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Combat Flight Simulator 3 SDK/Tools
Download the latest Software Development Kits (SDKs) to enhance your gaming
enjoyment. You'll find descriptions of these SDK below. Check this site often to
download the latest CFS3 tools.
Although portions of the SDKs may prove useful to Combat Flight Simulator enthusiasts
with little or no programming experience, keep in mind that many parts of the SDKs
assume familiarity with XML, the C programming language, and game development.
Note:
The information in the SDKs are NOT supported by Microsoft Product Support.
The SDKs and Tools covered on this page include:
Before you begin:
The Microsoft® Windows® Installer is an application installation and configuration
service. You'll need the Windows Installer on your system to install some of these
SDKs. The Windows Installer is built into Windows XP.
Use the following web links if you have a different version of Windows:
Windows Installer 2.0 Redistributable for Windows NT 4.0 and 2000
Windows Installer 2.0 Redistributable for Windows 95, 98, and Me
Aircraft, Vehicle, and Building SDK v1.5
Note: In order to install properly, you should first make sure
that discreet gmax is installed. To get it, please visit
http://www.discreet.com/products/gmax/
.
What's new in v1.5 of the Aircraft and Vehicle SDK?
- Mosaic File Editing Tool.
This lets you edit .MOS files, which contain information on how damage, colors and
nose art are displayed on aircraft. Important: see the list of additional requirements,
below, for the mosaic editing tool.
- Gmax plugin now supports more than 7 virtual cockpits.
The gmax plugin previously supported up to 7 virtual cockpits. In conjunction with
the CFS3.1 patch and the included gmax plugin, you can now create aircraft that
have more than 7 virtual cockpits.
- Modeling Document Improvements.
There is more documentation in the modeling document on standards for textures and
vehicles.
- Effects List.
A list of the effects is included.
Important:
The Mosaic File Editing Tool requires that DirectX 9 and the .NET Framework. You
can install DirectX 9 via http://www.microsoft.com/directx.
You can install the .net framework via the
Windows Update website
.
Note:
DirectX 9 includes a component ("Managed DirectX 9") that is dependent on the .net
framework being installed. Therefore, it is important that you install the .net
framework first, and then install DirectX 9. If you have installed DirectX 9 before
installing the .net framework, you will need to re-run the DirectX 9 setup to ensure
that "Managed DirectX 9" is installed properly.
Also, some DirectX 9 installation utilities do not include the Managed DirectX
9 component. The best means of obtaining the Managed DirectX 9 component is to use
the web setup at the link provided above.
If you have previously installed the Aircraft and Vehicle SDK, please remove
the SDK using Add/Remove programs.
DOWNLOAD NOW 15MB
(avsdk15.msi)
Combat Flight Simulator 3 Terrain SDK
- Public Beta v2.0
Based upon the feedback we received from the initial public beta release of
the CFS3 Terrain SDK, the SDK has been updated November 3, 2003. Early users reported
the omission of the information necessary to model water and shorelines from the
original public beta release. This updated release includes the information necessary
to address this issue. As this is new content, we will consider this version to
be released as a public beta in order to allow for a wider evaluation. We will entertain
feedback for this new content over the next two to three weeks. We will post the
final version of the Terrain SDK upon the review of feedback, and completion of
any required enhancements.
About the CFS3 Terrain SDK: The CFS3 Terrain SDK is a set of build level tools
for creating and manipulating all aspects of CFS3 Terrain.
Creating a full set of CFS3 terrain requires experience in working with geological
data. Specifically, creating new terrain assumes to Digital Elevation Model (DEM)
data, vector data as well as land class maps.
Tools are also provided for working with existing scenery. For example, you
can manipulate the CFS3 Global Layer as well as modify the terrain mosaics used
in game.
Like all SDKs, the CFS3 Terrain SDK is not supported by Microsoft Product Support
Services. The terrain SDK was tested on the Windows XP operating system; its ability
to function on other operating systems remains untested.
The requirements of the Terrain SDK are:
-
Windows XP
-
Combat Flight Simulator 3.1
-
.Net Framework
-
Managed DirectX
The .net framework is available via Windows Update.
Managed DirectX is required for the Terrain Mosaic editor. It is a part of the
larger DirectX package. You can ensure that Managed DirectX is installed on your
machine by following these instructions.
The public beta is a functional set of tools you can use to manipulate terrain data.
However, it may have bugs or problems that prevent you from fully using all aspects
of the SDK. We welcome your feedback, suggestions, and bug reports at
cfssdkfe@microsoft.com
.
DOWNLOAD NOW 5MB
(terrainsdk.msi)
Mission Editing SDK
The Mission Editing SDK contains a Microsoft Word document with specifications
on the mission and spawn file formats. With this document and a tool for editing
XML files (like Microsoft Notepad), you'll be on your way to creating new missions
for Combat Flight Simulator 3.
DOWNLOAD NOW 200KB
(missionsdk.msi)
Combat Flight Simulator 3 Mission Builder SDK v1.0
The CFS3 Mission Builder v1.0, which is based on the Mission Builder that was included
with Combat Flight Simulator 2, includes the following features:
-
Create and edit routes for air and ground formations, as well as place extra facilities
in your missions
-
Visually edit aspects of your formations; drag and drop formation waypoint routes
-
Edit spawn tables to define how new facilities and formations are created
-
Edit spawned formations and define how they are positioned
-
Help System
Important:
The CFS3 Mission Builder v1.0, like all CFS3 SDK items, is not supported by Microsoft
Product Support Services.
Also, the Combat Flight Simulator 3 Mission Builder lets you modify files that
come with Combat Flight Simulator 3, and you may corrupt or otherwise imbalance
the missions that come with the game. You may need to reinstall Combat Flight Simulator
3 to restore these files to their original state.
Note: The CFS3 Mission Builder v1.0 requires the CFS3.1 Update. Be sure to read
through the Mission Builder
v1.0 Release Notes
.
DOWNLOAD NOW 6MB
(cfs3mb10.msi)
We would like to encourage your feedback and bug reports. Please send them to cfssdkfe@microsoft.com
.
When reporting problems or feature requests, please state the following:
-
Machine Configuration (Processor, Video Card, Sound Card, etc.)
-
Operating System
-
Description of problem
-
How did you notice this was a problem?
-
Steps to reproduce the problem
-
Mission file(s) that demonstrate the problem, if any
Please try to make these descriptions as simple and as reproducible as possible.
ViewUI Developer Description:
Understanding the ViewUI.xml file
ViewUI.xml, included with Combat Flight Simulator 3, contains view defaults
and preferences. Some questions have come up regarding the format of this file.
An annotated version of the XML is attached below.
To save the file to your computer, right-click on the link and choose "Save Target
As".
ViewUI.xml
Like many Combat Flight Simulator 3 settings files, a default version of the
file is located in the users Combat Flight Simulator Directory (usually, c:\program
files\microsoft games\combat flight simulator 3.).
However, if the user changes any preferences in-game, a modified version of
the ViewUI.xml is stored in the users Application Data directory (on a Windows XP
machine, this is c:\documents and settings\[user name]\application data\microsoft\combat
flight simulator 3.0. The Application Data and/or Microsoft directory may be hidden
on your machine.)
Therefore, if you wish to experiment with changing ViewUI.xml, you should first:
-
Back up your copy of viewui.xml in your Combat Flight Simulator directory.
-
Delete the copy of viewui.xml in your Application Data\Combat Flight Simulator 3
directory.
As you modify the copy of viewui.xml in your Combat Flight Simulator directory,
make sure to remove the automatically saved version of viewui.xml in your Application
Data directory.
