how to create an airport!

[amaru]

Hi all,

I understand that FS users can create their own airports and add them to the game, but I don't know how, or which software to be used and where we can get it from! I do know how to add the airport to the game and get it working with flight plans, but please help me with the airport design and the software to be used!

With thanks,

Amro

[brittair]

Welcome to scenery design.

[GWSimulations]

It really depends on the sim.

FS9, use GMAX (or FSDS2 & FSDSMDL), AFCAD2 & Obplacer.

Other, use FSSC & EOD (& AFCAD for FS2002).

If you want to change what ATC calls it then use Editvoicepack, and use TTOOLS to add traffic.

[wji]

Lee Swordy's FREE AFCAD 2 readme states:

"52. Creating a New Airport From Scratch
In addition to modifying existing stock airports, AFCAD can create a new airport, one that doesn't currently exist in the game.  This can be done at any location.  You can create a visible airport with runways, taxiways, aprons, lights, communications, navaids and ATC. However, since the current version of AFCAD can't create taxiway signs or buildings and other structures, such an airport will be somewhat bare. These features will be available in subsequent releases."

Bill
P.S. Buildings and other scenery objects can be added with FREERwy12 program

[TacitBlue]

I havnt messed with AfCad much, so Ill ask. Is it possible to make a runway that is gravel it both ends and concrete in the middle?

[|| Andy ||]

Not unless you make 2 unmarked grass runways, and put a concreate one in the middle... think thats how its done

[gr31]

I havnt messed with AfCad much, so Ill ask. Is it possible to make a runway that is gravel it both ends and concrete in the middle?

It's really very easy, make the runway as normal with AFCAD, and then do the overruns with the "apron" tool. It allows you to make the "aprons" gravel, grass, or whatever you like.

[jjcargo]

textures , textures and more textures!!!  that also requires that you master one powerful  graphic editor

a poorly done 3 d object will look fantastic with
nice textures...while a fantastic 900 points object will look bad without good textures!

Of course you can add pre-existent  objects and modify runways but your scenery will fall into the million generic sceneries category out there

[timcclayton]

Funnily enough, I have just done exactly this myself. I tried GMAX and various other programs and couldn't get them to work without blood, sweat and tears. I used:

1. AFCAD2 for the airport's ground layout and for installing a tower viewpoint and comms frequencies (tower, ATIS etc.). You can also create NDBs, VORs and ILSs with this software.

2. EOD (Easy Object Designer) for the custom buildings (day/night textures from my own photos). Export as an API macro.

3. If you don't need custom buildings, then use Runway12 to place default FS2004 buildings instead. Use Runway12 to export a BGL file and make sure you add this BGL location in FS2004. I tend to just use Runway12 for perimeter fencing.

4. FSSC to place exclusion areas, flattened areas, roads, rivers and your EOD buildings (in API macro format). Then use FSSC to export a BGL file and make sure you add this BGL location in FS2004.

5. DXTBMP program to convert all texture bitmaps to DXT1 format.

My filing system is to create a folder named after the airport (ie. BURETA). Create 2 subfolders called SCENERY and TEXTURE. Put all the BGL files in the SCENERY folder and all the textures (bitmaps) in the TEXTURE folder.

Then fire up FS2004 and test the airport to make sure everything works OK.