Modelling Resources

This is an ongoing collection of links which will prove useful to anyone creating aircraft (or in fact any other) models for use in FlightGear.

From the FlightGear Wiki:

Modelling Category List - A collection of useful articles about modelling in FG
Howto: Animate Models - A useful reference of animation types and associated XML arguments

Software:

Blender - A very powerful 3D modelling program which is open source and free. A steep learning curve for the beginner, but a very useful tool for the modeller
Adobe Creative Suite 2 - Freely available professional creative software, including tools for digital image editing (textures) and audio manipulation (aircraft sounds).

AC3D 3D Modeling Software - An excellent and powerful alternative to Blender. It is payware and not cheap *but* it is a lot more intuitive and easy to use than Blender in the opinion of some.

GMAX - A freely downloadable 3D modelling package "for video game content". Some problems might be encountered with activation at present.

Metasequoia - Shareware modelling software with a free LE edition.

A discussion of the various packages can be read and joined here .

Tutorials & Tips

KatsBits - A site & blog about creating low-poly models for games in Blender
AC3D Tutorials - Instructions for getting started with AC3D

Please feel free to add to this list.

Hi guys - as interesting, useful and valuable as the discussion on the packages linked to in this thread is, I've moved it to a separate thread as this one will shortly be locked and only editable by the admins and mods. If you are not an admin or mod, but have a suggestion to be added to this list, please start a new thread about it with a link - I'll update the list and delete the new post, keeping a nice concise thread resource for potential modellers.

I've found a great website with tons of aircraft blueprints;

greenairdesigns.co.uk/ejcgallery/index.php

Superb, a great resource indeed