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Creating A Placement File For FSX

K

kmanning

Messages
1,267
Hi,

It's been a while since I've done this and apparently, I've forgotten how to this correctly. I'm not sure if I'm using the correct format for the xml. I have just completed a project in Sketchup and I'm trying to create a placement file for my project. In Sketchup, I have manually Geo located my model under Model Information. But if I remember correctly, this only works when the model is exported as kmz. But when exported as dae or collada file, this is no Geo location in a collada file and a placement file would need to be created. That's what I'm trying to do. I've done google searches and still cannot seem to get it to work. I have my coordinates for the placement but I'm not sure as to which xml format to use and exactly how to do it. I've sucessfully created the xml file by dragging my bgl file to a tool called BGL2XML. But in that xml, there are no coordinates listed. I've check the SDK for the format, but there are so many of them, I'm not sure which ones. to use. I've tried the one for placing, so I guess this would be the correct one. When I entered my coordinates, I tried to convert it back to a bgl file but it will not compile. Apparently, I'm doing something wrong. Do I need to export the model to a mdl in MCX or do I just export it as bgl? I've done this before but it's been a while and apparently, I'm not doing something right, or my file structure it not correct. What are the full steps I need to make so that I can make a note on this?

Ken.
 
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Hi Ken:

You could save us all a lot of guessing, time, and typing by attaching a link to your project in question... either here or in a direct message ;)


I assume you have (1) big 3D model object in your Sketchup project that has been correctly Geo-located manually at its exact center horizontally.


Export of a Google Earth *.KMZ will indeed convey the placement info in Geographic Lat / Lon, WGS84 (aka "EPSG:4326") format as required for FS' SDK.

Sketchup's workspace natively displays content in a non-warped EPSG:3857 GIS projection, but is reprojected during export to EPSG:4326.


If MCX imports the file, you can place the 3D model using Object Placement Wizard, and assign the Altitude, keeping Geographic Lat / Lon unchanged.


As you know, you can also edit the placement info in the MCX Convert And Place Wizard.


If MCX exports the 3D model object as a scenery project (not as a 3D model in any of the many formats MCX supports), placement is included in the BGL.


If you wish, you can indeed examine the resulting XML in the "hybrid" BGL that MCX output, consisting of a scenery object library of (1) 3D model and placement code using ...scruffyduck's BGL2XML.

If you wanted, you could edit the placement info in that XML with NotePad++, save as XML, then Drag-And-Drop that XML file onto SDK BGLComp.


But IMHO, using MCX Object Placement Wizard would be better, as you can see where the 3D model's center Reference Point (aka "RefPoint") will be in a map and/or Satellite imagery view.

Even better would be for you to buy and use Instant Scenery from Flight1directly i B side FS, as I had recommended many years ago (yes... it actually is still being sold, although the author has moved on with his professional endeavors, and no longer interacts via the Flight1 support forum for his products.


Let us know if you have further questions on this process. ;)

GaryGB
 
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GaryGB said:
Hi Ken:

You could save us all a lot of guessing, time, and typing by attaching a link to your project in question... either here or in a direct message ;)
Click to expand...

Hi Gary,

I was planing on attaching my project but I got so sleepy and it was so late that I had to go to bed. I posted this late last night. I got to admit that I do stay up too late at night.

GaryGB said:
As you know, you can also edit the placement info in the MCX Convert And Place Wizard.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads up about the Object Placement wizard. I haven't used this in a long time and completely forgot about this wizard. I've just always used the standard methods in the SDK but forgotten how to use it and the codes. I like to remember those SDK methods the knowledge.


GaryGB said:
But IMHO, using MCX Object Placement Wizard would be better, as you can see where the 3D model's center Reference Point (aka "RefPoint") will be in a map and/or Satellite imagery view.
Click to expand...

I got to admit that it's easier using this wizard. I'll post my project, either here or by PM later. I assume you'll want the Sketchup project.

Ken.
 
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