3rd Party Aircraft Software

[rddaos]

Guys just a question. Which software programs are utilized to create quality 3rd party aircraft for x plane? I assume a 3d modeling program to create the airframe and interior. But to program manipulators and flight characteristics, sounds, etc., I assume all that is done in x plane?

Thanks...

[Kieran]

The flight model is done in PlaneMaker, included with X-Plane, and AirfoilMaker, also included. The models are usually either made in Blender (free) or AC3D (not free), because there are export scripts for both programs to X-Plane's own .obj (not to be confused with wavefront .obj).

[rddaos]

Thanks Kieran,

So it looks like only two softwares are really needed - a 3D modeler, and x plane itself?

[Cameron]

Thanks Kieran,

So it looks like only two softwares are really needed - a 3D modeler, and x plane itself?

That's correct. Really, you could utilize any 3D application of your choice and export it to a format Blender or AC3D can read, where you'll then do animations and export to X-Plane's obj format with the scripts available on the web (from Marginal for Blender, AC3D's comes from Laminar).