AFCAD2 to IVAC

[Demac46]

Hi guys/girls,

I am looking to design a programme to convert AFCAD2 bgl files to IVAC sector files so I don't have to write every lat/log for each point for runways, taxiways, building, vor's, NDB's, fixes etc.

any help or if someone would like to take over the project would be appreciated as my coding is very limited.

best regards
Richard

[scruffyduck]

I am not familiar with the IVAC format - can you explain a bit more please?

thanks :)

[Demac46]

Hi scruffy,

I am not familiar with the IVAC format - can you explain a bit more please?

thanks :)

sector files are in a text format ie:

; --- Region: PORT MORESBY IFR V1.0 IvAc (AYPY_CTR) Sector File
; --- Version: 19:00:00 08-June-2004
; --- Built By: Richard (GEO & CENTRE data via IVAO PC creator)
; ---
; - Compatible with: ProController Sectorfile Format v2.2
; IvAc Sectorfile Format v1.04
; ---
; --- Do not manually edit the comment lines in this file!
; --------------------------------------------------------------------
; - (c)2004 IVAO Australian Division
; - Usage only allowed on the IVAO Network or at IVAO related events
; --------------------------------------------------------------------
;- AYPY_CTR 120.90
;- AYPY_APP 125.80
;- AYPY_TWR 118.10
;- AYPY_GND 121.70
;- AYPY_DEL 118.60

#define aqua 16776960
#define Coast 16776960
#define blue 16711680
#define fuchsia 16711935
#define gray 8421504
#define green 32768
#define lime 65280
#define maroon 128
#define navy 8388608
#define olive 32896
#define purple 8388736
#define red 255
#define silver 12632256
#define teal 8421376
#define white 16777215
#define yellow 65535


[INFO]
AYPY
AYPY_CTR
AYPY
S009.27.10.660 ;- S009.27.05.980
E147.12.54.331 ;-E147.13.36.256
60
60
-6.5
1

[Airport]
AYPY 118.100 S009.26.36.179 E147.13.12.180 ; Jackson

[GEO]
;- AYAP Runway14L-32R
S009.25.51.430 E147.12.49.340 S009.25.50.660 E147.12.50.620 aqua

etc.........

;- Taxiway Alpha
S009.25.52.420 E147.12.49.970 S009.25.53.770 E147.12.49.560 blue
S009.25.53.770 E147.12.49.560 S009.25.59.950 E147.12.39.480 blue

and so on.....

Regards
Richard

[scruffyduck]

Thanks - a couple of questions:

What are they for?

Is there a specification for the format?

The job could either be easy or difficult :)

[Demac46]

I am not familiar with the IVAC format - can you explain a bit more please?

thanks :)

Scruffy,

They are for virtual ATC client (aircraft controllers) on the IVAO network
ie centre, approach, tower and ground controllers the more detailed graphics for tower and ground controllers which means more lat/long data.

format as follows

Sections

Intro

Definition

Info

VOR

NDB

FIX

Airport

Runway

SID

STAR

High Airway

Low Airway

ARTCC

Low ARTCC

High ARTCC

Geographical

---------------------

Regards

Richard :duck:

[scruffyduck]

OK but that amount of information on format wouldn't be enough to create a translator :)

[Demac46]

Jon,

the full format is at http://www.ivao.aero/softdev/
under IVAO ATC client menu / SDK
ie:

Geographic Information [GEO]

Each line contains 74 characters, each field separated by 1 space:

* comments use ;

* Starting Latitude: 14 characters, pad with zeros
* Starting Longitude: 14 characters, pad with zeros
* Ending Latitude: 14 characters, pad with zeros
* Ending Longitude: 14 characters, pad with zeros
* Color: 14 characters, BGR (blue, green, red) value of the color

[GEO]

