FSX:SE Instant Scenery

[jp777]

Hi John:

Glad to be able to help.

BTW: If you tell us which tutorial(s) you refer to above, so we might also download and test them on Win-7 and Win-10, perhaps we can post further soluitions to enable display of the missing graphic images,

Have fun !

GaryGB

These ones, Gary.
(Opera web documents - I use the Opera web browser)
John

 

[jp777]

These ones, Gary -
I use Opera and the file properties states - Opera web document.

 

[jp777]

Sorry, posted twice by mistake'
John

 

[GaryGB]

Hi John:

Both those ZIP archive packages are merely a long, scroll-able HTML web page with links to images in a sub-folder.

They work properly on my computer running Windows-7 Professional, when un-ZIPed by WinRAR or 7-ZIP.

If your utility used to un-ZIP that archive was not set to preserve the original sub-folder chain structure, you may end up with a single folder containing all files.

What utility did you use to un-ZIP those archives ?

GaryGB

 

[jp777]

The file opens in explorer like this and opens a web page (as screenshot)
John

 

[GaryGB]

Hi John:

If Opera is 'Run As Administrator', then you browse to open the HTML page for the tutorial, does that work OK ?

And by browse, I mean:

Opera Menu > File > Open ... and NOT double-clicking the HTML page for the tutorial in a Windows Explorer file list.

BTW: I use (and recommend) Mozilla FireFox for viewing such tutorials.

https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/

GaryGB

 

[jp777]

Thanks, Gary,
I did manage to open them properly after you suggested unzipping them.
I always thought that double-clicking would open files correctly if at all. So I thought about it and used 7-zip, and surprisingly to me I can now see everything as intended (and there is an awful lot in them). It would be impossible to follow without the pictures in place.
Sorry to have troubled you with a detail that should be common knowledge but some of us haven't learnt as much about computer usage as others who are more committed.
I will now get down to reading some of this stuff and see if I can make sense of how to use the programme.
Hopefully I won't bother you with stuff I should know!
Thanks again for your patience.
John

 

[GaryGB]

No problem; looks like you are off to a good start now.

GaryGB

 

[jp777]

No problem; looks like you are off to a good start now.

GaryGB

Hi, Gary
I have had a go at following your advice, but so far without much success. I managed to use the TMFViewer with your clear instructions (I always wondered what that was for) and was able to see a clear image of the relevant area.
I surmised that the most accurate background might be the vfr scenery that is used in the sim, so I did a screenshot of the area and managed to set that as a background bmp image. What I find, though, is that the background image aspect ratio always seems to be distorted as if squashed slightly from the sides and the calibrate function doesn't seem to do anything.
I also tried to replicate the instructions for St. Barts in the "Terrain Design for Flight Simulator X" tutorial, but due to some misunderstanding, managed to get a runway on its own in the middle of the ocean with nothing else but traffic running about on the water!
I can get roads and traffic on to default scenery, but doing this on the vfr scenery is still beyond my ability.
Would you be kind enough to give me some more pointers, please?
John

 

[GaryGB]

Hi John:

You can use a "View Background" feature to display already accurately Geo-referenced and non-distorted aerial imagery in the SBuilderX version 3.15 (64-Bit) work-space via a built-in download function that can access several different tile-servers.


FYI: Although manually entering the "Go To Position" coordinates and/or using SBuilder when 'connected' to a live FS flight session via FSUIPC can certainly work in many cases, IMHO, it is preferable to also change the Geographic coordinates of that default "start location" in the SBuilderX "initialization" file, as that helps SBuilder to 'manually' zoom / pan / scroll properly when working with displayed scenery content within its work-space.

Otherwise, the Geographic extent to which one is able to successfully 'manually' zoom / pan / scroll is limited when working with displayed scenery content within SBuilderX's work-space, and the requested area one attempts to visualize may not stay in view, as the work-space "background" keeps shifting back to a position closer to the default Geographic coordinates for a "central start location" specified within the SBuilderX.Ini file.


