Simviation Forum - GMax or FSDS

May 30^th, 2003 at 11:55am

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Looking for some advise as to which program is better?

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Reply #1 - May 30^th, 2003 at 1:35pm

Oz Offline
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FSDS is much more user-friendly than Gmax and is easier to understand. Gmax on the other hand is very complex; and i mean it. You'll need to read tutorial after tutorial to really get used to it. Gmax however, is free while FSDS2 costs money. So if you dont care about the money and wanna do some models without encountering a lot of difficulty, then stick with FSDS. If you got a lot of time to learn and have a lot of patience, then try Gmax. BTW go download Gmax right now to see how it is, then make up your mind.
http://www.discreet.com/products/gmax/

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Reply #2 - May 30^th, 2003 at 1:53pm

Hagar Offline
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I was going to say much the same as Oz. If you you have no previous 3d modelling experience, Gmax might suit you. Some people seem to have few problems understanding or using it, especially if they have experience with its big brother 3ds max or similar professional programs. Bear in mind that Gmax was not specifically intended for designing FS aircraft/scenery objects. It's free but you will need the appropriate Gamepack to export the model to whichever sim you're designing for. For FS2002/CFS2 this is bundled with FS2002 Pro & there's no other way to get it. FS2004 includes the Gamepack which might also be compatible with FS2002/CFS2. The CFS3 Gamepack is a separate free download & not compatible with the other M$ sims.

FSDS2 is an excellent alternative - developed by an FS designer for FS designers. It's capable of most things Gmax can do & uses the same animation conventions. It will export direct to FS2000, CFS2 & FS2002 without needing a Gamepack. It should also be fine for FS2004 but not currently suitable for use with CFS3. I find FSDS2 much easier to use. The main problem being that it's payware with no trial version. I suggest you downoad & try Gmax first.

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Reply #3 - Jun 1^st, 2003 at 1:21pm

EirePlane Offline
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GMax
Good Points
GMax is a free program available from discreet.
It gets to you a lot quicker than FSDS
it is a professional tool
Most planes with a good virtual cockpit are made with GMax i.e. Projct Mach 2 and Meljet

Bad Points
Very hard to use
Long download tme = bigger phone bill
frustrating

FSDS/FSDS2
Good Points
Very nice aircraft i.e. Chuck Dome's aircraft
Easy to use
No download time

Bad Points
Delivery Period
Payware

Sorry I can't tell you more about FSDS but I don't use it and I haven't heard about any Complaints.

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Reply #4 - Jun 1^st, 2003 at 1:30pm

Felix/FFDS Offline
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You have good points, but I'll "fine tune" them.

Quote:

GMax
Good Points
GMax is a free program available from discreet.
It gets to you a lot quicker than FSDS
it is a professional tool
Most planes with a good virtual cockpit are made with GMax i.e. Projct Mach 2 and Meljet

Bad Points
Very hard to use = steep learning curve.
Long download tme = bigger phone bill
frustrating

To make models for FS2002/CFS2 you NEED the converters that come with FS2002 Professional.
The converters are separate for CFS3, and FS2004 will come with it.

gMAx has been available on CDs from some of the gaming and flightsim magazines.

FSDS/FSDS2
Good Points
Very nice aircraft i.e. Chuck Dome's aircraft
Easy to use
No download time

Bad Points
Delivery Period
Payware

You can purchase FSDS2 for download.

Sorry I can't tell you more about FSDS but I don't use it and I haven't heard about any Complaints.

Felix/FFDS

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Reply #5 - Jun 1^st, 2003 at 5:13pm

d0mokun Offline
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imho i dont like fsds at all..
i started with v1.x, didnt really like it; i myself found it harder than gcraps etc and the results lesser.
however previously i have worked with poly modeling programs for other software, and stuff similiar [and inc.] 3ds max, so then gcraps would be easier to me.
however.. its buggy alright. it does throw up errors without a trace of help a lot of the time.

still, try them both.. if you cant use gmax after a bit of an attempt then go for fsds2..

Regards,&& Dano&&&&Daniel Dunn&&StudioTwentyOne design team&&&&Formerly known as Moomin_dan ...

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Reply #6 - Jun 1^st, 2003 at 10:20pm

ViNtAgE FlYa Ex Member

i use TSModeller (FSDS little brother) for making Locos and scenery for Train Simulator. recently i got FSDS and it is just as the same and easy to use as TSM.

thow on the design tutorial page, there is a link to
Quote:

G-Max Tutorials at Simviation

Chris Cookson's Gmax Site - Excellent!

Fraser Turner's FSDS to gmax to mdl tutorial - Excellent!

they are all linked except for Fraser Turner's FSDS to gmax tutorial

http://www.cfdevsys.com/fstutorials/fsdsgmaxmdl/start.htm

i would realy like to know how to import FSDS to GmAX

any1 know of that?

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Reply #7 - Jun 1^st, 2003 at 11:17pm

Felix/FFDS Offline
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At this time, you can export an FSDS1 model as a gmax readable dxf model via a plugin. You can export an SD2 model as an XML file, but someone would need to write an XML to DXF format converter.

Quote:

i would realy like to know how to import FSDS to GmAX

any1 know of that?

Felix/FFDS

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Reply #8 - Jun 1^st, 2003 at 11:52pm

Oz Offline
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Felix, where can i find this plugin

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Reply #9 - Jun 1^st, 2003 at 11:58pm

Felix/FFDS Offline
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http://flightsim.periskop.cz/util_go.php?id=16&lan=1

Note that it is for use with FSDS1.6, NOT FSDS2.!!!

F

Quote:

Felix, where can i find this plugin

Felix/FFDS

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Reply #10 - Jun 2^nd, 2003 at 11:35am

Ronnie Offline
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Does anyone have a mirror site for the Mach 2 panel? It won't work on the main site.

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Reply #11 - Jun 3^rd, 2003 at 11:40am

javier Offline
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Hi!

I have the aricraft container manager program, and it has that file conversion program

Find it in:
http://www.aircraftmanager.com

Regards,

Javier Grin

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Reply #12 - Jun 4^th, 2003 at 10:33pm

ViNtAgE FlYa Ex Member

Felix, when i open the zip up, there is nothing in it, could you please give a site that supplys the plugin?

Quote:

http://flightsim.periskop.cz/util_go.php?id=16&lan=1

Note that it is for use with FSDS1.6, NOT FSDS2.!!!

F

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Reply #13 - Jun 4^th, 2003 at 10:48pm

Felix/FFDS Offline
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http://www.freeflightdesign.com/utilities/CVAImports.zip

What I should have done a long time ago...

Quote:

Felix, when i open the zip up, there is nothing in it, could you please give a site that supplys the plugin?

Felix/FFDS

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Reply #14 - Jun 6^th, 2003 at 7:11am

ViNtAgE FlYa Ex Member

Erm, it doesn't convert FSDS to gMax....

Quote:

http://www.freeflightdesign.com/utilities/CVAImports.zip

What I should have done a long time ago...

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