Adding static aircraft FSX

[Airspeed]

I read Ian's post with interest, as I have experienced the same since putting ORBX and FTX airports on, so I'm looking forward to reading the responses.

My question is: how do I[EDIT] add numerous static aircraft to an existing airport please?
I recently commented on the FTX Moorabbin in glowing terms, but then found that the Air Museum's outside collection is not depicted. I'd like to put a good representation of that collection in situ without clogging up the fps too much.
Any pointers would be appreciated.

[DaveB]

Hi Mike

I'll have a short stab at this. There are a couple of ways you can add static aircraft to scenery. If they're to be truely static, then one of the many addon progs like EZScenery will do this for you. You can add an outside dunny too The second way is to use flying models to represent the statics. What you do here is find all the aircraft you want to 'display' then make a traffic.bgl for them. So that they remain static in daylight hours, give them a flight at something like 2am in the morning so they'll all fly off and come back again while you're in bed.
I'm sure there are probably many other ways to achieve the same goal but these are the first two that spring to mind

ATB
DaveB

[Airspeed]

Thanks Dave
What about ADE? I have that, but not EZ.

[Vc Ten]

What about adding Concorde in a box outside manchester airport
ATB
Dale

[DaveB]

ADE would probably work fine too mate. I don't have this.. not since FS alongtimeago but newer versions work with FSX I don't know what format ADE needs to be able to place/use an object.. that is, does it need a static object (eg, a non flying version of a model) to be able to work? If so, you'll need a static version of the aircraft you want. This is one reason why making a flightplan for AI versions can be easier. That said.. you need to have correct taxiways on the afcad or you can still hit problems

ATB
DaveB

[GHD]

ADE can place statics using .mdl files or library files.

You will find it more efficient to create a library of models which can be used at many different airports.

Library files can be created using Library CreatorXML and models can be created as scenery objects using ModelConverterX. Both can be downloaded from FSDeveloper:

http://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14215

[Airspeed]

Thanks George!
Downloaded both.
Have been able to create a model, now learning about the library bit.
Watched the video about EZ. They make it look easy, don't they? Will continue with those freeware progs for now.
Truly appreciate each response.

[Airspeed]

George,
A bit more hand-holding please....
Managed to make the static model. Asked for it to be FSX, but it turned up under FS9 models??
I thought I pointed everything to FSX, but It does not show in 9 or X. I guess this could be because it thinks it's FS9, therefore nothing to do with FSX, and FS9 doesn't know about it because I've tried to direct it to FSX?
I've read the manual about libraries, am still somewhat confused. Any chance of giving me a sample of what the tree structure looks like?
While I'm dealing with the 2 unknowns, I could chase my tail endlessly.
Thanks

[GHD]

Hi Mike,

I don't know what you mean about tree structure, but the process is fairly painless.

Load the .mdl into MCX and click on the "Properties" button and, if it is an FS9 model you should see that the GUID is blank:



Export as an FSX model and save with a different name:



Load the exported model and check that there is a GUID present:



Another way to check whether it has been saved as an FSX mdl is to drop it onto Library Creator XML, it shows the type on the status bar:



Note. You may need to play with the animations slider in MCX to center the control surfaces and/or raise/lower the undercarriage.

There is another program which can convert FS9 aircraft to static models which you may find more convenient:

http://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=114

[DaveB]

Not entirely off topic.. more a case of did I really want to do this!

While trying to get more into FSX of late, I realised that our beloved AFCAD doesn't go this far. I'd seen on here Mikes mention of ADE and looking online, it seemed to be the tool of choice. There was one caveat though.. you need the SDK installed. And so it was. The ADE site tells you this too so withour further adue, I set off in search of the latest SDK. You can't get it online.. it comes on the 'Gold' disc I read. Yes you can.. it's on the ACC disc another contributor said.
Well, after some time reading.. I decided to look on the ACC disc and there to my amazement was the SDK folder. Double click.. all ok.. warning box.. You cannot install this SDK without having SDK SP1a installed first. Deary me No prob.. a folder on the ACC disc was clearly marked SP1a so I opened it and double clicked on the exe. No.. you can't have this version of the SDK installed unless you have the original installed first Dug out the 'Deluxe' disc and hoped it'd be on there and yes.. there it was. Double click and success.. the SDK installed I then went back to the ACC disc and clicked on SP1a towit it immediately removed the freshly installed original SDK and put itself on. You know what's going to happen next don't you. I then clicked on the ACC SDK exe and that promptly removed the SP1a SDK After all this, I was able to install ADE and there appears to be a reasonable learning curve as I'm only seeing the default airports. Not read the manual yet and unlikely to.. you know me

So.. should any of you out there wish to look at an airport in FSX as you did in FS9, think first.. do I really want to do this

ATB
DaveB