*crawls out of the primordial goo* Hi, I'm the...newest newbie.:-)Anyway, I got FS2002 PE for one reason: I'm someone who could never figure out CAD or any sort of drawing software, has hordes of A/C designs in my head, and needed something to work them out (and test them, and get data on them...) with. (Did I mention I'm blind IRL, or at least half so? Yeah, FS is kinda my last hope.) It's just the way I am: If I can, I'm quite happy to lock myself down and fiddle with weird designs all day, without a hint of education or even half a clue.:-)So, I install FS. I then install gmax. After all, I remember people saying that was how you created flyable aircraft for this thing.So, er...What am I missing?How DO I create flyable A/C?What do I need (Please, God, let it be free....FS kinda broke my bank for a LONG time...)?And, so forth.See, told ya I was a newbie.:-)

Welcome John,Well I don't know if you are going to capture the essence of GMAX, since it is a 3D graphic design tool and it is complicated. First, don't bother with the GMAX version that came on your FS2002Pro disk. It is two versions old and you can't register it with the vendor. If you are still interested download version 1.2 from www.discreet.com , products - GMAX. Download the main program, help files, and tutorials. They are hugh about 45MB total so if you don't have a cable/DSL modem, it will take awhile. Your only other alternative is looking for a CD sometimes available in Simulation magazines.Okay, now to the meat of the how's and why's. GMAX only provides the visual model, which shows the outside of the aircraft and can show the inside of the aircraft and virtual cockpit to the extent the designer wants to go.The aerodynamics for the aircraft can be accomplished with the Aircraft Editor that comes with FS2002Pro. However, it has problems and limitations. Other freeware tools are available to make adjustments to the aerodynamics. AirEd is one of these tools.AIRED152 - http://members.dsl-only.net/~eagle/You will need some kind of painting tools, such as Paint Shop Pro to make the textures for your aircraft and for the Panel Bitmap of your 2D Panel.You can use existing sound files or download sound files from the flight simulation websites.You might need a gauge modification program to develop the gauges for your panel. You can also download or use the fs2002 default gauges.You have several good text editors in Notepad and Wordpad to develop and modify the *.cfg files.I think I have highlighted quite a few areas for you to start thinking about whether you want to jump in full force or start slow, maybe do a repaint of an existing aircraft; adjust the aerodynamics of an existing aircraft; modify some of the parameters of the *.cfg files.Lastly, visit http://zone.msn.com/flightsim/FS02DevDeskSDK00.asp , download all the SDKs about developing flightsim programs essentials.

Amen!Let me add that besides Paint Shop Pro (roughly said between $60,- and $100,- ) all the other programs are free. But hey, since you're new here I think Paintbrush will be sufficient for the time being.As soon as you have figured out how to build and texture airplanes you surely would have saved enough money to buy Paint Shop Pro. :)

Weis: Many thanks, and, er...you're probably right. Maybe flyable a/c are a bit, um...beyond my possibilities. (I can't even use paintbrush. Not enough hand-eye coordination/detail vision for that.:-/) Brings up a question though: Is there any way to build planes out of other peoples' (textured or untextured) parts?

Just wanted to add that you can get a freeware good paintprogram here:http://www.gimp.org/

bump.

You could start with one of the models on www.freeflightdesign.com and work from there. There are some gmax files, but you can also start with one of the older formats and import it into gmax. There must be a tutorial on that site about importing those, but if not, someone here can direct you.Don't let anyone discourage you. gmax has a steep learning curve, but every time you learn something, you'll find that the next step is easier than the previous one. It's slow progress at first, but it's still rewarding.Matt