To do this, one must edit the pertinent lines in the SBuilderX.Ini file to set the center of the Map background at the Geographic center of your own project area (rather than the default area set in Portugal) via:


1.) Download, install, and start SBuilderX version 3.15 (64-Bit) from the link cited above:

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/instant-scenery.442606/post-797331


2.) SBuilderX menu > File > New Project > over-strike "PROJECT" with a new name, ex: "Forth Bridge Road Update"

3.) SBuilderX menu > Edit > Edit INI file… < SBuilderX.Ini file opens in Windows NotePad >

a.) In Windows NotePad, Edit parameter values as shown in Bold characters:

[Main]
LonIniCenter=-3.0404112 ; <-- Your project's central Longitude goes here (already centered on Forth Bridges)
LatIniCenter= 56.001577 ; <-- Your project's central Latitude goes here (already centered on Forth Bridges)
DecimalDegrees=True
MeasuringMeters=True
BGLFolder=C:\MyPrograms\SBuilderX315\Scenery ; <-- Your project's compiled BGL 'active' \Scenery folder path goes here
OriginalTerrainCFG=False

; Also edit:

[Lines]
DefaultLineAltitude= 0
DefaultLineWidth= 0
LinePenWidth= 1 ; <-- Set to 1 pixel until you identify a need for a different width in your project
SelectedLineColor=FF008000
DefaultLineColor=FF0000FF
MakeClosedLineFromPoly=False

; Also edit:

[Polys]
DefaultPolyAltitude= 0
PolyPenWidth= 1 ; <-- Set to 1 pixel until you identify a need for a different width in your project
PolyFILL=True
DefaultPolyColor=80FFFF00
PolyColorBorder=FF000000

; Also edit:

[Shapes]
ShapeLineGuid={54B91ED8-BC02-41B7-8C3B-2B8449FF85EC}
ShapeLineAltitude= 0
ShapeLineWidth= 0 ; <-- Set to 0 pixels until you identify a need for a different width in your project
ShapeLineColor=FF0000FF
ShapePolyGuid={EA0C44F7-01DE-4D10-97EB-FB5510EB7B72}
ShapePolyAltitude= 0
ShapePolyColor=FFFFC0CB
AddToCells=True

; Also edit:

[Tiles]
ActiveTileFolder=Google_api3_Satellite ; <-- Set to Google_api3_Satellite for your "Forth Bridge" project
ReprojectMercatorTiles=True
SummerVariations=July,August,September
SpringVariations=April,May,June
FallVariations=October,November
WinterVariations=December,February,March
HardWinterVariations=January
CompressionQuality=100 ; <-- Set to 100 until you identify a need for less precision or BGL size in your project

4.) When configuration of your SBuilderX project is completed via editing "SBuilderX.ini" in Windows NotePad:

a.) In Windows NotePad Menu > File > Save As... > "Save as type" field, set to "All Files (*.*)" (do not click OK yet)

b.) In NotePad Menu > File > Save As... > "Save In" field, browse to [SBuilderX install path] folder; double-click to select it


5.) Back in NotePad Menu > File > Save As... browse dialog, click [OK] button

a.) When prompted to over-write SbuilderX.ini, click [YES] button to save your edits to that file.


6.) Exit and re-start SBuilderX (...or the above changes will not yet take effect).

7.) SBuilderX menu > View > Go to Position… > over-strike Latitude: 56.001577, Longitude: -3.0404112; click [OK] button

8.) SBuilderX menu > Edit > Tile Servers… > select Google_api3_Satellite; click [OK] button

9.) SBuilderX menu > View > Show Background... F1

FYI: Change center of display to cursor position by clicking Magnifying Glass Tool; Zoom in / out with Mouse-wheel


This should get you started with the proper aerial imagery background for creating / editing Forth Bridge Roads.


* You can view existing pertinent CVX vector files in SDK TMFViewer in another task session as described above.

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/instant-scenery.442606/post-797368


* Alternatively, you can Append (import) those CVX vector roads to SBuilderX via a procedure described above.

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/instant-scenery.442606/post-797494


I can post more detailed instructions later today or tomorrow for creating / editing Roads, and also for creating 'updated' aerial imagery tiles for the VFR GenX Vol-8 Forth Bridge area in SBuilderX ...if requested.

GaryGB

 

[jp777]

Thanks, Gary
My head is hurting already just reading through this, but I will follow it carefully and hopefully it will achieve good results.
Most of this is way over my head so I will take my time to avoid mistakes and let you know how I get on before I start to try and achieve the scenery effects I would like.
You are bring most helpful and I really appreciate that.
John

 

[GaryGB]

Hi John:

Feel free to inquire further when you need any additional explanation of the above steps outlined, terns used etc..

GaryGB

 

[jp777]

Hi John:

Feel free to inquire further when you need any additional explanation of the above steps outlined, terns used etc..

