• Which the release of FS2020 we see an explosition of activity on the forun and of course we are very happy to see this. But having all questions about FS2020 in one forum becomes a bit messy. So therefore we would like to ask you all to use the following guidelines when posting your questions:

    • Tag FS2020 specific questions with the MSFS2020 tag.
    • Questions about making 3D assets can be posted in the 3D asset design forum. Either post them in the subforum of the modelling tool you use or in the general forum if they are general.
    • Questions about aircraft design can be posted in the Aircraft design forum
    • Questions about airport design can be posted in the FS2020 airport design forum. Once airport development tools have been updated for FS2020 you can post tool speciifc questions in the subforums of those tools as well of course.
    • Questions about terrain design can be posted in the FS2020 terrain design forum.
    • Questions about SimConnect can be posted in the SimConnect forum.

    Any other question that is not specific to an aspect of development or tool can be posted in the General chat forum.

    By following these guidelines we make sure that the forums remain easy to read for everybody and also that the right people can find your post to answer it.

FSXA Problem with Sloping Terrain Polygon

GaryGB said:
Hi Ken:

I'm still travelling, so just a brief reply here.

That was an editing error in my latter post above; the correct Altitude values are indeed 184.7393 meters / 606.2 Feet based on precision LiDAR.

I have begun making corrective edits to that post:

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/problem-with-sloping-terrain-polygon.453264/post-888349


Upon my return to a "real" computer, I shall also edit the ADE-derived KBHM file / folder paths I posted above, which are likely different than ADE used in your computer, since I had installed ADE v1.79x using your initials to compile BGLs from your KBHM source file(s) attached above in this thread.

Additionally, I shall reply to your other questions later tonight or tomorrow.

GaryGB
Click to expand...

That's okay Gary. Just whenever you have the time.
 
GaryGB said:
b.) Disable your own custom ADE / SBuilderX -derived KBHM BGL files:

[FSX install path]\Scenery\World\Scenery\KBHM 1970_B-W_ADEX_KM_ALT.BGL (this is output by ADE when airport compiles)

[EDITED]

KBHM 1970_B-W_ADEX_KM.bgl

KBHM 1970_B-W_ADEX_KM_CVX.bgl

KBHM 1970_B-W_ADEX_KM_GP.bgl

KBHM 1970_B-W_ADEX_KM_OBJ.bgl
Click to expand...

Hi Gary,

The 4 KBHM 1970_B-W BGL files you indicated above are correct but I want to be sure I understand regarding where you say the install path is for these files. You say the install path is: C:\FSX\Scenery\World\scenery, then below that, you show the 4 KBHM 1970_B-W_ADEX bgl files. What I'm not sure of is that if you're saying that these 4 files are in the path you indicated or if you're just referring to the file KBHM 1970_B-W_ADEX_KM_ALT.BGL that is in that path. The only path where these 4 KBHM 1970 bgl files exist are in my KBHM 1970 Scenery folder. But the KBHM 1970_B-W_ADEX_KM_OBJ.bgl is not in my scenery folder. So, I'm curious as to where you got that and if that obj.bgl file should be there in my scenery folder.
 
kmanning said:
Hi Gary,

The 4 KBHM 1970_B-W BGL files you indicated above are correct but I want to be sure I understand regarding where you say the install path is for these files. You say the install path is: C:\FSX\Scenery\World\scenery, then below that, you show the 4 KBHM 1970_B-W_ADEX bgl files.

