FSDS version 2

[Guest]

I wonder who will actually buy this upgrade for FSDS? If you bought your copy after July 31 2002, you will be eligible for the update at no cost. If you bought it before July 31 2002, it will cost $24. Wonder how they arrived at that?Anyways, with G-max freely available, and no support in FS2004 for FSDS, why would anyone want to buy it? I know that there are still alot of folks who use it. And many say that it is easier for beginners to use than G-max, but it is a dead duck.I'll agree that g-max is a monster of a program, but the results a talented and knowledgable user can spit out with it (Mike Stone to mention one of many), kill anything that FSDS can put out. At least in my opinion. With FSDS, one needed to purchase the Aircraft Animator software package on top of FSDS, just to get the gear to retract and the props to spin. G-max does it all, for free.Now don't get me wrong here, FSDS, in it's day, was the premier choice for FS aircraft design. I can remember, not so long ago, that the only moving parts one saw on an aircraft, were on the default C182 and the gear on the default 737 (FS5.1, FSFW95, and FS98). Aircraft didn't even have clear windows back then and jet engine intakes were untextured flat walls. But FSDS brought us further forth in the technology of FS aircraft design, compared to it's predecessor FSFS (Flight Simulator Flight Shop) which by todays standards, doesn't even read on the map. I wonder, if FSDS was never born, what kind of a/c models would we have today?So what do you think? Is FSDS v2 a dead duck before it even leaves the starting gate, or will it continue to find purpose in our current world of simming? Or will G-max reign King of the world's virtual aircraft factories?Speak up all you designers and let us know what you think.Thanks,CF-AOAKyle

[Brian_Gladden 0]

How do you know that FSDS 2 won't work with FS 2004??????? It's not even out. Louis has been working hard on the update. The info I have been able to get is that GMax uses a "native" DirectX process for rendering models, thats why it's more efficient. Well Louis has been converting FSDS to do the same thing... Along with built in animation and reflections, Just like Gmax. And this in an easier to use package. As for the price.... heck I spend more than $24 just to fill up the gas tank in my car so it's no biggie to me, unless I need to get a new comercial lisence for it, which I have now, that price might hurt a little ($350 last time) I need to talk to Arnie about that one. I think the demise of FSDS has been greatly exagerated.Brian"Friends don't let friends use GMax" -- Dave Eckert

[Guest]

Hi Brian,I read somewhere, either here on the forums or via one of the many sources of FS news, that MS wouldn't/couldn't support it. Guess we'll have to wait and see for more info on that one.I have FSDS and I agree that it is a much more user friendly and easier to "grasp" program than the array of buttons, knobs, switches, and dials found in G-Max. To me, using G-Max is like teaching a four year old to fly ILS approaches in thunderstorms! Time consuming and stressful ;) But I do like what the dsigners are putting out with it. Those that have the patience to actually learn it anyways. And I also like the fact that it is a complete package ie. animator and modeller.However, despite my doubts about FSDS, the newer version does have some nice additons and fixes (upgrades?) to it, just like you mentioned. I wonder if there is one and how much a developers version of G-max costs in comparison to FSDS?Anyways, if it is in fact true that MS won't be supporting FSDS modelling in FS2004, I think G-Max will put it to bed.BTW, I don't model. I've spent some time with FSDS (when I can) and am still working on a DASH 7 project - Milton beat me to it :). I've had a go at G-Max and like most users I'm sure, simply gave up, overwhelmed. So I don't really have designers point of view, but I do fly the models. And what we get nowadays are the kind of things we could only dream of 5 or 6 years ago.CF-AOA

[John_Cillis 2,406]

I agree with the above post that we'll have to wait and see whether FSDS 2 can come out with something compatible with later versions of FS.... I'm sure the designers are taking that into account. Abacus has been around a long time, and I am sure they are doing their homework.I am still trying to get my arms around gmax.... It can produce beautiful works of art, but it's not the best tool to get the casual designer into aircraft design. I am still looking for that "perfect" tutorial--not something that walks me through a complex aircraft, but something that gets me familiar with parts, groups (internal and external), simple animation, etc..... I don't care if the output is a cylinder with wings...I just want to learn at the most basic level.-John

[Guest]

Yes, Tutorials.There are some FANTASTIC photoshop tutorials out there. All we need is something similar for gmax even a book or something.Something with this style & humorhttp://www.apple.com/creative/resources/tt...gartifacts.htmlAbsolutely, GREAT!

