Actigate mdl to api/bgl

[fsisland]

Hi

I have already made the Actigate .mdl file and placed the .dll file in the module folder of FS2004. However I can not find out how to create .api and/or .bgl file out of the .mdl file. Is there some tutorial about this around how to do this?

 

[nickw]

You need to use BGLComp.exe and the XML File.

bglcomp.exe myxmlfile.xml

This takes the information found in the XML file, and puts your MDL(s) into the BGL file.

 

[fsisland]

Hi Nick

I am a little confused about the XML file. I know that one needs to create a notepad file with XML extention and drop it over the BGLComp.exe to create the XML file but what content must the Notepad file have?

 

[nickw]

When you export from GMAX using the FS2004 Gamepack, it will create the MDL and a "template" XML File.

By Default, the XML file will look something like this:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?>
<FSData version="9.0" xmlns:xsi='http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance' xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="bglcomp.xsd">

<!-- Sample object placement. Remove comment markers to place object east of 34R at Sea Tac. -->
<!--
<SceneryObject lat="47 25.89" lon="-122 18.43" alt="0" pitch="0" bank="0" heading="0" altitudeIsAgl="TRUE" imageComplexity="NORMAL">
<LibraryObject name="AA0FF97A414DF0441484EA9E6CD3D2E7" scale="1.0" />
</SceneryObject>

-->

<!-- Inclusion of model data. Use the 'Name' of this object to place -->
<!-- it in other locations. -->
<ModelData name="AA0FF97A414DF0441484EA9E6CD3D2E7" sourceFile="alhanger.mdl" />
</FSData>

So, you need to edit it to look something like this: (Basically take out the <!-- --> comments)

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?>
<FSData version="9.0" xmlns:xsi='http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance' xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="bglcomp.xsd">

<SceneryObject lat="47 25.89" lon="-122 18.43" alt="0" pitch="0" bank="0" heading="0" altitudeIsAgl="TRUE" imageComplexity="NORMAL">
<LibraryObject name="AA0FF97A414DF0441484EA9E6CD3D2E7" scale="1.0" />
</SceneryObject>
<ModelData name="AA0FF97A414DF0441484EA9E6CD3D2E7" sourceFile="alhanger.mdl" />
</FSData>

All of this is in the file "gmaxSceneryTutorial.doc" which is located in GMAX\gamepacks\fs2004\docs

Hope this helps.

 

[fsisland]

I use ActiGateEditor by Arno to create the mdl file but the template is not visible. Do I have to import the mdl file to Gmax to create it from there? (sorry if this is a dumb question)

 

[nickw]

No, if you have a "compiled MDL" which actigate has finished doing its magic on, then you can either create a XML file of you can use Arnos ObjPlacerXML tool which will do this for you.

 

[arno]

Hi Kjartan,

I assume you mean the VGDSTweaker tool that created the MDL file for you? If you don't know how to make the XML file yourself (the BGLComp SDK should help you here), the suggestion of Nick to use ObPlacer XML is a good one. As it makes the XML file for you.

 

[fsisland]

Ok I finally managed to get the xml file in the "right" form and compiled the bgl file but the only thing that shows is the stop sign as shown on the photo. Do you have a clue what I am doing wrong?

 

[arno]

Looks like you are missing most of the textures (actually only 1 seems to show). Are you sure you copied them all to your texture folder?

 

[fsisland]

Silly me, you are right, the textures where missing. Thanks for your help...