GaryGB

Hi, Gary.
I hope you will indulge me again.
I have worked through your previous instructions and have tried to modify the scenery using Sbuilderx to place a simple textured polygon and road, but I am confused with the results so far. Sbuilder seems to be working ok, placing the aircraft and compiling, but with the vfr scenery activated, my changes are invisible. Without the vfr my Sbuilderx additions appear ok on the default scenery. The effect is the same with the Scotflight bridge scenery, with only the traffic and bridges visible but not the roads when the vfr is activated. Also the Sbuilder scenery is at the top in the fsx scenery library.
I can’t see the reason for this, Gary, and I am totally bamboozled at the moment.
Hope you can assist a befuddled brain!
John

 

[GaryGB]

Hi John:

Indeed, default and/or custom CVX vector textured Road objects, by MSFS SDK design, do NOT display on top of custom photo-real aerial imagery land class such as the VFR GenX "05mPhoto" layer from the Volume-8 Scotland South scenery.

CVX vector Freeway Traffic, however, DOES still display on top of any local custom photo-real aerial imagery land class.


To show textured Roads, you now must create 1 or more custom photo-real aerial imagery land class tiles as a replacement for that older VFR GenX "05mPhoto" layer from the Volume-8 Scotland South scenery using SBuilderX.

You will blend the edges of the newer aerial imagery tiles into the underlying older VFR GenX "05mPhoto" layer from the Volume-8 Scotland South scenery with some edits to the 1-piece 'stitched' aerial imagery *.BMP file created from downloaded tiles by SBuilderX ...using your choice of graphics application.

This process is discussed by Luis Feliz-Tirado in his tutorial cited above (that you apparently now are able to view).

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/instant-scenery.442606/post-797652


BTW: The steps I provided above to configure the SBuilderX Project *.SBP file named "Forth Bridge Road Update", have you already set up to more easily proceed with the next phase of creating your custom photo-real aerial imagery land class tiles using SBuilderX.

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/instant-scenery.442606/post-798216


When created and added as a new active Area layer within the FSX Scenery Library GUI stack of Area layers, those newer custom photo-real aerial imagery land class tiles will replace the older photo-real tiles.

This is achieved by merely positioning them above the VFR GenX "05mPhoto" layer from the Volume-8 Scotland South scenery.

A textured image of any roads will be provided by the replacement custom photo-real aerial imagery land class tiles.

If you are ready, willing, and able to proceed with that task, I can provide you with the steps to follow upon request.


PS: A "Quick-and-Dirty" (aka "Q&D") proof of concept showing the ScotFlight Forth Bridge and CVX Vector Freeway Traffic with a SBuilderX custom photo-real aerial imagery land class tile replacement (no Blend or Water Masks yet).

GaryGB

 

[jp777]

Thanks, Gary,
I'll study what you have said and, time permitting, go through the relevant tutorial to see if I can get the steps right to do this, assuming I can get it through my thick skull. If I get stuck with any particular point, I am sure you can clarify it for me.
John

 

[jp777]

Hi, Gary
I've had a couple of goes at trying to get a bit of photoscenery on top of the Genx bgl, but despite trying to follow Louis' tutorial, I can't get anything to show up in the sim. I got a satellite image, saved it as a bmp file in the work folder as "Photo xxxx" and used that as background.
I set it as landclass but the compile box states :- nothing to compile.
So I I don't know what to do next, if indeed what I have tried so far has been in any way correct. I just need to get the basic steps right first. If I could do that I am sure the result could be improved later.
I need to call on your expertise again and hopefully you can show me with simple steps what is needed. I think there is a disconnect with my understanding of some parts of the tutorials due to ignorance of some of the terminology and my lack of experience.
I would be grateful if you could point me inthe right direction again with straightforward instructions.
Thanks again,
John

 

[GaryGB]

Hi John:

I can post the additional steps for creating "Photo Scenery" BGLs ...later this morning (Chicago time).

Just to reasure you that you are already very close to a successful result, remember that I stated:

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/instant-scenery.442606/post-798534

...The steps I provided above to configure the SBuilderX Project *.SBP file named "Forth Bridge Road Update", have you already set up to more easily proceed with the next phase of creating your custom photo-real aerial imagery land class tiles using SBuilderX.

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/instant-scenery.442606/post-798216

So I'm confident that you may fully complete the production of a displayable test BGL shortly.


FYI: In the mean time you may wish to review the original thread by Luis that was subsequently made into one of his packaged tutorials cited above (aka: *Make Photo-real Ground Textures in FSX) ...here:

Making custom ground textures

http://www.ptsim.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1060

GaryGB

 

[GaryGB]

Hi John:

This is the additional steps for creating "Photo Scenery" (aka "custom photo-real aerial imagery land class" BGLs.

NOTE: I often use that latter term rather than "Photo Scenery" to clarify the SDK internal numeric attribute this scenery "type" has as a special type of "Land Class" BGL created by SDK Resample, which packages all aerial imagery texture materials, Masks, virtual folder paths, and placement instructions for the FS rendering engine ...inside a 1-piece FSX or P3D BGL.

