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Custom Aerial Images - CGL or BGL scenery

mcenroe

mcenroe

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germany
There’s a lot of information on this topic in this forum and online, some of which is no longer up to date. For this reason, it’s difficult to get an overview and create the optimal conditions for the best possible results without going through trial-and-error cycles.

That’s why I’m asking those of you who already have considerable experience with MSFS 2020 to answer a few quick questions on this topic.

1) Difference between BGL and CGL

What is the fundamental difference between CGL and BGL in short?

Based on the information I’ve found, I was able to test the following methods for creating a scene:

a) BGL/modelLib with Google Earth Decoder

The data generated by the decoder was compiled into a readable package, but the placement was incorrect. Buildings were offset by 3–5 meters, and some surfaces were located below the mesh. (What is the source of the error here?)

b) CGL with QGIS and tiles2bing

The tiles generated by exporting from QGIS were converted using tiles2bing, compiled into a CGL file, and loaded into the sim without any problems.

I noticed that the BGL package apparently rendered trees and buildings from the map data (i.e., photogrammetry?) and the CGL package rendered only "flat" textures. Is photogrammetry even available for an “offline” scenery? If so, is it available for both BGL and CGL scenes, or only based on a BGL file?

2) Zoom levels and LODs

What should I keep in mind regarding zoom levels? For the test, I only exported and compiled tiles at zoom level 19. Is that generally sufficient or optimal, or should I also create tiles at lower zoom levels? How do the zoom levels affect the scenery?

3) Optimal Setup

Which method is recommended for achieving the highest possible scenery quality — BGL or CGL? What is the optimal setup for a CGL scenery and a BGL scenery? What limitations should be taken into account during compilation? For example, is it true that the compiler can process a maximum of 7.5 GB of map/image data?
 
Hello,

1)
a). I believe this method you are mentioning creates an actual model, which you have to place and scale yourself.

b). With CGL, the source images (tiles) are geolocated. That way it replaces the default photogrammetry. Depending on the tif file it might contain information on the buildings, water, tree, etc areas.

2) Zoom levels are dependent on the quality of the source aerial imagery.
1782315029581.png


3) What exactly are you trying to accomplish as a combination of both BGL and CGL might be necessary?
 
Ripping the photogrammetry from Google yields models, not aerial ground tiles, and would end up as ugly morphed BGLs. Aerial ground tiles are compiled as CGLs. You can get tiles via QGIS or other GIS apps, and these change the ground display, but not directly models that are placed over them. The sim uses TIN as it's photogrammetry models, and can usually be excluded. Photogrammetry and aerial imagery (ground tiles) are not the same. The sim also has algorithms to display auto-generated models over aerial imagery, that may also need to be excluded, and replaced with models. The SDK recommends aerial imagery use LOD20, as that will override any of the default imagery, but in the sim you can check the LOD of default tiles, and can lower the LOD as long as it is greater than the sim's LODs in that covered area.
 
@V-Pilot: many thanks for the details on zoom-levels! i am trying to compile custom aerial images shot from a plane for a presentation. maybe a combination of CGL and BGL would be appropriate.

@rhumbaflappy: cool, thank you for the infos!

since the area is pretty large i would have to create a CGL-mosaic with several packages. regarding limits and perfomance of MSFS 2020 which CGL - file - size is recommended? read somewhere since the launch of the Xbox-version a CGL-file size of 1.4 GB is the limit to avoid rendering/display errors...
 
mcenroe said:
@V-Pilot: many thanks for the details on zoom-levels! i am trying to compile custom aerial images shot from a plane for a presentation. maybe a combination of CGL and BGL would be appropriate.

@rhumbaflappy: cool, thank you for the infos!

since the area is pretty large i would have to create a CGL-mosaic with several packages. regarding limits and perfomance of MSFS 2020 which CGL - file - size is recommended? read somewhere since the launch of the Xbox-version a CGL-file size of 1.4 GB is the limit to avoid rendering/display errors...
Click to expand...
Stick to pc addons; xbox is a pain in the .............. and you might only distribute via ms jungle place .
 
seattledec said:
Stick to pc addons; xbox is a pain in the .............. and you might only distribute via ms jungle place .
Click to expand...

Okay, will do! so what is the recommended size for a CGL package-mosaic regarding mid-range PC - Systems and fast rendering? 1.5 GB, 3 GB, 4 GB or isn't there any limit for CGL - file - size? i'm not into selling by partnering with Bill's Microsoftware Crapjunk Inc anyway...
 
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