Hi Drakma. Aircraft Factory (AF99) was an updated version of the original BAO Flight Shop but FS Design Studio (FSDS) is a completely new program based on CAD principles. It is possible to import your old AFX source files into FSDS but this might not be the best way of doing it. In my experience it would be better to make a fresh start. For FS2002 you can either pay for FSDS or use the free Gmax as both will involve learning a completely new way of working. FSDS has only recently been updated to FSDS3 with features for FS9. I don't know if these are compatible with FS2002 but it should have the option to export into FS2002. I'm not sure if FSDS2 is still available but if you ever intend getting FS9 it might be best to go for the latest version anyway.

PS. AF99 is no longer available.

Aircraft Factory was always very difficult to use as it has no way of importing a plan to use as a reference. This usually involves creating the model point by point which is very time-consuming & inaccurate. I never figured out how some of those old FS designers could use it to create such beautiful & complex models of aircraft. The later 3D modelling applications are much easier to use once you're used to working in a completely different environment. There is also a great deal to learn so don't expect instant results. Good luck.

PS. My personal opinion is that if you're used to Aircraft Factory you will find FSDS slightly easier to understand than Gmax. As Gmax is free there's no harm in trying that first to see what you make of it.

Much thank to all ---  please three more questions

1. Do FSDS make MDL without plane folder? I hate hassle AF5 always wants airplane choice.

2. Do FSDS make BGL scenery? Maybe I try that too.

3. Is used FSDS on internet? Maybe cheap?

Thank you one more time.

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No. Like AF99, FSDS asks you for a "seed" airplane from which to create the various files and folders in the aircraft hierarchy.  While gmax creates the MDL file "alone", you then have to manually create the file folder structure and additional files. 

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Yes.  FSDS2 makes the old style "BGL" scenery directly, FSDS3 - latest version - creates the scenerey MDL which is then processed through BGLCOMP to create the final FS2004 scenery file.


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FSDS can be bought as a direct download from Abacus Publishing's website.

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You're welcome.

The *.x file is a text file to Microsoft's DirectX graphics file format.  For the flightsim modeller, you don't need to concern yourself with the actual x file created (as a general statement).

basically, gmax/fsds and makemdl are independent programs.  gmax/FSDS3 create the common outpout file formatted as a direct x file that makemdl uses to compiled the final aircraft (or scenery) MDL file.

This way, you're not limited to JUST gmax or JUST FSDS3, but you can use any modelling program that can export to an x file.