Somes technical questions in scenery design.

foufure · Post by **foufure** » 19 Sep 2009, 20:40

Hello,

I'll would like to add some objects in a scenery.
These objects are in a library (BGL file).
But the problem, I'll would like these object only present during the day, not during the night. How can I make it possible ?

Second question. Is it possible to add some objects to a determinate date, or periode of year (month, week) ? (like some effects)

And last question. How to add some effects (FX files) to scenery, like smoke etc. Is there a software to do that ?

Thanks for your responses.

Note: I use EZ Scenery to add my objects, and I'm in FS2004.

MIKE JG · Post by **MIKE JG** » 20 Sep 2009, 04:08

I'll would like to add some objects in a scenery. These objects are in a library (BGL file). But the problem, I'll would like these object only present during the day, not during the night. How can I make it possible ?

As far as I know, this is not possible without creating the objects from scratch with a modeling proggy.

Second question. Is it possible to add some objects to a determinate date, or periode of year (month, week) ? (like some effects)

Again, I don't think this is possible, but I could be wrong.

And last question. How to add some effects (FX files) to scenery, like smoke etc. Is there a software to do that ?

Yes, it's called ObPlacer XML by Arno Gerretsen and can be downloaded HERE

ronniegj · Post by **ronniegj** » 21 Sep 2009, 16:42

Re: Second question. Try searching Avsim for holiday fireworks. I've seen more than one package that has such effects, so I would say the answer is, yes it's possible. I don't really know how it is done, I'm pretty sure it has to do with xml coding. I think that I have seen a tutorial on how to do it, but don't remember for sure, but perhaps it was David 'Opa' Marshall. Perhaps someone here who knows for sure will lead you to the details/howto's.

Ron

KevinJarvis · Post by **KevinJarvis** » 21 Sep 2009, 18:16

I'd like to add to the question of the object not appearing at nigh.
Since most objects have night textures, what if you change the alpha channel so the object is invisible when it uses the night textures.

Would that be possible?

MIKE JG · Post by **MIKE JG** » 21 Sep 2009, 18:32

Effects have something called a controller added to them which is what allows you to set them to specific conditions like time of year, etc. I don't believe scenery objects have that option, if so, I've never seen the XML coding to make it work.

Kevin's idea is along the lines of what I think would be the best way to "hide" something at night. But you can't just take an object that you want to hide and "give" it night textures if it doesn't already use night textures. If it does, it might work to hide it with transparency. Otherwise you would have to recompile the object in the modeling program that created it and check the box in mkmdl that tells FS9 that it has night textures. Otherwise, FS9 will not even bother looking for them and just give it the standard night dimming that it gives all other objects.

fishlips · Post by **fishlips** » 23 Sep 2009, 01:53

As Mike said, the only way I can think of hiding an object at night is through a transparency but the model must first have this option at the time of compiling. A night texture alone will not hide the object, just make it dark.

It's an interesting concept worth exploring.

Mark

JohnStinstrom · Post by **JohnStinstrom** » 29 Sep 2009, 02:34

I believe there may be a couple more options if you are willing to put in a little time. You can use Arno Gerretson's "Model Tweaker" program to change the individual model characteristics and set them to appear only at day/dawn/dusk/night.

Another approach is to use an older program called "Flight Simulator Scenery Creator" by Derek Leung. It is available at Flightsim.com (and Avsim if it comes up) and can be used to specify not only day and night but time of year/day/ and even hours. I played around with this option in creating a bi-monthly fire excercise in my Patuxent scenery. It too takes time and patience because you have to place the models individually in a new scenery .bgl overlaying the existing scenery. However, if you need timed or one-off effects it can provide good results.

foufure · Post by **foufure** » 29 Sep 2009, 06:26

Thanks everybody for your answers.

I'll try with FSSC. But this software can use the Object Library (or simply directly MDL Format) ? Or does it use the old API format ?

PS Sorry for my bad English. I do my best, I learn myself this language.

JohnStinstrom · Post by **JohnStinstrom** » 30 Sep 2009, 01:28

It will use either a model file (.mdl) directly or the older API format. The output will be in a standard scenery .bgl file.

foufure · Post by **foufure** » 30 Sep 2009, 03:38

Hello,

I've installed FSSC 1.5.11 version, but I don't find how to use MDL objects ?

What the way to use it ?

Thanks.

JohnStinstrom · Post by **JohnStinstrom** » 01 Oct 2009, 02:39

I lied to you. FSSC will use ONLY the older API format objects. Sbuilder from Luis Sa will use both. Let me see what else I can find out.

JohnStinstrom · Post by **JohnStinstrom** » 01 Oct 2009, 02:53

It looks like Model Tweaker by Arno Gerretson is your best bet for the moment. It has a number of options one of which is time of day. While you will have to tweak each model, the process is straightforward and fairly easy to work with.

This and many other powerful tools are available at the FS Developer Community Website (http://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/downlo ... file&id=16)

Somes technical questions in scenery design.

Somes technical questions in scenery design.

Re: Somes technical questions in scenery design.