I got a version of G-max registered (yay!) but foolishly asked for HEIDI instead of Direct3D on my first launch of the program. The other option was OpenGL and I don't think that's the one I want, as my new Radeon 9250 is booting along in Direct3D, I think. So now, in order to fire up G-max again and get this one-time selection window for renderer choice to come up again for me, apparently I have to open a command line window, type something in, and add this (-h), minus the brackets. What do I do in w2000 to open this command line window, and then what? Does this -h text go before or after whatever you have to type in there? Does anyone here know about this stuff? I think the command line window is easy to open, but I've never done it so some googling is in order, but any idiot-proof help for this wanna-be developer will be appreciated! If I figure it out first I'll post back an answer.
I asked for Direct3D this time and Gmax took that and fired up O.k., but I haven't tested anything yet. Anim80r runs in an OpenGL workspace for me, but my video card seems to be Direct3d.
My quest for a proper Gmax program has a sort of interesting story behind it.
I first was trying to use gmax on a PIII 550 with 384m of SDRAM and a Radeon 7000. My FS2002 was running somewhat choppy but flyable (O.K., the higher detail models over New York didn't go so well). First time I fired up Gmax it just crashed my computer when I tried to register it from that window. Subsequent attempts were the same mess. Then one day I found a file download at AVSIM, I think, that was touted as something probably released by Discreet as a workaround to the register problem. A .DLL type file that changed your registry and allowed Gmax to work. They said to do something for reverting back if it buggered up your PC but I didn't take heed, and went ahead. It seemed Gmax was working after this fix and I got really excited after figuring out that gmax makes a great import/export vehicle to get my Anim8or files into FS2002. Problem was Gmax would freeze upon exiting the program one out of three times I tried. After too much frustration I had to buy a new PC! (Don't know if mine was too slow for Gmax or what, but a host of other problems made my mind up. HMMM, what's in the new PC cookie jar? $150. Not good. So I bought a PIII 667MHZ, added one old 256 stick of pc-133 to the included 128m of pc-133 in the only other RAM slot (my old PC had three RAM slots). Bought a Radeon 9250 with 256m cheap, fired it up and loaded FS2002 back in and re-downloaded and installed all the goodies I wanted. Nice clean install of FS was part of the goal. Total cost: $150. Now before all the folks with real PC's and FS9 cringe at my purchase, here is my reasoning. In a little less than a year FSX and Vista should be out. Can't afford even a vanilla AMD Sempron setup let alone a faster rig, which arguably will need further upgrading to run FSX decently. Just got real enthused about developing scenery and aircraft for FS and figured out how to get started, but my PC won't keep up. Took a chance on a slightly faster processor and a 256m card and guess what, my frame rates max out at the locked 25fps when just the sky is shown, and is still way smoother at more detailed low and slow stuff. I can't believe the new details on add-on aircraft that wouldn't render before, I now have some AI traffic, and all my ground textures render like a champ. OH! And flying is a LOT easier with the better framerates!! I've tweaked FS2002 to look great to me, and still love this version. Anyway, I have yet to try an Anim8or file thru Gmax on this rig and H.D., but I have everything in place to get back to the fantastic world of seeing my own rudimentary aircraft booting around in FS. (There is a link at Turbosquid, I think, that is a cut and paste way of registering Gmax effectively. I'll hunt up info and links and post 'em if need be.) When FSX and Vista comes out I'll have a bunch of developing experience, and hopefully a fistfull of cash for a Dual-Core AMD screamer. Just an end note, the drivers supplied with my new Radeon 9250 were horrible and buggy. The Omega drivers from the 3D Guru site saved the day once again for me, sparing me further frustration and disappointment.
My next post may have to be a poll: Is harkonnen long-winded?
Location: COMFORTABLY NUMB, in U.S.A. *** KOFF ***
Age: 51
Gender: Male
LOL, you WILL get a *YES* from me,
I started a little early on my second rig. $1,200 in seperate parts, all put together, but no Operating System yet. Waiting for Vista to come out so I can install it, learn it, and then get FSX.
I just tested the Gmax import/export to MSFS on this rig and it's fine. I was terrified that somehow it wouldn't work, that I might have messed up on a filepath or some niggly detail with gmax on a fresh hard drive! High anxiety sometimes when you NEED several apps to work together!
R.D. - That's going to be a nice system. Are you sitting on it until Vista? Someone has a lot more patience than me! And yes, I think I like shorter posts from me, too!
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