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What is the best modelling tool for P3D / FSX

NMG

NMG

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I am probably opening a can of worms here.

I have been using FSDS for a long time now. It works great and it serves my needs. I export my models as x-files and then compile them with the 64-bit Prepar3D V2 compiler. Lately I have found that FSDS just cannot keep up with the demands for detail. There are some things it just cannot do or you can do it by extensively editing the x-file of the model. It is unknown if there will ever be an update for it.

Needless to say, I am now looking for a new design program, but I would like to hear what you guys think. I am looking at the future where there will be no more FSX, but only a Prepar3D. With this in mind, the new package must work with Prepar3D as well.

I looked at GMax which is free, but getting it to work with the Prepar3D complier seem to be a lost cause! Yes, the FSX compiler works and the models compiled with it work in Prepar3D, but what will happen when Prepar3D ends backward compatibility with FSX? That may happen with Prepar3D V3!

I also looked at 3DS Max, but the price tag is way to steep... Autodesk is totally of the designated flight path with their price structure. How much do you need to sell your creations at just to make something on the capital spent? Special; this week only! Buy any airport package for only $500! Yea right! I am willing to pay for a design utility, but NOT $3600 USD!

My questions is: what design utilities do you guys use for modelling?

Regards!
 
Seems your posts is badly titled. The best modelling tool for future proof considering p3d is likely 3dsmax. However, you don't really want that. YOu want the best at low cost. For that, I'd say Blender, and if you look around you'll find people doing a nice job of creating the interface utilities you need for export. I have no idea if these tools are going to be able to keep up with P3d.
 
nobody likes me, everybody hates me, just 'cos I eat worms...

:stirthepo Well I use 3ds Max... :D but I don't build scenery – or payware. :rotfl:

All joking aside, there's a couple of things to consider. First, if you're abandoning FSDS you'll have to learn a new modelling tool so it doesn't matter which one half so much as for others who have to abandon Gmax to export to P3D 2.x and future versions. Second, the process of exporting to P3D is to export an .X file (with .XANIM if animations are included) and compile this to P3D with XtoMDL and this process is the same for both Blender and 3ds Max (correct me if I'm wrong y'all...).

So it seems to me your choice is to learn Blender or 3ds Max: either is a new experience after FSDS. Your choice!
 
Thanks fir the replies so far. I did thought about blender, but I wnted to test the water first!

Ok, will probably not need all the advanced tools available in 3DS Max, so spending money on it will be a waste.

I will not be abandoning FSDS completely. The bulk of my work has been done on it! My plan is to start designing the objects which are impossible to do with FSDS in the new design program and then slowley move everyting over. This will probably take several years to do, but there is no hurry.

If I can figure out how to export x-files using GMax, then I will be set! Using the GMax game pack in the FSX SDK, I can only export MDL files.

Regards,
 
NMG said:
If I can figure out how to export x-files using GMax...
Click to expand...

You can't. Sorry, but that option was deliberately and thoroughly eliminated when the FSX gamepack was built. Gmax only exports via gamepacks and there is none which does .X
 
hairyspin said:
You can't. Sorry, but that option was deliberately and thoroughly eliminated when the FSX gamepack was built. Gmax only exports via gamepacks and there is none which does .X
Click to expand...

That explains it... Thank you for the reply! Much appreciated.
 
Look into ModelConverterX. It can export x files from imported models (FS2004, FSX and P3D). FS2004 x files can be run through the FS2002 Makemdl to make FS2002 and CFS2 BGLs.

Dick
 
Gmax for me. With xNormal to render ambient occlusion, MCX to do conversions, and a modest amount of brute artistic talent I think I'll be capable for a few years yet, albeit doing things the hard way. If not, well I'm not all that crazy about this development monkey business and I think McDonald's is almost always hiring table wipers anyway. :)
 
Blender could do the job, though I don't know about scenery design. At export, a .x and a .xanim is created, and you can check inside Blender if you want to export a .mdl. Easy!
Blender has future, Gmax doesn't as far as I observe. But there's a lot of experience available to the public for Gmax.
3ds would cost you a bit of money, Blender and Gmax do it free.
 
Guys, thank you for all your valuable feedback. I do appreciate it very much!

I want to make light splashes like in the threat below:
http://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/new-way-to-make-light-splash.273813/page-6

I am not sure if Blender will be able to produce and effect like this. I know GMax can, but FSDS cannot and I have tried! This is the reason I want to make the switch to a more advanced modelling tool. My clients want these effects, but they don't want to pay an arm and a leg for it! That is why 3DS is out as biscuits in a orphanage!

Regards,
 
You should be able to do this regardless of the 3d package, as light splashes are all about the material settings. Even if you made them in Sketchup, you can tweak the materials in MCX to get the desired effects.
 
Those are effects... not materials. Materials have problems with z-write.

See thomas32's post on page 6...

You're asking people to explain it to you but you haven't read the thread that you linked which clearly explains every aspect of making it several times...
 
As I now only use P3D, and (as always) cannot afford 3DSMax, I may purchase FSDS (if it is possible to install without FSX). The learning curve would be short, as I have used it before in times. But I guess my only option will end up with Blender (and a new learning curve). Ugh!
 
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Regarding to the comments Blender wll be hard, but in a long term point of view, and if you are interested in the CG modelling enough it will be the best choice. I have seen many cases of people developing with blender. Modelconvertex will be a great complementary tool to work with
 
My vote is for Gmax if you cannot afford Max. Much more powerful then FSDS. You will love all the tools.
 
puentes said:
Hi, On www.pilote-virtuel.com, PatdeBarr has created a Howto (in French) to use an Prepar3D v2.0 SDK in order tu use it with GMax...
Click to expand...

Intriguing, Didier! This deserves investigation... :scratchch

edit: hang on, unless I've missed something there is no mention of getting the exporter to work with Gmax, so no export to .X? :banghead: Bother!
 
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My opinion is Gmax. Once you master on it, it is very powerful.
Regarding to P3Dv2, Is it possible to convert FSX_MDL to P3DV2_MDL by using MCX? If that is true, you can still use Gmax for that.
However, gmax offers no render. That is the downside of it. JRobinson said about XNormal but I never try that.

3dsmax is my 2nd option though it is very expensive. You can use 2nd hand program from e-bay or older version. I use 3dsmax2012 and there are a few problems. When I have a lot of reference plan using satellite photos, some of them do not show up. I need to close one or more material and shut it down-reopen it. When export the model a few times, it crashes. However there are a lot of good tools that do not exist in Gmax.

Blender is very good option too. It can export to .X file, so you can make mdl from that.
However, IMHO the interface is very huge and confusing. There is a steep learning curve too as well as Gmax.
Good thing, it can render the model and you can do texture baking. Very good option.

If I were you start from nothing, I would choose Blender since it is free with render capability. You can do anything from this program.
But if you have some experience with Gmax, I think I would recommend to stick with Gmax or step up to 3dsmax. As JRobinson said, you can do almost everything. If you see his work, you will agree with him.

Nevertheless, stick with one program until you master on it. Don't give up and switch to another one. It is very painful to learn all the interfaces again. Menu, controls, modifier etc.

Good luck.
 
Blender could import Gmax files ?, would be great to work with both, in a perfect world to master Blender and gmax would be great, but it would be hard. as 3ds max will keep us off the business.
 
Regarding to P3Dv2, Is it possible to convert FSX_MDL to P3DV2_MDL by using MCX?

Jtanabodee
Click to expand...


You can create pure FSX models and they run absolutely fine in Prepar3D V2+. :)
 
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