FSDeveloper Wiki - User contributions [en-gb]

SRTM To BGL

2012-06-06T05:15:16Z

HughesMDflyer4-6969: /* Tutorial */

{{Infobox-Applicable-FSVersion
| FSXI = false
| FSXA = true
| FSX = true
| FS2004 = true
| FS2002 = false
| FS2000 = false
| FS98 = false
}}

== Introduction ==

SRTM_TO_BGL is a freeware scenery design tool for FS9/FSX that converts NASA SRTM files into Flight Simulator scenery BGL files.

More information on the NASA SRTM mission can be found [http://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/srtm/ here]

== Tutorial ==
An excellent tutorial is available, including the SRTM_TO_BGL program.
<br>
Download from AVSIM, (must be member/logged in) -
* [http://library.avsim.net/esearch.php?CatID=fsxsd&DLID=135485 FSX version - Terrain Editing Tutorial with Editor]
* [http://library.avsim.net/esearch.php?CatID=fs2004sd&DLID=93084 FS9 version - Easy Terrain Editing Tutorial]
Alternate download at FlightSim.Com -
* [http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/content.php?108-Copyright&fid=133188 FSX Terrain Editing Tutorial]
* [http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/content.php?108-Copyright&fid=106237 FS2004 Terrain Editing Tutorial]
Tutorials are by Gerhard Scheuerecker

== Download and Installation ==

This software is included in the terrain editing tutorial by Gerhard Scheuerecker (see above). Please see the tutorial for instructions on installation and use of the SRTM_TO_BGL software.

== Software by this author ==
* [[FSX KML]]
* [[FSX Photoscene]]
* [[SRTM To BGL]]

[[Category:Manuals]]
[[Category:Tools]]
[[category:Scenery_Design]]
[[category:Terrain_Design]]

Starting a Model in GMax

2009-06-19T03:36:56Z

HughesMDflyer4-6969:

{{:Ambox-Content-Needs-Improvement}}

{{Infobox-Applicable-FSVersion
| FSXI = true
| FSXA = true
| FSX = true
| FS2004 = true
| FS2002 = true
}}

If you know what you are doing, starting a model in GMax is fairly simple. It's when you get to the tiny details and shape of the aircraft that modeling can get very challenging. Here are some tips to starting a model.

1. Get access to good reference material, like photo or a backdrop image.

2. Use the backdrop image in your viewports, so you can get the exact shape of your object.

3. If you are new to modeling, start off with something simple, like a small house, which uses mostly boxes.

4. If you don't like it, don't model it. Modeling can be hard, but fun. If you don't like what your modeling, it will seem like it will take forever to finish.

5. If you start modeling something, but don't want to continue, or don't have enough knowledge of modeling, upload it to a FS website's design downloads. There are probably people out there that could use the model.

6. Many people prefer freeware add-ons, but some of the highest quality, and maybe the only add-on of its kind out there are payware. If you are a beginner, it is probably best that your add-on is freeware, as it is probably not the best out there, yet...

7. If you have A LOT of completed add-ons, or GMax source files YOU have created, you may consider starting your own FS website.

I hope that I have helped you, and remember, DON'T GIVE UP!

[[category:Aircraft Design]]
[[category:Scenery Design]]
[[category:Modeling]]

Starting a Model in GMax

2009-05-18T21:43:22Z

HughesMDflyer4-6969: New page: {{Infobox-Applicable-FSVersion | FSXI = true | FSXA = true | FSX = true | FS2004 = true | FS2002 = true }} If you know what you are doing, starting a model in GMax is fairly simple. It's ...

{{Infobox-Applicable-FSVersion
| FSXI = true
| FSXA = true
| FSX = true
| FS2004 = true
| FS2002 = true
}}

If you know what you are doing, starting a model in GMax is fairly simple. It's when you get to the tiny details and shape of the aircraft that modeling can get very challenging. Here are some tips to starting a model.

1. Find something that you have good access to pictures, or maybe even a backdrop image.

2. Use the backdrop image in your viewports, so you can get the exact shape of your object.

3. If you are new to modeling, start off with something simple, like a small house, which uses mostly boxes.

4. If you don't like it, don't model it. Modeling can be hard, but fun. If you don't like what your modeling, it will seem like it will take forever to finish.

