Simviation Forum - Would like to start designing

Oct 13^th, 2007 at 11:09am

mudduk Offline
Lieutenant Colonel
Jets are for Kids
Pennsylvania

Gender:
Posts: 9

Some quick questions

What design software should I purchase, or is that a matter of preference?

Also, where do I find the reference info on aircraft I want to design?

The aircraft I would like to build are rare warbirds circa pre and post WWII. These are two time frames in my opinion where the technology blossomed.

And of course what else would I need to animate, make sound files and panels?

Thank You, Kenn

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #1 - Oct 13^th, 2007 at 12:07pm

Brett_Henderson Offline
Colonel
EVERY OUTER MARKER SHOULD
BE AN NDB

Gender:
Posts: 3593

There are no quick answers here, but I'll try to point you in the right direction.

Quote:

What design software should I purchase, or is that a matter of preference?

Since we're already a year into the FSX era, and since designing an airplane from start to finish (your first time at it) is going to be nearly a year-long process (unless you're retired and have gobs of free time), I'll assume you'll be looking to build for FSX(FSXI).

That said.. You'll need FSX Deluxe for the SDK (and its SP1(2)), and will be using GMAX. FSDS has recently upgraded to 3.5, but from what I've heard, it's still not 100% FSX compatible... so I'd strongly recommend you go the GMAX route. As spotty as the SDKs are, they're set around GMAX (3DMax) (plus it's free).

Quote:

Also, where do I find the reference info on aircraft I want to design?

There are some design links here at SimV.. and you'll find lots of help a references at the FreeFlightDesign forums. But it's really aircraft dependent. You'll have to do a LOT of Googling, searching and reading, and the first, tangible thing you'll have to get ahold of, is a good 3-view (top front side diagram) of the airplane.

Quote:

And of course what else would I need to animate, make sound files and panels?

Animations are done from within GMAX. A VC panel is done there too, and a 2-D panel is a seperate project (worry about that later, but go ahead and experiment with existing panels to get a feel for it (make backups)).

A step-by-step, "how to" for the whole process could literally be a complete book (or three). Just jump in with an open mind.. lots of patience and a marriage counselor ... Roll Eyes

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #2 - Oct 13^th, 2007 at 4:18pm

Katahu Offline
Colonel

Gender:
Posts: 6920

If anyone were to write down all of the knowledge we have gathered here over the years onto books, we would most likely have a library of our own. Grin

The Library of ~~Alexandria~~ SimViation Grin

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #3 - Oct 13^th, 2007 at 5:12pm

mudduk Offline
Lieutenant Colonel
Jets are for Kids
Pennsylvania

Gender:
Posts: 9

thank you Brett for the input. Time is something have much of patience and an open mind, I have those too. I have seen the design links and they look helpful. as well as this whole community. I was just looking for someone ot do as you have, point me in the right direction. I am aware that there is a wealth of knowledge in the sim world as well as he web itself. It was just a matter of getting direction on where to start. So again thank you.

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #4 - Oct 18^th, 2007 at 7:15pm

Fr. Bill Offline
Colonel
I used to have a life;
now I have GMax!
Hammond, IN

Gender:
Posts: 962

Without breaking any NDAs that may or may not be in force, allow me to go in record as recommending strongly that - especially those who're just getting started - build strictly to the FSX SDK specifications...

As has already be mentioned, it may take a year or more before one's project is ready for general release, and by that time... Cool

Bill
Gauge Programming - 3d Modeling Eaglesoft Development Group Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600-4GB DDR2 Crucial PC6400-800 GB SATA-ATI Radeon HD2400 Pro 256MB DX10 NOTE: Unless explicitly stated in the post, everything written by my hand is MY opinion. I do NOT speak for any company, real or imagined...

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #5 - Oct 18^th, 2007 at 8:45pm

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

Gender:
Posts: 1000000627

Translation -

It has already been posted that the next iteration of FS (hereby identified as FS-11) will most probably (as in 99.9999%) have no backward compatibility with models made to FS9 SDK standards. THe only backward compatibility will be to models made to the FS-X SDKs. Even then, FS-X models will have to be re-processed to FSX SP2 (which hasn't been released yet)..

So folks, read up on the FS-X SDKs and if you're still building for FS9, "think" FS-X to make the transition easier.

Felix/FFDS

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #6 - Oct 21^st, 2007 at 11:01am

mudduk Offline
Lieutenant Colonel
Jets are for Kids
Pennsylvania

Gender:
Posts: 9

Ok have fs10 delux and with all the goodies, Now It is time to learn, by trial, and error, and of course lots of questions. Wish me luck Grin

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #7 - Oct 23^rd, 2007 at 7:34pm

LeFeaoux Offline
Colonel
Rookie! Get me a 5 gal.
bucket of propwash!
El Paso. TX (for now anyway)

Gender:
Posts: 153

Quote:

There are some design links here at SimV.. and you'll find lots of help a references at the FreeFlightDesign forums. But it's really aircraft dependent. You'll have to do a LOT of Googling, searching and reading, and the first, tangible thing you'll have to get ahold of, is a good 3-view (top front side diagram) of the airplane.

Ok ... I have a question: Exactly WHERE might one find these (top front side diagram) of aircraft? I noticed in the tutorial for GMAX that I downloaded, they use a P-38 obtained from aircraft recognition cards. Where might I find diagrams like that?

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #8 - Oct 23^rd, 2007 at 7:43pm

LeFeaoux Offline
Colonel
Rookie! Get me a 5 gal.
bucket of propwash!
El Paso. TX (for now anyway)

Gender:
Posts: 153

Oh, never mind. I found a site in the resources area of the design section. I couldn't access them with Firefox so I had to switch over to IE and finally got in. Carry-on gentlemen. Roll Eyes

Back to top

IP Logged

	Search the archive: