FSDS3.5 - Getting Scenery Into FSX

[Deleted]

As things are getting a bit specific, this is a continuation of the thread I started in the Pilots Grill originally to vent a little about Gmax.

Since then I've taken Jonathan's advice and moved on to FSDS but before I move on through the tutes I need to sort out a couple of basics.

I can't get anything to export directly into FSX. Using XtoMdl just doesn't seem to be effective at all. If I compile for FSX using MakeMdl (and therefore the FS2004 BglComp otherwise it doesn't make a bgl at all) the object doesn't show up if I place the bgl in FSX. However, if I drop the bgl into FS9 the object is there.

At the moment the only other way I can get an object into FSX is by compiling with MakeMdl to make a MDL file that I can then position with SceneGenX (or some other scenery maker I guess although I've not yet tried another more recent one).

OK, this works, but I'm not happy because using this approach I'm not making a real FSX object.

How the heck do I make real FSX objects with FSDS3.5 and get them into FSX??

[jonathandevers]

Would it be possible to give detailed steps of exactly what you are doing? I just checked my FSDS, and I'm compiling with XtoMDL for FSX, and my objects show up just fine. But I don't know how you have your preferences set up, and what your workflow is like. Are you using 3.51?

I truly hope I didn't steer you in a wrong direction, I've had nothing but good experiences with the program

[Deleted]

Right here we go







I've then created a flightsim bgl object that I've placed in the fsx addon scenery\scenery folder with the textures in the fsx\texture folder. The object apparently compiled OK but is not visible in FSX. The same object compiled with MakeMdl as a bgl also isn't visible in FSX but when that bgl is copied into FS9 the object is visible. A MDL file compiled with makeMdl can also be placed in FSX but a MDL compiled with XtoMdl seems to have errors.

Frankly I didn't expect all this mucking about with FSDS and I find it all very frustrating

Another small thing I find very annoying is that after I reinstalled I switched over to FS9 to get things working with my bgl being saved to the FS9 addon scenery\scenery folder. Now I want to work with FSX there's apparently no way to make it change to the FSX addon scenery\scenery folder and I have to browse there every time from FS9. Goodness knows what it would do if I deinstalled FS9....

[jonathandevers]

Also, one thing I always forget, if I'm using FSDS to place the object, and not creating an object library and compiling the bgl manually, you have to change the coordinates/elevation data in menu File...Project Properties.

I really am sorry this is so frustrating for you. I noticed you are using the gmax gamepack, I don't know if this would make a difference, but I am not using that gamepack.

[Deleted]

Very interesting......

Thanks for spotting that Jonathan - I'm sure that was the main reason why things weren't working.

However I then discovered something else which is essential knowledge for the future. I'd changed the project coordinates to those of my proposed little scenery project and even after making the XtoMdl path change correction that you'd spotted the object still did not show up (remember - the MDL compiled under MakeMdl and placed with SceneGenX did, so it wasn't a texture problem).

I had been placing the object in the FSX Addon Scenery\Scenery folder as suggested by FSDS. However, I decided to move it into the scenery folder of my project within the Addon Scenery folder and immediately the object showed.

I can guess what the reason is. I've applied a SBuilderX background polygon to the area with exclusion properties to get rid of all the trees and things that are the main problem in FSX. This was obviously also working on all FSX objects outside of the folder containing the polygon - and that includes my FSDS object as under XtoMdl it's a TRUE FSX object!!

Problem solved and I'm glad I acquired that little bit of knowledge along the way. Now I can move on again

Thanks for your input Jonathan

[jonathandevers]

Phew, I'm glad that got sorted out! I was feeling like I had wasted you $50 smackers ;D

The one thing with any sort of scenery design...it never seems to go off right the first time.

[Deleted]

No, much simpler than what I said before. With or without that exclusion the FSDS object HAS to be placed in the project scenery folder inside FSX\Addon Scenery. Placing it in the main Addon Scenery\Scenery folder stops it showing.

So that's wrong in the FSDS tute. Like I mentioned before, the tutes were written for FS9 and haven't been properly updated for FSX. That is annoying