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What format are these coordinates in?

R

Robertium

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mexico
Hello, you may have seen my earlier post where I was having trouble with exporting and placing a 3D scenery object into FSX. While the specific EXPORTING problems I had have now been solved (thank you to the people who helped) I now have problems actually physically PLACING models into the right spot. When I export anything in MCX it gives me three files:

  1. An MDL file for the building I exported
  2. A BGL file for the building I exported
  3. An XML file to input coordinates
The problem I have here is I don't know the specific format the coordinates are in. By default, the coordinates in that XML file are these:
what are these coordinates.PNG

Apparently those default coordinates place it somewhere in the state of Washington. However, I'm not sure which way to write the coordinates I want the model to be at. I know there are several formats to write coordinates (decimal, dms, dd, hdd, etc.) and I don't which format the coordinates shown are. I've tried inputting pure decimal coordinates, yet when I boot up the game it's not where it should be. I tried formatting the decimal coordinates to fit that format (probably something a noob would do :)) and that doesn't work either. So, if someone could please identify the format these coordinates are in and show me a way to convert decimal coordinates into these, I would appreciate it. Thank you in advance.

The coordinates (in pure decimal form) for the building I want to place are 40.7616, -73.9718
 
Hi,

I'm not sure why you get the XML object when you export. How are you exporting from MCX?

If you use the Object Placement editor you can position your object at the intended location from within MCX. Then you can use Export Scenery to export to a BGL file. That should give you a BGL file with the object already placed. No MDL or XML file should be saved (they are only used to create the BGL file and removed by MCX afterwards).
 
arno said:
Hi,

I'm not sure why you get the XML object when you export. How are you exporting from MCX?

If you use the Object Placement editor you can position your object at the intended location from within MCX. Then you can use Export Scenery to export to a BGL file. That should give you a BGL file with the object already placed. No MDL or XML file should be saved (they are only used to create the BGL file and removed by MCX afterwards).
Click to expand...
I usually use Export Selected Object. Even when I use the Convert and Place Object Wizard and enter it's coordinates it still exports a BGL file, and MDL file and the XML file telling me to type in the XML documents. However, I'm fine with that. Looking it up, I think MacFarland Masterton is right. Let me try converting them and I'll see what they come up with.
 
That appears to be identical to an XML file created by the FS9 MakeMDL program when I export a scenery object from GMAX. I assume that MCX uses MakeMDL as well and is generating the same XML file?
 
Hi,

I guess in the options the setting to create a sample placement file is enabled. But if you used the convert and place object wizard you can throw it away. The bgl will already contain the placement information.

In the xml file you can also enter the decimal format, no need to convert things.
 
arno said:
Hi,

I guess in the options the setting to create a sample placement file is enabled. But if you used the convert and place object wizard you can throw it away. The bgl will already contain the placement information.

In the xml file you can also enter the decimal format, no need to convert things.
Click to expand...
I used the Convert and place object wizard this time, (and also disabled the Create sample xml thing) and it DOES save the BGL, and when I boot up FSX it DOES say it's building database for new scenery files, yet when I load up the place where it should be it's still not there. I imagine the placement info got dropped somewhere while exporting. Also, unfortunately several of my attempts to place this involved placing in decimal coordinates into the XML file, however it still didn't end up working when I loaded the place. Is there a certain way you do this when you're placing something?
 
Last edited:
Hello:

Would you please attach the BGL in question that was output by MCX via the Convert and Place Wizard ? :scratchch

Also, did you set the FSX Menu GUI Scenery Density slider to its "full right" position ?

GaryGB
 
GaryGB said:
Hello:

Would you please attach the BGL in question that was output by MCX via the Convert and Place Wizard ? :scratchch

Also, did you set the FSX Menu GUI Scenery Density slider to its "full right" position ?

GaryGB
Click to expand...

For some reason if you open it in MCX it'll say "no objects found in file"
 

Attachments

Hi again:

On my computer, MCX will load the MDL inside the attched BGL, but the texture is missing, so the 3D object will not be visible in FS.

Robertium_432park_MCX_Texture_Error.jpg


GaryGB
 
It does contain a model (black and white pole).

It will be placed inside a building (432 Park Avenue):

 
Hi Robert:

IIUC, since this building is not inside the demo of New York City X DEMO, you are converting Trimble 3D warehouse Sketchup models via MCX ? :scratchch

Ex: https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/884e597c0b65e111d3e029671ab3c2d0/432-Park-Avenue


Also, perhaps you have not converted the textures in MCX yet and/or properly ?

FYI: Sketchup uses *.JPG texture image Materials, which must be converted to *.BMP (FS9) or *.DDS (FSX) in order for FSX to display them.


After the textures are converted, one must write the textures over the old JPG ones originally mapped onto the MDL.

One must then put the converted textures into a \Texture sub-folder paired with a \Scenery sub-folder containing the BGL under a top folder.

That folder chain must next be added as an 'active' Area in FSX Scenery Library GUI. ;)

GaryGB
 
GaryGB said:
Hi Robert:

IIUC, since this building is not inside the demo of New York City X DEMO, you are converting Trimble 3D warehouse Sketchup models via MCX ? :scratchch

Ex: https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/884e597c0b65e111d3e029671ab3c2d0/432-Park-Avenue


Also, perhaps you have not converted the textures in MCX yet and/or properly ?

FYI: Sketchup uses *.JPG texture image Materials, which must be converted to *.BMP (FS9) or *.DDS (FSX) in order for FSX to display them.


After the textures are converted, one must write the textures over the old JPG ones originally mapped onto the MDL.

One must then put the converted textures into a \Texture sub-folder paired with a \Scenery sub-folder containing the BGL under a top folder.

That folder chain must next be added as an 'active' Area in FSX Scenery Library GUI. ;)

GaryGB
Click to expand...

I do have the DDS texture files (this forum won't let me upload them) yet even so it won't show up.
 
Using my infinite WinRar free trial, here are the files I have for the building. Aside from placing issues, I'm not sure why it's not showing up. (the files are all in their correct folders)
 

Attachments

Change the extensions from .dds to .txt and upload the files separately,
 
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