Converting a Flight Gear Model

One of the quickest ways of getting a new model into CRRCSIM is to convert it from another flight simulator. This is fairly simple, although textures and animations have to be re-done.

Basic Conversion of the 3D model

1. Find an existing model in CRRCSIM that corresponds to the model you want to convert, for example a straight wing tricycle undercarriage propeller aircraft such as the sport.

2. Using Blender or any other suitable 3D editor, import the model from Flight Gear, for example the Pa38.ac file

3. Rotate the model counter clockwise of until it is pointing straight down the screen.

4. Copy the model to the objects folder in CRRCSIM as for example, pa38.ac

5. Copy the xml file in the models folder sport.xml for example and paste the copy into the same folder. Rename the file pa38.xml

6. Change the line in the pa38.xml file to read as follows

change from

<graphics version="1" model="sport.ac">

to

<graphics version="1" model="pa38.ac">

7. Test fly the model - in this case here is the output. A lot more work is to be done. The other parameters of the xml file must be changed to create accurate flight characteristics.

Save the model as a .3ds file so that it can be opened in Wings 3D. Open the file and add textures as described under 'creating a model'.