WELCOME
First I want to credit the people who made this all possible
This is a complete rewrite of a tutorial first published in 2002 by Volker Bollig. His approval for this rewrite is greatly appreciated.
Special THANKS goes to James Hinman (inflammable) and Marc Nelson (Hack) for their comments, suggestions and techniques that have been incorporated into this tutorial.
And last, but not least, THANKS to Erik Pearson for making Elvas Tower possible. If Elvas Tower did not exist, you would not be reading this!
A few words about GMAX
GMAX is a 3D modeling program. If you have never used a 3D modeling program before, you are going to find all 3D modeling programs more complex than almost anything that you have used before. This is not a program that you are going to sit down with for a few hours and know well enough to create a model for MSTS. I have talked with people who have used this program for many years and they are still learning new things about it.
Patience and determination are needed to master this software and be able to create the models you want. Don't get discouraged and ask questions. The only dumb questions are the questions that are not asked.
You will find that there are often many ways to accomplish the same results in GMAX, using different tools and methods. How you do different things is a matter of personal preference. You will develop your own technique as you learn more about the program.
About this Tutorial
The intent of this Tutorial is to give you an understanding of the flow of model creation. This will introduce you to many of the main tools and operations that you will use to create models for MSTS on your own. You are not expected to complete this Tutorial and come away with all the knowledge needed to start building that Pacific or RS-3 unit that you have always wanted.
Once you have competed this tutorial, you should try making something fairly simple. A building, or sign to start with and then move on the more complex models. The more you use GMAX, the more you will be able to do. Gather as much prototype information (drawings, photos) as you can about any model you want to create. Pay attention to detail and you will be proud of you creations.