Converting Gmax objects for use in FS Scenery Creator

A lot of people were asking how to take there Gmax created object and use them for FSSC. Here is a list of instructions on how to do do this process.

First thing to do is to make sure that you have the updated Fsregen which will give you the option of "keep files" which will eliminate the use of Middleman program while exporting from Gmax. Depending on which paths you have set for Gmax and Fsregen or where you put your Macros might be different but I will use mine for this tutorial.

The next step I do is create a folder within FSSC/Macros named MY MACROS as this is where my created API file will be placed in FSSC. Again you might place it differently but I find this easier for me to keep track of my macros. Once you are ready, we will begin our process.

  1. First step I do is open my FS2002-Addon Scenery-Allaire (which is the airport im creating with FSSC currently)-Scenery. Once your folder is open, minimize the folder so we can open it up right away when we need it
  2. Open up your folder where you will place your API file in FSSC (in my case it is, FSSC-MACROS-MY MACROS). When this folder is open, again minimize it for easy access.
  3. Start up FSSC, open up your file where you want your macro in the scenery to be displayed and minimize it.
  4. With these folders now accessible with a single click, the process is now rather simple. Start Gmax and open the file you want to export.
  5. With everything to your satisfaction, click on export and type the file you are going to export and click save
  6. You should now be on the MakeBGL screen. If not then something is wrong.
  7. In MakeBGL, do not worry about the coordinates as it will be changed anyway. Go to "OPTIONS" by clicking it. You will now have a selection of choices to click on. On the right hand side is a selection "KEEP FILES". Click this selection. Also, if your object has light effects, you must also click "HAS LIGHT MAP" to enable night lighting effects.
  8. When your selections have been made click on "START" to begin the process. If all goes well, you should not see any error messages. If so, you have a problem with your scenery or program and recheck and try again.
  9. If all goes well, you can now exit Gmax
  10. Open up Fsregen, and on the bottom click on the button "Library Compiler"
  11. You should now come to a different screen. At the top is "NEW OBJECT DETAILS" and to the left is the button you need to click for the path.
  12. Once you clicked it you should see 2 files, your object name and your object name_0
  13. Click on the top one or the file WITHOUT the _0 at the end
  14. Next click "NEW" which is right beneath and will create a GUID number for your new API. If you chose, you may enter your own number but this is the easier way and will make a number for you automatically.
  15. After you've done this, click "ADD TO LIST"
  16. You should now see the path under LIBRARY OBJECT FILES of the path which should be where your FS2002 folder is for your scenery
  17. Click the path and should now be highlighted in blue
  18. Below that is "OUTPUT FILE". Click on the box to the right of it and set the path to where you want your API file to be placed within your FSSC folders. (Mine would be...FSSC-MACROS-MY MACROS) Also should be the same path to the folder which you i told you to minimize earlier!!!.
  19. Once the path has been set, click on "CREATE LIBRARY SOURCE FILE"
  20. Next click on "CREATE API" which is next to create library source file.
  21. If both were created successfully, you can now open your FS2002 folder you minimized earlier. You can't close Fsregen yet as need still need to create a BGL file. THESE STEPS MUST BE FOLLOWED IN THIS MANNER OR THE API MACRO WILL NOT APPEAR WHERE YOU WANT THEM!!!!
  22. With your FS2002 folder with your scenery in it, you should see several new files including the API file for your object.
  23. Take this API file and place it in the folder you minimized for your FSSC macros folder and place it in there.
  24. Once that is done, open FSSC program which you minimized earlier.
  25. Click on "NEW 3D OBJECT"
  26. Select MACRO
  27. Click on REFRESH at the bottom
  28. Now open the path to your file where you placed your API file
  29. Once this is done, you should see a movable icon like any other macro to place in your scenery. Place it where you want. IMPORTANT!! With FSSC, your macro will not be placed exactly where you place it on your scenery in fs2002 but will be close. YOU will just have to do adjust the location in FSSC as to where you want it.
  30. When your done placing it, compile your scenery by hitting the FSSC button on top. When this has been done, you can minimize or close FSSC.
  31. Next you should still have up Fsregen on your screen. Again under Library Compiler if you have closed it, on the bottom you can now click on "COMPILE TO BGL". This will replace your previous BGL file created when you exported from Gmax with the new coordinates. You will also notice after you click on the button and complies that a error message will appear about Relocation of the BGL. Not a problem, just click any button and your all done!! Close all the other programs and folders and start up FS2002 and your macro will appear where you placed it!

If for any reason you still have problems or don't understand, let me know by this forum or email me at davenjta@yahoo.com about any questions you have and I will do my best to help you through it. I hope this helps those simmers out there. I didn't have any pictures for further help but I tried writing this the best I could to be as clear as possible!

Links:

Fsregen

by Dave Fernekes

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