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Visual Flight Forums
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Shep
2265 Posts |
 Posted - 26 Jan 2006 : 04:14:09
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Adapting a couple of post’s from the larger thread found here
http://www.visualflight.co.uk/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4737
I have just completed another A-I-O VFR Folder conversion using the method below and using Doug’s idea of installing all the Autogen agn’s from the original Autogen scenery zip files (INSTALL IN DATE ORDER OLDEST FIRST) or from the vfraddons database found here
http://vfraddons.co.uk/vfrtable_view.php \\EDIT...The link to the files section of vfraddons is no longer working
Set the new directory up as you would any new scenery entry calling it whatever you like. So, for arguments sake you called it VFR Combined you would have -
VFR Combined
scenery
texture
The new installation was installed to a dedicated 10 gig partition for VFR scenery but you don't have to do that if the idea of using Partition Magic puts you off.
EDIT: If you do decide to make a dedicated partition note the following -
Ensure that your disk has at least 15% free space
A volume must have at least 15% free space for Disk Defragmenter to completely and adequately defragment it. Disk Defragmenter uses this space as a sorting area for file fragments. If a volume has less than 15% free space, Disk Defragmenter will only partially defragment it.
Once you have the new directory set up it's best to 'COPY' all the bgl's from each of the 12 scenery folders to your new VFR Combined/scenery folder first. Some are duplicated and the rule of thumb I used was to overwrite only the older versions with the exception of the three bgl’s mentioned below..
(Thanks to Colin for the following). 3 bgl's - EW00160006.bgl, EW00160004.bgl, EW00150006.bgl the OLDER bgl's dated 19/11/2002 need to overwrite the newer versions.
EDIT 3: Include EW00160005.bgl with the above or see Georges (Ananada) post further down the thread.
The scenery file - EW00170010.bgl. This has to be renamed and an '0' (ZERO) placed in front of the file name (0EW00170010.bgl) so it will load before the rest, as this is the 'fix' for the grey tile at Cheltenham
The 12 texture folders have many duplicate .bmps, just overwrite them all as they are all the same anyway. COPY all the bmp files by selecting 'Type' on the top bar of Windows Exlorer.
Thanks to Doug Shaw the agn problem is easily overcome by just installing from your original zip backups (INSTALL IN DATE ORDER OLDEST FIRST) or from the vfraddons database found here
http://www.vfraddons.co.uk/vfrtable_view.php
When all the bgl’s from the 12 scenery folders and all the bmp’s from the 12 texture folders are COPIED over it's just a matter of MAKING A COPY OF YOUR scenery.cfg before removing the 12 original VFR directory entries and adding the new combined entry.
EDIT2: If unsure about the conversion just untick the relevant VFR Scenery boxes in the FS Scenery Library rather than deleting them 'till you are happy with the conversion.
I would strongly suggest the combined VFR directory NOT be carried out by anybody not conversant with the copy/paste/rename routine of Windows Explorer and to only COPY your files to start with just in case. That way you still have the original VFR 12 directories and your scenery.cfg to return to.
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Questions and answers from John in a previous post seen here
http://www.visualflight.co.uk/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4737&whichpage=6
what should I do with the VFR Original folders?
You can copy these across and combine them BUT you must ensure that all the photo scenery areas are in the same state before you do anything else, i.e. ALL with VFR Textures enabled or ALL with VFR Textures disabled. If this condition is met, you can then also copy across the exe files you'll find in the texture folders (just one copy of each exe will do) and set up shortcuts to them for enabling/disabling the VFR 'Real Water' Textures in the all-in-one scenery folder.
If you don't want them all in the same state (real water vs original) or if you already have the textures set up the way you want them, then there's no need to copy the vfroriginal or vfrtextures folders.
Note: The vfroriginal and vfrtexture folders should be created as subfolders of the all-in-one texture folder.
Note (to other readers) If you don't have one or both of the vfroriginal or vfrtexture folder, then you don't need them in the new setup.
what should I do with the VFR Mesh folders
It depends which you mean:
* If you mean VFR Terrain, then you leave it exactly as it is already.
* If you mean the VFR Mesh which was supplied with the photo scenery, you should ditch it and get yourself VFR Terrain. If you don't want (or don't have the budget for) the very best, you should get yourself one of the freeware or payware SRTM-based meshes currently available in many different guises.
