Simviation Forum - How do I convert an FS02 model for CFS@

Apr 7^th, 2003 at 2:45pm

The_Saint Offline
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??? Hello there. New here....

I was wondering if anybody can help with converting a model. I found a sci- fi fighter, but in a FS02 format. I believe there is a way to convert this?? for CFS2?? I think its also missing a few files, .DP file and others maybe.

Anybody know how to modify this??

The_Saint

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Reply #1 - Apr 7^th, 2003 at 3:44pm

Hagar Offline
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This would depend on the design program used to create it. With an older FSDS design it should be simple enough. You could realias the Panel & Sound if necessary & the textures might need converting. If it was designed specifically for FS2002 in Gmax or FSDS2 you will have problems. There is a tute posted here for converting Gmax models. http://www.simviation.com/cfs2misc8.htm It involves hex editing the MDL file & the aircraft would not be fully CFS2-compatible. Quote:

Many aircrafts will only fly in Free Flight. If you try to use it in QC or missions, this will jump you to the desktop.

I haven't tried it myself.

The DP file is the least of your worries.

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Reply #2 - Apr 7^th, 2003 at 6:59pm

The_Saint Offline
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Considering this is fairly new to me, any chance of someone willing to do it?? ???

Seems a bit complicated. Sad

Thanks for the tips.

The_Saint

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Reply #3 - Apr 8^th, 2003 at 2:06am

Hagar Offline
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Quote:

Considering this is fairly new to me, any chance of someone willing to do it?? ???

Seems a bit complicated. Sad

Thanks for the tips.

The_Saint

You're quite right. This stuff is not for the faint-hearted. Wink

If you tell me exactly where to get this file I'll check it out. I suspect it's a Gmax design in which case it would not be worth the bother in my opinion. Roll Eyes

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Reply #4 - Apr 8^th, 2003 at 4:18am

The_Saint Offline
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Hey Thanks for looking. I got It at Surclaro.com under space exploration. Or I could send it to you. BTW upon looking closer I think I made a mistake. I think its for FS2000. Would this be a problem?? Embarrassed

Its the RF-VF-1j Gerwalk, from Macross\ Robotech.

The_Saint

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Reply #5 - Apr 8^th, 2003 at 4:55am

Hagar Offline
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Hi Saint. I'm not a member of Surclaro so cannot check it out myself. Please check carefully & confirm which sim it was intended for. If it IS for FS2000 there should be no problem. My Aliasing article should help you get it working in CFS2.
http://www.simviation.com/lair/aliasing1.htm
Pay particular attention to the "Jets in CFS2" section. It will use the default DP. If it works OK you can modify it to display external weapons & create a special DP for it.

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Reply #6 - Apr 8^th, 2003 at 4:46pm

The_Saint Offline
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Thanks It worked. It needed the sound for lear jet. Downloaded the dummy file. It used a default weapons, I think. Flew in quick combat. Flashes and guns in wrong places though. So what would be next??? How do you go about making a special .dp file for this? Anybody experienced at this?

Thanks

The_Saint

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Reply #7 - Apr 9^th, 2003 at 2:00am

Hagar Offline
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Right. OK so far. Wink

I'll explain the procedure for any FS2000 aircraft in CFS2. First, you need to convert it to carry external payloads. Download the MDL Converter tool here. http://www.simviation.com/cfs2utilities1.htm
Run the converter & patch the MDL file of the new aircraft. This is simple enough but don't use the Optimize Graphics option.

Now you need a DP file to work with. Copy/Paste a DP file from any default aircraft into the main folder of your new aircraft. Rename it using the same file prefix as the AIR file in with it. Be careful to use the exact file name or it won't work. The new aircraft will now use this DP. You can modify it with DPED Version 1.10. This is posted on the same page as the MDL Converter.

Each time you modify a DP file, delete the corresponding CDP file before trying it in CFS2.

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Reply #8 - Apr 9^th, 2003 at 3:35am

The_Saint Offline
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???

Hello again

I tried the link to the utilities page, and the MDL converter tool. I didn't get it? Got a " page not found " ... Broken link?? Any other place have it for download?

Thanks a lot!!

The_Saint

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Reply #9 - Apr 9^th, 2003 at 4:02am

Hagar Offline
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I just checked the link & it works fine for me. It's the same page in CFS2 Utilities where you downloaded the Lear45 sound file. If you're having problems try a different route from the CFS2 Utilities link on the CFS main page. http://www.simviation.com/fsdcfs%5B1%5D.htm

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Reply #10 - Apr 11^th, 2003 at 3:15am

The_Saint Offline
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??? ??? Hello Again, well I tried several times and it redirects me to a microsoft games "page not found" ??

If I right click,"save target as" I get a small exe file. If this is the converter, how do you use it?? Tongue

No instructions, and double click produces " not a win32 app". Embarrassed

The Saint

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Reply #11 - Apr 11^th, 2003 at 4:27am

Hagar Offline
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Hi Saint. I checked the actual link & had the same problem. To make sure you have the correct file try downloading it direct from the M$ site. convertMDL.exe here http://www.microsoft.com/games/combatfs2/articles_SDK_mdlconverter.asp

Save it to your HD & run the converter by double-clicking on the EXE file icon.

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Reply #12 - Apr 11^th, 2003 at 5:05pm

The_Saint Offline
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Yesss!! I will try it tonight!!

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