STRAIGHT TALK ABOUT GMAX

[Sid2008]

Hi Friends,
I know how to model airplanes with FSDS 3.5. I think that I have mastered it except for the boolean, which is very temperamental.

So, I want to learn to use GMAX to build airplanes for FS9. I am almost scared to start because most folks on the forum said it is hard. Well, I am not the braniest one in my mom's litter so I am a bit worried.

So I started this message called STRAIGHT TALK ABOUT GMAX because I want some straight talk for gmax users.

First, is there a tutorial that will teach me how to model the exterior and vc of an aircraft in FS9? Does this tutorial teach about cutting through surfaces, bending tubes, animating objects, and texturing?

Lets jut start there for now.

Thanks folks.
Sid

[Z-claudius24]

Hi,

Why not post also there ..
http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/forumdisplay.php?f=22

[norab]

These may help


http://www.flightsim.com/main/howto/gmax.htm

http://www.aerodynamika.com/gmaxtut/gmax000.htm

HTH haven't had the nerve to give it a try yet myself

[Lionheart]

Here's a sort of bottom line, since you already know FSDS. (I started in FSDS also).

* Gmax is like all other 3D design engines. FSDS is not. Different layouts.
* Gmax has a zillion tools, about 3/4 of them you may never use.
* Doing the Gmax tutorial out of order (number 7 or 10 only (P-38) and not learning the others). This will crash your learning since they start teaching you the process from 1 on, so by the time you get to the P-38, you then know where and how most of the tools are.



Now... Here is the main thing to know. In FSDS, you mainly use Move, Rotate, and Scale. Well, same thing in Gmax. Move, Rotate, and Scale is at the top toolbar.

You must be in Create mode to create a base object, be it a Spline or a Polygon or a Tube or Plane, etc.

You must be in Modify mode to 'fold, spendle or mutilate' the objects you select.



The cool thing in Gmax is that you can;
* Cut out rounded windows with either Boolean or Spline cutters
* You can choose one of several forms of UVW mapping options, not just Plannar method; (includes cylinder, cube, etc).
* Gmax is much faster and has tools that speed up things, like Taper, the coolest tool there is...


Have fun. Learning by heart where your tools are and how to work them is going to be job-1 for now. Take it slow. Learn one tool at a time. In the tutorial, learn one level at a time, by heart, by memory. Once you get it down, go to the next level in the tutorial. If you dont, you will quit. Figure a week or two on the tutorial, not 5 hours...

[Sid2008]

Thank you all. I need a good source for all the SDKs for GMAX in FS 2004 and then follow Milton Shupe's tutorial.

Thank you,
Sid

[OBIO]

Sid

The only place I have been able to find most of the SDKs needed for Gmax for work in FS2004 is on FSnordic.net...a sim site dedicated to skins and planes used by Vikings or something like that LOL!

Go to their file library, FLight Sim, Miscellaneous/SKD...it's way at the bottom. Lots and lots of SDKs there. I haven't downloaded from there in quite a while, so I am not sure which downloads or links are still good.

OBIO

[molyned]

Hi
You can also get all the FS2004 SDKs from here - http://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/fsdevdownloads.php
HTH :)
Dave M(oly)