;- AYAP Runway14L-32R
S009.25.51.430 E147.12.49.340 S009.25.50.660 E147.12.50.620 aqua
S009.25.50.660 E147.12.50.620 S009.26.18.120 E147.13.07.580 aqua
S009.25.51.430 E147.12.49.340 S009.25.52.420 E147.12.49.970 aqua
S009.25.55.030 E147.12.51.580 S009.26.18.790 E147.13.06.290 aqua
S009.26.20.820 E147.13.09.210 S009.27.04.460 E147.13.36.180 aqua
S009.27.04.460 E147.13.36.180 S009.27.04.670 E147.13.37.580 aqua
S009.27.04.670 E147.13.37.580 S009.27.06.290 E147.13.38.580 aqua
S009.27.06.290 E147.13.38.580 S009.27.06.850 E147.13.37.690 aqua
S009.27.06.850 E147.13.37.690 S009.27.07.120 E147.13.37.870 aqua
S009.27.07.120 E147.13.37.870 S009.27.07.910 E147.13.36.590 aqua
S009.27.07.910 E147.13.36.590 S009.26.42.640 E147.13.20.970 aqua
S009.26.40.220 E147.13.19.490 S009.26.21.560 E147.13.07.980 aqua


the main data I wish to extract from AFCAD bgl files is the lat/long of the runways, taxiways and aprons the rest of the data I can get from other sources.

Regards
Richard :banghead:

[scruffyduck]

Thank you. I might be able to add the necessary stuff to my 'in development' Scenery Design Engine to generate sector file data in that format. However it would not be for a while since I am still working on decompiling and compiling bgl files for scenery design use.

[Manuel Ambulo]

Yep, im agree with scruffyduck, that can be an easy task, but at same time a bit difficult, ...for example: buildings,...... you may need to scan all the library objects of the FS2004 (because most terminal buildings are "instances" of library objects...which has a unique GUID..), for look for the buildings close to the airport and get the matching library object......which is not tooo much difficult in FS2004's scenery objects MDL, but in FSX, the format of MDLs changed, and its a bit difficult at this moment...for decode the format...:( ...but the remaining BUT main data (runways, aprons, taxiways, etc.)...remains in similar format as FS2004...(not too hard)..

Best Regards,

Manuel ambulo

NOTE: Im also, not familiar with IVAC format...lol....:duck:

[Demac46]

You guys don't get out much in the virtual world :D anyway if I could get a hand with some code ( virtual C+ or Visual Basic ) would be great I can convert AFCAD to XML and try from there if it is easier as there are some good tools out there.

Regards
Richard

[scruffyduck]

AFCAD to XML we can do now :) In fact you could take a look at the Scenery Design Engine on my website. It is at a very early stage but will happily decode a whole default bgl and get the information about airports for you. It will decode FS9 default and AFCAD files and FSX default scenery files as well. It is that engine that I would add a translator to for IVAC so you might find it interesting (well sort of :) :) ) - no need to go through XML as I have all the properties for the objects stored in classes (VS2005 C#)

[Demac46]

Thanks will go look at your site now, sorry for the late reply have been on holidays to Ayers Rock :) Have attached my sector file for AYPY Centre.

Regards
Richard

[scruffyduck]

No worries I am on my way to Florida today - I will look at adding an IVAC converter to it when I get back :)

[scruffyduck]

I am getting to this. I need to fix some problems with Taxi sign de-compiles and then I will be looking at an IVAC code generator.

[Demac46]

Sounds great can't wait to see an alpha version :D

Regards
Richard

[scruffyduck]

Richard

I have send you several emails with no repory but received one from you. I wonder if my mails are being rejected. If you read this then perhaps you can PM me?

[Demac46]

Hi Jon,

I haven't received emails from you for quite some time will forward your last

Regards
Richard.

[scruffyduck]

Thanks Richard I got the one you sent me but there are a couple of mails since then and it seems that they are not getting to you

[Demac46]

Hi Jon,

How are things going ? have you had a chance to look at the conversion program ?

[scruffyduck]

No sorry - I have moved on to working on a graphics application using SDE.

[BlueBlood]

It's seemed one year time goes by, no future information about this topic?
I'm flying on IVAO too, and very interested about this topic.

[scruffyduck]

It's seemed one year time goes by, no future information about this topic?
I'm flying on IVAO too, and very interested about this topic.

Unfortunately I have not done any more work on it