5. If you start modeling something, but don't want to continue, or don't have enough knowledge of modeling, upload it to a FS website's design downloads. There are probably people out there that could use the model.

6. Many people prefer freeware add-ons, but some of these are of the highest quality, or even the only add-on out there of its kind. If you are a beginner, it is probably best that your add-on is freeware, as it is probably not the best out there, YET. :-D

7. If you have A LOT of completed add-ons, or GMax source files YOU have created, you may consider starting your own FS website.

I am still a beginner at modeling myself, so there maybe other tips out there I have not mesioned.

I hope that I have helped you, and remember, DON'T GIVE UP! :-)

[[category:Aircraft Design]]
[[category:Scenery Design]]
[[category:Modeling]]

Repainting an Aircraft

2009-05-18T20:19:11Z

HughesMDflyer4-6969: New page:  {{:Ambox-Content-WIP}} {{Infobox-Applicable-FSVersion | FS2004 = true | FS2002 = true }} If you are an advanced repainter, feel free to add on to ...

{{:Ambox-Content-WIP}}
{{Infobox-Applicable-FSVersion
| FS2004 = true
| FS2002 = true
}}
If you are an advanced repainter, feel free to add on to this tutorial.

For this tutorial, you will need DXTBmp, available here: http://www.btinternet.com/~mnwright/download/dxtbmpx.EXE

This tutorial is for beginners, and teaches you how to repaint an aircraft for FS2002 and FS2004. It will work for some aircraft for FSX. (The default aircraft and some add-on aircraft in FSX use .dds textures, and saving these is a bit different.

Step 1: Open DXTBmp. (It is assumed that you have already installed it.

Step 2: Open the textures of a aircraft with easy to edit textures, such as the default Bell 206, or Cessna 182s. I'm using an Add-on Hughes 500D, available here:
http://64.34.169.161/ifolio_files/file_gallery/Add-ons_-_Helicopters_-_FS9/H500d_2Hon_Pol.zip
, with a repaint kit available here: http://64.34.169.161/ifolio_files/file_gallery/Development_-_Aircraft_-_MSFS/Paint_Kits_and_Textures/BlankHughes.zip

If you use the Hughes 500D, open the texture named '500D_T.bmp' located in the repaint kit you downloaded.

[[Image:Open.PNG‎|350px]]

Step 3: Go to Image -> Send to editor. By default, MS Paint is the editor for DXTBmp, but it can be changed if you like another paint program. I recommend using MS Paint right now, because it is simple, and good for beginners.

[[Image:Send_to_Editor.PNG‎|350px]]

Step 4: Paint the fuse, tail, wings, etc what ever color you want. Make sure to think about what part goes where, so that the final repaint looks right in FS.

[[Image:Edit.PNG‎|350px]]

Step 5: When you are finished, click Save as, NOT Save. You must save the file as a .bmp somewhere you can easily find it, like your desktop.

Step 6: Go back to DXTBmp. Go to File -> Open. Browse for the .bmp you just edited and open.

Step 7: The BlankHughes floder includes an alpha channel for the fuse, so we will now browse for that. Go to Alpha -> Import Alpha channel, and browse for the file in the BlankHughes folder called 500D_A.bmp. Select the file and click open.

Step 8: Go to File -> Save as. Click the line 'Extended Bitmap.' Browse to the location of the installed Hughes 500D and go in to texture folder. Rename the original 500D_T.bmp to 1500D_T.bmp. Now under file name, put 500D_T.bmp. And under Save as type, select DXT1. Click save.

Now when you go to the flight sim, find Hughes under manufacturer, and 500D. You should see your new texture on the helicopter.

Over time, you will get better at repainting, and it will be very easy. Keep trying, and don't give up!

[[Category:Aircraft Design]]
[[category:Texturing]]

File:Edit.PNG

2009-05-18T19:38:19Z

HughesMDflyer4-6969: How to edit an aircraft texture in MS Paint.

How to edit an aircraft texture in MS Paint.

File:Send to Editor.PNG

2009-05-18T19:36:08Z

HughesMDflyer4-6969: How to send a .bmp to an image editor in DXTBmp.

How to send a .bmp to an image editor in DXTBmp.

File:Open.PNG

2009-05-18T19:31:19Z

HughesMDflyer4-6969: How to open a file to edit in DXTBmp

How to open a file to edit in DXTBmp