Converting aircraft models

[Guest azzarn]

Is there a way to convert aircraft from FSX/FS02/FS98 so that they are compatible with flightgear (for a mac)? If so, could you explain the process to me?Thank You,N

[Guest Dave Culp]

Hi N,Sorry I don't have time for a detailed reply, but the answer is yes for FS98 and most FS2000 models. I'm not sure exactly what makes a MSFS model compatible, but you can always try it out and see. You use a utility app that comes with FlightGear (It may not be in the MAC package, you'll have to check. If it isn't then you'll either have to build FlightGear yourself, or get someone else's copy that was built for the same OS). The app is called threedconvert. I prefer to convert into AC3D format, so I use a command line such as: "threedconvert B757.mdl B757.ac"It's best to convert the textures into SGI format (I use The GIMP to do this). After this step you'll have a lot of work to do. After the conversion every surface of your model will be a seperate object. You have to first merge them all into a single object, then go through and cut out the seperate airplane parts, making them seperate objects in order to texturize and animate them. I've converted a lot of MSFS models this way. There are variations on this theme that maybe others can help you with.