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Problems using FS2004 SDK for export

Z

Zoonba

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10
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unitedkingdom
Hi,

I've had to use FS2004 SDK because I will be attaching effects and library objects to my Gmax work.

It doesn't matter whether I use the Gmax Fs2004 shortcut to gain access to Gmax, or the normal exe, as I get the same results.

Why do I need to use the FS2004 shortcut?

So far I haven't had any success, so I've tried to export a basic cylinder and that fails to display.

Objects export fine when using FS2002 SDK Makemdl.

I am also new to XML format. When exporting an object using the FS2004 SDK, I see that I get an MDL and an XML instead of a BGL.

I guess I have to edit the coordinates, hdg etc within the XML before I compile with bglcomp.exe?

What's the purpose of having an MDL for scenery, I thought MDL's were for a/c, can I delete this file?


Here's the data from my XML file for the column:



<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?>
<FSData version="9.0" xmlns:xsi='http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance' xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="bglcomp.xsd">

<!-- Sample object placement. Remove comment markers to place object east of 34R at Sea Tac. -->
<!--
<SceneryObject lat="47 25.89" lon="-122 18.43" alt="0" pitch="0" bank="0" heading="0" altitudeIsAgl="TRUE" imageComplexity="NORMAL">
<LibraryObject name="F0F9924348E58DFDC8290D9ED6D930B0" scale="1.0" />
</SceneryObject>

-->

<!-- Inclusion of model data. Use the 'Name' of this object to place -->
<!-- it in other locations. -->
<ModelData name="F0F9924348E58DFDC8290D9ED6D930B0" sourceFile="column.mdl" />
</FSData>



----------------------

Now should I edit it so that the XML looks like this? :

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?>
<FSData version="9.0" xmlns:xsi='http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance' xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="bglcomp.xsd">


<SceneryObject lat="47 25.89" lon="-122 18.43" alt="0" pitch="0" bank="0" heading="0" altitudeIsAgl="TRUE" imageComplexity="NORMAL">
<LibraryObject name="F0F9924348E58DFDC8290D9ED6D930B0" scale="1.0" />
</SceneryObject>

<ModelData name="F0F9924348E58DFDC8290D9ED6D930B0" sourceFile="column.mdl" />
</FSData>





....either way, I fail to see any object in FS at any location, bgl's seem to be 1kb, any help would be much appreciated.
 
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Hi,

Do I understand you correct that you get the MDL and XML file out of GMax correct? That means that the export part is working correct. So the installation of the gamepack should then be OK.

You need to start GMax with the Fs2004 shortcut, as that makes sure the correct gamepack is loaded for you. By selecting the Fs2002 shortcut you will get the old gamepack.

The XML code you posted also looks correct. You indeed need to enter the coordinates there (don't forget to remove the comment) and then compile the XML file with BGLComp. BGLComp uses the MDL file when creating the BGL file, so you must not delete it.
 
Hi Arno,

"Do I understand you correct that you get the MDL and XML file out of GMax correct?"


Yep this correct.


When saying the bglcomp uses the MDL during compiling, do I need to move this MDL into the same directory as the bglcomp, because at the moment I've only been moving the XML file? Maybe this is why I'm getting a 1kb bgl?
 
The MDL file needs to be in the same folder as the XML file. That is all.
 
This is turning out to be a pain. Objects export fine using Fs2002 SDK, but as soon as I use FS2004 SDK I can't get things to display.

I have now kept the MDL together with the XML file when compiling, and I seem to be getting larger bgl's but still no progress within FS.

Is there something I'm missing out with this FS2004 SDK in order to export things, maybe it's the bglcomp itself, but I doubt it, I'll d/l it again...?
 
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The bigger BGL file sounds good.

I can think of three things:

  1. Are you really really sure that you removed the comments around the SceneryObject command? Else only a GUID is assigned to the MDL, but it is not placed.
  2. Is the scenery complexity set high enough in FS? By default the XML code sets it to normal, so if you are below that you won't see anything
  3. Could it be that you have another addon scenery active with a higher priority that excludes your object?
 
Zooba
Hi I am new here to and have been having trouble with the same thing. Arno and the other guys here has helped me a lot. so I will help also. if you look at the forum a little down from your post you will see that i ask the same thing. "Having trouble Exporting in gmax "If you read that it will help a lot. I now can make stuff in Gmax, Export it and I am able to put it in flight sim. So I know it works. I was lost also. but keep at it. We can all do it with the help of all the guys here. and I always read all the threads . They help a lot and answer a lot of question that I have .

Just my 2 cents worth. hope it helps and hope you get your stuff working like I did.

woody :wave:
 
You say you have been exporting it just fine for FS8, perhaps you have the System Unit Scale set to inches and it is so large you are actually inside of it.

Are you using the "drag-n-drop" method of compiling or a command prompt so you can see if there are errors?

If you could post the gMax source file as an attachment, someone could look at it and see if there are problems in the scene itself.

Lou
 
Some insight from my past error experience...

Zoonba,

I've had similar problems in the past. Sometimes it's as simple as the name chosen for the BGL-file, which would be the same names of the XML- and MDL-files... not sure why that is. Regardless, I've found that whenever BGLC runs the "DOS Window" flashes so quickly that any errors being reported are gone before you see it. Whenever errors like yours happen I run BGLC from the Command Prompt. Off the top of my head I can't remember the command(s) as I always refer back to the accompanying documentation for that, but I do rememeber that ALL necessary files (BGLcomp.exe, BGLcomp.xsd, *.xml, *.mdl) have to be in the same folder ... I believe the documentation lists a few common errors that may display and how to locate them with the error code displayed...
 
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And to add to the suggestions of Ken. Please check your position again, it is very easy to put a minus there or forgot it. And that will cause your object to move to the other side of the world (happened to me as well :)).

Compiling from the DOS prompt is a very good idea, as you can see what happens then. I have even added the BGLComp folder to my path, so I can call it in DOS from any other folder to compile my XML file.
 
Just a thought but maybe you're having Fs2002 and Fs2004 gamepack issues on the same system. This info is found in, Installing the FS2004 GMax SDK over the FS2002 GMax SDK.rtf in the FS2K4 gamepack directory, gmax\gamepacks\fs2004

"""IMPORTANT! If you have already installed the FS2002 Gmax SDK, you will need to follow the procedures outlined in this document to enable the FS2004 Gmax SDK and FS2002 SDK to work properly on the same machine. """"

Hope this helps.

-Mitch
 
After working with someone who has experience in these matters, we've managed to export the object into FS.

I believe it was down to making the slightest change on the XML regarding spaces, and ensuring I had gmax correctly setup.

Anyway I got it to work. I can export objects either with FS2002 SDK and FS2004 SDK. If I use the old FS2002 SDK I remove the plugin info from the setup file and also move the files out of the plugin directory to avoid clashes.


Cheers for you help anyway, without your help I doubt this would have been solved, as I've learnt many new things.

Just to point out I did compile the XML in DOS and it compiled fine, with no errors, even though I didn't get anything displaying in FS.


Programming eh, don't you just love it?? :D
 
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