[Guest]

I believe FSDS 2 is using the latest Mdl structure as laid out in the Microsoft SDK. This should make it the same format as gmax.I was under the impression that this FSDS upgrade was to cater for the future direction of FS. I.e. the new Mdl format.I'll buy it, as FSDS is what quality software is all about- It's up to the job, it's well designed & it's useable.gmax only scores on one of these points in my opinion.David Maltby

[Guest]

>I'll buy it, as FSDS is what quality software is all about- >It's up to the job, it's well designed & it's useable. >gmax only scores on one of these points in my opinion. You do know that GMAX can be customized darn near anyway you like, and that if someone who is really familiar wanted to, they could develop a FS script to create custom buttons, etc. to simplify the process.Having looked at what the makers of Quake did with their "Tempest Gamepak," I know what MS could have done with some small effort. They are not limited to a simple 'plugin,' but could totally change the 'face' of GMAX to 'hide' the fiddly bits that aren't needed for a/c design... :)You sure can't beat GMAX for animation though, it's really easy! :)

[Guest cwright]

John, some time ago I started writing a tutorial along those lines, but I've been busy doing other things for the last few weeks. I believe that many people give up on Gmax because they try to run before they can walk. I have identified two Gmax essentials: the transform gizmo and the modifier stack. My tutorial describes these in reasonable detail and - hopefully - shows that they're not all that difficult. It's also fairly humorous - to help visualise the midifier stack I use an analogy of a tower building filled with industrious and highly trained monkeys! It starts with Gmax basics rather than going straight to aircraft building. But after the sufficient basics have been covered, it goes on to build, export and fly an aircraft constructed out of simple tubes and boxes - I call it the Lego plane! It also shows that, once the dreaded modifier stack is understood, it's easy to do multiple texture mappings on aircraft parts (using the Mesh Select modifier). I believe the tutorial is different, as it concentrates on first learning the basic Gmax essentials before going on to building aircraft. My intention is to take it all the way to creating a real animated aircraft design with virtual cockpit, but I'm not sure when I'll get back to it. I could possibly put what I've done so far on my site for download. Best regards, Chris

[Guest cwright]

Bill, I agree, I regard the Gmax user interface as superb - and also highly configurable. The first thing I did with Gmax was to configure the move, rotate and scale functions to the m, r and s keys - exactly the same as FSDS. It may be that Microsoft is there ahead of you. Tucker Hadfield stated that the Gmax version that ships with CFS3 will have features to make aircraft design easier. Elsewhere I read that it will probably be in the form of a plug-in, which certainly makes sense. Tucker also stated that the CFS3 aircraft SDK will come in the box, so maybe at last Microsoft are learning some lessons. To issue the essential scenery SDK after a year, when FS2002 is halfway through its product life, is - well, let's just say not good! Best regards, Chris

[Guest devaio]

I will never,never buy FSDS 2.After playing around with GMAX for about a month i found that its not that hard to use.So ill stick with gmax.

[Guest]

In answer to an interesting idea that was brought up about compatibility.I think that some may have gotten it confused.True is the fact that more than likely, the next version of FS is going to leave the FSDS series of software out in the cold, but this is due to the fact that the stanard mdl format used will be entirely replaced.This of course hurts FSDS since it can currently produce MDL, but its not to say that FSDS will be completely gone...too soon to tell.My personal opinion is that I feel both FSDS and Gmax have something great to offer. What they bring to the table is phenominal, it just depends on the persons options, personal preference, the aircraft made, etc.I say if it produces beautiful end results, I dont mind what software was used to make it. It almost seems like part of enjoying an aircraft these days is by whether or not it was made with certain software, which I think is distracting from the overall satisfaction of flying on FS.But who knows, maybe technology will advance enough in the near future to have people just flat out enjoy beautiful work the many designers put out there instead of stress over "what software was it made with". What I feel is also very interesting is the fact that now we the designers have more options availible to us, which in turn really forces us to think on efficient ways to produce work that will satisfy most of the "consumers" out there. Versus the younger days of FS where pretty much one main design software dominated the market. I think that may be a new struggle for a designer in the future, assuming more design software will be availible to us.This is not say its a bad thing at all, in fact, quite wonderful. I think it modivates the new generation of designer to say to him or herself "whats next?". I think as software capabilties expand, so will the mind of the designer. So maybe this is the new face of design. No longer is it just a casual hobby but a serious thought out process. It stimulates the mind to use new features in creative ways and I think it's very exciting...who knows what we can see next.Lee

