Simviation Forum - Google SketchUp

Nov 14^th, 2009 at 12:54pm

B-Valvs Offline
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Is it possible to make a SketchUp model work with ADE and FSX?

Thanks.

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« Last Edit: Nov 15^th, 2009 at 11:37pm by B-Valvs »

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Reply #1 - Nov 15^th, 2009 at 12:05am

skoker Offline
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Nope to my knowledge and repeated attempts

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Reply #2 - Nov 15^th, 2009 at 2:05pm

B-Valvs Offline
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I couldn't make it work either. Undecided

Does anyone know for sure?

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Reply #3 - Nov 15^th, 2009 at 4:20pm

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I'm assuming you're using the freeware version - so it doesn't have 3DS/dxf exporting capabilities.

You'd need the payware version to export to 3DS, then import into gmax to finish off.

Felix/FFDS

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Reply #4 - Nov 15^th, 2009 at 11:36pm

B-Valvs Offline
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This isn't my own model, it's someone else's they made available for download. I don't know if it was made with the freeware version or not, but since it's not working, I'll assume it was.

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=77ef2533be6a5931af51f5344de19...

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Reply #5 - Nov 16^th, 2009 at 8:03pm

Felix/FFDS Offline
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You DO realize that it's faster to make that building in gmax and export it than it is to convert and place it?

It's just a 5-point box, with relatively simple textures.

(and no, I really don't have time to do it myself) Sad

Felix/FFDS

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Reply #6 - Nov 17^th, 2009 at 3:44pm

B-Valvs Offline
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I don't have any experience in modelling or texturing. I was hoping this would work so I don;t have to re invent the wheel. Would anyone else be willing to convert or make one?

Edited:

Is there a way to open the SketchUp file in another 3D modelling program?

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Reply #7 - Nov 17^th, 2009 at 7:25pm

jrom Offline
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B-Valvs wrote on Nov 17^th, 2009 at 3:44pm:

I don't have any experience in modelling or texturing. I was hoping this would work so I don;t have to re invent the wheel. Would anyone else be willing to convert or make one?

Edited:

Is there a way to open the SketchUp file in another 3D modelling program?

If you export the file to Google Earth (.kmz) you then use windows explorer to change the file extention to .zip (they are in the same encoding) you should find a .dae file inside. Google for a dae to 3ds converter, and you have the model.

Texturing isn't quite as easy, though. Wink

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Reply #8 - Nov 17^th, 2009 at 10:00pm

B-Valvs Offline
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I just found this great tutorial for it:

http://forums.devshed.com/game-development-141/converting-sketchup-models-to-3ds...

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Reply #9 - Nov 17^th, 2009 at 10:04pm

B-Valvs Offline
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Okay, tutorial worked. I have the 3ds file. (Here's where the stupid part comes in) What do I do with that file now? Sorry if this is obvious, I've never done anything with 3D models in FSX before.

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Reply #10 - Nov 18^th, 2009 at 12:16am

jaime Offline
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no question is stupid, unless tis one thats never asked...

now since you got that 3ds file you will want to import it into what ever program handels 3ds (say gmax or what ever your going to use) then you want to apply some type of texture so you can have something on it instead of a gray/blank "thing" in FSX, then you will want to attempt to export the model/file into a workable FSX scenery unit and then place it some how and test.

one of the starters of the burner pandemic

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Reply #11 - Nov 18^th, 2009 at 2:14pm

jrom Offline
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B-Valvs wrote on Nov 17^th, 2009 at 10:04pm:

Okay, tutorial worked. I have the 3ds file. (Here's where the stupid part comes in) What do I do with that file now? Sorry if this is obvious, I've never done anything with 3D models in FSX before.

Cool

What a stupid question.

JK

Grin

There's always a first time.

Use the "import" option in GMAX. Most other 3d modiling programs can import .3ds files too.

WARNING: It will not be textured.

Cool

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Reply #12 - Nov 18^th, 2009 at 3:17pm

B-Valvs Offline
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When I try to import it it says it's "No object found: Mesh 4" and "Improper files format"

It a 3ds file.

Huh

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Reply #13 - Nov 18^th, 2009 at 6:31pm

Felix/FFDS Offline
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Welcome to the wonderful world of modelling - not all 3DS is the same ...

Felix/FFDS

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Reply #14 - Nov 18^th, 2009 at 9:20pm

jaime Offline
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thats definatly NOT a good sign...gonna consult my books and see exactly whats going on there if possible, what program are you using to convert with, and what was the 3DS file from?

one of the starters of the burner pandemic

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Reply #15 - Nov 18^th, 2009 at 9:37pm

B-Valvs Offline
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jaime wrote on Nov 18^th, 2009 at 9:20pm:

thats definatly NOT a good sign...gonna consult my books and see exactly whats going on there if possible, what program are you using to convert with, and what was the 3DS file from?

I'm using the converter in this tutorial, 1st post:

http://forums.devshed.com/game-development-141/converting-sketchup-models-to-3ds...

3DS file from? Huh

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Reply #16 - Nov 20^th, 2009 at 6:42pm

jrom Offline
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You could attach the .kmz file to this thread, I could try my hand at it.

Cheesy

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Reply #17 - Nov 20^th, 2009 at 7:01pm

B-Valvs Offline
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Okay. Here it is.

Edited:

It won't let me attach the kmz file, so here's a zip.

SaratogaAirport.zip (Attachment deleted)

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Reply #18 - Nov 25^th, 2009 at 3:37pm

Felix/FFDS Offline
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Arno Guerretson (FSDeveloper.com) has continued his development of MOdelConvertX which now reads the COllada format.

At least, if you create the Sketchup model yourself, you can export it as a collada file (.dae) and using the utility, you can convert it to 3DS

Felix/FFDS

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Reply #19 - Nov 25^th, 2009 at 6:09pm

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Here is a program that converts KMZ files directly to MDL format:

http://lc0277.nerim.net/wiki/index.php?software

And in my copy of SketchUp 7 it will export to 3DS.
So I have attached a .zip file with gmax 3ds and skp formats of the file.

Hope this helps!

Saratoga_County_Airport.zip (Attachment deleted)

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Reply #20 - Nov 25^th, 2009 at 8:50pm

B-Valvs Offline
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That program looks great. I'm going to try it out tonight.

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Reply #21 - Nov 27^th, 2009 at 11:06pm

B-Valvs Offline
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RaptorF22 wrote on Nov 25^th, 2009 at 6:09pm:

Here is a program that converts KMZ files directly to MDL format:

http://lc0277.nerim.net/wiki/index.php?software

And in my copy of SketchUp 7 it will export to 3DS.
So I have attached a .zip file with gmax 3ds and skp formats of the file.

Hope this helps!

Okay, I finally got the FSX MDL file using that. Now how do I get from the MDL to a BGL so I can use it with my scenery design program.

Ahhhhh!!!! So close!!! This is so frustrating!!!

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Reply #22 - Nov 28^th, 2009 at 1:12pm

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There is a program called Library Creator XML that will do it.

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Reply #23 - Nov 28^th, 2009 at 2:19pm

B-Valvs Offline
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RaptorF22 wrote on Nov 28^th, 2009 at 1:12pm:

There is a program called Library Creator XML that will do it.

~~I have that, but can it be used to convert MDL to BGL?~~

Just figured it out. I have the BGL file and I'm going to try it in ADE. Fingers crossed.

Edited: