Blender 2.68 .X export scripts

ozzman1997 · 4 Sep 2013

I've read through the initial thread for these Blender scripts from 2008, but I haven't heard much about modelers using Blender for FSX purposes...So this makes me a little hesitant to use them. I really like Blender now that I have learned the basics of it, and I'd like to use it for aircraft modeling, as it is much more powerful than a lot of people think. Anyone with experience on this is encouraged to share their thoughts.

JB3DG · 4 Sep 2013

Only way to find out is to try and test....

arno · 4 Sep 2013

Hi,

I know some people are using blender to make scenery. But I think some of them export to other formats than fsx x file and use my modelconverterx tool to convert it to mdl.

For aircraft that route won't work, since they have complex animation, virtual cockpits, etc. So I guess you need a way to assign these features in blender than. I am not sure how easy that is. Maybe there is some modeler who have tried that already.

ozzman1997 · 5 Sep 2013

So wait...the Blender plugins can't export ANY animations?

I don't see any use for that besides basic scenery design...and even that uses some animations. I tried exporting it to 3ds Max 2012 via the FBX plugin, but even though Blender and Max both have their units set to 1 unit=1m, the model shows up in Max as a tiny speck.

I guess I won't be able to use Blender for anything serious then, until some lucky winner comes up with an updated plugin set. :scratchch

kevintampa5 · 5 Sep 2013

I follow arno's method. Using MCX, but for scenery. I use blender primarily now. I do not use the scripts as they dont map to current python scripts in blender (pre 2.5 and 2.6 was a little different.) You may need to adjust your sizing method to meters. 3ds is closer to meters if i recall, and blender is capable of meter measurements. also use collada export for 3ds. there are better 3ds scripts out there but I havent used them as no 3ds here. I have no issues with sizing models between editors. 3ds and max are good DOS format files, but have limitations.

The scripts were initially released for XPLANE usage. Someone decided it was time to make some for blender 2 fs, but never supported it a couple years after release.
I am working on programming skills to make new scripts for blender to fsx. There is a thread on here somewhere I mentioned I may work on it. I was going to use python but i think C# will be more robust and capable of using the fs compilers directly if you so choose, where python would be more limited in my opinion.

For the aircraft, the scripts worked in older blender versions, I think 2.49 it was released for. But its limitations I am unaware of as I never messed with aircraft until blender 2.63, sadly not animation or part naming. If you need that version I can give you the link to it, but its way outdated and I would recommend mesh object import if you do it that way.

Sorry I was all over the road here.

ozzman1997 · 5 Sep 2013

Sounds like a lot of work, Kevin. :yikes:

I think we would all appreciate it if you did write some Blender plugins, Gmax would be a thing of the past (obviously it already is in the mainstream world) but to have a free program that powerful would be a huge breakthrough in this community!

That would also mean that we could use just one program and branch off to FSX/P3D and X-Plane. Not to mention how much easier it would be for newbies to make higher quality models for "payware purposes".

kevintampa5 · 5 Sep 2013

ozzman1997 said:
Sounds like a lot of work, Kevin. I think we would all appreciate it if you did write some Blender plugins, Gmax would be a thing of the past (obviously it already is in the mainstream world) but to have a free program this powerful would be a huge breakthrough in this community! That would also mean that we could use just one program and branch off to FSX/P3D and X-Plane. Not to mention how much easier it would be for newbies to make higher quality models for "payware purposes".

So far it has been. Ive read up on some theories and SDK info and learning some of the things required for Aircraft modelling as it will be needed to do this. I havent devoted much time to it just yet beyond learning what is needed as I am still working out the library and proper syntax for C# but I think within 2 months I will start writing the code, console based at first, then will append to blender with python script and a gui for direct .blend import.

