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3dsmax export through fs2002 gamepack (ground)

B

BrBlazer

Messages
481
Hello there,

I read on a post here somewhere that in 3ds max, diferent to gmax, you can loft several lines and arcs at once, and not one by one like in gmax. Since a friend of mine recently purchased a new version of 3ds max he will donate me his old 3dsmax 7.

I'll probably continue with gmax for 3d objects, but I wish to use 3ds max to create the custom ground using the fs2002 gamepack tweak as I do with gmax currently, but how do I approach that?

On another question, since 3ds max are 2 three lettered word that the forum search cannot find, if someone can link me to the post where the guys talk about lofting all at once in 3ds max I'd appreciate it too.

EDIT: Searched with 3ds max loft site:fsdeveloper.com on google and I found it. The tool is called "sweep" modifier to loft all at once, so users who in the future has the same doubt as me can use this info

Many thanks to all.

Kindly,

Blazer
 
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Sounds like you found what you were looking for, but just in case you have trouble, here are a few things to consider.

1) Create templates for the line widths you desire. In my scenery, I have a combination of 6in wide and 1ft wide centerlines, and 1.5ft wide edge lines. When I include the 6in black outlines, I end up with 1.5ft, 2ft, and 2.5ft widths, respectively.

Just make a simple two vertex line of the required width using the keyboard entry method. It's easiest to create them at the scene origin so you know where to find them later. Make sure the first vertex is in the positive dimension, and the second vertex negative (go from right to left if viewing from the top viewport). If you go left to right, your normals will be reversed, and you'll think that the sweep operation failed because the whole object will disappear.

Name the templates something like "_6in_line" or "_1ft_line"...the leading "_" will keep them at the beginning of the parts list, so they're easier to select when you apply the Sweep modifer.

When you initially apply the Sweep modifier, it will default to a 3d L-shape. Choose "Use Custom Section" then click the "Pick Shape" button (the one with the arrow and the little "list"). Your templates should be the first items in the list, just pick the desired one and voila!

2) This is probably similar to the "loft" method, but be careful which verts you weld together, otherwise you might get some weird geometry where multiple lines come together.

3) As far as exporting via the FS2002 gamepack, I'm not an expert on the different setups, but here's how I do it. I installed the FSX SDK/gamepack and all associated updates. I also installed the FS2002 MakeMDL and BGLC_9 to my working directories.

From within Max, export via the ACES Tools>ExportLOD menu. Give everything a GUID and friendly name. Click "Choose Export File", then click "Export this model!".

It should export as a .x file, which you can then run through the FS2002 MakeMDL with the "keep files" option. Then you can tweak the .asm as necessary and recompile with BGLC_9.

The resultant .bgl is ready to go in FSX.

Sorry if I covered ground that you already knew.

Regards,

Nick
 
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