[Guest]

Hi LeeWhy do you think FSDS is likely to be left out in the cold?I'm not having a go at you here, but I don't think you're right.The difference at the moment is that the gmax compiler makes an Mdl in the new FS2002 format & FSDS makes Mdl's in the old FS2000 format.FS2004 will not be supporting the old FS2000 format Mdl.This old Mdl format has nothing to do with FSDS. It was a set format for FS2000 that FSDS had to comply with.The new version of FSDS will make an Mdl in the new FS2002 format, just like gmax does. I can't see a problem.If the Mdl format changes again, neither gmax or FSDS will work without having an update to their Mdl compilers.The only way FSDS could then be left out in the cold is if Microsoft keep the new Mdl format a secret from Louis Sinclair & Abacus.If they do that, they can stick their simulator.Please set me straight if you know different.David Maltby

[Guest]

I wish I could remember exactly where I found the article, but from reading it, it almost sounded like if Microsofts "partnership" with Discreet ment that products such as Gmax and 3dmax where going to be the dominant means of making usuable aircraft in FS after FS2002, unless either a) Microsoft freely allows the transfer of needed information to third party developers or :( Microsoft allows the transfer of information but with some sort of cost. As you mentioned about updating the compliers, I think thats completely true. I figured that task was more efficent in Gmax vs FSDS (maybe theyd have to put out yet another version of FSDS...making another trip to the wallet.)I agree in the fact that Abacus probably just wont sit around and do nothin about it, but it might cost a bit (I would think) to be able to get the proper information to be able to produce aircraft in what ever the new extension may be.But if you ask me...deep down inside I think FSDS will adapt along with FS to stay in the game....never doubted that fact.Lee

[Guest]

HI,After reading some of the posts I had to say a few things.First off, its not really GMax that does all the cool effects that you see in FS2002... Its the make model plugin that interprets the GMax file and converts it to a format that FS2002 understands.. FS2002 in turn uses directX effects to give you your visual model..All the goodies you see such as reflective textures etc has nothing at all to do with GMax. Its all functions of DirectX that MS finally incorporporated in its program.MS released a model format SDK that pretty well spells it out for the new format. info in the SDK is what the make model program uses to build a model from the designer program...(Gmax or whatever..)I see no reason why they would not release a SDK for FS2004 ? and did for fs2002... their program really would not be as popular as it is now if it wasnt for after market designers.... I do believe that at some point in time they will probably drop a lot of old model formats from the new simulator in the future. It only stands to reason... why put a stone wheel on a 2002 mercedes ??? but i dont believe they will lock out program designers from ther model formats..no matter what designer program you use the designer program itself only provides vertex point x,y, z co-ords and where the texture is applied to the polygons..It also provides the animation matrix for the related polygons... as well as needed variables for display.Thats it and thats all there is..I do know FSDS version 2.0 will have animations... and will convert the model to TRUE FS2002 format..One thing FSDS will have that GMax does not is the capabilities of splicing in SDL code to the model...If you are a designer you pretty well know what can be done with SDL code..Mike Crosthwaite.

[Guest]

Technically FSDS will always be playing catch-up to gMax. The FS2002 gMax plugin is really just a marginally altered .x exporter - the real work is done by MakeMDL. When you use gMax to make a plane you are using pretty much the same tools that MS do - which means the support overhead for MS to produce a gMax plugin is always going to be less than producing the necessary docs for people like Louis. This isn't unique to MS and FS, the whole gMax concept revolves around this. What *is* unique is that there *is* someone like Louis out there creating alternative tools. With version 2.0, FSDS's caught up with gMax in terms of output possible (possibly even surpassing it depending on what the SDL support is like).Although I'm certainly a gMax user, I'll be getting my FSDS upgrade and seeing what's on offer. In particular I'm looking for FS unique functions (such as robust help with linking cfg to where various bits are within the model) and the ability to move models into and out of FSDS to other 3D programs. Without those two things FSDS 2 will probably be the last FSDS I buy and will gather dust on the shelf. I won't be looking for better modelling or texturing tools as I'm comfortable enough with gMax not to need simplified ones that seem to be in FSDS - judging by the screenshots there doesn't seem to have been that much movement in that area apart from a bigger texturing box. FSDS is in a position to deliver things not possible with gMax - whether or not it will actually do that will soon be clear.Have funFinn