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FSDS VS GMAX (Read 191 times)

Jun 25^th, 2005 at 2:08pm

N556EP Offline
Colonel
Raytheon

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is this really the level of quality between the two? No harm intended to the two devlopers. i am wishing to start my own little project. and im looking for the best avaible program i understand GMAX is very diffucult to learn, compared to FSDS but are the results that much better?

FSDS

http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=airc;action=display;num=11...

GMAX

http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=airc;action=display;num=11...

thanks for all your advice and wisdom in advance

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Reply #1 - Jun 25^th, 2005 at 6:06pm

Felix/FFDS Offline
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FINALLY an official Granddad!
Orlando, FL

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Don't base your opinion on two screenshots of widely different modellers.

In general, gmax is the more powerful modelling program, and for many, the one with the steeper learning curve. Some people, though, take to gmax as a duck to water (I'm not one of them)

The "proof of the pudding" is the end result. Even die hard gmazers will have to admit that having more tools and techniques available does not lead to a better model.

Give an artist paper and a #2 pencil. Give a non-artist paper and a set of artist's pencils from soft to hard. Tell them to paint a flower. The artist, with his lowly #2 pencil, will create a delightful piece of artwork. The non-artist will (likely) create scratches roughly resembling a flower.

Felix/FFDS

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Reply #2 - Jun 27^th, 2005 at 5:49am

microlight Offline
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It's a bird...
Southern UK

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Well put, Felix.

You only have to look at the work of two expert groups of modellers using the different programs to see what can be achieved. Look at the 737 GMAX models by Erick Cantu and our own Moach to see the kind of quality you can get, and then look at David Maltby's VC10 and Trident models, made using FSDS. The quality is also excellent.

I guess it's whatever works best for you. There is a difference where you can use the end-product though - FSDS in its current version is compatible with both FS2004 and 2002, whereas if you export in GMAX using the FS2004 makemdl exporter, then the model is not compatible with FS2002.

Wink

BAe ATP for FS9 now available! www.enigmasim.com

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Reply #3 - Jun 27^th, 2005 at 8:46am

FSEdge Offline
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Texas

Posts: 203

Quote:

I guess it's whatever works best for you. There is a difference where you can use the end-product though - FSDS in its current version is compatible with both FS2004 and 2002, whereas if you export in GMAX using the FS2004 makemdl exporter, then the model is not compatible with FS2002.
Wink

The FS9 FSModelEXP.dle will export back to FS8. The only things lost are a few tags.

One other thing that’s failed to be mentioned is the cost of both programs. Gmax is free and FSDS isn’t, so be ready to fork out $50 dollars or so.

FSEdge

FSAlpha

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Gmax Forum

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Gmax Videos

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Building a Nosecone video

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Extrude Animation Video

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Reply #4 - Jun 27^th, 2005 at 9:22am

Felix/FFDS Offline
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FINALLY an official Granddad!
Orlando, FL

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<G>

It may not come as a surprise to anyone, but I do 95% of my modelling in FSDS.

HOWEVER, to someone starting out from ground 0, precisely because gWax is a free download (or installation from the FS9 CDs), I recommend that a new designer start out with gmax.

There are many of us, however, that despite gmax, still go with FSDS (even if we cheat by going back and forth)

Felix/FFDS

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