What's the best freeware scenery creator/object placer?

***OBIO*** · April 18th, 2011, 21:38

I've used AFCAD and Runway 12 to create and modify scenery before....on a limited basis. I want to build a scenery for OBIO's Aircraft Restoration Company...a place where I can test everything from small GAs all the way to modern jets, large transport/cargo planes. I want an asphalt runway of at least 12 thousand feet, a grass strip of say 3000 feet, maybe a gravel or dirt runway some where in the middle. And it has to be positioned near a large body of water so I can have a place test floaters and amphibs. I haven't picked out a location yet....that will take a while. I know I want it in the Pacific Northwest...someplace with a lot of nice scenery to fly around and look at. Ohio...my home state...is just too darn flat and BORING!

Should I stick with AFCAD and Runway 12 since I know how to use them to some degree or is there something out there that is better...something that is also freeware?

I will be using a lot of the scenery objects from Sid and Pete's scenery object collections. And the facility will have the identification of KOBO....I've already checked and it is available!

OBIO

**Tako_Kichi** · April 18th, 2011, 22:55

I built my Hobbs project using ADE9X (Airport Design Editor) which works with both FS9 and FSX. It can be found here....

http://www.airportdesigneditor.co.uk/

It's free but I just noticed some new, additional, features are now payware (but low cost).

ADE9X is fairly easy to use once you get the hang of it but I strongly suggest you do the tutorials and read the manual. It has lots of features (way more than I needed for Hobbs) and can work with library packs of objects.

***OBIO*** · April 18th, 2011, 23:03

Thanks for the suggestion Tako_Kichi

It looks like ADE9X combines the power of AFCAD with the object placement tools of Runway 12. One program instead of two. That's cool.

And I checked, and the scenery libraries by Pete and Sid have ADE9X object versions, so that's a good thing.

Will have to download ADE9X, install it and build KOBO soon.

OBIO

**nigel richards** · April 19th, 2011, 00:23

In addition to the above mentioned, I wouldn't be without;

1. Object Manager by Scruffyduck. Its a very versatile tool for storing and placing scenery objects. It also has a convenient feature that allows you to analyze sceney files, making all used objects directly accessable for your own use (always seek permission for their use of course, if considering uploading your scenery).

2.Scenery Builder by Richard Ludowise. Excellent utility for roads, land/waterclass polys, flattens, excludes, object placement and pretty well you name it.

3. AGenT for making custom autogen (it comes free with free UKVFR Library).

4. FSEarthTiles for making speedy custom photoscenery directly from Google Earth for anywhere on earth (for your personal use only to avoid copyright infringement).

5. EZ-Landclass for very fast land/waterclass changes

6. Google SketchUp is fantasic if you're having headaches with G-max. Make fast custom buildings, objects etc. using any textures you wish.

These are some of my firm favourites, all of them well tried and accepted within our community.
No one programme can replace another; its each tool for its own purposes...sort of horses for courses.
If searching for tutorials for using these tools I thoroughly recommend the very extensive ones by Scruffyduck and the vast reserve of knowledge available from our friends at FSDeveloper.

**AndyG43** · April 19th, 2011, 01:12

If Obio doesn't mind, I'd like to ask a question too?

What are the best scenery libraries? I was actually looking for something specific for a little project I'd like to do, but did not have the slightest clue where to look; the project is Bruntingthorpe in Leicestershire, where they play with lots of Brit heavy metal (you may remember the Victor "accidentally" taking off there a while back) - they have got some RAF QRA sheds (ex-RAF Wattisham) where they now base the Lightnings, and I thought it would be nice to replicate this but have no idea where to find any suitable hangars.

**nigel richards** · April 19th, 2011, 02:52

Originally Posted by AndyG43

If Obio doesn't mind, I'd like to ask a question too?

