DCS MOD TOOLs for 3dsmax (2008+)

[Weltensegler]

Hello Gentlemen!

 

 

I like to announce or rather offer the first DCS MOD TOOLs 0.1 beta for 3dsmax (should work with 2008 - 2013).

 

The tools come as a macro script and can be installed by just putting them in the right folder (...\3dsmax20xx\UI\usermacros or macroscripts (see demo video for installation))and then dragging them from the customize menu into a toolbar to create a button.

 

The idea was to script some specific functions for repetitive and time consuming or complex tasks in order to ease modding work-flow with the EDM-plugin and export.

This is only the start and this beta contains only a few features yet but that's what betas are, right?

 

In order to develop tools for a specific software and modding procedure one should know the process of that software/plugin and how it works...well here is the funny part...I don't.

The most I ever did regarding EDM export was exporting a cube to the model viewer.

I do have very little time to script so I thought instead of holding on to the tools until I know more about EDMs I rather publish them in an early stage so I have feedback when I get time to continue.

At the end of the day this tool is meant to help the Modders among you and I need you to try it and give me feedback so I can extend and improve features.

 

So far I tried to implement what I found in the “Eagle-Wiki” which I believe is in progress so data I took from there might be incomplete and possibly contains type errors.

Same goes for the tooltips that I partially attached on mouse over some types and values.

 

At first I started with a fancy compact user interface but later I converted to a “spread” one because I believe that is more efficient for work-flow.

 

 

At the moment DCS MOD TOOLs v0.1 beta include the following features:

 

 

 

 

• On start you get asked if you wanna set your system units to meters which as I understand is the unit that is required for the EDM export/DCS engine.
  You get a separate rollout once the tools open to set or change the units again.
  

 

 

 

• Rollout “Flags Types Arguments”: as the name says this is to assign all (or most) user defined flags and arguments.
  It works selection based so you don't have to right-click every note individually to enter those. Just model and rig your aircraft and then select by name or class and apply everything you want with one click.
  I took most of the EDM/DCS syntax I could find and every type that needs a variable entry should switch to a text box to allow you custom values.
  All values should automatically get set with quotes and semicolons if required.
  Let me know how this works out. In case something doesn't work yet in this beta I put in a manual input as well.
  

 

 

 

• Rollout “set Animation Range (/rate)”: here you can set/change FPS and frame range.
  As I understood -100 to 100 @ 100fps is required or preferable for animation exports so I set those values as default values (you might still have to apply them)
  

 

 

 

• And that's it so far for this first beta...besides my quickly stamped logo I created for this Tool...nails the whole purpose pretty well, doesn't it? :)
  

 

 

 

 

There are a few ideas on my list like a search and replace function for user definitions or a automatically bounding box generation etc. but lets see what you guys might need more urgent than that.

 

I hope this project serves its purpose and helps the mod developers among us.

If so I will continue scripting features and update this thread on new releases.

 

Feedback is appreciated!

Let me know if you have suggestions for features or problems or bug reports.

I'm especially interested in annoying and/or repetitive procedures you have to do! :)

 

 

Thank you for testing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

LATEST RELEASE:

0.1 beta 8-11-2012

VIDEO DEMO:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibQFXRg2EOA

0.1.2.1.3 beta 8-22-2012 (new feature: Terrain Stitcher)

Developer Note:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qR8fjt4wqc

 

 

 

--

DCS_MOD_TOOLs_0.1.2.1.3_beta.zip

Edited August 29, 2012 by Weltensegler

[Blaze]

Nice work!!! :D

[luckybob9]

awesome!

[Weltensegler]

Thanks! I update the download link!

It was pointing to the code instead of the file I think

[Silver_Dragon]

Thanks Weltensegler ;)

[Weltensegler]

Welcome, Silver Dragon!

NEW RELEASE 1.2.1.3 beta

(see post #1 and its attachment: http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1528990&postcount=1)

 

New feature: Terrain Stitcher ...suggested by Luckybob9

 

If you use it extensively and get annoyed by manual welding and relaxing let me know and I build something in for that.

Enjoy

[BR55Sevas]

Weltensegler, using your great tools I noticed some feature.

Every time I press DCS_tools button I have popup window asking "CHange system units to meters?".

If I press yes, then next time I press DCS_tools this window popuped again, same if I click no.

[Weltensegler]

Oh hey, stopped developing since there was only very little response and it didn't seem to be in use much.

But of course I will take care of things like this for you.

 

Since I have very little time ATM...are you ok for now if I either tell you or upload you a version where this is request is just disabled?

I mean I guess most people know how to set it to meters :)

 

When I find the time I can write it so it checks and asks only if its not already in meters.

For now (I might have time on the weekend to do it) I will just disable it...hope that helps.

[BR55Sevas]

...I can write it so it checks and asks only if its not already in meters.

Exactly what I`d like to see :)

 

btw Thread need to stick, very useful tools for modelling!

[Weltensegler]

I appreciate it but I think there are only very few using it.

ATM I wouldn't have time to continue with those anyways because I am in the last few month of a movie which means crazy hours and weekend work.

I haven't even flown my cockpit since I built it.

 

Since I am no modder myself it would also help to get feedback of whats needed bc I don't know all the procedures that have to be done.

I started some animation tools but then my job took over.

Hopefully around February I have time again for things like that...given more people would use it of course.

[aaron886]

Wow, never saw this?? I'll give them a shot.

[Silver_Dragon]

epic necro post refloting 

[Veteran66]

Hi all

 

how install the Mod Tools?

 

 

[Veteran66]

vor 12 Minuten schrieb Veteran66:

Hi all

 

how install the Mod Tools?

 

 

ok  find it