GaryGB said:
Hi Ken:

To verify the KBHM ARP FSX default APX Altitude versus IRL Altitude based on precise LiDAR scan results, please try this:


1.) Temporarily disable the files listed below, by copying into a ZIP archive within their original folder:

a.) Disable FSX default files:

[FSX install path]\Scenery\0302\scenery\APX24200.bgl

[FSX install path]\Scenery\0302\scenery\cvx2420.BGL


b.) Disable your own custom ADE / SBuilderX -derived KBHM BGL files:

[FSX install path]\Scenery\World\Scenery\KBHM 1970_B-W_ADEX_KM_ALT.BGL (this is output by ADE when airport compiles)

[EDITED]

KBHM 1970_B-W_ADEX_KM.bgl

KBHM 1970_B-W_ADEX_KM_CVX.bgl

KBHM 1970_B-W_ADEX_KM_GP.bgl

KBHM 1970_B-W_ADEX_KM_OBJ.bgl

c.) Delete original files after having been copied into ZIP file backups

[END_EDIT]
Click to expand...

What I'm not sure of is that if you're saying that these 4 files are in the path you indicated or if you're just referring to the file KBHM 1970_B-W_ADEX_KM_ALT.BGL that is in that path. The only path where these 4 KBHM 1970 bgl files exist are in my KBHM 1970 Scenery folder.
Click to expand...

[FSX install path] is a 'variable', for wherever you installed FSX on your own computer (...which in my case, is not on drive C: )


Note this example path pertains ONLY to an intended run time path location required for proper functionality of a *_ALT.BGL:


[FSX install path]\Scenery\World\Scenery\KBHM 1970_B-W_ADEX_KM_ALT.BGL


Thus, I wrote this as:


[FSX install path]\Scenery\World\Scenery\KBHM 1970_B-W_ADEX_KM_ALT.BGL (this is output by ADE when airport compiles).

Here, I'm referring ONLY to the file KBHM 1970_B-W_ADEX_KM_ALT.BGL, because it is intended to be moved elsewhere..


The other (4) files must be placed in an active \Scenery sub-folder path location elsewhere, for proper run time functionality:

KBHM 1970_B-W_ADEX_KM.bgl

KBHM 1970_B-W_ADEX_KM_CVX.bgl

KBHM 1970_B-W_ADEX_KM_GP.bgl

KBHM 1970_B-W_ADEX_KM_OBJ.bgl


You said you could not locate these files on your system due to the 'example' path I had originally used, so I deleted the path. ;)


kmanning said:
But the KBHM 1970_B-W_ADEX_KM_OBJ.bgl is not in my scenery folder. So, I'm curious as to where you got that, and if that obj.bgl file should be there in my scenery folder.
Click to expand...

I had previously been using ADE version 1.78x, and when I saw that you had attached only KBHM 1970_B-W_ADEX_KM.ad4, I wanted to see what BGL files that project would output when compiled.


So I decided to install ADE version 1.79x (which I had been planning to do anyway), and to create files with your initials so the file names would match what you had been using, I (temporarily) utilized your initials when I installed ADE version 1.79x.


I configured ADE for a "split compile" via: :pushpin:

ADE Menu > Settings > Options > Program Options dialog > {Project} tab > check: "Separate Airport and Object Files" > [Save] button


I used ADE Menu > File > Open Airport ...to import your KBHM 1970_B-W_ADEX_KM.ad4 project file, Saved, and compiled into BGLs.

The KBHM 1970_B-W_ADEX_KM_OBJ.bgl file was, of course, output along with the other (3) BGL files above for your airport project.


GaryGB
 
Last edited:
Jon,

It was mentioned here that you had a manual, or a tutorial that explains how to create sloping terrains. Will you please tell me where I can find it?

Ken.
 
GaryGB said:
FYI: I have not yet located several older posts by Jon Masterson (aka "Scruffyduck") or George Davison (aka "GHD" and/or "Golf-Hotel Delta"), which explain the intricacies of how one must configure CVX vector vertex points for intersecting polygons used for both level and sloped flattens.

Alternatively, the closest example I can recall which IMHO is more likely to describe how to create sloped flattens, uses SBuilderX (not ADE):

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/flattens.425495/post-632954

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/flattens.425495/post-784142
Click to expand...

kmanning said:
Jon,

It was mentioned here that you had a manual, or a tutorial that explains how to create sloping terrains. Will you please tell me where I can find it?