Originally I wanted to do it in python, but the issue I ran into is I wanted to use the compilers directly, not rely on a mediary to convert. That is where I saw my issue. Not good enough with python to do that yet, maybe later on. C# on the other hand I was able to pick up more easily since I already knew some VB and ZBasic and some of the libraries. I discovered LINQ. Pretty cool.
I was in C# after 2 weeks where I was with Python after 3 months, if that explains a point.

arno · 5 Sep 2013

Hi,

I just remembered that a while ago I updated the modelcnverterx x file importer so that it can parse visibility tags and mouse rectangle definitions from the names of objects. I added this on request of somebody who was using blender to make part of the aircraft if I remember correctly.

I can probably do something similar for animations (can't remember if I did that already). So then it might work by just exporting as direct x file from blender.

kevintampa5 · 6 Sep 2013

arno said:
Hi,

I just remembered that a while ago I updated the modelcnverterx x file importer so that it can parse visibility tags and mouse rectangle definitions from the names of objects. I added this on request of somebody who was using blender to make part of the aircraft if I remember correctly.

I can probably do something similar for animations (can't remember if I did that already). So then it might work by just exporting as direct x file from blender.

Well if thats the case...

ozzman1997 · 6 Sep 2013

Hi,

I just remembered that a while ago I updated the modelcnverterx x file importer so that it can parse visibility tags and mouse rectangle definitions from the names of objects. I added this on request of somebody who was using blender to make part of the aircraft if I remember correctly.

I can probably do something similar for animations (can't remember if I did that already). So then it might work by just exporting as direct x file from blender.

Arno, is that update included in the current MCX version on this site or does it have to be downloaded separately?

arno · 6 Sep 2013

If you grab the latest development release you have all that functionality. Let me look up the thread where we discussed it.

arno · 6 Sep 2013

Check out this thread:

http://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/showthread.php?t=426635

kevintampa5 · 7 Sep 2013

I didnt know mcx could read the blender x file export. I assumed it was a blender problem with the module export as I could never get mcx to open it without losing many triangles and faces.
I will try again to see. Whats the current production version? 1.3?

arno · 7 Sep 2013

You best use the development release version, which will become 1.4.

scighera · 7 Oct 2013

Hi to all of you, gurus of computers ...
Since I started 3D modelling for FlightGear, I still use blender 2.49 (I'm quite old and dull

) for modelling for FSX.

The I use the scripts made by Arno ( am I right ?) to export from blender to .mdl; after having exported to .mdl, I use the Modelconverter to adjust a little bit the "materials" ... I'm quite satisfied with this procedure. You may judge the results taking a look to my model here:http://scigherafsx.blogspot.it/

But, yes, I do need to make some animations, now ! And my question is:
"There is some of you who is going to prepare some kind of a script, capable to export to .mdl, including animations, from blender 2.49 ?"

Please ... say me yes ! I'm too old to start learning GMax ! Or, even worst, to learn python to make the script by my self

Thanks in advance

arno · 7 Oct 2013

Hi,

That Blender FSX MDL export script is not mine

.

I think to get animations into FSX it would be better to export as X file from Blender. These in general import fine into ModelConverterX, even if there are animations present.

scighera · 7 Oct 2013

arno said:
Hi,

That Blender FSX MDL export script is not mine .

I think to get animations into FSX it would be better to export as X file from Blender. These in general import fine into ModelConverterX, even if there are animations present.

This sound very good ... indeed when I export from blender 2.49 to .mdl I do obtain a .x file as well ... I will try on the spot ...
Thanks a lot

scighera · 8 Oct 2013

I tried to import the .x file converted from a 2.49 blender file, with animation, but it failed

I followed two different ways:
Export 1) Export from 2.49 blender file (with animation) to .x file, using the script already available in the original 2.49 Blender dwnload.

Export 2) Export from 2.49 blender file (with animation) to .x and .MDL files, using the script (that I supposed from Arno)

Loading the .x file in ModelcoverterX it showed up a popup with the following error message:

An error occured during importing the selected file

Message:
È già stato aggiunto un elemento con la stessa chiave.
[Translation: An element with the same key has been added]

StackTrace:
in System.ThrowHelper.ThrowArgumentException(ExceptionResource resource)
in System.Collections.Generic.Dictionary`2.Insert(TKey key, TValue value, Boolean add)
in ASToFra.ObjectReader.XReader.ParseFS2004Animations(XCommand command)
in ASToFra.ObjectReader.XReader.PreProcessFS2004Animations(XCommand xRoot)
in ASToFra.ObjectReader.XReader.BuildObjectModel(XCommand xRoot)
in ASToFra.ObjectReader.XReader.Read(String filename)
in ASToFra.ObjectReader.AllObjectReader.Read(String fileName)
in ASToFra.ModelConverterX.MainWindow.bwImporter_DoWork(Object sender, DoWorkEventArgs e)

I shut down the popup and a new one appeared with the following message:

Microsoft .NET Framework:

Le informazioni su come richiamare il debug JIT (Just-In-Time) anziché questa finestra
sono riportate in fondo al messaggio.

************** Testo dell'eccezione **************
System.NullReferenceException: Riferimento a un oggetto non impostato su un'istanza di oggetto.
in ASToFra.ModelConverterX.MainWindow.bwImporter_RunWorkerCompleted(Object sender, RunWorkerCompletedEventArgs e)
in System.ComponentModel.BackgroundWorker.OnRunWorkerCompleted(RunWorkerCompletedEventArgs e)
in System.ComponentModel.BackgroundWorker.AsyncOperationCompleted(Object arg)

************** Assembly caricati **************
mscorlib
Versione assembly: 2.0.0.0
Versione Win32: 2.0.50727.5472 (Win7SP1GDR.050727-5400)
Base di codice: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v2.0.50727/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------
Launcher_ModelConverterX
Versione assembly: 1.0.0.0
Versione Win32: 1.3.0.0
Base di codice: file:///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/ModelCoverter/ModelConverterX.exe
----------------------------------------
System.Windows.Forms
Versione assembly: 2.0.0.0
Versione Win32: 2.0.50727.5468 (Win7SP1GDR.050727-5400)
Base di codice: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll
----------------------------------------
System
Versione assembly: 2.0.0.0
Versione Win32: 2.0.50727.5467 (Win7SP1GDR.050727-5400)
Base di codice: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Drawing
Versione assembly: 2.0.0.0
Versione Win32: 2.0.50727.5467 (Win7SP1GDR.050727-5400)
Base di codice: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll
----------------------------------------
ModelConverterX
Versione assembly: 1.0.0.0
Versione Win32: 1.3.0.0
Base di codice: file:///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/ModelCoverter/ModelConverterX.DLL
----------------------------------------
Interfaces
Versione assembly: 1.0.0.0
Versione Win32: 1.3.0.0
Base di codice: file:///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/ModelCoverter/Interfaces.DLL
----------------------------------------
ObjectModel3D
Versione assembly: 1.0.0.0
Versione Win32: 1.3.0.0
Base di codice: file:///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/ModelCoverter/ObjectModel3D.DLL
----------------------------------------
ObjectWriter
Versione assembly: 1.0.0.0
Versione Win32: 1.3.0.0
Base di codice: file:///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/ModelCoverter/ObjectWriter.DLL
----------------------------------------
ObjectReader
Versione assembly: 1.0.0.0
Versione Win32: 1.3.0.0
Base di codice: file:///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/ModelCoverter/ObjectReader.DLL
----------------------------------------
EventLog
Versione assembly: 1.0.0.0
Versione Win32: 1.3.0.0
Base di codice: file:///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/ModelCoverter/EventLog.DLL
----------------------------------------
ObjectRenderer
Versione assembly: 1.0.0.0
Versione Win32: 1.3.0.0
Base di codice: file:///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/ModelCoverter/ObjectRenderer.DLL
----------------------------------------
GRV11DLL
Versione assembly: 1.0.0.0
Versione Win32: 1.0.0.0
Base di codice: file:///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/ModelCoverter/GRV11DLL.DLL
----------------------------------------
ParticleEffects
Versione assembly: 1.0.0.0
Versione Win32: 1.3.0.0
Base di codice: file:///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/ModelCoverter/ParticleEffects.DLL
----------------------------------------
System.Configuration
Versione assembly: 2.0.0.0
Versione Win32: 2.0.50727.5476 (Win7SP1GDR.050727-5400)
Base di codice: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Configuration/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Configuration.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Xml
Versione assembly: 2.0.0.0
Versione Win32: 2.0.50727.5476 (Win7SP1GDR.050727-5400)
Base di codice: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Xml/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Xml.dll
----------------------------------------
mscorlib.resources
Versione assembly: 2.0.0.0
Versione Win32: 2.0.50727.5472 (Win7SP1GDR.050727-5400)
Base di codice: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v2.0.50727/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Windows.Forms.resources
Versione assembly: 2.0.0.0
Versione Win32: 2.0.50727.5420 (Win7SP1.050727-5400)
Base di codice: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms.resources/2.0.0.0_it_b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.resources.dll
----------------------------------------
Utils
Versione assembly: 1.0.0.0
Versione Win32: 1.3.0.0
Base di codice: file:///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/ModelCoverter/Utils.DLL
----------------------------------------
TextureObject
Versione assembly: 1.0.0.0
Versione Win32: 1.3.0.0
Base di codice: file:///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/ModelCoverter/TextureObject.DLL
----------------------------------------
TextureLoader
Versione assembly: 1.0.0.0
Versione Win32: 1.3.0.0
Base di codice: file:///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/ModelCoverter/TextureLoader.DLL
----------------------------------------

