What exactly are people using to create advanced 3D graphics?

Most folks are probably using GMax v1.2 which is totally free, and for which both the FS9 and FSX SDK's provide direct support.

 

I've been using GMax for the past fifteen years or so, but have also used Max8/9 for the past few years as well for some of my higher quality commercial modeling projects for both FSX and Prepar3D.

 

Some folks have bought FS Design Studio, a payware modeling marketed through ABACUS for FS9 and FSX modeling.

 

The most prominent difference between GMax and FSDS (aside from free versus pay) is that while FSDS is without doubt "easier and friendler" to model with, exporting to the sim is less friendly and easy.

 

GMax has a somewhat higher learning curve (mainly because it's so powerful!), but exporting to the sim is very easy, friendly and trouble free.

Thanks for the good info, very helpful!

"The most prominent difference between GMax and FSDS (aside from free versus pay) is that while FSDS is without doubt "easier and friendler" to model with, exporting to the sim is less friendly and easy."

 

On the other hand, *I* would differ with my esteemed modeller and argue that exporting to the sim from FSDS is friendlier and easier than in gmax, while conceding that gmax is the more powerful modelling program. But then again, I am biased, having used FSDS since it first came out, and while "conversant" in gmax, am still unable to reliably export from gmax to FS-X.

GMAX 1.2 all the way, hard to learn yes, but once you do... the world is your osyter

GMAX 1.2 . Best interface to FS.

 

Dietmar