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FS2004 Scaling down aircraft during export

khaos_56k

khaos_56k

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us-maryland
Hello All!

I've been searching the forum and Wiki for a solution and have been coming up with nothing but mentions of techniques but no real guidance... yet.

I'm in the process of developing and aircraft and had read numerous times about modeling it larger than actual size to avoid the way FS collapses "close" vertexes. So I did... 10x.

Now it exports just fine but I've yet to be able to find a place to scale it down to actual size. I'm using MDLCommander to "Keep Files" and "Xml File" but I find no place obvious to edit size/scale. I've read a mention of editing a "X" file but have always been lost how one comes up with a "X" file. Then where/how I'd redit then recompile it.

I'm using 3DSMax to render it, exported as a "3DS" file, imported into GMax, made appropriate changes and exported using MDLCommander.

Any help would be GREAT!!
 
Thank you greatly!

I saw this post but it did not seem to be along the "simplistic" search I was on. Now I have much reading to do... and I suppose I'll need a few bags of popcorn for the video(s).
 
khaos_56k said:
Thank you greatly!

I saw this post but it did not seem to be along the "simplistic" search I was on. Now I have much reading to do... and I suppose I'll need a few bags of popcorn for the video(s).
Click to expand...

Well, the "sad" part is that what you specifically need to know isn't really all that much, but unfortunately the nitty-gritty specifics have escaped my fragile and somewhat fragmented biological storage device... ;)
 
n4gix said:
...somewhat fragmented biological storage device... ;)
Click to expand...

You ALWAYS have a way with words... :D

As a tiny, itty-bitty, miniscule update: I believe I've found the instructions I require within Bill's document. I was successful in creating the aforementioned ".X" file even though GMax gave an odd error stating it couldn't compile the ".MDL" file... but all the exported files were present regardless. Now to make the changes and recompile... then recompile... then rename...

BTW, I've been unsuccessful in locating the MiddleMan program but it seems that just the latest MDLCommander is doing everything needed... as long as I have the appropriate files in the appropriate places... :rolleyes:
 
Hey Khaos,

Welcome to the world of FS9 unlimited Exporting.

Are you using Gmax? The system is designed around Gmax and FSDS.


The ASM has several key points, as you have read by now, that need to be adjusted.


I strongly and massively urge you to download Manfreds tools that auto-adjust the ASM files for you. They can also manage the adjustments on the X files, if you were doing this on a normal scale (1 to 1). You have already made the model large, so that isnt needed, only the scaling down.


Once you get everything setup, you need to experiment with how much to scale back down. Its usually a choice of a factor of 2 to 5. Usually 2 or 4. Big planes usually need a higher number.

In Manfreds tools, you set the scale back factor there in the ASM tool config file.

I'll see if I can find his download link on them. They are brilliant tools. Click and done....



Bill
 
khaos_56k said:
BTW, I've been unsuccessful in locating the MiddleMan program but it seems that just the latest MDLCommander is doing everything needed... as long as I have the appropriate files in the appropriate places... :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Years ago I created a handy-dandy "Plug-and-Play" zip file containing both MiddleMan and ModelCommander already configured to drop into one's C:\gmax\gamepacks\fs2004\plugins folder:

FS2004_MM_MkMDL.plugnplay
https://www.onlinefilefolder.com/1sDt2rAwkSbasl

You actually need MiddleMan to save the .asm files... :D
 
Thank you very much, both of you! I've downloaded both of the programs and look forward to hours of experimenting... and preconfigured MiddleMan & MDLCommander... my developer senses are tingling!!

Bill, to not be rude I'll answer your questions:

Are you using Gmax? The system is designed...
Click to expand...
For the first time I'm seriously using 3DSMax9 to create my aircraft, export it as a ".3DS" file which I import into GMax. So far no issues and I get to use the exponentially more powerful 3DSMax9 to do the "grunt work" leaving GMax for final tweaking and texturing.

...Manfreds tools that auto-adjust the ASM files for you. They can also manage the adjustments on the X files...
Click to expand...
A single program to modify the necessary files as needed... I LOVE IT!!!!

...you need to experiment with how much to scale back down. Its usually a choice of a factor of 2 to 5. Usually 2 or 4. Big planes usually need a higher number...
Click to expand...
Without giving too much away, at this point, it's about the size of a YF-23. I've modeled it 10x in hopes of a simplistic way to shrink it down and avoiding that wonderful 4mm limit for things like pitot tubes. It's the most complex multi-contour blended model I've ever created and I'd hate to have to attempt to remodel it.

Once again gents... THANK YOU!!
 
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