• Which the release of FS2020 we see an explosition of activity on the forun and of course we are very happy to see this. But having all questions about FS2020 in one forum becomes a bit messy. So therefore we would like to ask you all to use the following guidelines when posting your questions:

    • Tag FS2020 specific questions with the MSFS2020 tag.
    • Questions about making 3D assets can be posted in the 3D asset design forum. Either post them in the subforum of the modelling tool you use or in the general forum if they are general.
    • Questions about aircraft design can be posted in the Aircraft design forum
    • Questions about airport design can be posted in the FS2020 airport design forum. Once airport development tools have been updated for FS2020 you can post tool speciifc questions in the subforums of those tools as well of course.
    • Questions about terrain design can be posted in the FS2020 terrain design forum.
    • Questions about SimConnect can be posted in the SimConnect forum.

    Any other question that is not specific to an aspect of development or tool can be posted in the General chat forum.

    By following these guidelines we make sure that the forums remain easy to read for everybody and also that the right people can find your post to answer it.

3D Models from Catia

G

gatorjake

Messages
1
Country
georgia
I use a very high end CAD package called CATIA. It is used by many of the aerospace companies for 3D Modeling.

I have several aircraft (Surfaces, not Solids) that I would like to utilize to convert them into FS models. I can export to many different formats.

Does anyone know what file format is required to import this aircraft into FS? Any ideas on the process?
 
Hi,

Convert to .MDL format. Then compile the .MDL into .BGL if it is a scenery object.
 
Last edited:
Model convertex is what can help you, but can't import 3ds max files, but take a look to the software to see what can be done, usually you should export as 3ds and import from 3d tools like Gmax but it is very embarrasing and complicated process in the case the model would be textured already.
 
Hi,

Do you want to use them as scenery objects or as flyable aircraft?

In the first case I would try to export them as collada or wavefront obj if Catia supports that. Modelconverterx can convert from those formats to scenery mdl files.

If you want to turn it into an aircraft, you better export as 3ds and import that into gmax. For aircraft you will have to do some work to get animations and other settings working correctly.
 
Arno is on it.

3DS is usually best. Your textures are preserved.

If you can, level out, or zero out your animated objects on the model before you export so you do not have to rotate them back into neutral position. (Landing gear up, gear doors closed, ailerons level, etc).



Bill
LHC
 
I don't know if Catia textures its surfaces, but if not there's always the .DXF option for exporting mesh only. I expect you'll have a fair bit of work afterwards whatever method you use.

Gosh, Catia makes even 3ds Max look cheap!
 
If they are that big, maybe they would be interested in creating an exporter for FS / P3 planes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top