Converter

[dewoitine]

I’m looking for an mdl to m3d converter

 

[Shessi]

Hi D,
Ha!, I didn't know if you meant this post for CFS3 or not, so answered here as well.

Unfortunately there is no direct route for this. An mdl would have to be converted, using ModelConverterX, to a 3ds file, then imported into Gmax, which you would have to have the m3d games pack exporter plugin already installed, then exported as a m3d. I'm sure Nachtpiloten or others would offer advice.

Cheers

Shessi

 

[Pat Pattle]

Exactly as Mark says, it's not straightforward and certainly not quick!

You also need to convert all textures to jpg or tga for Gmax to show them, and you then need to re-apply them to the model.

Oh and the conversation process results in every part having to be untangled, renamed and re-animated.

 

[Thudman]

And the resulting model is often worth the extra effort.

 

[dewoitine]

Hi D,
Ha!, I didn't know if you meant this post for CFS3 or not, so answered here as well.

Unfortunately there is no direct route for this. An mdl would have to be converted, using ModelConverterX, to a 3ds file, then imported into Gmax, which you would have to have the m3d games pack exporter plugin already installed, then exported as a m3d. I'm sure Nachtpiloten or others would offer advice.

Cheers

Shessi

Thanks Shessi, indeed I have the wrong forum. I think it is difficult or impossible to transcribe mdl into m3d. Thank you for your answer.

 

[Allen]

You can check out my ModelConverterX Rebuilding Guide. It covers on how to export mdl as 3ds file that can be imported into gMax. The guide is aimed at CFS2 but works for FS02/FS04 and should work well for CFS3 as CFS2 and CFS3 use the same basic animations. I know CFS3 has unique things like dummy objects that are used for effects, weapons and 3d gauges that are not covered but looking at the included CFS3 P-47 or Ju-88 gMax models and CFS3 docs included with the CFS3 gMax SDK should be of help.

ModelConverterX Rebuilding Guide.zip

This is the guide I wanted to make back in 2016 and even started working on the CFS2 MakeMDL for it but life got in the way and XP PC didn’t survive the move. The guide is aimed at rebuilding models to work as CFS2 aircraft but applies to...

sim-outhouse.org

Also what are you trying to convert?

 

[dewoitine]

Hi Allen! Thank you for yours explanations but I'm not a gMax specialist
I try to convert a FSX Republic F-84F Thunderstreak.

 

[hairyspin]

Converting an FSX model to CFS3 is like converting an oak tree to a willow: they’re both trees, but changing leaf colour isn’t enough. You don’t have to be a Gmax expert, but you do need to be competent with the program to do it and it’s much more than an afternoon’s work.

 

[dewoitine]

Converting an FSX model to CFS3 is like converting an oak tree to a willow: they’re both trees, but changing leaf colour isn’t enough. You don’t have to be a Gmax expert, but you do need to be competent with the program to do it and it’s much more than an afternoon’s work.

I see! Thank you for your answer but I can't to be competent whith the program, my English language is not at the level. Flight Simulator is just a game for me. Good day!

 

[NachtPiloten]

At first converting a model sounds like a real time saver. But I'm the end i rarely use the converted model for a final product. Redoing the animation, renaming all the visual display parts, adding gauges, and remapping everything. I look at the parts to see how someone may have designed a project and on the rate occasion I use some parts, I realize at the end making a new model would have been faster. Small parts and such maybe but we're artists in a way and we like doing things our way in the end. Well at least for me.

 

[dewoitine]

At first converting a model sounds like a real time saver. But I'm the end i rarely use the converted model for a final product. Redoing the animation, renaming all the visual display parts, adding gauges, and remapping everything. I look at the parts to see how someone may have designed a project and on the rate occasion I use some parts, I realize at the end making a new model would have been faster. Small parts and such maybe but we're artists in a way and we like doing things our way in the end. Well at least for me.

I absolutely agree with you but my non-skills do not allow me to work with gMax. That’s why I respect the work done by those who know and sometimes ask if it is possible to have a texture.

 

[Allen]

Going to have to disagree there NachtPiloten. A convert model and new model will need the animation, visual display and gauges done so good base model to convert will save you time since it will already be a model and have textures.