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FSX Making a landable mountain using ADE for FSX

I got my drivable vehicles from flyawaysimulation.com. They are all freeware, take it some of them may have unforseen errors in them, but are easily fixed (sometimes). the Lexus430 I use the most is actually a converted MSFS model to FSX. It works, but it does have a bit of handling issues, drifting badly is one of them. the BMW730 is an FSX model, but it too has some handling problems and accleration issues. I don't use that one as much. As for the 3D people, I do have some #D models that I guess I could just take the flat model textures and overlap them onto the 3D models with a bit of work. I did that with one of my house models, I downloaded the GMAX file and loaded it into Sketchup and did some repainting and a bit of vector editing, and it came out pretty good, still needs a bit of work. In fact, that model is now actually implemented in the updated AD4 file I just sent you, if you want to take a look at it. I'm pretty happy with it, still some surfaces that need painting, but still looks good. I would like to get those plugins and do some "experimenting " with them to learn more about using Sketchup to make my own models instead of downloading them from somewhere. I plan on making some road signs and custom street lights. If you have looked at any of the "people" models, you can probably tell this is a sort of "fantasy" project. Which is why I was asking about the 3D people, as you can tell I have some "fairies" with wings on them, I can probably make the people themselves 3D, but making the wings 3D, well that's another project in itself. Gonna need to play with that, but for now, I'll stay with the "flat" objects. I eventually want to use Sketchup to "build" a couple of custom castles to put in place of the stock models I have to use right now. As for the streaming, yes, I stream using a remote access program (third party), it don't require the other "players" to have FSX installed on their machine, they only have to have me map their controllers to my SIM, the remote access program allows remote controllers to work fairly well. It does tend to slow the SIM down some as it is streaming the entire thing over the internet, and that is limited by internet speed. I would like to be able to have multiplayer online FSX. All of my players do have FSX (A couple of them have Steam) installed and know how to use it. We don't fly online, only drive road vehicles. All flying is done by me, the players are only passengers. I use FSPilot for most game flying as I only have to provide a flightplan and load it, the autopilot will handle flying and landing and takeoff by itself, leaving me to tend to game playing. However FSPilot don't work well with vehicles. I also use FSPassengers for loading and unloading of any planes. I only use small aircraft as none of my "airports" in the project were designed for large airliners, plus I don't quite know how to fly the large jets yet, still learning the small planes right now. This is a BIG ongoing project that as my RPG continues, I have to modify things. I'm still writing the "search and rescue" scenario ,so there's plenty of time for Gary to work on the mountain. I haven't even begun to set that part of the adventure up yet. As a DM, you have to write these things ahead of time before putting them into your adventure. I'm the first DM to ever go to such lengths as using a Flight Sim and using modern time technology in a D&D game. It has been quite challenging to say the least. Gary has been a great help, I never could even have considered doing this if he hadn't offered to help. It would have taken me 1 to 2 years to learn the new programs and learn how to use them to do what he has done already. Can't wait to actually test it in real-time to see how things work going up and down the mountain. BTW:I do have a jeep that I could also use if I wanted to. I don't use them much because they have some issues with the VC that is a bit annoying.
 
Ok, I have a question related to Sketchup. Can Sketchup take a 2D .JPG or other format picture and create a 3d model of that image (much like photoshop does) that I can then save as a .mdl file to import into ADE and add to my airport? I used to do it fine with Photoshop making the .jpg into a Colada file then importing that into MCX converting the .PNG texture files to .DXTBMP files then exporting as a .mdl then importing into ADE placing the object in the airport. Used to work fine, but unfortunately my MCX has stopped working. It will no longer make "visible" .MDL files that will display in FSX (Really a shame, MCX was doing a great job at converting formats, but no longer works). I need a more realiable program that will do the same thing as those two. I tired importing the Colada file created by Photoshop into Sketchup, but Sketchup won't import it. I get some kinda error then says import failed. So I can't do it by photoshop anymore using MCX to do the conversion.
 
Hi Tom:

If you attach or link to a ZIP of an example set of files that incurs the result described above, I will take a look at the object later this morning (Monday).

Be sure to include source and any converted output files, so that both the 3D model and its textures can be examined.

GaryGB
 
I'll see if I can do that. I'll include both the DAE file and the texture files along with the converted MDL file and it's textures.
 

Here is the converted object (self extracting zip)BTW:If you add it to ADE, you will have to scale it down to about 0.003 or it will fill the entire screen. I haven't got the scaling thing down quite yet. Been working fine that way though until now.
 
