The Construction of a Custom Plane

[Felix/FFDS]

First - WHAT modelling program are you using?

Before you start on any of the detail questions - you NEED to have some familiarity with the program itself, and do the program's own basic tutorials.... this assumes that you do not have 3D Modelling experience!

[Dickert]

Where to start???  Google man!!!  Or better, Flight sim comes with GMax.  Load it to your hard drive and start working through those tutorial files under the help directory.  They are not about aircraft, but first you need the basics.  Then you can follow the instructions in those tutorials but sub in your starter project instead.  Eventuall build up the aircraft project.  One important thing to remember is to set the right scale in gmax.  One unit equals one meter.  Everything is done in meters.  Use the real measurements converted to meters.  If you are designing your own aircraft, make drawing and scale things off of those.  Do everything to actual size.

Have fun.

Harold
ps.  I just uploaded the newest version of my aircraft (HD - 1 Swift) a few evening ago.  Check it out here or go to my web site at www.dickert.ca/swift

[Alejandro Rhodes]

this assumes that you do not have 3D Modelling experience!

I agree on this, I knew it since I saw this post the first time

and BTW ,My dear friend Shadow .VC is always  much more difficult than the exterior model

and yes, to give you a response we have to know what modeling software are you using.

[Shadow]

Um. . . can you make aircraft in the FSX SDK thing? If not then I will be using gmax.

[Shadow]

I started planning all the dimensions for my plane in meters, and another question popped into my head. . .

Are windows done in the model itself or while painting :question

[Travis]

I started planning all the dimensions for my plane in meters, and another question popped into my head. . .

Are windows done in the model itself or while painting :question

You're asking all the little questions.  Start working with the modeling program a bit, and then come back and ask questions like that.

But to answer a couple of your queries:

You don't need to rescale anything.  The modeling program will scale things for you.  It programs itself in either meters or feet and you decide how big you want it to be in the sim, and make it that big in the modeling program.

The SDK is NOT a modeling program.  It just contains usefull info and resources, plus a couple of tools necessary to make a model.  Gmax is a modeling program, and the only free one available for direct conversion to FS.

Windows are at your discretion.  Some people opt to model the windows directly into the 3D model.  Others make them using a painting system.  Generally, the AI specific aircraft will have them painted on, while the flyable aircraft will have them built in.  This is not a rule, however.  The smaller aircraft (Cessnas and the like) are always modeled with the windows.  Most jetliners, or anything larger than a business jet, can be made with the windows not modeled in.  It's truly at the designer's discretion.

Now: GO GET TUTORIALS!  COME BACK WHEN YOU'VE READ THEM!

[Shadow]

Ok... this is the last for a while... should I build a bigger less complicated jet first or a smaller more complicated prop plane?

P.S. the prop plane would use these engines:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Electric_GE-36

[Brett_Henderson]

Try modeling that engine and blade set... It will be good practice.. Then we'll go from there..

[Shadow]

Ok I will, FSX is finally in stock, so I will be picking it up in a day or two. Anything else that may be useful to me?

(other than Gmax)

And should I download Gmax and start work on the prop set now or wait a few days until I get FSX

[Brett_Henderson]

Just make sure you get the deluxe version.. it has the SDK..  or, I think the gold edition does too.

[Dickert]

Shaddow, don

[Shadow]

k I get what you mean but what is the flight sim modded version???

[Dickert]

Gmax is a paired down version of 3D Max.  3D Max is one of the major programs used in the film and animation industry, with top of the line render engines, tools, effect, etc.  Gmax is the

[Shadow]

Ok... Your probably wondering when the questions are going to stop...

This one has nothing to do with my plane though...

Is fire included with the smoke or only on specific planes???
I would like to know how to make (Fake) engine fires...

Yay FSX is getting here either monday or tuesday!!!
But I can't get it installed until he gets back (2 weeks from Sunday)

Hopefully he will install it the first or second day after getting back.

[Shadow]

Ok any difference in the end product building the windows into the model or just "painting" them on? [smiley=undecided.gif]