CFS3 Model Viewer Not Working

[gecko]

I have forgotten how to make the model viewer work. I have the correct shortcut per the knowledge base sticky, and it will load the model viewer window, but it crashes immediately after opening. I am running in a stock install, since I know Ankor's shaders are one of the causes for it not working. I can't figure out what I'm missing. I am running in Windows 11.

Thanks for any help.

 

[sdsbolt]

I've had mine crash for splash screens it didn't like.

 

[gecko]

Hmmm.... everything is stock in this install.

 

[Pat Pattle]

Daft questions, but do you have the 2 patches installed?
Is the shortcut definitely pointing to the right install? (I've done it myself!)

Lastly, try an exe file from a different install.

 

[mongoose]

I thought one viewed a model by changing the exe file somehow by adding another ending to it. can't fine mine yet

 

[mongoose]

model viewer

hey what is the text that needs to be added to a new short cut to view the models we have in the sim?

sim-outhouse.org

 

[mongoose]

Also doesn't work in TOW. Tried it in CFS3 back up install CFS3v2 by Daiwilletti and also no go, as well as ETO Expansion.

 

[mongoose]

After quite a bit of experimenting, I think we've finally found the correct way to start the CFS3 Model Viewer under Windows 11.
Don't run CFS3.exe -m3dview.exe directly. Instead, create a shortcut to your normal cfs3.exe and edit the Target so that it reads:
"C:\Your CFS3 Folder\cfs3.exe" -m3dview
Replace the path with your own CFS3 installation folder.
For example:
"C:\CFS3 ETO Expansion\cfs3.exe" -m3dview
or
"C:\TOW Pt.1I 19 42-45\cfs3.exe" -m3dview
On my Windows 11 system this launches the actual M3D Model Viewer, allowing models to be selected and displayed. ETO and TOW Part 1 work correctly for me. One of my other installations still crashes after loading a model, but that appears to be an installation-specific problem rather than a problem with the launch method.

Hopefully this helps anyone who has been unable to get the CFS3 Model Viewer running under Windows 11. Thanks to chatGPT!!!

Caveat: In the BoB Update, the Model Viewer opens, but an internal window reports "Mission fails to load." After closing that dialog, I can select an aircraft .m3d file, but it then CTDs. This appears to be specific to the BoB installation. both latest and an earlier version (which did not have the mission fails to load small window!).

 

[gecko]

I'm away from home for a couple days, will check when I get back.