This step-by-step procedural guide assumes you have already completed the steps in this quote of info I previously posted above in this thread:

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/instant-scenery.442606/post-798216

Hi John:

You can use a "View Background" feature to display already accurately Geo-referenced and non-distorted aerial imagery in the SBuilderX version 3.15 (64-Bit) work-space via a built-in download function that can access several different tile-servers.


FYI: Although manually entering the "Go To Position" coordinates and/or using SBuilder when 'connected' to a live FS flight session via FSUIPC can certainly work in many cases, IMHO, it is preferable to also change the Geographic coordinates of that default "start location" in the SBuilderX "initialization" file, as that helps SBuilder to 'manually' zoom / pan / scroll properly when working with displayed scenery content within its work-space.

Otherwise, the Geographic extent to which one is able to successfully 'manually' zoom / pan / scroll is limited when working with displayed scenery content within SBuilderX's work-space, and the requested area one attempts to visualize may not stay in view, as the work-space "background" keeps shifting back to a position closer to the default Geographic coordinates for a "central start location" specified within the SBuilderX.Ini file.


To do this, one must edit the pertinent lines in the SBuilderX.Ini file to set the center of the Map background at the Geographic center of your own project area (rather than the default area set in Portugal) via:


1.) Download, install, and start SBuilderX version 3.15 (64-Bit) from the link cited above:

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/instant-scenery.442606/post-797331


2.) SBuilderX menu > File > New Project > over-strike "PROJECT" with a new name, ex: "Forth Bridge Road Update"

3.) SBuilderX menu > Edit > Edit INI file… < SBuilderX.Ini file opens in Windows NotePad >

a.) In Windows NotePad, Edit parameter values as shown in Bold characters:

[Main]
LonIniCenter=-3.0404112 ; <-- Your project's central Longitude goes here (already centered on Forth Bridges)
LatIniCenter= 56.001577 ; <-- Your project's central Latitude goes here (already centered on Forth Bridges)
DecimalDegrees=True
MeasuringMeters=True
BGLFolder=C:\MyPrograms\SBuilderX315\Scenery ; <-- Your project's compiled BGL 'active' \Scenery folder path goes here
OriginalTerrainCFG=False

; Also edit:

[Lines]
DefaultLineAltitude= 0
DefaultLineWidth= 0
LinePenWidth= 1 ; <-- Set to 1 pixel until you identify a need for a different width in your project
SelectedLineColor=FF008000
DefaultLineColor=FF0000FF
MakeClosedLineFromPoly=False

; Also edit:

[Polys]
DefaultPolyAltitude= 0
PolyPenWidth= 1 ; <-- Set to 1 pixel until you identify a need for a different width in your project
PolyFILL=True
DefaultPolyColor=80FFFF00
PolyColorBorder=FF000000

; Also edit:

[Shapes]
ShapeLineGuid={54B91ED8-BC02-41B7-8C3B-2B8449FF85EC}
ShapeLineAltitude= 0
ShapeLineWidth= 0 ; <-- Set to 0 pixels until you identify a need for a different width in your project
ShapeLineColor=FF0000FF
ShapePolyGuid={EA0C44F7-01DE-4D10-97EB-FB5510EB7B72}
ShapePolyAltitude= 0
ShapePolyColor=FFFFC0CB
AddToCells=True

; Also edit:

[Tiles]
ActiveTileFolder=Google_api3_Satellite ; <-- Set to Google_api3_Satellite for your "Forth Bridge" project
ReprojectMercatorTiles=True
SummerVariations=July,August,September
SpringVariations=April,May,June
FallVariations=October,November
WinterVariations=December,February,March
HardWinterVariations=January
CompressionQuality=100 ; <-- Set to 100 until you identify a need for less precision or BGL size in your project

4.) When configuration of your SBuilderX project is completed via editing "SBuilderX.ini" in Windows NotePad:

a.) In Windows NotePad Menu > File > Save As... > "Save as type" field, set to "All Files (*.*)" (do not click OK yet)

b.) In NotePad Menu > File > Save As... > "Save In" field, browse to [SBuilderX install path] folder; double-click to select it


5.) Back in NotePad Menu > File > Save As... browse dialog, click [OK] button

a.) When prompted to over-write SbuilderX.ini, click [YES] button to save your edits to that file.


6.) Exit and re-start SBuilderX (...or the above changes will not yet take effect).

