Now Here's an Idea!

[getstill]

I'm in for adding to the pile, although unless a site (with dedicated people behind it) akin to the PIA or other AI site develop some standards there may be more chaos to these files than will be tolerated by users.  I could see a time where one could walk across Miami Harbor from boat to boat ....

I am working on a small project and have been playing with this stuff a little and have one question the SDK doesn't answer yet:

Where do I find the Region codes for the airport elements?  They are two characters, i.e., K6.

Thanks in advance,
Kyle

[RollerBall]

Right!

For anyone interested I've uploaded a package called 04ScenPk.zip to Simv which contains everything you need to get started on FS2004 XML scenery design.

You don't need any prior experience or know-how as there's a detailed tute and full instructions included. I've even put MS's XML installer in to save you searching around on their website as I know one or two people have had problems finding it.

As I mentioned before, if people are interested in enhancing the UK (by putting in factories where MS have put green fields, boats on lakes etc where there is just empty water and so on) I'll be very happy unless it goes totally mad for people to send me their XML code for incorporation into a 'master' UK added-bits file.

This WILL NOT be for things like whole airports - upload those yourself when you've done them - just for little features and changes to the landscape that add to the overall pleasure of using the sim.

Look forward to feedback

Roger

[RollerBall]

[quote]
Where do I find the Region codes for the airport elements?

[bm]

Thanks Rollerball, Ill download that tomorrow when it comes available

[bm]

Thanks Rollerball for your package, I'm downloading it now. For those who wish to get it, heres a link to the page: http://www.simviation.com/fsdesign_scenery7.htm

[bm]

Thanks Rollerball (again).........

I've just read through the readme files and you've explained everything excelently! Unfortunately I don't have Excel at the moment though. I think when my new computer comes it will have something called "Ability office" which apparrently is fully compatible with Excel.

PS. As I can't see the object files at the moment  - Can I place baggage handlers and Aircraft stairs with this??

[BFMF]

Does it require Excell?

If so, is there any other way to place the objects into the scenery without excell?

[RollerBall]

Hmmmmm

That's how the data was stored in the SDK.

I've now put it into a Word file. If you like, I'll put that onto my website where people who don't have Excel can get it.

Give me half an hour or so.

[bm]

When the SDK was released origionally I looked at it on my old computer (which has excel) as this one had collapsed (again!).

Thanks for doing that Rollerball - the alternative was for me to re-network them!

[RollerBall]

OK

The Word file can now be got from the download page on my website.

Just look for the heading 'FS2004 Scenery SDK'

[bm]

I downloaded the program from that site Rollerball, its exactly the same as excel so I too recomend you get it (for this or just for other stuff). Thanks for finding that!

I've had ago at it, it is like you say extremely easy! I just made a simple line of a few airport vehicles:





Is that all the objects Roller? Its just there doesn't seem to be any aircraft stairs unfortunately........

[RollerBall]

That's yer lot Bird! For the moment you'll have to add some APIs in FSSC for stairs.

But don't panic just yet.

The New MakeMdl SDK is due out soon and until then nobody knows how to add custom objects to the library. When that happens that's when it'll all REALLY start happening.

Now you see the principles, see where it's going?

What you've been doing manually AFCAD will do via its GUI (graphical user interface) ie you'll just click on a point on the screen (which will automatically get the lat and lon) and say insert library object 'X' at height 'Y' on heading 'Z'. Already AFCAD has got hold of 'drawing' in aprons and taxiways and the next bit (adding library objects) is about to happen I think. That's why it's all gone quiet for the moment.

Obviously FSSC and Airport will have to be re-written to do the same - I don't envy the poor so-and-sos

I've found a coupla problems. I can say now because it didn't work, but I made a file containing several carriers (might upload it sometime). What I then tried to do was put an 'airport' on each with taxiways and parking with the idea of getting AI to fly between em.

Nice eh! You could not only land on em yourself, but you could also have F15s or whatever flying between em as well (would just need to adjust the FDE - no big prob).

Everthing worked EXCEPT due to problems with the way the new scenery system works, (and AFCAD therefore repeats the problem) the sea level was brought up in a steep slope to the level of the carrier deck. See what I was saying about your height problem - the new method will automatucally bring everything together. Trouble was, I didn't want it to but no way to prevent it.

Anway, there ya go.


Roger

[Wing Nut]

Rollerball, I am eternally in your debt.  Now, is there any kind of a visual index so we can tell what we're placing?  Also, this can't be all of the FS objects is it?

If you need any help filling in buildings and such, let me know.  I think anyone who downloads this, ought to repay you by helping on your project...

Kevin

[Wing Nut]

Remember in the movie 'Castaway' when Tom Hanks figured out how to build a fire?  I kind of feel like that now!  I just placed a crane on a building in downtown Chicago and it looks awesome!

[RollerBall]

Hiya Kevin, lotsa fun isn't it. Be careful you don't catch the bug - it's already too late probably

No there's no visual reference, you just have to experiment and use trial and error.

Yep, these are all the objects that are available to use. The spreadsheet in the SDK is MUCH bigger but trouble is that it includes virtually every object ever created by M$ back to the  year dot, most of which aren't in FS9. Also, the SDK sheet includes many objects like buildings from default airports that are area limited - eg you can't place an object from KORD anywhere else except Chicago.

Actually, in my experiments I placed a Chek Lap Kok building at Kai Tak which shows there is a very small area of tolerance but to all intents and purposes 'special' buildings can't be used outside of their predefined areas (he he - no chance of placing the real Eiffel Tower at Las Vegas then  :) )

So I weeded as many of em as I could identify out of the list - if I'd left em in it would only have created huge confusion I think.

But as I said to Bird, don't panic! The new MakeMdl SDK is about to be published and that'll tell us how to put NEW objects (probably GMax only) into the FS9 object library. Then the sky will be the limit.

Now you've learnt the principle using this little package you'll be able to go crazy - and with AFCAD and the XML skills you now have (OK, with one or two more maybe, but you've proved you can do it!) you'll be able to create sceneries that only the really experienced people were able to before.

Worth doing eh?

Glad that people seem to be finding the package useful

Roger