macklinbob wrote on Apr 14^th, 2010 at 10:45am:

Gmax is much more powerful than FSDS in my opinion and I find Gmax easier to use than FSDS. You just need to learn the basics.

Go to FSdeveloper.com and watch video tutorials on using gmax.

I went too Gmax /3dmax a long time ago but Flight Simulator Design Studio once was the only one back in FS2002 and part of fs2004,Never seen it ,but I seen great airplanes made with that tool ,and I''m not sure that software also came with a tool to make the sounds ,and I think FS panel studio came from the same company (not sure ).
Many 50/50 are using FSDS as gmax ,but Gmax its free

   BrandonF wrote on Apr 14^th, 2010 at 7:48pm:


Oh Yes , that was the curst the legacy that ACES team leave us ,anyone Now can easyly take your work remap it and claim is theirs  ,what where they thinking?   

I instaled FS2004 this afternoon and all I got to say is FSX besides all its imperfections and details Is the best ,is like compare windows 95 with Windows 7 ,but I think Posky and many others prefer to export the models using the old FS9 SDK to protect their job ,

To me the worst mistake of FSX was the way so easy we can bring back FSX-SDK models to gmax or any other ,this was impossible in FS9-SDK MDLs  

And from what I hear, MDL2DXF only works on older FS98 models. But unfortunately there is a program by FS Developer.com that can convert FSX MDLs to 3Ds files. This is stupid since anyone can convert someone else's work. And it leaves all the texture mapping there! 

PS: Felix, I'm aware MDL2DXF is from another developer. 

I'm the exact opposite of Felix: I learned on Gmax and find using FSDS difficult ( ) mainly because of a lack of need to figure it out.

Gmax is also a useful tool if you are trying to develop for other games or have other intentions, most of which come from learning the systems and figuring out what the gadgets do.

That being said, the learning curve on Gmax is tremendous.  You have to REALLY want to design.  I come from a technical drafting family background, so it was a bit easier for me to pick up Gmax after using AutoCAD and TurboCAD for so many years.  But for those that have never tried their hand at making models, choosing FSDS is probably a better option!

Max is complex but once learned there is a lot you can do that you can't do so easily in FSDS

For example....if you have a part made form a 24 point tube and need to increase it to 32 you can do it in Max but in FSDS you will have to start again.

There are a lot of automated functions in Max that need to be done manually in FSDS.

FSDS does enable you to model well and some functions are more straightforward...like texturing but that's only really an issue whilst getting familiar and then corners can be cut.

Basically FSDS is easier to learn but Max is easier to use.

I have been on Skype with someone who has demonstated how Max can perform functions like blending and adding or subtracting windows so much easier than FSDS but the terminology is confusing and it is easy to get lost, but that is only a case of practice.

If you want to get going and make models then FSDS is all you need.

A lot of Max's complications is because it is a 3D modelling programme so carries a lot that will never be used for Flight Sim.

FSDS being a programme for FS, is more ready to go and things are not hidden away from sight to the same extent.

But strip away the complexities of Max then there is more there than in FSDS, but FSDS is adequate for your needs.

Having aid all this...some modellers move parts back and forth between both depending on what stage the model is at.

Whatever you do choose.......having knowledge of the other can only be to you benefit.

Garry

GMax is definitely the way to go... It's a completely different work flow than other FS-oriented modeling tools, but that's also what makes it shine...

The way GMax works is the same as it's 'bigger brother, 3D Studio Max... this is one of the most used professional 3D design tools in the world, and it can do just about anything... that's also what makes it more complex to use...

There's enough 3D science inside Max to occupy the intellects of 5 different professionals... I've been working with it for about 6 years now, and I'm still finding things I've never seen before... but really, the only thing you should master is poly-modelling in 3DS, or Mesh Modeling in GMax... for FS applications these techniques are just about enough to cover your needs... not forgetting also the basics of 3D models, like pivot points, Hierarchies and that whole lot of badness...

But it's really quite cool once you get the hang of it

Cheers

Last I heard, you couldn't do this in FSDS.  With all the renderers and plugins you can get for Gmax these days, it's almost where it's big brother (3ds Max) was at version 5 or 6.  True, it's still not all the bells and whistles, but this is a simple design and certainly not out of the question...

You certainly can make that sort of thing in FSDS.

Take a look at Rick Pipers models

Some things are easier to do at that level in max but it is possible in FSDS

Do you like Coke or Pepsi??

That's pretty much what it boils down to.

BTW, I have put together a 6 part "Basics" video tutorial series (available at the MAIW website) on FSDS which will cover most of the stuff you need to know "before" you start producing models in FSDS.

I've since started on a scenery modeling tutorial series and will eventually get to an AI aircraft video tutorial series, all for FSDS users.

Like everyone has said, FSDS is more user friendly but has less capability than Gmas or 3dsMax.  So if you are a die hard FSDS user like myself, you simply learn the work arounds.