************** Debug JIT **************
Per attivare il debug JIT, è necessario impostare il valore
jitDebugging nella sezione system.windows.forms del file di configurazione
dell'applicazione o del computer (machine.config).
L'applicazione inoltre deve essere compilata con il debug
attivato.

Ad esempio:

<configuration>
<system.windows.forms jitDebugging="true" />
</configuration>

Quando il debug JIT è attivato, tutte le eccezioni non gestite
vengono inviate al debugger JIT registrato nel computer,
anziché essere gestite da questa finestra di dialogo.

Export 2)
ModelconverterX import the .x file and the model show up correctly ... but I don't see any animation in the Animation Editor box

Any suggestion welcome ... thanks in advance

arno · 8 Oct 2013

Hi,

Could you try the latest development release? It seems you are using version 1.3 now. The bug might have been solved already.

Send from my phone using Tapatalk, so excuse the short sentences and possible typos

scighera · 8 Oct 2013

Thanks a lot for your patience, Arno ... but it doesn't work anyhow !

I tried the last release of ModelConverterX:

Exporting from Blender (2.49) to .x with the exporter to FSxmodel (which generates a .x file and a .mdl file) and importing it in ModelConverterX I don't see any animation: this sounds obvious since the blender to FSXModel do not export the animations.

Exporting from blender(2.49) to .x with the scrpit already included in Blender 2.49, the animation are included in the export, the part relevant to the animation being:

AnimationSet AnimationSet0 {
Animation {
{ Cube }
AnimationKey {
4;
2;
1;16;1.000000,0.000000,0.000000,0.000000,0.000000,1.000000,0.000000,0.000000,0.000000,0.000000,1.000000,0.000000,0.000000,0.000000,0.000000,1.000000;;,
100;16;1.000000,0.000000,0.000000,0.000000,0.000000,1.000000,0.000000,0.000000,0.000000,0.000000,1.000000,0.000000,20.000000,0.000000,0.000000,1.000000;;;
}
}
} // End of Animation Set

... but importing the .x file in ModelConverterX I get the warning:

"XReader Warning Unsupported animation type 4"

:banghead:

Blender 2.68 .X export scripts

ozzman1997

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