Can not create MDL for P3dv2 because mcx.dll issue

[Ralf Hürst]

Hello,

when I try to create a P3Dv2 mdl file, I get an error message which says that the file couldn´t create because an mcx.dll issue. My SAMM2 version is 2.2.01. My OS is Windows 8.1. Sim and SDK is version 2.2.
The creation of FSX MDLs works well. Is their any help?

Greatings
Ralf

 

[gadgets]

You'll have to be a little more specific, Ralf.

What version of SAMM are you using? Do you have a version of MCX installed that handles P3D models? What was the actual error message you received?

Don

 

[Ralf Hürst]

Hi Don,
as I wrote in my first post:
SAMM2 2.2.01
Error Message (exact):
"Unable to convert this model for use with P3Dv2. MCX.dll issue".
When I klick OK a second Window tells: "Expect as previously indicated, static model(s) associated texture folder and XML placement file saved."
These saved Files are FSX Files becauce I can not deaktivate "FSX/P3D" in the "Model Save and Placement" Group (the controllfield ist grey).
Your Question about the MCX version: I don´t know what is it????? I have never heared this DLL. When I search MCX.dll Explorer find only:
McxDriv.dll.mui and McxDriv.dll

Ralf

 

[gadgets]

as I wrote in my first post:SAMM2 2.2.01

Sorry, Ralf, I didn't notice that. I simply did a search on "MCX.dll" in the source code and, when I failed to find it, I automatically asked the question. Turns out there's a space between "MCX" and ".dll" in the error message, which is why I didn't find it.

MCX is Arno Gerretsen's Model Converter X. That program must be installed in order to convert models from one format to another. Since you don't recognize the term "MCX", I'll hazard a guess that it's not installed.

Model Converter X does not affect the system registry. So, unfortunately, there is no way (I know of) to reliably determine if it's installed. Most users interested in model format conversion seem to have MCX installed, so this issue has not arisen previously. What I can, and will, do is modify the error message to alert the user that MCX must be installed in order for the conversion feature to work. If you install MCX (available here at FS Developer), you should be able to convert FSX static aircraft models for P3D v2 - even though it's not necessary since FSX models are compatible with P3Dv2.

These saved Files are FSX Files becauce I can not deaktivate "FSX/P3D" in the "Model Save and Placement" Group (the controllfield ist grey).

Presumably, this is because you are starting with a FSX aircraft, so this field is checked by default.

Don

 

[Ralf Hürst]

Hi Don,
many Thx for your quick reply. Now its all clear, I will install Arnos Model Converter X.

Ralf

 

[Ralf Hürst]

Hi Don,
now I have installed Arnos Model Converter X ver. 1.3. But there is no MCX.dll in the folder and there is no install programm (it works out of the folder). The issue is the same. What can I do?

Ralf

 

[arno]

To have support for p3d you need version 1.4 of modelconverterx. It's also called the development release.

A file mcx.dll is not part of modelconverterx btw.

 

[gadgets]

Further to what Arno said, there is no MCX.dll in AIFP either. AIFP includes a number of MCX .dlls, none are named MCD.dll.

In any case, I misinformed you yesterday. Having MCX installed is not a prerequisite. SAMM includes all the necessary .dlls from MCX. (I've been deeply involved in other matters over the past few days. Don't know where my head was yesterday.)

It may be that the aircraft you are attempting to convert cannot be converted with SAMM. Please send a link to the aircraft or attach the whole aircraft folder (One set of textures is sufficient).

Don

 

[Ralf Hürst]

Thanks Arno, Thanks Don,

will try an other aircraft und report back. I must say -a very remarkable Forum and an excellent Support.

Ralf

 

[gadgets]

Something else just occurred to me Ralf. Are you running as administrator? If not, the cause may be Windows preventing the included .dlls from running.

Don

 

[Ralf Hürst]

Hi Don,
Unfortunately, no success. Converting FS9 to FSX fails and FSX to P3Dv2 also. Only FSX to FSX works. I have tried several models from ORBX AU AI traffic (FTXP3D2AUAITraffic4.2) and WOAI Air France Package (woaafrv5).
Too bad, because your program is exact that what I need. BGLs produce from the models of an airline in order to integrate them with ADEX in airfields.
What am I doing wrong? Yes I´m working as administrator.
Can you tell me an FS9 model, with which I could test the conversion? I think this would be the easiest way to isolate the problem.

Ralf

 

[gadgets]

Only FSX to FSX works. I have tried several models from ORBX AU AI traffic (FTXP3D2AUAITraffic4.2) and WOAI Air France Package (woaafrv5).

While I'm not surprised that an Orbx FSX aircraft wouldn't convert , I am surprised that you have difficulty with a WoAI aircraft which, traditionally, have always been FS9 aircraft.

You should be able to convert any of the default aircraft.

Please attach (or email to me) the Aircraft folder for the WoAI aircraft that won't convert. As I said above, I'll only need a single texture.

