Installing third party aircraft in 2004

[musnkatz]

First, I'd like to say thank you to those who founded this website, and thank you to those who create the download aircraft.
I just bought a new Dell 2004, and installed FS 2004. I have FS98, also.
Installing dowloaded aircraft into FS98 is a snap.
But when I download 2004 aircraft to install, most of them do not show up in FS2004. In the "panel" folder for example, many of the bitmap graphics show "drawing failed," some files have no textures (af), some downloaded WinZips include more than one set of .mdls and .cfgs
What am I doing wrong?
musnkatz

PS I tried extracting the WinZips with dbs into a folder and dragging the folder into the FS2004 Aircraft folder, without success.

[Hagar]

Hi musnkatz

Please read this tute & follow the instructions carefully. http://www.simviation.com/acinstall.htm
The basic principle is the same as for FS98. Aircraft for the later sims use special BMP textures, not the old AF format.

[musnkatz]

...thank you, Hagar.

[Nek]

Hi
If you really want to use ur fs98 ac in fs9 you can by downloading a little program called "bmp2000" from one of the sim sites. This will change your old "af" format textures to "extended bitmap" textures which are now required. You gotta keep your head on straight while you're doing this cuz it can be a bit tricky.
It doesn't really matter how many "cfg" files or "mdl" files the download has; as long as you only use one aircraft.cfg file and one mdl.cfg file and one panel.cfg file. Delete (better yet) rename the others once u find out they're not doing anything.
I assume you're talking about panels that come with the downloaded a/c and not the default panels. In which case u gotta ensure that the gauges actually went to the main  gauge directory and that the panel.cfg and bitmaps actually went to the proper directories. Sometimes they create subdirectories which won't work - so u gotta fix it manually.
Hope this helped. I run about 450 a/c and I think almost half of them are fs95 and fs98. A lotta work converting them but worth it for a number of reasons - one of them being better frame rates.

Nek

[musnkatz]

...thank you, NEK..one of the things I enjoy about FS is learning new techniques and becoming proficient in utilizing and flying new aircraft..I appreciate all the help and advice..

[Hagar]

It's your preference of course but I suggest you try the latest addons specifically intended for FS9. The later CFS2 & FS2002 aircraft will also be fine. FS98 aircraft will not be fully FS9-compatible & cause error messages when you select them. This can be overcome but some animations will not function causing those parts not to display. The old AF textures will display fine without conversion but I really don't see the point. You might just as well stick with FS98.

PS. Check out a few threads in the Screenshots forum to see how FS has progressed in the last 5 or 6 years. http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=screen

[musnkatz]

Hi Hagar..
I kinda thought I would stick with 2004..at least until I have mastered the software. Actually, it's closer to real flying, as concerns navigating. But it's always nice to know some different procedures. It's frustrating reading about techniques that I don't understand..
Many thanks to both you (I have finally managed to introduce some new aircraft into my files, thanks to your tutorial), and to Nek for both of your advice. You don't know just how much you help neophites like myself..
musnkatz

[Hagar]

Hi musnkatz. I hope my suggestions helped. Please also check out my Lair from the link in my signature for more tips.

With all due respect to Nek I was astonished that anyone would suggest using FS98 (& even FS5 ) aircraft in FS9. I really don't see the point.

[musnkatz]

Thanks, Hagar..I will indeed check out your site.
And I do appreciate Nek's willingness to help. Sometimes offers of help can be limited and curt. I thought Nek had some intriguing suggestions, and I might have tried them, as I am still attached to my FS98..however, I want to master 2004, and will focus on that. Meanwhile, your work AND assistance are greatly appreciated, both of you. I spent quite a few frustrating days trying to work out the downloads..now I can spend some quality time flying and navigating..

[Fly2e]

Ahhh,
Isn't this place great.  :-*

Dave  ;D

[musnkatz]

...truly..