Scenery - Priority Considerations?

[Cruachan]

Hi Iain,

Okay, I think I'm now good to go

Everything is now installed (phew!) and 'Quick' fixes for VFR Photo GenX Vols 5, 6 and 8 have been applied.

Scotflight Photo 2.4 is installed.

Treescapes Vols 6 and 8 are installed (I gather 8 also provides coverage for Vols 4 and 5)


Are there any Scenery priority considerations in Scenery.cfg?

The current order, as seen in my scenery.cfg file is:


[Area.126]
Title=Addon Scenery
Local=Addon Scenery
Layer=126
Active=TRUE
Required=FALSE

[Area.133]
Title=UK2000 Common Library
local=C:\Program Files (x86)\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D\UK2000 scenery\UK2000 Common Library
Active=TRUE
Layer=133

[Area.134]
Title=UK2000 Edinburgh Xtreme
local=C:\Program Files (x86)\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D\UK2000 scenery\UK2000 Edinburgh Xtreme
Active=TRUE
Layer=134

[Area.135]
Title=UK2000 Sutton Bank
local=C:\Program Files (x86)\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D\UK2000 scenery\UK2000 Sutton Bank
Active=TRUE
Layer=135

[Area.136]
Title=UK2000 Glasgow Xtreme
local=C:\Program Files (x86)\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D\UK2000 scenery\UK2000 Glasgow Xtreme
Active=TRUE
Layer=136

[Area.137]
Title=VFR Generation X Volume 8: Scotland South - Airports
Layer=137
Local=D:\Program Files (x86)\Playsims\VFRGenX\Volume8\Airports
Remote=
Required=FALSE
Required=FALSE

[Area.138]
Title=VFR Generation X Volume 8: Scotland South - Vectors
Layer=138
Local=D:\Program Files (x86)\Playsims\VFRGenX\Volume8\Vectors
Remote=
Required=FALSE
Required=FALSE

[Area.139]
Title=VFR Generation X Volume 8: Scotland South - 5m terrain mesh
Layer=139
Local=D:\Program Files (x86)\Playsims\VFRGenX\Volume8\5mDTM
Remote=
Required=FALSE
Required=FALSE

[Area.140]
Title=VFR Generation X Volume 8: Scotland South - 50cm photo scenery
Layer=140
Local=D:\Program Files (x86)\Playsims\VFRGenX\Volume8\05mPhoto
Remote=
Required=FALSE
Required=FALSE

[Area.141]
Title=VFR Generation X Volume 6: Scotland North - Airports
Layer=141
Local=D:\Program Files (x86)\Playsims\VFRGenX\Volume6\Airports
Remote=
Required=FALSE
Required=FALSE

[Area.142]
Title=VFR Generation X Volume 6: Scotland North - Vectors
Layer=142
Local=D:\Program Files (x86)\Playsims\VFRGenX\Volume6\Vectors
Remote=
Required=FALSE
Required=FALSE

[Area.143]
Title=VFR Generation X Volume 6: Scotland North - 5m terrain mesh
Layer=143
Local=D:\Program Files (x86)\Playsims\VFRGenX\Volume6\5mDTM
Remote=
Active=TRUE
Required=FALSE

[Area.144]
Title=VFR Generation X Volume 6: Scotland North - 50cm photo scenery
Layer=144
Local=D:\Program Files (x86)\Playsims\VFRGenX\Volume6\05mPhoto
Remote=
Active=TRUE
Required=FALSE

[Area.145]
Title=VFRGenX Volume 4 60cm Day scenery
Layer=145
Local=D:\Program Files (x86)\Playsims\VFRGenX\Volume4\06mPhoto
Remote=
Active=TRUE
Required=FALSE

[Area.146]
Title=VFRGenX Volume 4 5m Terrain Mesh
Layer=146
Local=D:\Program Files (x86)\Playsims\VFRGenX\Volume4\5mMesh
Remote=
Active=TRUE
Required=FALSE

[Area.147]
Title=VFRGenX Volume 4 60cm Night scenery
Layer=147
Local=D:\Program Files (x86)\Playsims\VFRGenX\Volume4\06mNight
Remote=
Active=TRUE
Required=FALSE

[Area.148]
Title=VFRGenX Volume 4 Airports
Layer=148
Local=D:\Program Files (x86)\Playsims\VFRGenX\Volume4\Airports
Remote=
Active=TRUE
Required=FALSE

[Area.149]
Title=VFRGenX Volume 5 60cm Day scenery
Layer=149
Local=D:\Program Files (x86)\Playsims\VFRGenX\Volume5\06mPhoto
Remote=
Active=TRUE
Required=FALSE

[Area.150]
Title=VFRGenX Volume 5 60cm Night scenery
Layer=150
Local=D:\Program Files (x86)\Playsims\VFRGenX\Volume5\06mNight
Remote=
Active=TRUE
Required=FALSE

