" parts for editing...

You will quite likely introduce an error called "OBED Scaling" that is (a) annoying, (b) fatal, and (c) nearly impossible to eliminate...

So, in short, NEVER USE THE "GROUP" BUTTON FOR ANYTHING, EVER!  ;D

[Fr. Bill]

[quote]Everyting you wrote was "good advice" except the bit about "Group"ing...

While there's no danger in using the "Group" function in Max/GMax, there IS A PROBLEM that can occur if you ever need to "UnGroup" parts for editing...

You will quite likely introduce an error called "OBED Scaling" that is (a) annoying, (b) fatal, and (c) nearly impossible to eliminate...

So, in short, NEVER USE THE "GROUP" BUTTON FOR ANYTHING, EVER!

[Greg Ebnit EApilot]

Ahh yes the OBED error. Believe Ive had some experience with that one. I only use the group function when exporting. But thats what I was told to do. That may be the problem with the Makemdl error Im getting that wont allow me to export my current project through FS9 Makemdl. The Interior model exports fine but my Exterior is giving me fits.
Would you agree that where you get OBED error is from grouping parts and then scaling them to a different size? Then ungrouping. Seems thats what I did.
So you should always just select all the parts as individuals you wish to scale/clone. In a loose selected group and not by using the group tab.
For instance when you are selecting parts to clone for the opposite side of your model. Which is one of the things I didnt have time to mention this morning. When cloning from one side to the other to select the parts you want then click Edit then Clone then Modifiers tab Parametric Deformers Mirror for such opperations as cloning from one side to the other or to save retexturing duplicate parts. (This avoids a problem of transparent parts and inside out textures in the sim due to a Gmax problem with using the Shift Key clone)  Then simply collapse the stack of modifiers by Right clicking on the modifier and choosing Collapse All from the pop up. Also Ive found it is best to make sure that parts you are cloning are unlinked before you clone them to avoid any errors. Collapsing is also important after you texture a part using the UVW modifier and subsequently after texture adjustments with the Unrap UVW. Which is covered in the SDK scenery tutorial from Microsoft.
OHHH yes Ive had all the errors and probably some yet to come. LOL
Which reminds me of the dreaded Scaled animation error. This one has nearly driven me to fits of insanity. Scaled Animation can be caused by several errors in linking to static parts and not linking static parts. Ive also found that some times the transform becomes to out of wack with the world and the only way to fix it is by either creating a new part for the animation or if you have similar part to clone a new one. Gmax I think just decides not to like some parts when you try to animate them.
Thanks for the keeping the facts straight N4. 8-)
The forums here at Simv/FSdevelopers.com/Freeflightdesignshop for XML help and hours of grinding in Gmax not to mention all the tutorials and other resources have made me the Gmax modeler I am today. For better or for worse. LOL LMAO
I can almost press the alt key and mouse rotate with complete confidence.
Which reminds me DO NOT PUSH THE START MENU KEY WHILE SELECTING AND MOVING PARTS THIS CAN CAUSE A REAL WRECK IN YOUR MODEL. Man I hate when I do that. LOL  :o

[spitfire boy]

I have only one thing to say; THANKS FOR THE HELP EVERYBODY!!!

I am in the middle now of exporting a model to test in FS, after following your advice; will report back as to whether it works or not.

[Fr. Bill]

Ahh yes the OBED error. Believe Ive had some experience with that one. I only use the group function when exporting. But thats what I was told to do. That may be the problem with the Makemdl error Im getting that wont allow me to export my current project through FS9 Makemdl. The Interior model exports fine but my Exterior is giving me fits.
Would you agree that where you get OBED error is from grouping parts and then scaling them to a different size? Then ungrouping. Seems thats what I did.
So you should always just select all the parts as individuals you wish to scale/clone. In a loose selected group and not by using the group tab.

Just pretend the "Group" button isn't there. Do not - repeat NOT - ever use it again...

For both FS9 and FSX, the correct, SDK approved technique is to use two top level hierarchy nodes: "exterior" and "interior" to keep your model organized. These are "keywords" that're recognized by MakeMDL.exe automatically.

IOW:

exterior
....all the parts for the exterior model are Linked here
interior
....all the parts for the interior model are Linked here

----------------------

When wishing to scale any object, always scale one of the sub-object levels, such as Vertex, Faces, Polygon, or Element.

I you really, really, REALLY want to scale at the object level, then for heaven's sake add an X-Form modifier to the stack beforehand.

BTW, a quick way to remove "Scale Errors" from a large group of objects (such as the one you had me look at), select all the parts, add an X-Form modifier to the stack, then click on Hierarchy/Scale/Reset.