Don

 

[Ralf Hürst]

Hi Don,
here is the attachment

 

[gadgets]

Thanks. I'll look at it shortly.

Don

 

[gadgets]

Ralf, as I suspected, I converted that WoAI aircraft without difficulty to both FSx and P3Dv2. By the way, it is a FS9 aircraft, so I don't understand your comment "Only FSX to FSX works." Since you also said "Converting FS9 to FSX fails and FSX to P3Dv2 also", at what point did you have a FSX aircraft to convert? I'm happy to try your Orbx aircraft if you send me the folder.

Earlier you said:

I can not deaktivate "FSX/P3D" in the "Model Save and Placement" Group (the controllfield ist grey).

Since its a FS9 aircraft, FSX/P3d should not have been "grey" - and is not on my system.

Please ensure you are running as administrator, i.e., you right-click the SAMM icon and select "Run as Amininstrator. Being the administrator for your system is not sufficient. If that's not the problem, then perhaps you can tell me step-by-step what you are doing.

Don

 

[Ralf Hürst]

Hi Don,
Step by Step:
right-click the SAMM icon and select "Run as Amininstrator"
in the Aircraft Group:
P3Dv2 is select, Radio-Buttons FSX Mdl and P3Dv2 Mdl are unticked (so I think its a FS9 Model)
Aircraft Select: D:\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v2\SimObjects\AIAirplanes\WoA_DJC_A321_CFM
Title: WoA_DJC_A321_CFM_AFR-Air France_NC
Static Model Name: WoA_DJC_A321_CFM_AFR-Air France_NC
All the other things: default
Model Save and Placement Group:
FS9 Grey (ok - its a FS9 Model)
I aktivate FSX/P3D or P3Dv2
klick "Save .mdl File

AND

"Converting model for use with FSX"

2 seconds later:

"Unable to convert this Model for use with FSX
MCX.dll issue"

My SAMM.ini:
Default Units(Posn) is DDdddd=False
Default Units(Posn) is DDMMmm=False
Default Units(Posn) is DDMMmm=False
Default Units(Alt) is Ft=False
Listings and Tools=False
Last Folder - Scenery Save for FS9=
Last Folder - Scenery Save for FSX=
Last Folder - Scenery Save for P3D=
Last Folder - Scenery Save for P3Dv2=
No Automatic Updates=False
Last Update Checked=
Default Model Posn - Lat=0
Default Model Posn - Lon=0
Default Model Posn - Hdg=0
Dedicated Textures=False
Don't Use "All" Folders=False
Path to MakeMDL=
Path to XToMdl.exe (FSX)=
Path to XToMdl.exe (P3D)=
Path to XToMdl.exe (P3Dv2)=
Warn if FSX Model->FS9 Scenery=True
Use FS9 Global Variables=False
Path to FS9=
Path to FSX=
Path to P3D=
Path to P3Dv2=D:\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v2
Path to FSX SDK=
Path to P3D SDK=
Path to P3Dv2 SDK=D:\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v2\SDK
Path to FSX Compiler=
Path to P3D Compiler=
Path to P3Dv2 Compiler=D:\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v2\SDK\Environment SDK\BGL Compiler SDK\bglcomp.exe
Path to ImageTool=
Version Flag for Last Scenery Compile=-1
Local Library=D:\Static Aircraft
Aircraft Select=3

And an ORBX Attachment BAE 146-100 (FS9 Model)

Ralf

 

[gadgets]

The WoAI aircraft you sent me is a b747, not an A321. However, I doubt it made any difference, since the FTX BAE 146 also converts for me without error.

From your SAMM.ini listing, it appears you do not have the FSX SDK installed. It appears that the MCX .dll requires the FSX SDK to be installed in order to convert a model to FSX format. Perhaps this is your problem. Since you have the P3Dv2 SDK, try checking only P3Dv2 and see if it, by itself, works.

Of course, if that is the problem, SAMM should detected it and issue an advisory message - which at the moment it doesn't.

Please let me know how you make out.

Don

 

[Ralf Hürst]

Hi Don,

I have installed FSX SDK plus SP1a plus SP2. No success. Please can You show me your SAMM.ini that I can compare with mine?

Ralf

 

[gadgets]

.ini attached (additional file extension to allow upload), but it's unlikely it has anything to do with the problem.

Were you successful with P3Dv2 only?

The only other thing I can suggest is that if you are running with German language, temporarily configure your system for English and see if that makes any difference. It may be a "comma decimal separator thing".

Don

 

[Ralf Hürst]

YEAH

Don, the tip with the language pack (english UK) was the hit. I just had to adjust the SAMM.ini entry for the Image Tool correctly (SDK \Environment SDK \ ImageTool.exe) and already I could convert from FS9 in P3Dv2.
This was a hard and long way. But with your help, we have made it.
Again, many thanks for your tireless help

All the best
Ralf