[Area.151]
Title=VFRGenX Volume 5 Airports
Layer=151
Local=D:\Program Files (x86)\Playsims\VFRGenX\Volume5\Airports
Remote=
Active=TRUE
Required=FALSE

[Area.152]
Title=Scotflight Photo Roads
Layer=152
Local=D:\Program Files (x86)\Scotflight\Scotflight-FSX-Photo\Scotland_Roads
Remote=
Active=TRUE
Required=FALSE

[Area.153]
Title=Scotflight Photo Landclass
Layer=153
Local=D:\Program Files (x86)\Scotflight\Scotflight-FSX-Photo\Scotland_LandClass
Remote=
Active=TRUE
Required=FALSE

[Area.154]
Title=Scotflight Photo Terrain
Layer=154
Local=D:\Program Files (x86)\Scotflight\Scotflight-FSX-Photo\Scotland_Terrain
Remote=
Active=TRUE
Required=FALSE

[Area.155]
Title=Scotflight Photo
Layer=155
Local=D:\Program Files (x86)\Scotflight\Scotflight-FSX-Photo\Scotland_Main
Remote=
Active=TRUE
Required=FALSE

[Area.156]
Title=Scotflight Photo Coast
Layer=156
Local=D:\Program Files (x86)\Scotflight\Scotflight-FSX-Photo\Scotland_Coastline
Remote=
Active=TRUE
Required=FALSE

[Area.157]
Title=Scotflight Photo Glasgow Airport
Layer=157
Local=D:\Program Files (x86)\Scotflight\Scotflight-FSX-Photo\Scotland_EGPF
Remote=
Active=TRUE
Required=FALSE

[Area.158]
Title=Scotflight Photo Edinburgh Airport
Layer=158
Local=D:\Program Files (x86)\Scotflight\Scotflight-FSX-Photo\Scotland_EGPH
Remote=
Active=TRUE
Required=FALSE

[Area.159]
Title=Scotflight Libraries
Layer=159
Local=D:\Program Files (x86)\Scotflight\ScotflightLibraries
Remote=
Active=TRUE
Required=FALSE

[Area.160]
Required = FALSE
Active = TRUE
Layer = 160
Local = D:\Earth Simulations\\ES-3D
Title = ES-3D-Library


Thanks.

KInd regards,

Mike

[iaing]

Hi Mike

I tend to check priorities by looking at the Scenery Library settings within FSX and would look to all Scotflight entries being above all GenX entries and that looks the case I think.
It looks as if you have the GenX scenery areas covering 'airports' activated and our recommendation is not to have these active as Scotflight is providing detailed airfields for them all.
You also have UK2000 Glasgow and Edinburgh airports which are also covered by Scotflight.  The Scotflight sceneries are in their own areas so you can choose which version you wish to use.
I think everything else should be okay but you know where we are if further advice is needed.

Regards
Iain

[Cruachan]

Hi Iain,

Thanks, that's very helpful information.

I went in immediately to the Scenery Library and disabled the 4 GenX airport entries. However, when I try to disable UK2000's Glasgow and Edinburgh Extreme the following message pops up:

"UK2000 Glasgow Extreme is required and cannot be turned off" Same message when I try to disable Edinburgh. I tried to disable the other UK2000 related entries and was blocked every time with the same message.

Also I've noticed, since installing all the VFR GenX Vols 4,5,6, and 8 + Scotflight Photo 2.4 + Treescapes Vols 6 and 8 that when I exit the Scenery Library I am seeing the following message:

"Scenery.cfg error. Invalid Remote scenery path in Area.-001"

The top and bottom entries in the scenery.cfg file are:

[Area.-001]
Title=
Local=
Layer=-1
Active=TRUE
Required=TRUE

[Area.001]
Title=Default Terrain
Texture_ID=1
Local=Scenery\World
Layer=1
Active=TRUE
Required=TRUE
+
+
+
+
+
[Area.160]
Required = FALSE
Active = TRUE
Layer = 160
Local = D:\Earth Simulations\\ES-3D
Title = ES-3D-Library

The last is, of course, Treescapes related but what on earth does that first entry relate to? Thinking it was most probably a 'rogue' entry I tried deleting it manually in Scenery.cfg but the sim just puts it back each time I enter and then leave the Scenery Library. Attempting to remove it via the Scenery Library produces the message as described above for the UK2000 related stuff.

Sorry to dump all this on you, Iain. If others are reading this and have come across the issue I would certainly welcome your input.

Kind regards,

Mike

[Cruachan]

Hi Iain,

Don't waste time on this - I may be close to finding an explanation.

The 'ES-3D-Library' was not appearing in position 1 of the Scenery Library - the 'Scotflight Libraries' were at the top and there was a blank entry at the bottom of the Scenery Library - presumably the mysterious [Area.-001]

I downloaded a tool called 'Scenery Config Editor' from the Avsim library and it advised me that there was a duplicate Area. Scanning down wasn't very helpful so I ended up renumbering the areas in sequence from 126 down to the bottom of the file. The 'ES-3D-Library' entry now appears. I noted also that a double forward slash had been entered in the path: Local = D:\Earth Simulations\\ES-3D so I deleted one of the slashes.

