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View Full Version : My next FSX and Horizon GenX scenery...



calypsos
November 24th, 2009, 07:27
...is all but complete!

The scene of my early experiences of military flying (in C-130's and HS-780 Andovers) took place at RAF Thorney Island on the Hampshire/West Sussex in the UK, and it will soon be re-opening (in FSX anyway :icon_lol:)!!.

As before, you have to have installed Horizon Gen scenery, Volume 1 in this case. I have made the scenery pretty complicated with about 90% of ALL real buildings on the island replicated, however, many of these are optional extras and the scenery (and custom auto-gen trees) runs very smoothly using the detailed (but more basic) scenery file settings.

Plenty of (optional) pleasure boats and eye-candy stuff about too, the picturesque setting of this airfield (operational flying stopped in 1974) made it one of the most popular postings in the entire RAF.

I will have a play at making a default scenery version over the next few weeks too.

The Horizon version will be out at the weekend, hopefully.

letsgetrowdy
November 24th, 2009, 09:06
Lovely work as always.
Your right, GenX does make the fields and colours of the UK more recognisible.
Have you ever heard of an airstrip called "Bidford on Avon"??? http://www.bidfordgliding.co.uk went to a BMI fly-in there this summer and a little go at flying a Scottish aviation Bulldog - loads of fun.
You should consider doing a scenery for there, that'd be awesome!

here it is

http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv297/areureadytogetrowdy/Untitled-1.jpg

calypsos
November 24th, 2009, 09:52
I have not heard of that place, depending on the terrain, it should not be that difficult to do. I will put it on the list if you like?

letsgetrowdy
November 24th, 2009, 10:11
Yeah, if you could, that'd be wondeful.
Bidford's basically flat, and surrounded by open fields. However on the north side, where you can see the caravans, there is a steep embankment between the strip and the campsite. If you'd like, I can upload some photos of my visits to Bidford, of hangars etc.

SpaceWeevil
November 24th, 2009, 11:00
Well Calypsos, if you're taking orders!!! I tried to persuade UK2000 to include Rougham near Bury St Edmunds in VFR Airfields V2 but to no avail. They have a brilliant little airshow there every summer - warbirds taking off from the grass right past your nose, vintage cars and a great atmosphere.

Roger
November 24th, 2009, 11:00
Went for a week to Thorney in '65 with the ATC...a long way from Cheshire. Had a ride in Beverley that vibrated so badly I was surprised the pilot could focus! The breakfasts were fantastic:jump:

paranoidandroid
November 24th, 2009, 13:16
Bidford on Avon already done :ernae: I originally did it for FS9 but its all been done again for FSX. Just sorting out licence and I want to add some ground polys for Taxiways and concrete bases. Give me 5 and I'll add some shots

Cheers


Paul

calypsos
November 24th, 2009, 13:59
Cheers, Marvin, sorry Paul! I took a look and thought apart from the raised area, it is quite simple, but I will let you finish yours.

Rougham (it might a bit rough, if I make it!), I'll take a look at what info I can find and let you know.

Oh if only I were 10 years older:icon_lol:, I might have had a ride in a Beverley (my all time favourite aircraft) too, I got to see them all the time over my house (along with Hastings and Argosies) and got to walk through one at a Thorney airshow when I was about 8!

paranoidandroid
November 24th, 2009, 14:10
Here we go:-

<a href="http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-4/1307586/NewBidford1.jpg"><img src="http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-4/1307586/tn_NewBidford1.jpg"></a> <a href="http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-4/1307586/NewBidford2.jpg"><img src="http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-4/1307586/tn_NewBidford2.jpg"></a>

<a href="http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-4/1307586/NewBidford3%20.jpg"><img src="http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-4/1307586/tn_NewBidford3%20.jpg"></a> <a href="http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-4/1307586/NewBidford4.jpg"><img src="http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-4/1307586/tn_NewBidford4.jpg"></a>

<a href="http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-4/1307586/NewBidford5.jpg"><img src="http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-4/1307586/tn_NewBidford5.jpg"></a>

I had to rebuild everything so I did it in 3ds Max this time, however I want to put in proper ground polys for anything like the taxiway and hanger bases, I'm working on that at the moment. I also did Broadway tower again and I need to get around to releasing that

<a href="http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-4/1307586/Shot1.jpg"><img src="http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-4/1307586/tn_Shot1.jpg"></a> <a href="http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-4/1307586/Shot2.jpg"><img src="http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-4/1307586/tn_Shot2.jpg"></a>

Apologies for the screenshots I am rubbish at them

cheers

Paul

letsgetrowdy
November 24th, 2009, 21:55
Wow Bidford - Thanks mate!!!

calypsos
November 24th, 2009, 22:19
Wow, am I glad I did not attempt Bidford, those shots are superb!

