FSX 3DS Max MDL

[Tekica123]

Hello Guys.Today i bought 3ds Max and i dont know can i install on it plugin to export as MDL file? If i cant how can i then export to mdl from 3ds max? Thanks

 

[mikrco]

You should start by reviewing the forum section on the SDK for FSX, so you can set 3d max for use with FSX. Many of your questions can be answered with the information contained in the SDK. Using the FS Tools with max will export as a .x file which can then be compiled as a .mdl. You have come to the right place as FS Developer has all the information and resources available, and many experienced developers to help you with specific questions. Welcome and good luck with your endeavors.

 

[Tekica123]

Aha i didnt see it, my mistake, thank you so much, Cheers!!

 

[n4gix]

Also, please check out the articles in the Wiki here, as they contain everything needed to learn.

 

[Tekica123]

This program is so hard for me, i will continue with using sketchup and gmax.So tell me please if i making a ground polygon or 3d object in gmax or 3ds max, is there any difficult quality of the model? Ex. if i make my ground poly in 3ds max, he will have a better quality than a polygon created at gmax? Thanks

 

[n4gix]

They will be identical. The modeling program used is irrelevant.

 

[Tekica123]

Okay, thanks, Cheers!

 

[Paul Domingue]

This program is so hard for me, i will continue with using sketchup and gmax.

Don't give up on 3ds Max! If you can work with gMax, you can work with 3ds Max only better. It is true that 3ds Max is a very daunting program even for experienced users but don't let it get the better of you. Watch tutorials on YouTube and practice and you will be the master of 3ds Max and not the other way around.

 

[lionheart]

I love Max. So much better then Gmax. Tons of tools I use every day that Gmax doesnt even have.

Also, I use the state of the art P3D SDK.

Here is what I do to export.
* Export a model via the ESP format. This creates an X file and XANIM file. (If I make interior and exterior, I have 4 files instead of two).
* Drop that model into a shortcut folder on my desktop that goes directly into the 3DSM2012 (P3D V1.4 SDK pack) Plugins folder
* I click on the BAT file setup for this name. It runs for a second, creates a MDL file.
* I drop that into the model folder and its in the sim.

Here is the BAT file I use. You must create one that works with your layout (folder system) on your computer.


COPY/////////////////////////////////

rem Move this file to Local Disk\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v2 SDK 2.0.8547.0\Modeling SDK\3DSM2014_x64\Plugins\
rem Move LJ.x and LJ.xanim to same location.
rem Execute this file.

XtoMdl /XANIM /DICT:..\..\bin\modeldef.xml LJ.x > LJ.log

XtoMdl /XANIM /DICT:..\..\bin\modeldef.xml LJ_Interior.x > LJ_Interior.log

pause


END COPY///////////////////////////////////////

Copy the above, paste into a TEXT file in Notepad. Rename file as BAT instead of TXT. Drop that into your Plugins folder.
You must make changes to this to match locations on your hard drive(s). You must also change the file name to what your export with. In this case, I use LJ. Use the name your will use. I rename mine afterwards so I do not have to keep changing the BAT file data.

You must link in the location of your export system into Max also. Go to Customize/Configure System Path/3rd Party Plugins

There, create a 'name' for your plugin, like FSX or P3D, etc, then link to the exporter. See attached screenshot on mine. Yours will be different per your SDK location.


NOTE1; When I export in Max, its using the V2.5 SDK. When I then convert from X to MDL, I use the V1.4 SDK so that the model will work in both FSX 'and' P3D both.

NOTE2; You can get P3D on a monthly basis, for using the SDK, $10.00 a month, revolving. You then have all their top of the line, improved SDK software which is MASSIVELY improved over the Max exporters for FSX.

 

[Paul Domingue]

Bill, have you tried Brandon's XtoMDLUI? I was writing my own batch files like you but not anymore now that I tried it. It's in the SHOWROOM section.

The P3D SDKs 1.4 and 2 are free downloads no purchase necessary. For those with the latest versions of 3ds Max using one or both they can compile for FSX without having to purchase P3D although I highly recommend doing so.

 

[n4gix]

Bats are so old-school. I much prefer my simple one-click shortcut from the SendTo folder. Right-click on any .x file no matter where it's located and a compiled .mdl file magically appears in the same location.

 

[Paul Domingue]

Gee Bill, there wouldn't be an old school bat at the end of the line would there?

 

[jtanabodee]

Count me as another one who favor short cut Send To, Bill.
I use both Max and Gmax. There are more tools in 3dsmax.
However, I found that my MAX2012 is not stable. It often crash when I export two or three times. I need to shut down and reopen it.
While making a reference plan to make lines and ground poly, some of satellite photos show grey when I open another file. Need to shutdown and reopen the program.
So, I use Gmax for ground poly and 3dsmax other 3d models.

 

[n4gix]

Gee Bill, there wouldn't be an old school bat at the end of the line would there?

Not really, unless you consider that what might have been a batch file is instead encapsulated into a desktop icon! Even then, the main advantages of this method simply cannot be accomplished in an ordinary batch file.

1. Will compile the model file to whatever folder the .x (and .xanim) files are located, even across a local network
2. Requires no editing at all, ever

 

[Paul Domingue]

1. Will compile the model file to whatever folder the .x (and .xanim) files are located, even across a local network
2. Requires no editing at all, ever

I like your method and I'll have to try it. It is to simplistic.

 

[lionheart]

I'll have to try it again also. I couldnt get it to work the first time you spoke on this quite a while back. I would love to have something simple.

 

[Paul Domingue]

Bill aka n4gix, tried your drag-and-drop method and it works slicker then monkey poop on a hot day at the zoo!
I did run into an initial problem in the target string. If you add the full path to XtoMDL.exe and there is a space in the string cmd.exe will stop. Example D:\Program Files (x86)\etc will stop with an unknown executable D:\Program. Since the full path is stated in the Start in string the path to XtoMDL.exe in Target can be eliminated then it works.
A couple of things I need to correct as soon as I figure out how to are automatic closing of the command window and having the string accept the name of the X file as a wild card for the name of the build report. Any suggestions?

 

[n4gix]

I don't drag-n-drop. By placing the shortcut in the SendTo folder, by right-clicking on the .x file itselt, the name of the .x file is automatically passed to the shortcut's command string. To find the SendTo folder quickly (it's hard to find otherwise), type "shell:sendto" without quotes in the "Search programs and files" box of the "Start" menu.

By encapsulating the path in quote marks, blank spaces in the path are not ignored. Pay attention to the placement of the opening quote (") mark, as it comes after the "C:":
Target:

%windir%\system32\cmd.exe /K C:"\DATA\Prepar3d_SDK\Environment Kit\Modeling SDK\3DSM2012_x64\Plugins\xtomdl.exe" /XANIM /DICT:C:"\DATA\P3Dv2.4 SDK\Modeling SDK\bin\modeldef.XML" > buildlog.txt

Start in:

"C:\DATA\P3Dv2.4 SDK\Modeling SDK\3DSM2012_x64\Plugins"

 

[Paul Domingue]

I misspoke. I was using drag @ drop to test the shortcut before I added it to the send to menu. Thanks for HU on the path enclosed with quotes.
Does your commad window close after execution? I tried adding the exit command to the end of the string but that just terminated the entire string.
I did follow your post in the Wiki BTW.

 

[jtanabodee]

May I refer to this thread. I have made picture tutorial for this. It is not difficult to do and I am not a computer guy. I know nothing about the command line.
It will make your life easier.