Simviation Forums

Hello, Is there a way to know if a downloadable file is for a complete aircraft or if it is just a texture or paintjob for an existing plane?

Thanks.

If it's not referred to in the file description, a clue for me has been file size.  If it's not comparable to a 'known' complete aircraft file, then it's most likely a texture.

Hi there. It should tell you in the file description. Most "texture only" files will also have a link to the original aircraft.

Thanks U4EA. Thats kinda what I was using as a loose guidline. Some of the files I have downloaded dont seem to be working so I was wondering if they might just be "paintjobs". I will have to look at the file contents a little harder to see what is actually in there. Thanks again.

Hagar, I did notice a few of the links you described. I believe I need to grab some of those also.

Thanks

If there's a link in the same description box, then you most definitely hafta grab it............that's the whole/original aircraft 99.999998% of the time.

ALSO! Look at the "read-me" file in the download(s).  Most, if not all, texture-only files will state that clearly in the read-me.

If "texture only" files are not for a default aircraft you will need to install

Plus, repaints will only have a texture folder, readme file, and maybe a couple of images, whereas an aircraft will have the aircraft folder containing a texture folder, air file, cfg file, etc.

As Hagar says, the description on the download page is the key, not so much the file size. We try to state 'textures' in ALL textures only files - plus a link to required file.

For example some full aircraft will be around or under 5MB and you can easily get textures only at 15MB.

Nearly all textures only will say that -- and the title will include 'textures'

The bottom line will be , as patchz mentioned, this:

Textures only : contains just a 'textures' folder plus a readme and aircraft.cfg edit

Full model: contains 4 folders (textures, model, panel & sound) plus .air file and aircraft.cfg

Thanks for all the information. Another question...
If I'm going to load multiple versions of the same type of aircraft from different files (not multiple repaints downloaded in a single file), do they have to go into the same ...simobjects/airplanes file? Or do they get seperate folders? The reason I ask is that I have been trying to add some planes, some of them work and some do not...trying to find the magic formula.

some of them work and some do not...trying to find the magic formula.

They ALL work. It is just the right set of folders inside the 'FSX\Simobjects\Airplanes' folder

The magic formula is understanding how to install them. Sometimes with the same base model you may get clashes as the same model is used by different assemblers or repainters. It helps to read the tute and understand how installed aircraft and textures work together. 

If you specify exactly the file you are having a problem with someone may be able to take a look at it.