BTW, my AV programme is telling me the photo site is unsafe, it may just be over reacting, but be aware if you do not use a good AV before looking at them!!

paranoidandroid
November 24th, 2009, 23:09
Thank you, having looked at it again last night, in addition to what I have already said I need to populate the surrounding fields with hedgerows etc and I am looking at various ways of getting something that looks like an English Hedgrow without lots of small autogen bushes, not easy! I will also be putting some more static gliders on and trailers, so I have to build those too, that won't take too long.

I hadn't looked at it for a long while as I have been working with Tony M on Sywell and to be honest that was more fun as there were some brilliant buildings to put together. Now thats done I can crack on and get this done:ernae:

calypsos
November 25th, 2009, 00:15
Bushes....aghrr!!:icon_lol::icon_lol:
I have been meaning to ask Tony where he got the bushes for Llanbedr from, the ones I used on Linley Hill are UK VFR (for FS9) and do not work well in FSX (like the UK VFR trees and people). The Llanbedr bushes look very good!

As far as Rougham is concerned, I can see why Gary did not do it, very close to an urban area with a large industrial site right next door.

However, I like a challange so will have a go! It may not be ready until the New Year though, as I have several other sceneries 'on the go' at present.

letsgetrowdy
November 25th, 2009, 08:58
Thank you, having looked at it again last night, in addition to what I .........brilliant buildings to put together. Now thats done I can crack on and get this done:ernae:

Thanks, you are a God!!!

Bidford's a really nice little aerodrome, I went to a fly-in there, and camped overnight. Unforunatly, the first day there it rained solidly, so every one just went to the pub at the Clubhouse lol Second day was lovely, and I clocked about twently minutes flying a Bulldog.

BTW
Is there any way of changing terrain with your scenery editor??? The small space of grass inbetween the reporting shed and where the aircraft are parked, there is a steep embankment. Look at the the screenshots where the trees are - on the south side of the drive way.

delta558
November 25th, 2009, 09:34
It's looking good - I learnt to glide there, used to work there, had a lot of fun there:ernae:

The comments about the bank are right - it's about 6ft high, and is a great place to watch the action from. I was woken early one morning by jet noise (about 0700hrs) and sat there with a few others as two A10s staged a mock attack on the field.

There used to be a lot more glider trailers down the far end - similar to what is shown in the map posted previously. Also, IIRC, there's a windsock in the glider trailer park, set just in from the gravel path at the far end from the hangars.

Really looking forward to this release, tried doing it myself but got stuck halfway!

paranoidandroid
November 25th, 2009, 10:04
I did think about the embankment but to be honest there isn't much of an embankment, it looks more than it is, I have a butchers anyway. As for the windsocks, I have got them but they are crap(ish) I did have some great ones that moved up and down and rotated with the wind....but after many computer rebuilds I lost the b*****y things, I'll have a another go at those. As for glider trailers, and gliders watch this space, mind you I build my own so I may release and just keep adding

letsgetrowdy
November 27th, 2009, 22:58
Ok, well good luck - look forward to this one!!!

spatialpro
November 28th, 2009, 03:51
I need to populate the surrounding fields with hedgerows etc and I am looking at various ways of getting something that looks like an English Hedgrow without lots of small autogen bushes, not easy!

How about the new Fencebuilder Pro?!

Looking forward to Bidford and it is GREAT to see Broadway Tower in FSX! Keep up the good work...

Andy

calypsos
November 28th, 2009, 06:19
How about the new Fencebuilder Pro?!



The hedges look just like 'green walls' from the screenshots! And the fact that it is almost 20 quid!!

calypsos
November 28th, 2009, 06:30
Calling Mr Space Weevil.......Rougham!!!!

Fairly basic airfield layout with plenty of eye candy around the edges!

spatialpro
November 28th, 2009, 06:41
Hi Trev,


The hedges look just like 'green walls' from the screenshots

Yeah, I did think the same, but I'm assuming (hoping) you can add your own objects and textures... in which case a nice custom-ish hedge could be on the cards... one which doesn't look like a green wall!

cheers

Andy

SpaceWeevil
November 28th, 2009, 09:35
Talk about ask and it shall be given - wonderful stuff, thank you! I can't wait to try it.

letsgetrowdy
November 28th, 2009, 12:06
Nice Rougham... Is that where where Heart Radio hosts those airshows???

calypsos
November 28th, 2009, 13:36
I believe there is a big annual airshow, anyone tell me how the airfield is set up for this?

