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Aircraft .mdl file editing

P

PinkBaron

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1
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germany
Hallo there,
I am new to this community and trying to learn about some animations on my given aircraft.
I have one Tornado IDS FB that has the "wrong" animation for the tailhook "#". I would like to change that to a switch at the panel.
As far as I know that is laid down in the aircraft .mdl file.
How and with what program do I modify the mdl file ?
I tried a hex editor but got now indication where to look.
If anybody does know about that ?

Hans P.
 
Hi,

If you are not the author of the aircraft, so if you do not have access to the source files, it is not easy to change something like that. I don't think just fiddling with a few bits will solve your trouble.
 
Arno is correct - you cannot change that by opening up the mdl file with a hex editor. That animation is modelled into the source file, and once compiled, it's not possible to change it at the model file (MDL) level.
 
What would you do with it? IT would get you a raw mesh, no animations, probably no textures.

You would have to re-create all animations, properly name them, redo all texture mapping, etc.

It's easier to contact the original builder, explain the "right" animation and get an updated mdl.
 
PinkBaron said:
If you don' t know who you are talking to, you should be more careful.
Click to expand...

That is indeed a very important principle...

...one that you would be well advised to apply to your own comments. :rolleyes:

Many of us here have been dealing with FS on a professional level for many decades. Arno himself likely knows as much or more about the .mdl format than even the developers at MS/ACES themselves! Certainly he's developed any number of tools that have allowed genuine modelers to exploit any number of advanced features that are simply impossible with only the "official SDK" in hand.

Please understand that the typical person coming here and inquiring about how to "hack a .mdl file" has more nefarious goals of piracy in mind, so nearly always are replied to with somewhat "canned responses" to the effect that "you cannot do that..." We actively attempt to discourage such efforts... :D

Now, that said there are indeed some tools available that will "decompile" a .mdl file into various formats, but at the end all you wind up with is a tangled mish-mash of untextured, unanimated raw mesh...

...not anything that's worth the bother!
 
PinkBaron said:
To FelixFFDS: You should look into the FS 2004 aircraft structure: Folder:Aircaft name: aircraft.air file, aircraft.cfg file; Subfolder model, aircraft.mdl, aircraft.cfg file, Panel, sound , texture. To contact the original builder is normally not really possible, so that advise is b.s.

Have a good day.

H.P.
Click to expand...

Many times the model builder will include a document file ('readme.txt' or similar) that may include the builder's contact information.

I think that I am safe, however, in believing that your modelling skills are far more advanced that your social behaviour skills.
 
:eek: :duck:


Goodness.... Lets be nice Frau Baron. We are all stressed. Lets be friends for the sake that we may need to ask another question someday.

Did you know that you can change some of the movement parameters of the Tailhook in the config file? But thats mostly for landings and interactions with cables, not mesh animation.

It is very difficult to comprehend some peoples english when everyone is from all points of the world. Talking with people from Italy, Portugal, Denmark, Germany, and that wierd dusty place 'Phoenix' can really get difficult. Perhaps you mistook Arno's meaning. We have all tried to decompile models. You are talking with veterans. We arent 15 year old kids either. Aces know us by name.

I do hope though that you can get your animation to work properly and I also hope the next is more friendly and fun.



Bill
120 years old... at least the eyebrows are..
 
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