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Windows 10/11 snafu / content thread

S

Steve2112

Charter Member
Anyone use GMAX to create infrastructure objects for CFS2?

:kilroy:Hello Good People,
Just wondering if anyone has successfully created any infrastructure objects for CFS2 using GMAX.
I am attempting this and have run into some problems. Namely How does one successfully convert the *.xml files into working *.bgl file.
I can create the "BGL" file but when I place it into CFS2's scenery folder and load up MB and go to place the object/infrastructure item I get the error - "Can't find the model in the library" I have tried to go into the scenery selection area and add it but that doesn't seem to correct the issue.
I have also created an object.dp file and added the object to the "Mdlname.txt file.
No luck there either.
I believe my problem lies within my *.xml file prior using BGLComp.exe. Not sure though.
Any help would be great.
Thanks in advance
Steve
 
Hi Steve;

Yes I've used GMax for all of the objects I've created over the years. Sadly I've been away from it for almost two years and am in the process of getting back up to speed. There are several people here that use GMax and I'm sure they'll chime in before long. I'll be watching this thread very intently. Thanks for posting you question.
 
Hi Steve2112.
From your reference to xml files I'd guess you are using the the Gmax/FS2004 game pack.
Im afraid CFS2 does not support xml at all.
You need to use the fs2002 game pack to export to CFS2.
This will enable you to export your creations as a scenery bgl.
You will have to set the location when you export, you will then be able to install the scenery and view it in CFS2.
However you want to make infrastructure that can be used in mission builder.
I have to tell you that there is no GUI program that does this in a simple click.
I am not at my desktop at the moment so I can't just post all the files you need here or even the links, I will come back later and do so if you havent already found them.

The best version of MakeMDL is the one that comes with the FS2002 Makemdl SDK, it is not the same as the one on the FS2002 pro Disks or the Gamepack itself.

For advanced work and indeed an easier work sequence I'd recomend using an extra plugin called MDL Commander by Doc Moriarty.

There is also a small toolkit to assist in the job I cannot find a link ATM.

The export proccess goes like this, Export the work as scenery from Gmax but make sure to check the Keep files on the options tab of MakeMDL.
The files kept have the .asm suffix. (modelname.asm and modelname_0.asm)
The larger file modelname_0.asm is the one we want. If this is dragged and dropped into
BGLC.exe a raw BGL will be made. This is then decompiled using Raw2SCA (a tool in the tool kit)
The resulting modelname_0.sca.
Then we build a source to build a new object library that "includes" the sca we just made.
Once again the toolkit comes with a template and instructions.
I know there are other members here who have all the files you need, Maybe they will step in before I return to my desk top machine.
 
First off - Thank you ALL for your support.
It is simply amazing how many people go out of there way to assist others in need.
Thank you.

Ok so I owe you all an apology – I posted my initial request for help in the Forums/Designer’s Workshop/Landscapers Forum under the post of: GMAX CFS2 Object Creation Question.

There was no initial response to my post for what I felt at the time was to long and I also thought that perhaps I posted in the wrong forum. So I started this thread here.

So – Now I have two threads running with some outstanding support. I apologize for creating two separate posts/threads.
Some really great support has been provided to me by many of you.
To help other’s in need in the future that may search on this topic for help, I would like to close this thread and direct you all to use my initial post/thread in Forum/Designer’s Workshop/Landscapers/GMAX CFS2 Creation Question.

Lastly – To bring you all up to speed on this thread.

I have successfully created a GMAX exported infrastructure object.bgl that is viewable within CFS2.
Sorry for not responding sooner, I ran into some issues at home that required my full attention.
Car battery on the Wife's car died. When it rains it pours. It's been replaced and reinstalled.

Ok so I am now flooded with a ton of questions about how to configure GMAX to export to a BGL using the FS2002 game pack’s folder. (FS2002 GMAX SDK's)

How does one configure this? I still have not found a way to configure GMAX to use the FS2002 SDK's game pack directly.

I had to export using the FS2004 game pack and then drag my BGL over the FS2002 MakeMDL.exe and then copy that bgl to my scenery folder. Some how this worked. (Mind you my object is VERY basic at this stage, a simple sphere).

I am still wondering why I have to add the Lon/Lat information to my bgl. This seems a little strange.

So just that I understand this, each new infrastructure object.bgl I create will be floating or sitting in space somewhere within CFS2 at the designated location I specify? So are all infrastructure object.bgl’s floating or sitting somewhere else with-in CFS2 as well?

Crashaz & Rhumbaflappy you guys have been very helpful so far and I wanted to say thank you.

Crashaz to answer your question - Yes If it would be possible to get a copy of your FS2002 folder that you posted the picture of that would be great. That way I can compare my files to yours and go from there. Hopefully that will help.

Rhumbaflappy - Yes I would very much like to progress onto making a Library Object, and eventually a destroyable Library Object.

Thanks again guys.
 
anybody here got W10 and can make cfs2 work ? my rig keeps asking for admin permissions - I open as administrator and still nothing - is it me?

baldy
 
For me, CFS2 actually works better in Win10 than it did in 8.1. Graphics are better, the display area is larger, framerates are better. On my system, the improvement was quite noticeable.....

Paul
 
W-10

Hi pstrany

glad you can make sense of it - not only didn't mine work in W10 but my Anti Virus was screwed as well - I've dumped the W10 and gone back to W7 it's simpler and does everything I need. Even going back caused my keyboard and mouse to lock up - had to do a restore to put it right.
Anyway even balder now but sorted

cheers

baldy
 
cfs2 on windows10 - upgrade or new install?

pstrany said:
For me, CFS2 actually works better in Win10 than it did in 8.1. Graphics are better, the display area is larger, framerates are better. On my system, the improvement was quite noticeable.....

