The SDKs are the documents and helper applications used to create content - missions, scenery, aircrfaft, etc - for FS-X.  As it comes out of the box with FS-X, you get the tools for 3DSMax only.  The SDK SP1 update, downloadable from the microsoft insider site (fsinsider.com_) updates the SDKs and adds the gmax tools.

Presuming you do NOT have gmax already installed.

1. When you install the SDK from the FS-X disc, gmax gets placed in a folder.  You then have two folders setup:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\gmax

and

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\SDK

Within the C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\gmax folder, you have the three gmax executables  - gmax12.exe; gmax12_help.exe; and gmax12_tutorials.exe.  Install each (the default is to c:\gmax) - you'll have to go through the registration process at turbosuid.com - or do the gmax workaround that you can download here at Simviation  (don't worry, it's an accepted and allowed workaraound)

Within the C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\SDK are the various SDKs for content creation but with the 3DSMax tools only!!  (It does inlcude the FS9 plugin for gmax, but all you could do is create a static object... forget that it's even there).  For now, leave the SDK alone, except to read and memorize the documents (written exam in two hours).

2.  DOwnload and install the SDK SP1.  WHen complete, this download not only updates the SDK documents, but also adds the gmax FS-X gamepack, which gets installed to:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\SDK\Environment Kit\Modeling SDK\FSX_GmaxGamePack

You WILL bodily copy (or move) that FSX_GmaxGamepack and place it into your C:\gmax\gamepacks folder keeping the same structure, etc.

WIthin the FSX_GmaxGamepack folder there will be an FSX_gmax shortcut - send that to desktop and always start your FS-X modelling with that shortcut.


Of course that above instrictions are not etched in stone, and you can change paths, etc. (as you can see in the documents) but keeping it as close to the default installation paths as you can will avoid problems.


CAVEAT:

In the
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\SDK\Environment Kit\Modeling SDK folder you will see a folder called \bin and it has but one file:  modeldef.xml  LEAVE IT THERE!  the gmax plugins are hard coded to look for it in that particular folder.

May I also suggest that, considering that it is increasingly fashionable among FS-X flightsim modellers , that you get your head shaved NOW?  After all, it spares you doing it the way other modellers have - tearing clumps of hair (well, those that had enough hair on their heads, that is) in frustration!








(and I thought they all just wanted to look like me!)