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Gmax Effects Export

Sean_E

Sean_E

Messages
69
Okay...

Does anybody know a reason why Gmax will NOT export an attached effect?

I have created a line of 1m cubes boxes to use as my attach object.
Using the attach object script I am attaching a home made light effect (centerline).
Properties on the boxes are coded correctly (including day/night parameters)
The export goes off without a hitch and BGL compiles the XML/MDL file with no problems.
Inside FS9, the object boxes are no longer there, indicating the effect should be present. But, it is not.
I have tested this by creating a hand coded XML file using the exact same code as entered in Gmax. And this one shows up.

So, I am stumped as to why Gmax is supposedly properly exporting the effect, but it is not showing in FS.

Any suggestions or ideas?

Thanx in advance.

Sean E.
 
Hi Sean.

Just a guess.

We found a bug in the sim that will not allow an effect to be displayed over an exclusion area in some circumstances ( within the same 'scenery' folder, or bgl ). Apparently effects are drawn before objects, and the exclusion is treated as an object, therefore drawn over the newly placed effect. :(

That is why some of us have been urging designers to use VERY tiny exclude code so the chances of the effects refpoint being hit is quite small. Otherwise, you'd need excludes in their own BGL, and in their own folder ( I think ).

There are a couple of XML decompilers available, and that would give you the abdsolute refpoints of the default placements... but that could be a chore to search.. unless someone makes a text-based tool to search XML codee for objects in a range on Lat/Long, and create the exclusion point code automatically. I had also thought of making a slew-tool to "stamp" tiny exclude code as you click over the objects. That could be cut'n'pasted to XML.

Until then, you can slew over default objects, and use something like TCalc2004 to show a precise location, to determine the tiny exclude box bounds.

Dick
 
That's good to know about that bug.

I have made sure that the exclusion areas are small and exclude everything EXCEPT Objects and Effects.

Still pondering......

Sean E.
 
When using the attatch script in gmax, each of your effects requires a different name or they will not be displayed in the sim.Even with the same effect attatched.

i.e. centerline_light_01, centerline_light_02, etc.
 
Yep, did that.....

names started with 'center1' ....through..... 'center316'

thanx for the help.

still pondering.

Sean E.
 
Okay, problem has been solved.

After discussion with my fellow designer(s)....we have found a double culprit.

It was an exclude file that wasn't updated to NOT exclude effects.
AND
a second file that for some reason won't let a Gmax effect appear but it will allow a hand compiled XML effect list to appear. go figure.

Thanx for the input from everyone.

Now off to finish my project.

Sean E.
 
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