What are the best scenery libraries? I was actually looking for something specific for a little project I'd like to do, but did not have the slightest clue where to look; the project is Bruntingthorpe in Leicestershire, where they play with lots of Brit heavy metal (you may remember the Victor "accidentally" taking off there a while back) - they have got some RAF QRA sheds (ex-RAF Wattisham) where they now base the Lightnings, and I thought it would be nice to replicate this but have no idea where to find any suitable hangars.

If this is any help Andy, try Flightsim.com; FS2004 (ACOF) Scenery Objects/FS2004 Royal Air Force Buildings of the Expansion & Inter-War Periods; part four, RAF operational buildings http://www.flightsim.com/kdl.php?fid=129482

FS2004 Rwy12 RAF Hangars http://www.flightsim.com/kdl.php?fid=127409

FS2004 RAF Buildings http://www.flightsim.com/kdl.php?fid=127222

You'll find plenty of other goodies including ground service equipment/vehicles, RAF control towers etc., etc. These should get you going, or you may try Object Manager to analize a particular scenery you like, then use the objects in you scenery. I repeat that this is permitted for your personal use but requires written permission from the relevant authors if you're thinking of uploading to share your scenery. Additionally, some scenery designers make their objects location sensitive... in other words locked to a particular place. There is a tool to get round this, although I've never tried.

Hope this gets you started.

**Clarke123** · April 19th, 2011, 03:07

Originally Posted by AndyG43

If Obio doesn't mind, I'd like to ask a question too?

What are the best scenery libraries? I was actually looking for something specific for a little project I'd like to do, but did not have the slightest clue where to look; the project is Bruntingthorpe in Leicestershire, where they play with lots of Brit heavy metal (you may remember the Victor "accidentally" taking off there a while back) - they have got some RAF QRA sheds (ex-RAF Wattisham) where they now base the Lightnings, and I thought it would be nice to replicate this but have no idea where to find any suitable hangars.

If you download the MAIW UK packages you get a library of generic RAF buildings. Several different control towers, operational buildings, living accomodations and HAS.

**AndyG43** · April 19th, 2011, 03:10

Thanks Nigel & Clarke. A pointer in the right direction for sure; I'll pick up those two libraries from Flightsim this evening & I already have all the MAIW packages, so hopefully one of them will have something suitable.

**Tako_Kichi** · April 19th, 2011, 08:25

I can't tell from the links Nigel posted if they are Ted's buildings or not but if you search the Big 3 download sites for 'Ted Andrews' you should find a number of packs which cover almost every type of RAF building from the early 1930's up to the late 50's and possibly beyond.

**nigel richards** · April 19th, 2011, 10:15

Originally Posted by Tako_Kichi

I can't tell from the links Nigel posted if they are Ted's buildings or not but if you search the Big 3 download sites for 'Ted Andrews' you should find a number of packs which cover almost every type of RAF building from the early 1930's up to the late 50's and possibly beyond.

Yep, they're Ted Andrews' work, Larry and very worthwhile I agree.

***ian elliot*** · April 19th, 2011, 11:14

If you want Ted's RAF buildings, it might be easy'r to install one of the UK MAIW packages, i have only one pack installed at the moment, the UK Army Air Corps WAH-64 package, that gives me all of his buildings, Hangers, Control towers, technical,operational and domestic buildings in one package complete with textures, i remember there where some texture issues with the original zips ted uploaded to the main download sites.
and if your intrested in more general objects, Wolfgang Gersch released a classic scenery library package, virtually all the objects used on the cal classic airports, its a huge download, 178mgs,
but you'll have virtually all the scenery objects developed for EZ Scenery, Rwy12 ect over the past 5 or 6 years, very easy to install as well, look for "FS2004 Classic Scenery Libraries" over at Flightsim, most of Teds objects are in this package aswell.
cheers ian

**AndyG43** · April 19th, 2011, 11:25

Thanks for all your assistance gents; all the suggested packages downloaded and added to my libraries, and I'm sure they will prove very useful in future projects - but, inevitably, not this one! Off to the MAIW forum I go, to see if anybody has anything squirreled away.