Information overload..

[Boikat]

Okay, I got my Economical Stimulator Tax Rebater check today.  (Woo Hooo!), and want to do soem upgrades, including possibly getting FSX delux, if I need it.  I realy want to get into the designeing of add-on aircraft/vehicles, and in looking at the FAQ's, find my brain getting twisted around with all the tools.  My questions are as follows:

1) Do I need to buy FSX Delux since from what I gleamed it appears the SDK isn't so much a tool package, so much as a "how to" guide that assumes I already have design tools?

2) Is there a "from the ground up" list of all the tools needed to design a ready to fly add-on? (Again, I've looked through the FAQ, but the options appear endless, and I wouldn't want to get a "package" of downloads only to discover that the tool outputs are in some way incompatable, and generate "crash on start", or endless guage problems, or overspeed shudders when you are sitting on the ramp in a cold dark cockpit.

3) Preferable, freeware tools.  I may have just received my ESTR check, but I'm still a tightwad, and would rather spend some of that money to a) repair my central A/C, b) Video Card, c) payments on some long overdue hospital bills.  Thats "preferably".  If the program(s) are inexpensive, I'll buy them in a heartbeat.

I'm sure all this is "glaringly obvious" for the "old-timers", but when it comes to software, I'm a complete ignoramus. (I'll probably print out that compete idiots guide to add-on listed in the FAQ.. And I'll probably still get confused at times..  )

[Felix/FFDS]

#1 - Yes, you need to buy  FS-X Deluxe.  That has the FS-X SDK that you NEED to install before you can install any of the later Service Pack SDK upgrades.


#2 - Since the gmax executables are included in the FS-X SDK installation, you have the "free" program you need.

#3 - You also need to download and install FS-X SDK SP1, since THAT is the version that actually includes the gmax tools (long story, but the first SDK did not have the gmax tools - licensing issue with Autodesk).

#4 - As you update your FS-X (latest is SP2, you should also update your FS-X SDK to SP2 (or, if you buy FS-X Acceleration, you can install the Acceleration SDK - which is the SDK SP2)

#5 - There is no single all-encompassing cradle to grave tutorial on how to build FS-X models.  (Uncle Milton Shupe has just consolidated a beginner's tutorial, but I haven't seen it yet.  I will post a separate link to it.)

[Boikat]

[quote]#1 - Yes, you need to buy

[Boikat]

I also take it (from what I've seen so far in other topics) that I also need something like Paint Shop Pro, or does the SDK have a graphics doo-hicky (paint tool) for painting (and repaining) textures?

[Brett_Henderson]

Getting into MSFS modeling is kinda like getting into vintage car restoration. There's too much to it for a step-by-step, "how to". You'll need to be a mechanic, body man, painting expert, re-upholsterer, stereo installer and world-class record-keeper. Of all the hobbies I've taken on during my 50 years on this planet... MSFS modeling has been the most challenging, and rewarding. The most important tools you'll need at first, are patience and enthusiasm.

No matter how you end up working your way through it, you need to get Gmax installed and start playing with it, ASAP. Even though it's a "lessened" version of the commercial counterpart (3D Max, I believe), it could take the same commitment as a full-time job for a year or more, to really learn to use it.

The tutorials out there are great references, but Gmax is so complex, that how you end up using it will depend more on you, and how you visualize taking something from 2D images, to a 3D model.

The excersise that got me over the hump of the huge learning curve; was to model a complete, traditional chess set. Pawns and bishops are good for learning fusealge shaping... rooks are good for modeling more complex shapes..

[Boikat]

Thanks for the advice.  Believe me, my first projects are going to be as simple as I can get, yet still get off the ground.  But I'd rather not go into what they are yet.  If I manage to "get 'er done", I'd like them to be a surprise.  

But after that, I got some "comedy" ideas.  Something like "Uncle Wilber's John Deere Powered Flying Barn Door".  Some contraption with wooden barn door wings, a huge one cylinder gas engine, and a propeller made from an old hen house cooling fan.  Of course, it wouldn't look authentic (ahem) unless there were also little details, like nuts, bolts and other minor bits and pieces, falling off as it struggles through the air.....



Not to be outdone, Cousin Willy made his own pulse jet powered crop duster using an old milk can for the engine and fresh corn squeezin's for fuel....



But mainly, I'm probably going to concentrate on Sci-Fi, space and fantasy vehicles.  Thee are quite a few of those types of craft that I haven't seen, and would really like to make.

[Brett_Henderson]

Not to be outdone, Cousin Willy made his own pulse jet powered crop duster using an old milk can for the engine and fresh corn squeezin's for fuel....

I'm trying to imagine the racket THAT contraption would generate

[Boikat]

Not to be outdone, Cousin Willy made his own pulse jet powered crop duster using an old milk can for the engine and fresh corn squeezin's for fuel....

I'm trying to imagine the racket THAT contraption would generate

[Boikat]

Okay, I was looking for the GMax download and ended up at the Autodesk web page and they do not appear to offer G-Max any more, but something called "3ds max 9", and it does not appear to be freeware.  And that was as of October, 2005.  So, is there a current download site for GMax, and where is it hiding? :-?

[Travis]

Gmax is getting out of style, but is by far the best tool to use (sorry Felix! ) for FS design.

Find it HERE

Since you have gotten you tax rebate (like me) I would recommend you spend $80 and get PSP, which exceeds PhotoShop any day.  It is one of the most intuitive programs for image editing that I have encountered and is very powerful.

After that, if you are going into the FS designing field, make sure you get AirWrench.  Some people say they have issues with it, but if you are designing an aircraft from scratch, it is the best tool to modify airfiles.

That will give you the basics, but you will still have to come up with a way to make panel and sound files.

I don't recommend getting programs for this, but they are out there . . .

Good luck!

[Boikat]

Gmax is getting out of style, but is by far the best tool to use (sorry Felix! ) for FS design.

Find it HERE

Thanks!

[Fr. Bill]

[quote]I already have FSX installed in the microsoft games diredctory, so should I uninstall that in favor of installing the whole Delux package, or is it possible for me to custom install the Delux edition on the "C" drive without causing conflict?

[Boikat]

Nope!  Haven't installed Delux yet.  Is it possible for me to load Delux (as you suggest, at C\FSX) and not uninstall my current FSX?  I don't think that would cause any conflicts, but I may be wrong.

[Brett_Henderson]

If you haven't already installed, I highly recommend installing FSX Deluxe to a shorter, simpler path such as:

C:\FSX

Trust me, you'll thank me later!  

This is wise advice.. but if you're not comfy with future conflicts..  you can set paths in all your design/editting programs .. AND  make a shortcut to the airplanes directory, as the nex best thing..

[Boikat]

[quote][quote]If you haven't already installed, I highly recommend installing FSX Deluxe to a shorter, simpler path such as:

C:\FSX

Trust me, you'll thank me later!