I would like to add some vistiting aircraft and crowds etc. for people who have FSX Acceleration (they have the object library objects included) in an optional add-on file.

letsgetrowdy
November 28th, 2009, 22:59
I'll do some research, And see what I can find.
BTW can you add some crowds and marques to the UK2000 Duxford Scenery to make it like Flying Legends? Sorry about all these requests, I'd do it myself, but I just don't know how...

letsgetrowdy
November 28th, 2009, 23:20
I can't seem to find any photos to show the airshow layout.
I think you need to ask SpaceWeevil, I think he's been to this airshow.


http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv297/areureadytogetrowdy/swift_1.jpg

calypsos
November 29th, 2009, 00:36
Thanks,
I could not find much after a quick look either. The airfield is in two parts really, I am guessing the crowd stay around the old USAAF tower and the flying elelment of the airshow takes place along the line of the 09/27 runway, but that is only a guess.

There is loads I could do, but I think it might drag the frames down too much. As far as modifying Duxford, I think that might infringe copyright if I distributed it.

letsgetrowdy
November 29th, 2009, 03:13
Why not ask over at the UK2000 forums about it - an airshow Duxford would be fantastic!!!!

At airshows there will always be a flightline on the longest runway, which will be the active one. Judging from the aerial photo, I think that the smaller runway on the right will be closed off and used as the crowd area. Health and Safety/CAA states that at all public airshows the flightline must be at least 14 metres back from the runway. This means that using the left side of the airstrip would be too narrow for a crowd/classic car show...

ok here we go...

http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv297/areureadytogetrowdy/RoughamAirshowLayout.jpg

calypsos
November 29th, 2009, 05:14
That was a good guess on my part:applause:, here is what I did before I saw your layout!! Thanks for that!!

Just a few bits to change!!!!

calypsos
November 29th, 2009, 08:18
OK, a little adjstment to the crowdline and aircraft, and here is the airshow. It will be an optional extra to my Rougham scenery and you will have to have FSX Acceleration Pack installed to use it. Should be out (with Thorney Island) in a few days.
Still no way of uploading here:173go1:, so it will be on my page of Tony Meredith's site http://www.arm-computers.co.uk/html/trevor.html
or FS.com.

letsgetrowdy
November 29th, 2009, 08:35
Wow Best Scenery Ever - Great one mate!!!!!
Love it!!!!

SpaceWeevil
November 29th, 2009, 08:52
Wonderful job! It doesn't affect your layout at all, but the big runway (on the left in your screenshots) is used for takeoffs & landings, while the smaller runway (used as a taxiway as Rowdy says) is the display axis.

It's a great show, not too big, and you are close enough to the aircraft to smell them - and have your hat blown off when they taxi out!

calypsos
November 29th, 2009, 09:15
That's lucky, as I have left them both pretty clear. I have just gone back there at dusk and that is pretty impressive, the fairground rides (animated) are all lit up and the crowd's camera flashes are very spectacular.

Despite the number of objects, the FR's are only dropped by about 2 with the airshow displayed.

If you two, (letsgetrowdy and spaceweevil) want to PM me with an e-mail address, I can let you have a beta for tomorrow evening .

Tweek
November 29th, 2009, 09:27
That's lucky, as I have left them both pretty clear. I have just gone back there at dusk and that is pretty impressive, the fairground rides (animated) are all lit up and the crowd's camera flashes are very spectacular.

Just make sure that those flashes are only visible at night, and that'll look great. The Orbx Avalon show scenery has flashes going off during the day, which simply doesn't happen when it's light (or at least, if it does, you certainly can't see it very well).

calypsos
November 29th, 2009, 13:30
Just make sure that those flashes are only visible at night, and that'll look great. The Orbx Avalon show scenery has flashes going off during the day, which simply doesn't happen when it's light (or at least, if it does, you certainly can't see it very well).

I am afraid that ORBX have the same problem as me (and they are pros), you can blame MS for the daytime flashes. Nothing you can do, as far as I know.

Still, what do you expect at this price:icon_lol:
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calypsos
December 1st, 2009, 04:59
Here is the final release shot of the Rougham Airshow, it should be available for download sometime later today, I will post a link when it is ready! Remember FSX and Horizon Vol2 and FSX Acceleration Pack required to see the airshow!