FSX Models from 3DCanvas - Tutorials Overview

[sean53]

Hello Decapod

I ran XtoMdl from the command prompt and got the follwing error report. It seems it can't find the object file testcube.x. I have placed XtoMDL.exe in the Canvas PluginsImportExport folder. I don't have a Plugin folder in the SDK.


I think I'll leave these tutorials for a while, I had enough of Canvas for now having had problems exporting stock into MSTS and Rail Sim since using V7

Sean

[decapod]

Hi Sean,

Did you export the X file to that folder? If you can locate it, there may be more info from xtomdl.

Paul

[sean53]

I could not export to the PluginsImportExport folder, got a wrong file type error in Canvas, so I copied the X file to the folder and got a shorter error message on running xtomdl . Looks to be some sort of path error.



If you can get me going I'd be obliged, but I'm running out of patience with the export side of Canvas V7

Sean

[decapod]

You need to export to another folder. I usually make it the same one that contains the 3DC file.
The path you put in there means that XtoMDL is looking for the X file in the root folder for the disk c:\testcube.x

e.g. export to c:\model\cube.X

Then run xtomdl c:\model\cube.x

[sean53]

Well I've been at this for over an hour now and I can't make it work, still get a MDL file of zero bytes. I made the path as short as possible as recommended, short of putting it in the root. Heres the error report, I highlighted the file not found bit. I have treble checked everything, path, filename etc. Makes me think there is something wrong with xtomdl.exe. There is the warning "Assembly Binding Logging is off" also. Not sure if thats critical.



Sean

[decapod]

Ahhh - you need more than just the xtomdl program to make it work, you need all the DLL's to go with it.
They are usually located in, along with the xtomdl program in:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\SDK\Environment Kit\Modeling SDK\3DSM7\Plugins

This is the first place the exporter looks for the program. There are several .DLL files there that are needed to run the program.
That may fix the export problem.

[sean53]

That worked. I copied all the DLL's in the SDK folder over to the Canvas plugin folder and managed to generate a working MDL. I now have a BGL file ready for the sim. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks for sticking with it Decapod.

[sean53]

All went well until the actual flight to the Cube, no sign of it. Double checked everything. I'll have another go tomorrow evening.

Sean

[sean53]

I found it. I don't now what changed but on my second attempt the cube was there. Thanks decapod. I'll try the next tutorial now.

[dkightley]

Well done, Sean.

I bet its a nice feeling to actually "get there" and see the fruits of your efforts....even if its a dull boring cube!

The next tutorial should be a little more interesting.