Paul
Click to expand...

Hi Paul,

did you upgrade to windows 10 from 8.1 and was CSF2 already installed on that box? Or did you install csf2 afresh after going to windows10?

Either way did you see any issues at all or was it completely smooth?

Thanks for any information from those of us that haven't dipped our toes in the windows10 waters yet!

Steve
 
I had done a fresh install of Windows 8, and fresh install of CFS2 on top of that. Took a while to get CFS2 to work right, and I could only run it as a windowed application. My version of CFS2 was, er, slightly modified. I had some issues with black preview windows, and the window was a little small on my monitor, but everything worked okay once I got in a plane, so I called it all good.

I upgraded several months ago to a beta version of Windows 10. CFS2, which had run adequately under Windows 8, suddenly started to pop. Better framerates, larger window (almost 99% of the screen, which is nice, considering my main monitor runs 2560 x 1440.) Just updated to 10 Pro, new drivers, the works, and everything is working great. Aside from the whole windowed application thing, CFS2 works better for me now in some ways than it ever did.

I actually have a box still running Windows XP. I won't offer comparisons, because the two systems are too different, but suffice it to say that I'm satisfied that I'll be using CFS2 for a while yet, and running it under Windows 10, because it looks and runs better (on admittedly a better machine.)

I've included full details of how this progressed. This was not some some well-planned out strategy, it is just the progression of events (and luck) that got me where I am now. Your results may (and probably will) vary.
 
windows 10

I had installed windows 10, it seamed that it was working ok,
except that when I went to my installation's of CFS2 programs
some were destroyed very badly.
So I reverted back to win 7.
John P.:dizzy:
 
thanks for this cfs2 on windows10 info

pstrany said:
I had done a fresh install of Windows 8, and fresh install of CFS2 on top of that. Took a while to get CFS2 to work right, and I could only run it as a windowed application. My version of CFS2 was, er, slightly modified. I had some issues with black preview windows, and the
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info Paul, very helpful. Now that I know cfs2 *can* work on windows10 I'll upgrade sometime in the next few weeks - too busy right now.

The black preview windows - sounds like the symptoms that I had when I installed cfs2 on windows7 - only for older models. It was eventually fixed by a Microsoft patch - I don't know which one.

Thanks again,

Steve
 
I was running CFS2 under Windows 7X64 and made the move to Windows 10.

I found as Paul did, it runs very smooth with excellent frame rates.

I have some scenery issues under 10, but the planes fly nicely in free flight.

I haven't mixed it up with any Quick Combat or missions yet.

I will try them out and let you know tomorrow.
 
I made the change over. Everything went as smoothly as could be hoped. I had to reinstall my Nvidia drivers and make a slight adjustment to my sound playback settings but everything else is fine.

It Seems to be running CFS2 just fine. Certainly no worse than 8.1
 
Windows 10 and CFS 2

I have a contract with Microsoft for support and they fiddled with CFS 2 when I got the message to go to administrative controls. When they got done with their shenanigans the message was CFS 2 is really not compatible with Win 10. There are conditions wherein it works ... like when running in compatibility mode with Windows XP is operative. I am going to contact Rami the software CFS 2 Guru and zen-master to see if he has a fix. Other wise I guess I'll go back to CFS 3 ETO.

Gib Brown
browngib
 
I got my free upgrade to Win 10 yesterday. Within minutes I had CFS2 up and running at unprecedented frame rates. My rig is an HP Pavilion with standard Intel HP graphics.

I also had CFS2 running perfectly in Win 8.0 when my rig was hijacked without my permission and Win 8.1 was installed, which accomplished nothing except to afflict CFS2 with graphics palsy. I did a clean wipe after the first hijacking, reverting back to Win 8.0. Problem solved.

But then yet another unauthorized hijacking occurred while I slept, and I was back to 8.1 and nonfunctionality again, even after I had taken steps to prevent any further meddling. At this point I gave up on the idea of running CFS2 on this computer. Apparently a massive conspiracy was afoot tp prevent me from ever being able to run CFS2 at the frame rates this machine is capable of.

So. When the offer of a free upgrade to Win 10 came, I figured I had nothing to lose, so I went for it.

Wonder of wonders. CFS2 is back again. And I didn't even lose CFS3 in the process.

So, yes. CFS2 will function under Win 10, quite well, after any gremlins afflicting your version have been banished. Run it in a full screen sized window.
 
I’ve got my Windows 10 (64bit) update today without problems.
Then I installed CFS2 and for the first time I had problems to run the sim! I tried the compatibility modus (Win XP) no success, started with admin rights, no success, reboot the PC, no success!
Then I tried another option, I have an old backup of CFS2 on a separate hard drive, I opened it clicked on the CFS2 exe, than a popup window appeared “ Windows 10 direct play feature “ is necessary, I clicked on Ok, a short download and install was done, and voila CFS2 runs as before.
Unfortunately the black aircraft preview Window is still there for me .

So if you can’t run CFS2 try the “Windows 10 direct play feature”

wolfi
 
Wolfi,

You can get rid of the black aircraft screen by running CFS2 in window mode.

Window mode also quadrupled my frame rates.

Start the game and hit Alt+Enter. You may need to drag the window into a centered position with the mouse. Then you can size it or full-screen it.
 
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