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MDL2BGL

P

pierrot1951

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334
Country
france
Hello
I realized tests with mdl of some planes.
I use LibraryMaker (with IS) to create libraries.

Only original mdl of FSX planes are accepted; for other, I have a message telling that only mdl created for FS9 or FSX are accepted.

I tested with FSX A320 and MD80; objects can be used, but black, as no texture is assigned in the mdl file.

If interested, I remind the MDLtoBGL tool: it allows to create static planes from FS planes; you can create stand-alone bgl or API; restriction: you can use only FS98 models; however, you have a rather interesting choice; with API, it gives good results in FS9, but bad in FSX due to textures.

Pierrot - FMEP
 
Hi,

pierrot1951 said:
I tested with FSX A320 and MD80; objects can be used, but black, as no texture is assigned in the mdl file.
Click to expand...

I am sure the textures are assigned in the MDL file. But when you put it in a scenery BGL you need to make sure the texture files are in the correct folder as well.

It might be that some of the other MDL files you tried are FS2004 aircraft MDL files, they are different from FS2004 scenery MDL files and can thus not be placed in a scenery BGL.
 
Ok

I think the plane textures files should be copied in the main texture folder, or in the texture subfolder corresponding with library.

However, only one painting can be used?
The mdl file can only tell FS the names of files to be used, but no variations are possible (texture subfolders info given by aircraft.cfg info).

Pierrot - FMEP
 
Following...

I tested; texture is shown correctly (only one variation possible).

But the main problem is that plane is with wheels in (flying position!), not parking position...
MDLtoBGL tool allows such variations before in output options:
Engine: on/off
Wheels: in/out
NavLights: ...
Flaps: ...

Is there a way to make such changes???
Pierrot - FMEP
 
Hi,

pierrot1951 said:
I think the plane textures files should be copied in the main texture folder, or in the texture subfolder corresponding with library.
Click to expand...

They should be in the texture folder that belongs to the scenery folder where the library BGL is.

Copying them to the main texture folder might work, but it is a very bad idea, as it will make one big mess of your main texture folder.

pierrot1951 said:
However, only one painting can be used? The mdl file can only tell FS the names of files to be used, but no variations are possible.
Click to expand...

That is correct. In the MDL there is nothing to switch textures, it only stores the names. Scenery does not have a functionality like the aircraft do to apply a different set of textures.

To do that would require to copy the whole MDL, change the textures names and add it to the library with a new GUID.

pierrot1951 said:
But the main problem is that plane is with wheels in (flying position!), not parking position...
MDLtoBGL tool allows such variations before in output options:
Engine: on/off
Wheels: in/out
NavLights: ...
Flaps: ...

Is there a way to make such changes???
Click to expand...

Comparing to MDL2BGL does not make much sense, as that tool only works with the old FS98 MDL format, that is like a decade old and the MDL format has completely changed since then.

I would have to look a bit deeper in this, as it surprised me that the gear animation does not get set to extended when used in scenery. I guess it just sticks to frame zero of the animation. In that case the only way around would be to modify the actual animation. Not sure if that would be acceptable on default models, with copyright in mind.
 
Hello

Thanks for interest and detailed answers.
I just reported some ideas for static planes. Even if old, FS98 planes converted with MDL2BGL give interesting results in FS9.

Personnally, I'm rather satisfied with existing libraries for sceneries (small airports / airfields in Madagascar), with mainly small planes or heli. If I need a specific plane, I use AI Traffic with a "hidden" flight plan.

Pierrot - FMEP
 
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