Makemdl

Basics

MakeMDL is the primary compiler for objects created for Microsoft's Flight Simulator 9

In its latest iteration, available in the MakeMDL SDK [1] for FS9, it supports input commands via a file named "makemdl.cfg". Normally, this file is located in the same folder in which MakeMDL.exe resides, e.g. "C:\gmax\gamepacks\fs2004\plugins"

Sample MakeMDL.cfg

[Settings]
LastDir=
SaveDir=C:\gmax\GAMEPA~1\FS2004\plugins

[Options]
Debug=1
ViewLog=0
KeepErrorLog=1
Keep=0
I8=1
I=0
FullMat=1
Deffallback=1
WeldPoints=0
Optimize=0
Flatten=0
NoAnimate=0
HasReflectMap=1
HasNightMap=0

HasLightMap=1

HasDamageMap=0

NegateZ=1

NoLeftToRight=0

SwapBH=0

Vis=0

Crash=0

XML=1

---

Makemdl.cfg entries explained

Of special interest to avid modellers for FS9 are the "Debug", "KeepErrorLog", "WeldPoints", "Optimize" and "Flatten" settings.

Debug

Set to "1" (no quote marks) to enable debug functionality

ViewLog

Automatically opens the log file after compilation if set to "1"

KeepErrorLog

Does not delete the log file if set to "1"; useful for finding erroneous parts or animations

Keep

Does not delete temporary files created during compilation if set to "1"

I8

???

I

???

FullMat

???

Deffallback

???

The next three settings can be a cure to the 4mm vertex weld issue otherwise present for FS9 models (very notable and annoying in virtual cockpits)!

WeldPoints

Disable vertex welding if set to "1".

Optimize

Does not optimize the mesh if set to "0"

Flatten

Set to "0"

NoAnimate

Does not parse animations during compilation if set to "1"

HasReflectMap

Set to "1" to enable reflectivity for the model. Make sure to put a "_t" suffix into the texture's file name, e.g. "fuselage_t.bmp" and make sure "Reflections" is enabled in FS9's "display" menu.

HasLightMap

Enables use of self-illumination night textures ("_l" suffix, i.e. "fuselage_l.bmp") if set to "1". You won't need to fill the "self-illumination" slot of the material in GMax.