How to get started in Scenery Design?

[Triple_7]

Been wanting to do this for a long time, but haven't had the time.  Now I can't find a decent program.

Wanting to completely rebuild my favorite airport (Fort Wayne, Indiana...KFWA) from scratch for FS2004 but have no idea where to begin.  I need a modeling program for the buildings etc.  Freeware only.  Looking to maybe even do some of the city around it before its all done...but right now the airport is my concern.  Will get into how to do textures etc when I get the buildings figured out.  I have experience in CAD style programs...but the ones I use for home design are not exactly FS friendly

Figure the sooner I can get started on the buildings the sooner I will know whether I can pull off a halfway decent scenery package :-/

[skoker]

Gmax will be your friend and enemy.

I'm currently doing KERI from scratch and it is a pain in the a**! . Modeling, texturing, and placing in fs is a hassel and takes a lot of work to do.  I have been working for ~8hr so far, just in gmax, and only have ground textures and maybe 4-5 buildings don.  And they are simple boxes with pointed roofs!

So, if you truly want to put the effort in.  Go for it, it's very fun.  Just be prepared to do lots of work.

[Travis]

Google SketchUp now has the ability to export to FS, but I believe it has some limitations.  You should check out more over at FSDeveloper.

As for Gmax, that seems like your best bet.  I've been using it for years, and have gotten a large number of sceneries into the sim using it.  Takes a bit of rewiring of your brain, but if you're serious about the project, it's well worth it.

[Fozzer]

I do it the easy, peasy way!.... ...!

LAGO FSE Scenery Enhancer, and Abacus EZ-Scenery....

Pick an object from the Library....drag and drop, ....what you see is what your get!... ...!

Much of my California scenery is dotted with my Airfield builds and modifications... ...!

Paul...G-BPLF...FS 2004...and a truck-load of concrete!... ...!

[Triple_7]

Downloaded GMAX...it does require a little brain reconfiguration   Not even close to what I was expecting...I can't even get a simple box into 3D yet   Looking for tutorials...might start at a smaller local airport and see how it turns out

Researching a bit into Google SketchUp before I download it...looks promising for some modeling. 

As for LAGO FSE Scenery Enhancer, and Abacus EZ-Scenery...will have a look...sounds perfect for land class upgrades   Few places I would like to add some scenery, like my home town, but didn't feel like modeling a ton of buildings :-/

[Travis]

Gmax only requires (at least for FS9) a correct export setup.  Contact me tomorrow (PM) and I can send you the exact setup you will need, as well as a few pointers on exporting.

[matthewdev]

Gmax also comes with some decent tutorials, while they are not FS specific they are good way of getting a handle on how Gmax works...