I have a question, actually a favor, could you zip me a couple of texture files from FSX, they are in the global/scenery folder, they are called
"ligh_post_wash,"Light_post_wash_OrangeLM,"and "Light_post_wash_LM". They provide the light from the library streetlights objects. My files got screwed up somehow and won't load up. I tried to fix the files, but they won't work. I just need the original working files. I would greatly appreciate it if you could zip those three files up and send me a link to them so I can repair mine. Oh and thanks, I'll loo into those, I have Sbuilder but didn't know it created BGL files that I can just put my models into instead of having to create separate files for each object then do a lot of copy and paste.
 
Hi Tom:

You may wish to use Object Placement Tool (aka "OPT") rather than ADE or SBuilderX, as it allows a live preview of objects in FSX.

I use Instant Scenery, but IIUC, that is no longer for sale.

Whisplacer can also be considered, but may prove more complex than OPT.

If you once used ADE for object placement, you may find that it is still worth a review of the ADEv1.65 Manual to use it again.

I sent you a PM as well.

GaryGB
 
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Thanks for the zip, it fixed the problem. Also, since I cleaned the system up of viruses, my .MDL problem went away. It seems to be working again. I tried to use SbuilderX to create a BGL of all my objects, but can't seem to get it to work. I will see if I can get OPT and try that. It will sure save having to have all these .mdl files scattered everywhere. Now when I compile all my MDL files into a BGL, do I place all of my textures in the addon/texture folder, I know I put the BGL file in the Addon/Scenery, do I have to include the MDL file as well. My directories are getting a bit full and I just want to eliminate some of the files.
 
For info on OPT:

https://library.avsim.net/esearch.php?CatID=fsxsd&DLID=140601

https://flyawaysimulation.com/downloads/files/2853/make-scenery-with-object-placement-tool-in-fsx/



SBuilderX has object placement, and is not specifically intended to function as a Library Object BGL creator.

For that, use either ADE Library Object Manager (aka "LOM") in ADE to have objects immediately entered into ADE GUI workspace, or, the easier / more full featured Arno's Library Creator XML, which can create object TXT files for SBuilderX.


It is important to RTFM (the wiki) for that utility:

Library Creator XML

...which is linked on the Library Creator XML blog article ...linked above:



It is also important to RTFM (the online Help CHM file) for SBuilderX linked via the SBuilderX > Help Menu.

Or create a separate shortcut link directly to the SBuilderX Help CHM file here:

[SBuilderX install path]\Help\SBuilderX313.chm


I do NOT recommend adopting a 'bad habit' historically pervasive throughout the FS Community.

Rather than dumping loose BGLs / textures into \Addon Scenery \Scenery & \Texture sub-folders, create a top folder with sub-folders:

\ Addon Scenery
......\_[my NEW scenery package and/or scenery object library name]
............\_Scenery sub-folder ( only BGLs in [my NEW scenery package and/or scenery object library name package] listed above)
............\_Texture sub-folder (only textures mapped to MDLs packaged within scenery library or airport BGLs in \Scenery above)

In Scenery Library GUI Add a NEW AREA for [my NEW scenery package and/or scenery object library name]

That way you can easily toggle all non-default Area layers ON / OFF, and/or MOVE layers to change display priority if needed.

GaryGB
 
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I did not know you could put sub folders into the addon/... folders and have FSX read them. Learn something new everyday. Thanks, that will make things easier than filling up the two folders with scattered files. I tried to use the library creator xml program, but it kept crashing with some kind of critical error when I try to use it, and it never imports any of the .mdl or .bgl files, just gives me that critical error message and freezes. I think it's something to do with compatability in win11, I get that a lot. I'll just stick with making sub folders and copying the individual files, less hassle. Adding the models directly to ADE works again, but again, I have so many user models in my work directory that I can no longer keep up with, so I don't do it like that anymore. I just add the BGL files to the ADE library and use it that way, easier and less hassle.
 
Do you know what program designers of aircraft or vehicles for FSX use to create or edit aircraft? I would like to add a "driver" in the driver seat of my two Lexus430 vehcles. They have a "passenger in the back seat, but I want to have my RPG players sitting in the front passenger seat (view of course) and the back driver side seat, but have a "driver" that I choose to be sitting in the driver seat, they don't have to be animated, but at least have them sitting in the seat while the car is in use and traveling from place to place. It seems kinda strange to have a car traveling with no driver. Guess I could just make it "magical" or something in the game since we do use a lot of "magic" in our world. I just thought it would be nice to have a "driver". I would also like to learn to make custom vehicles such as a horse drawn carriage, or one I really would like to have is a person walking (realistically) or riding a horse even. I've seen all sorts of things created, so I know it can be done, I want to get into making custom "crafts" for FSX but don't know what software I need (Payware or Freeware).
 
