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FS2004 Converting autogen buildings into 'placeable' objects possible?

Leo2789

Leo2789

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Hello,

I've searched quite a lot about this all over the internet, but I couldn't find a definitive answer for it...
Essentially I'd like to know if it is possible (and if so how to do it) to convert some of the buildings, like houses, that FS9's autogen generates through the various types of landclass, into models or bgl objects that I could place myself in the terrain using any object placer such as ADE, SBuilder, Runway12, etc.
I ask this because in my most recent project https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/tokelau-islands-complete-scenery.442289/ where I wanted to represent small villages in tiny islands in the Pacific, the sparsity of the autogen, coupled with the small areas considered, rendered far too few houses for what I was going for...
I eventually had it looking 'okay' by adding some buildings from the generic objects library, as well as some of the custom fs9 objects libraries; but since none of those include plain old houses, I'd like to know if what I am asking is possible, so that I can do so for future projects!

Thank you
 
Hi Leo:

IIUC, you have seen some "generic" (aka "advanced") Autogen buildings that you found acceptable for conversion to FS9 MDLs to be packaged as- and placed as- BGLComp scenery library objects.

FYI: These 3D models are normally created and placed via BGLComp XML source code.

[EDITED]

However, SBuilderX version 3.15 can create these Generic Buildings as 'custom' objects, and preview them in a 3D dialog like MCX does.

Those custom-created "generic" objects can then be output as compiled 3D MDLs, which may then be packaged into BGLs and placed as scenery library objects via BGLComp.


See: SBuilderX Menu > Help > {Search} tab > Search Key word: 'Generic'

In {Right Window Pane} > Generic Buildings > What's New In SBuilderX 3.13 > Generic Buildings


IIRC, there is also a SBuilderX option to import (Append) such custom-created "Generic Building" objects from specific types of source files.

[END_EDIT]

Although your current FS development is in FS9, you should be able to use MCX to batch convert the custom-created FSX 3D MDL objects and/or BGLs output by SBuilderX ...into FS2004 scenery library object BGLs, for import into- and placement via- SBuilder version 2.05.

GaryGB
 
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Hi,

Autogen buildings are generated by the rendering engine on the fly. So they are not library objects you can normally place.

If you have a custom photo scenery you should be able to place autogen buildings on it in the density you want.

Else using the generic buildings or creating custom models should work.
 
GaryGB said:
Hi Leo:

IIUC, you have seen some "generic" (aka "advanced") Autogen buildings that you found acceptable for conversion to FS9 MDLs to be packaged as- and placed as- BGLComp scenery library objects.

FYI: These 3D models are normally created and placed via BGLComp XML source code.
Click to expand...

Hey Gary,

I didn't actually convert anything! I meant I used buildings from the library 'generic objects' that FS9 has and that comes 'pre-installed' in ADE. I also ended up using some of the so called 'custom' fs9 objects, which are nothing more than generic FS9 buildings specific to a certain region of the World (Namw, Eure, Ocen, etc) that Sidney Shcwartz compiled as bgl libraries for people to use (ex: https://library.avsim.net/esearch.php?DLID=80009 ); which if IIUC is what you're actually suggesting I'd do in the 2nd part of your post :p

arno said:
Autogen buildings are generated by the rendering engine on the fly. So they are not library objects you can normally place.

If you have a custom photo scenery you should be able to place autogen buildings on it in the density you want.

Else using the generic buildings or creating custom models should work.
Click to expand...

It's not my intention to use this for photoscenery Arno, but is it possible then to 'create custom models' by simply creating models of houses (in say SketchUp) using the autogen textures? Essentially creating models that are as close (for simplicity) as possible to the actual autogen ones?

Thank you both for your replies!
 
Hi,

Yes, of course you can make some simple buildings in Sketchup using the autogen textures. That's a good approach.
 
Hi Leo:

Specifically in reply to your OP above, please see the edits I made to my post above:

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/t...placeable-objects-possible.442330/post-794352


Creating custom 3D models in Sketchup can be fun and somewhat easy compared to other 3D modeling applications.

However it would require some time to learn how to use Sketchup efficiently, and then to actually create such objects, compared to utilizing converted 'custom' Generic Buildings created in SBuilderX for subsequent use in FS2004; so you must be prepared for some learning and reading either way.

If you are distributing your scenery to the public, you will of course need to also include any of your 'custom' 3D object BGLs and mapped textures you use to create the scenery, so use of FS' original default objects can help keep the package size to a minimum, and reduce your workload.


PS: I believe you will better understand what Arno and me have referred to above with regard to Generic Buildings which are normally created via BGLComp XML code, rather than via a 3D modeling application (but which can also be converted to MDLs and later placed from scenery library BGLs), if you read the SBuilderX help file section I cited above.

Also see:

https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=9-KjWrzTL-rWjwS_-J6oDQ&q=site:https://www.fsdeveloper.com+GaryGB+Generic+Buildings+Helli+Hauck&oq=site:https://www.fsdeveloper.com+GaryGB+Generic+Buildings+Helli+Hauck&gs_l=psy-ab.3...1620.24058.0.24986.45.45.0.0.0.0.116.2951.42j3.45.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..0.5.477...0j0i131k1j0i131i46k1j46i131k1.0.dL4VPweiLvM

A visual guide to the complete 3D scenery model set included in FSX is here (most of these are actually inherited from FS9 with their GUIDs in FSX format):

http://lc0277.gratisim.fr/sceneobjects/


Hope this helps a bit more ! :)

GaryGB
 
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