Ken.
Click to expand...

Hi Ken:

I did subsequently find a few posts by Jon and George regarding how to create sloping terrains as a means of blending central airport flattens into surrounding terrain mesh; however, they are very brief, and most of that info no longer had the linked images available.

That work-flow was further developed by Don Grovestine (aka "gadgets") via his TerrainSculptor Pro utility:

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/forums/terrain-sculptor.146/

Be aware that utility has a steep learning curve, and Don has limited time available to answer questions in these forums, :alert:


Again, I encourage you to learn a GIS application work-flow, so you can make custom terrain mesh and CVX sloped flatten TINs. ;)

GaryGB
 
Last edited:
GaryGB said:
Hi Ken:

I did subsequently find a few posts by Jon and George regarding how to create sloping terrains as a means of blending central airport flattens into surrounding terrain mesh; however, they are very brief, and most of that info no longer had the linked images available.

That work-flow was further developed by Don Grovestine (aka "gadgets") via his TerrainSculptor Pro utility:

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/forums/terrain-sculptor.146/
Click to expand...

Hi Gary,

Thanks for posting this. But the link posted by gadgets is not active or something is wrong with it. This is the kind of problems I run into every time I turn around. When I click the link Terrain Sculpure, this is what I get:


Image.jpg



I guess I clicked on the right link, and had to go through several pages just to even find it. It says Terrain Sculpture so I guess I clicked on the correct link.


GaryGB said:
Again, I encourage you to learn a GIS application work-flow, so you can make custom terrain mesh and CVX sloped flatten TINs. ;)
Click to expand...

Yes, you're right on that. I've been using it and going over some the tools and features but it seems to be more complex than Global Mapper. What USGS websites should I look for in the selection box to get LIDAR, or which ones do you use? I don't see anything that says LIDAR.

Ken.
 
kmanning said:
Hi Gary,

Thanks for posting this. But the link posted by gadgets is not active or something is wrong with it. This is the kind of problems I run into every time I turn around. When I click the link Terrain Sculpure, this is what I get:


View attachment 76180


I guess I clicked on the right link, and had to go through several pages just to even find it. It says Terrain Sculpture so I guess I clicked on the correct link.
Click to expand...

In the Left Side Menu, click [Latest General Release]




kmanning said:
Yes, you're right on that. I've been using it and going over some the tools and features but it seems to be more complex than Global Mapper.

What USGS websites should I look for in the selection box to get LIDAR, or which ones do you use? I don't see anything that says LIDAR.

Ken.
Click to expand...

The terrain mesh BGL demo I made for you used:

SRTM Worldwide Elevation Data (1-arc-second Resolution, SRTM Plus V3)
USGS_one_meter_x53y371_AL_JeffersonCo_2013.tif
USGS_one_meter_x52y372_AL_JeffersonCo_2013.tif
USGS_one_meter_x53y372_AL_JeffersonCo_2013.tif
USGS_one_meter_x51y372_AL_JeffersonCo_2013.tif
USGS_one_meter_x52y371_AL_JeffersonCo_2013.tif
USGS_one_meter_x51y371_AL_JeffersonCo_2013.tif


I would need to check what download URLs may be available, as the 1m LiDAR Elevation GeoTIFFs were from The National Map.

The SRTM Worldwide Elevation Data (1-arc-second Resolution, SRTM Plus V3) was directly downloaded via Global Mapper; however, IIRC there is a version of that data set available on a USGS FTP site (browse-able via FireFox, MS-Edge, or MS-Internet Explorer).

Note that both the 1 Meter and 30 Meter data is required in the source file(s) submitted to SDK Resample, in order to back-fill data voids, and to provide data that allows FS SDK terrain grid vertex alignment within the "snapping distance" allowed for the FSX / P3D terrain rendering sub-system to form a gridded, contiguous ground surface (...this prevents pits / spikes at run time).

GaryGB
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top