So far everything seems okay, but I'll test more extensively later today. God I'd forgotten how this flight simming obsession keeps you up to all hours!!

I flew over Edinburgh with the UK2000 Edinburgh Extreme airport sceney and it all looks pretty impressive, I must say. However, I would like to see your scenery, Iain, so if there is any way around the difficulties I am experiencing trying to disable the UK2000 stuff then please let me know - thanks.

My first impressions of the VFRGenX Photoscenery, while it appears detailed and sharp at higher altitudes, tend to blur at lower levels and generally the colours are very washed out. I see others are seeing the same and, rather disappointingly, there appears to be no easy solution.

Regards,

Mike

[iaing]

Hi Mike

Good to hear you have made good progress.

However on the subject of the UK2000 airfields,  although I don't have the full retail versions I have installed the demos so that I check out the situation relative to Scotflight scenery being installed and have not found any problems de-activating the UK2000 scenery areas from the Scenery Library.  I have also confirmed,  this morning,  with one of our test team who has the full version and he confirms no problems with de-activating or re-activating.

Regards
Iain

[Cruachan]

Hi Iain,

That's very strange. Perhaps it has something to do with Prepar3D although I can't see why this should be the case. Perhaps I'll have more success using the 'Scenery Config Editor'. Handy little utility - amongst other things it allows you to activate/disable scenery areas from outside the sim without needing to carry out manual edits of scenery.cfg or, indeed, waiting for the sim to chunter through its routines before returning you to your flight.

Are you responsible for all the traffic buzzing around the roads of Edinburgh? Really adds to that sense of realism as you fly over an otherwise lifeless scene. Great stuff!

While the Photoscenery appears impressive it does seem rather washed out and lacking in colour vibrancy. I see others have noticed this as well and it seems little can be done other than adjust your monitor settings. This would be a pain if you have calibrated your monitor for photographic work.

I have been noticing ground texture blurriness at sub 2000ft altitudes. In some cases this is quite severe. Is this what I should expect? Prepar3D textures appear razor sharp and colour is good if, at times, somewhat unrealistic. I was hoping for better from the Photoscenery at 60cm resolution. I think I have set up the sim correctly. Things improve greatly at higher altitudes.

Regards,

Mike

[Cruachan]

Hi Iain,

Sorry, all of this has strayed somewhat off topic.

That odd message: "UK2000 Edinburgh Extreme is required and cannot be turned off" turned out to have a perfectly logical explanation after all. I tried to disable the four entries using the editor in 'Scenery Config Editor' but each time I changed 'Active=TRUE' to 'Active=FALSE' that same message popped up using the word 'disabled' instead of 'turned off'. Then a light went on and I suddenly realised what I had overlooked - the 'Required=TRUE' line was the culprit. It was preventing the area from being disabled! As soon as I changed it to 'Required=FALSE' all was well and I am now able to enable and disable the area at will. Same with the other three UK2000 area entries.

[Area.128]
Title=UK2000 Edinburgh Xtreme
Local=C:\Program Files (x86)\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D\UK2000 scenery\UK2000 Edinburgh Xtreme
Layer=128
Active=FALSE
Required=FALSE

At last, I am now able to see your Edinburgh Photoscenery in all it's splendour and, boy oh boy, it is fantastic!!! Iain, you have done a terrific job. The attention to detail is, quite simply, outstanding.

Also, there may be a bonus to be had from all this. The ground scenery now seems much sharper, so perhaps the heavy load imposed by the UK2000 scenery was responsible for causing the slow texture update/blurriness. At the time I didn't think it likely as I was seeing frame rates between 40 and 50fps while flying around Edinburgh. Don't tell anyone, but actually I feel your airport scenery is better than the UK2000 so I might be uninstalling the latter product if further testing confirms my suspicions.

Concerning the washed out textures I still have some reservations. However, I have come across another handy little utility called 'Gamma Panel' which allows you to adjust the gamma, brightness and contrast levels on the fly while the sim is running. Also it's easy to return to the monitor's original settings. The 'Gamma Panel' executable is only 114KB in size and it needs no installation.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloadget.php?id=2796&file=9&evp=6e93f1bab537e577e595705eb2c31fae

So, Iain, it looks like I'm sorted for the time being

As ever, many thanks for your helpful observations and advice.

Wonderful work! You should be very proud of this achievment. If the rest of Scotflight Photo is as good as this then I can see I'm in for a real treat. Really looking forward to VFR GENX Vol 7 coming out along with your updated Scotflight package. Will be great to see the Isle of Mull as it really is.

Kind regards,

Mike

[iaing]

Hi Mike

Good to hear of further progress.

Appreciate your comments on Edinburgh.  You should find quite a bit of detail at and around Glasgow Airport also.  We have tried to add just a little bit extra

Regards
Iain