Convert MDL to FBX

What is MDL file?

The MDL .MDL file is an object model created with Microsoft Flight Simulator 95/98. It stores 3-dimensional mesh data for objects in Flight Simulator, such as ground tiles, buildings, and surfaces. The MDL file usually contains textures and vector coordinates of a 3-dimensional object. MDL files are used to customize and enhance the visual environment of Flight Simulator. For example, custom-made object models can be added to simulate roads, bridges, and airports. [ ⏩ ] MDL file extension

What is FBX file?

The FBX file extension stands for Autodesk FBX Interchange File - a data format developed by Autodesk for wide exchange of 3D or 2D data between different programs, computers and operating systems. It used to store animation tracks, 3D objects, lights, camera settings and other information. FBX files typically contain meshes, surface maps (textures), 3D models and other scene-related elements. [ ⏩ ] FBX file extension

How to convert the file from MDL to FBX?

To successfully convert the MDL file to FBX, you should install one of the applications from the list. After installing the software, open the program and select the file you want to convert (file-name.MDL). The next step is to select the target format from the list, in this case FBX (usually converters allow you to convert to several different formats, so check out their features - maybe one of the available formats will suit you more than FBX).

What is a file conversion?

A data conversion is normally an automated process to some extent. The effect of the operation of one program is automatically the input product of another application. If that does not happen we need to help the process a little bit and convert the file on our own, e.g. MDL to FBX. To obtain a matched structure of the data, it is necessary to use an appropriate converter.

Program for converting MDL files to FBX files is a kind of a "binary code translator" compensating for the differences in the code or translating it in such a way so that another application could use it. For us, as users, the visible change will be only another file extension. (After converting the file, it will be the extension FBX, while before this step we had the MDL file). For the programs, the difference is on a much higher level – either the application will be able to open a new FBX file, or not.

Other MDL and FBX file conversions