Just a question here, (doing some effect experiments) do you know the whole size of the entire KWR1 airport or where I can find that information on ADE? I'm trying to make an effect that covers the entire KWR1 airport but I need the full size.
 
I tried to use the library creator xml program, but it kept crashing with some kind of critical error when I try to use it, and it never imports any of the .mdl or .bgl files, just gives me that critical error message and freezes. I think it's something to do with compatibility in Win-11, I get that a lot.

Please grab a screenshot of any / all such errors you see using Library Creator XML, and attach them to a post here:

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/forums/library-creator-xml.18/

GaryGB
 
Do you know what program designers of aircraft or vehicles for FSX use to create or edit aircraft? I would like to add a "driver" in the driver seat of my two Lexus430 vehicles. They have a "passenger in the back seat, but I want to have my RPG players sitting in the front passenger seat (view of course) and the back driver side seat, but have a "driver" that I choose to be sitting in the driver seat, they don't have to be animated, but at least have them sitting in the seat while the car is in use and traveling from place to place. It seems kinda strange to have a car traveling with no driver. Guess I could just make it "magical" or something in the game since we do use a lot of "magic" in our world. I just thought it would be nice to have a "driver". I would also like to learn to make custom vehicles such as a horse drawn carriage, or one I really would like to have is a person walking (realistically) or riding a horse even. I've seen all sorts of things created, so I know it can be done, I want to get into making custom "crafts" for FSX but don't know what software I need (Payware or Freeware).

I believe the best forum in which to ask this type of question is here:

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/forums/3d-objects-general.46/

GaryGB
 
Just a question here, (doing some effect experiments) do you know the whole size of the entire KWR1 airport or where I can find that information on ADE? I'm trying to make an effect that covers the entire KWR1 airport but I need the full size.

You may recall the Airport Reference Point (aka "ARP") is set at the center of the RWY length,

The Test Radius is the circle surrounding the ARP at which the airport is detected by approaching aircraft, and rendering is enabled.

The FSX ARP Test Radius used in ADE by default is 5,000 Meters.

Based on extent of all scenery in your KWR1 project, I estimated Test Radius may need to be manually set at ~99,000 Meters.


I am not certain if Fx that large can be rendered, however.

Also, be aware if any Exclusion Rectangles were used within that extent, they often are set to exclude all objects including Fx.


So, if you do not experience a crash when rendering a Fx with a 99,000 Meter size, but the Fx does not display, check the exclude properties actually assigned to each and every Exclusion Rectangle used within that 99,000 Meter extent.

GaryGB
 
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I may have to use multiiple effects then, because that's way beyond the max range of any effect. BTW how many meters does each grid cell cover in ADE? I've looked all over on Google to find that out and can't find it anywhere. Also, how far from the ARP will roads display. I noticed that once I get out to a certain point, the road just up and vanishes suddenly. What is the max distance from the ARP that roads can be displayed?

BTW:Just curious, any "word" on the mountain project? I kinda think things got off topic here. Mostly my fault. I really need to learn how to go back to the main menu here to create new threads, can't figure out how to get to the main menu from a current thread without closing the browser and re-opening it to the main page.
 
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I may have to use multiple effects then, because that's way beyond the max range of any effect.

I'll have to check this and reply later.

BTW: How many meters does each grid cell cover in ADE? I've looked all over on Google to find that out and can't find it anywhere.

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/exclude-autogen-min-size.20632/post-136597

Also, how far from the ARP will roads display. I noticed that once I get out to a certain point, the road just up and vanishes suddenly.

What is the max distance from the ARP that roads can be displayed?

LOD-9 / QMID-11; however the 'vanishing' is more likely mis-configured CVX vectors and Roads overlapping at quad borders

AFAIK, visibility has not been documented for some CVX vectors; I'll have to check this and reply later.

GaryGB
 
Please do, this has bothered me ever since I started doing this. For reference, if you look at KWR1, you'll see an area off the the west at the very edge of the airport that is a "rocky" area land class, I placed a road going out to a certain spot, but when driving it, the road only appears up to a certain distance then just vanishes. the same goes for and area down to the south-east at the very bottom, the road just goes away for whatever reason. I'll move this to another thread to see if anyone else might have and idea.
 
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