                               FSD2DXF Converter

                    (If all else fails, read the instructions)

About
--
This program will convert Flight Sim Toolkit shape files into DXF files (as
commonly used by Autocad and most other drafting and rendering products).

Shareware/Giftware
--
This program is shareware/giftware. If you use this, I would appreciate
that you send me something. I would really appreciate money (stop
laughing, I can hope!), however if you are a student, short of cash, etc,
please send me what you can. I suggest a donation of $10 for the program,
this will ensure that I continue to develop it. I will also accept greeting
cards, registrations to other programs, etc

email:
darryl@fl.net.au

web:
http://www.dragonfire.net/~daz/home.htm

snail mail:
Darryl Lewis
120 Silverwater Rd
Silverwater
NSW
Australia

Instructions
--
running fsd2dxf will give you the options available.
current options allow you to specify the input file and the LOD you want
converted.
If the  .fsd extension is left off, the converter will add it. The output
file will be the same as the inputfile name, but with a .dxf extension.

The LOD is the Level Of Detail. Most .fsd have multiple LOD's which switch
in as you get closer to the shape. FSD2DXF exports them seperatly. The larger the
LOD, the more detail which is added. The usual highest LOD is 3, and you'll
usually want the highest LOD to render anyway. If you enter a higher LOD
than exists, the converter will warn you, then proceed at the highest
available LOD. So type in a big number if your not sure :-) I usually use
9.
Future updates will give you the option of all LODs saved in different
layers.

example 1:
fsd2dxf plane 1

This will output to a file called plane.dxf the lowest (least detail) LOD.

example 2:
fsd2dxf plane.fsd 1

This will output to a file called plane.dxf the lowest (least detail) LOD.


example 3:
fsd2dxf plane.fsd 3

This will output to a file called plane.dxf the highest (usually)(most detail)
LOD.

example 4:
fsd2dxf plane.fsd 9

This will warn you that the highest is X and will then proceed to convert
LOD X to a file called plane.dxf the highest (most detail) LOD.

Why DXF?
--
A number of people wanted to render their models. DXF is the first, and
thus most widely supported format. By converting it to DXF, most rendering
packages should be able to read it. If not, get a real rendering package.
Imagine (by Impulse) , Lightwave, Autocad, etc..
There are DXF to VRML converters, (.fsd files make great VRML shapes) and
converters of almost every other kind. Pixel Pro is a useful multiformat
converter for this type of stuff.

Thanks
__
Fsd2dxf would not have been possible with out the suggestions and help from
Peter Miliken and Art Malvar. Thanks guys!

About FlightSim toolkit
--
Flight Sim Tool kit is an authoring kit for making flight simulators. The
objects most commonly used are called shapefiles (filename.fsd). These
usually define the shape of the aircraft, car, tank, building, gun, person,
etc... everything except the ground.
It is better than Microsoft flight Simulator, because FST has guns. But not
only guns, missiles, lasers, bombs.... hehehehe....
It's also a damn sight cheaper.
There is also a strong chance that FST '97 will soon be released, giving
the added advantage of texture mapping! The future is looking bright for
FST.
oh yes, it's published by Domark. I purchased my copy from

CD-ROM Access
12201 Saratoga Sunnyvale Rd
Saratoga,
CA 95070-3078

I am in no way associated with this company. I am not even in the same sate
or counrty! I am including this info because they were very good to deal with
and most helpful. It's hard, and expensive getting things between countries,
and they managed it quickly and efficiently.
Moral of the story: Support people that give you good service.

Future developments of FSD2DXF
--
convert colours
Convert DXF to FSD
Real time wireframe/solid viewer (to replace Hview)
Flatten each surface to make paper and card models from fsd's.
And any other ideas that you send me.


Bugs
--
Please report all bugs to me at
darryl@fl.net.au

Please try to put FSD2DXF in the subject line so I actually read it,
instead of automatically deleting it with the spam.

History
--
Version 1.0 (23.8.1997)
Command line program.
No known bugs

Future developments of FSD2DXF
--
convert colours
Convert DXF to FSD
Real time wireframe/solid viewer (to replace Hview)
Flatten each surface to make paper and card models from fsd's.
And any other ideas that you send me.

regards
Darryl.
