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Object Placement Tools Pros and Cons

scruffyduck

scruffyduck

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This question came in on my email - really to get a debate going on what different scenery design tools there are with object placement capabilities and what their pros and cons are. I am sure that everyone has their favorite and the aim here is not to determine which is best since they will all have strengths and weaknesses.

So please help me out here with your views

thanks :)
 
Hi!
Me, I use Arno's tools. Specifically ObPlacerXML for placing my library objects.
But I don't use the usual method (slewing in the sim). I take the lat/lon values from my PhotoSceneryMaker file, convert them with LODCalc and paste them into ObPlacerXML. That may be a bit more tedious, but I can place my objects with greater accuracy, because PSM provides a better picture than FS9 - at least on my old machine.

Dirk
 
Hello everybody!

I'm very glad about this thread. I got into Autogen Scenery enhancement, when I added the photosceneries like Austria Professional, RealGermany, Switzerland-Pro and others. Since I like VFR, the sceneries low down were a dissapointment.
But so was Autogen, with its uniform US-tailored objects.
Contrary to some collegues of the Swiss-Pro Autogen Team I started therefore immediately into Object Placement.
The only tool I was aware of was OBJECT PLACER within RWY12 and I use it extensively.
It's Pros:
- it works!
- it's easy to handle, once the library objects are installed
- it's flexible since it permits changes, deletions and additions at a later time
- it's well documented, although only in english (as far as I know)

It's Cons:
- without a-priory-information about reference point and heading of the objects to be placed, it requires nearly always adjustments of the placement (but I guess that this is not the fault of Object Placer).
- sloppiness with the "FS SYNC POSITION" / "DISCONNECT FS PRO" feature gets easyly punished witht wo objects at the same site.
- the requirement of 4 files (scenery BGL, Texture files, img folder and the addxxx.XML file took me several (desaster-)weeks to install and operate new object libraries. I have to add, that one major desaster-area originated in my amateurish use of LIBRARY CREATOR XML to generate new (smaller) libraries out of larger ones.

But now I am quite fluent in Object Placer.

However there are all the other placement tools.
Before I venture into them ("if it runs, don't fix it") I am very interested in opinions and experiences of other users.

Many thanks to Jon Masterson for his help and for opening this thread.

Helli
 
Well it seems a little quiet here so I thought I would at least list the options for object placement in FS9. I am only listing those programs which handle FS9 library Objects and some very basic information. I am sure that there are other tools out there and the comments represent my understanding of the tools.

All the tools can use FS position to place objects I think.

  • Object Placer XML: Freeware, Non GUI, Handles other FS scenery items such as effects, windsocks and Generic Buildings
  • SceneGenX: Freeware, 2D GUI, Handles other FS Scenery Items including Airport runways and taxi ways. Also Effects, LWM Polys, Windsocks etc. Places older API objects
  • Sbuilder: Freeware, 2D GUI, handles most things including LWM VTP, mesh and photo scenery, places Older API objects
  • EZ-Scenery: Payware, In FS interface. Handles only placement of objects but in scene - unique in this respect
  • LWMViewer2: Freeware, 3D GUI, handles most other elements. Has specific requirement on Graphic card used
  • RWY12: Freeware, Non GUI, Handles FS9 object only
  • FS Architect: Payware, 2D GUI, Handles other things like Mesh, Runways, Taxiways and API objects
  • Library Object Manager/Scenery Maker: Freeware, Non GUI, Can place Effects, Windsocks, Triggers, Has compound object tools to create fences, object lines, bridges and area fills

Would it be worth setting up a Wiki Page for factual information about different design tools?
 
scruffyduck said:
Object Placer XML: Freeware, Non GUI, Handles other FS scenery items such as effects, windsocks and Generic Buildings
Click to expand...

You'd better make that:
ObPlacer XML: Freeware, Non GUI, Handles other FS scenery items such as effects and Generic Buildings

The windsocks are still on the wishlist :).

scruffyduck said:
Would it be worth setting up a Wiki Page for factual information about different design tools?
Click to expand...

Yes, I think it could certainly be interesting to have a page on the Wiki that shows all the available tools and what they can and can't do.
 
arno said:
You'd better make that:
ObPlacer XML: Freeware, Non GUI, Handles other FS scenery items such as effects and Generic Buildings

The windsocks are still on the wishlist :)..
Click to expand...

OK :)


arno said:
Yes, I think it could certainly be interesting to have a page on the Wiki that shows all the available tools and what they can and can't do.
Click to expand...

OK Arno, I will see what I can do.
 
Hello Jon,

so this thread did not make it into the hit list, which is a pity.

Nevertheless the little list which you provided, is already something.
I will have to go through the candidates and test then myself.

Thank you very much for all your help, in particular with my non-/mis-understandings in the Library Object manager.

I am sure, our paths will cross again.

All the best

Helli
Southern Bavaria
Germany
 
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