Newbie

[Revo]

Hi all I've been flying FS fm it's very birth many many years ago now that I have FSX I would like to start designing my own aircraft. I have several questions hopefully someone can help me with.

1. I installed GMax and have no idea where to start. Or should I wait for FSDS3.5 before I even consider creating my own plane?

2. Is it possible in GMax to take several aircraft from FSX and take them apart so I can use what I want? The aircraft I would like to creat is a type of ultra lite on steroids with a set of pontoons attatched to the bottom, a much larger engine and prop. I want to keep the guages simple just like the ultra lite in FSX.

Any help or hints would be appreciated. Happy flying Dan

[FelixFFDS]

Hi all I've been flying FS fm it's very birth many many years ago now that I have FSX I would like to start designing my own aircraft. I have several questions hopefully someone can help me with.

1. I installed GMax and have no idea where to start.

Hopefully you have installed the tutorials and help files (each a separate install). Your FIRST step should be to go through ALL of the gmax tutorials you've installed. Some may have more relevance to flight simulator modelling than others, but they provide you with the basics of handling the program.

You must install the SDK from the FS-X Deluxe disc, and then the SP1 download, to get the gmax exporting tools.

You will have to read the SDKs because modelling for FS-X takes some "reorienting of one's thought processes". You have the advantage that you do NOT have any "prior modelling habits" to get rid of.

Of course, once you have a feel for the program, then feel free to ask questions as needed. We'll be glad to answer and/or point you to useful tutorials here, and in other sites.


Or should I wait for FSDS3.5 before I even consider creating my own plane?[/quote[

Before you "jump" to FSDS make sure you've given gmax a fair try. gmax is a much more powerful modelling program with a lot more features and tools than FSDS. Having said that, time and time again it's been proven that it's the artist, not the paint and canvas, that create art.

[quote]
2. Is it possible in GMax to take several aircraft from FSX and take them apart so I can use what I want? The aircraft I would like to creat is a type of ultra lite on steroids with a set of pontoons attatched to the bottom, a much larger engine and prop. I want to keep the guages simple just like the ultra lite in FSX.
NO. You cannot import a compiled model from FS-X and import it into gmax. It's probably going to be easier to make your model from scratch, or use bits and pieces (with appropriate credit given) of donated source files found on certain fantastic flightsim design sites.

Any help or hints would be appreciated. Happy flying Dan

Just remember, sometimes the answer you get may not be to the question you're asking..... ;)

[Revo]

Ok Felix tnx 4 all the info I'll give it a shot and see what happens tnx agn Dan