7.) SBuilderX menu > View > Go to Position… > over-strike Latitude: 56.001577, Longitude: -3.0404112; click [OK] button

8.) SBuilderX menu > Edit > Tile Servers… > select Google_api3_Satellite; click [OK] button

9.) SBuilderX menu > View > Show Background... F1

FYI: Change center of display to cursor position by clicking Magnifying Glass Tool; Zoom in / out with Mouse-wheel


This should get you started with the proper aerial imagery background for creating / editing Forth Bridge Roads.

10.) SBuilderX Menu > View > Show Background - F1 (Google_api3_Satellite background map appears)

a.) Click to select and use 'Pointer' tool from SBuilderX icon toolbar, NOT Magnifying Glass tool

b.) Scroll Mouse Wheel slowly in steps; allow full background to resolve before next step of ZOOM

c.) Scroll Mouse Wheel in steps until ZOOM level on bottom taskbar of SBuilderX work-space = ex: between "13" and "15"

CAVEAT: Entire extent of both N & S shore areas must be visible within image window of 'SBuilderX - Add Map From Background' dialog


11.) SBuilderX Menu > File > Add Map > From Background ('SBuilderX - Add Map From Background' dialog opens)

a.) In 'SBuilderX Add Map From Background' dialog > "Number of Tiles = (ex: 4187) > Tick (ex: "53 x 79 at) Zoom = 17"

NOTE: < FS terrain quad tile grid should now appear within image area of 'SBuilderX Add Map From Background' dialog >


b.) In that same SBuilderX dialog: Draw a 'Select' frame over the Forth Bridges and contiguous N & S shoreline area in the image window:

c.) Click [OK] button

NOTE: Read and follow Tile download status messages / prompts at top and bottom Left side of that dialog during processing


12.) Back in SBuilderX work-space:

a.) Click to select and use 'Pointer' tool from icon toolbar, NOT Magnifying Glass tool

b.) Scroll Mouse Wheel slowly in steps; Zoom out until full background image is visible in work-space

c.) Click-Hold Left Mouse button > drag a 'selection frame' around background image with SBX Pointer

NOTE: Background image is selected properly when border turns Green with Red vertex points


13.) SBuilderX Menu > File > BGL Compile < SBuilderX BGL Compilation dialog opens > click [Cancel] button


SBuilder outputs a Geo-referenced background image at Zoom = 17 (approximately LOD-17 or 30 cm / pixel) in:

[SBuilderX install path]\Tools\Work\


FYI: The SBuilderX output source file names will likely be similar to:

"L17X128566X128608Y81568Y81679.BMP" <-- Background aerial imagery file

"L17X128566X128608Y81568Y81679.TXT" <-- Background image Geo-referencing file


BTW: That BMP aerial imagery background image can also be copied as a source file for other Seasonal / Night / Mask images.


Feel free to inquire further if you require any additional explanation of the information presented above, or if you would like a guide for using Blend and Water masks to properly integrate the above "Photo Scenery" tile into underlying VFR GenX Volume-8 Scotland South scenery.


PS: As alluded to in the "Q&D" proof-of-concept screenshot at the bottom of my post above:

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/instant-scenery.442606/post-798534

...you will need to "move" CVX vector Freeway Traffic objects into alignment with the Forth Bridges in your "Photo Scenery" replacement tile as discussed above in this thread ...here:

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/instant-scenery.442606/post-797494.

GaryGB

 

[jp777]

Thanks, Gary,
I'll work through this.
I have a question, though. When I "add map from disk", message always appears :- you may need to calibrate this bitmap. I click ok then another window with co-ordinates appears, I click ok and then the image is placed, but it appears squashed at the sides, changing the original aspect ratio. I can't seem to fix this. Do you know what I'm doing wrong here?
John

 

[GaryGB]

Hi John:

[EDITED]

Considering the work-flow I presented above, I'm curious as to whether there is a particular reason you are using:

SBuilderX Menu > File > Add Map > From Disk

...rather than:

SBuilderX Menu > File > Add Map > From Background


FYI: When you are only working with ex: the CVX vector files, you can re-load your "Forth Bridge Road Update.SBP" project into SBuilderX:

1.) SBuilderX menu > File > Open Project... > click on "Forth Bridge Road Update" in the list of most recently opened projects at the bottom

2.) SBuilderX menu > View > Show Background... F1

3.) SBuilderX menu > View > Go to Position… > over-strike Latitude: 56.001577, Longitude: -3.0404112; click [OK] button

...instead of re-loading your own downloaded aerial imagery BMP file via Add Map > From Disk ...as described above.


Are you endeavoring to load a different image into the SBuilderX work-space from disk, which has not yet been "Calibrated" by SBuilderX ?

[END_EDIT]

GaryGB