A word of warning to add to what Shep has said:
The all-in-one scenery folder should ONLY be set up on an NTFS formatted drive or partition.
John
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I installed the VFR Combined folder to a 2.4 AMD system that is using 1 gig of memory and the results were very acceptable.
Shep
PS. John if you feel anything needs to be added or amended please do so.
Edit: Defrag addition
Edit 2. After talking with Monir on the scenery.cfg alteration he mentioned somebody had suggested he just untick the relevant VFR Scenery entries in the FS Scenery Library before deleting them - a good idea.
EDIT 3 EW00160005.bgl
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My WEB Site: http://www.shepsshed.com/autogentrees.htm |
Edited by - Shep on 27 Jan 2006 17:24:30
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grajay
547 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jan 2006 : 10:28:20
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Thanks for the help here Shep. I did as suggested and it all seems to be working OK.
Just one thing tho - I can recall the business onf overwriting files with OLDER veriosns - are these (3 bgl's - EW00160006.bgl, EW00160004.bgl, EW00150006.bgl the OLDER bgl's dated 19/11/2002 need to overwrite the newer versions.) the ones you refer to that Colin supplied? If so where can I get these from please I can't rmemmber what the file was called.
Thanks again
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Graham |
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ananda
4851 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jan 2006 : 11:03:39
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Graham,
The way to create the all-in-folder is as follows:
1) Texture folder:
Copy the volumes in order, V1_1, V1_2 ... V4_2, V4_3.
2) Scenery folder:
Copy the volumes in order, V1_1, V1_2 ... V4_2, V4_3.
Copy the following from Vol3_2\Scenery in order to replace those from Vol3_3:
EW00150006.bgl
EW00160004.bgl
EW00160005.bgl
EW00160006.bgl
Rename EW00170010.bgl to 0EW00170010 in the all-in-one\Scenery folder to force it to be loaded first.
George
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Shep
2265 Posts |
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grajay
547 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jan 2006 : 14:55:03
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Thanks George - and oh poo - I copied them in a different order - ho hum. 
Anyway - I deleted the scenery folder and copied them over again - thanks for the help (as always).
Shep - Its a low end spec really - AMD XP3000+ 2.17Ghz - 1 Gb RAM - ATI Radeon 9600 |
Graham |
Edited by - grajay on 26 Jan 2006 15:00:42 |
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Normandean
2182 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jan 2006 : 17:00:02
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Isn't it amazing when that is described as a "Low end" spec. Just shows the fantastic advances made.
Norman |
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grajay
547 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jan 2006 : 05:58:28
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True  |
Graham |
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Monir Geadah
1529 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jan 2006 : 11:10:27
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quote:
Originally posted by ananda
Graham,
The way to create the all-in-folder is as follows:
1) Texture folder:
Copy the volumes in order, V1_1, V1_2 ... V4_2, V4_3.
2) Scenery folder:
Copy the volumes in order, V1_1, V1_2 ... V4_2, V4_3.
Copy the following from Vol3_2\Scenery in order to replace those from Vol3_3:
EW00150006.bgl
EW00160004.bgl
EW00160005.bgl
EW00160006.bgl
Rename EW00170010.bgl to 0EW00170010 in the all-in-one\Scenery folder to force it to be loaded first.
George
There is one exta than what Shep's previos posting suggested??
Monir |
Monir |
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511Flyer
2373 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jan 2006 : 14:35:01
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All in one folder. Although my brain is in an AIO folder, it's a well known fact that it doesn't stay that way when I attempt to install scenery.
If, as seems likely in the future, scenery designers concentrate on writing their "Read mes" for AIO's, what happens to the old "Dummies" like me?
I have all four volumes of VFR Scenery, and VFR Terrain Vol1. These were installed in FS 2002. I have slowly converted to FS9, and used Just Flight patches to instal scenery Vols 1&3 which were not FS9 compatible.
I now have Vols 1&3 in SceneDB, and Vols 2&4 in Scenery. It didn't occur to me that this was anything other than normal. After all, the folders were loaded that way by my 'puter.
Having encountered innumerable problems when attempting to install add-on scenery, I am now wondering if my set up is the cause of them.
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Shep
2265 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jan 2006 : 15:03:12
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quote:
There is one exta than what Shep's previos posting suggested??
Monir
As I explained on the 'phone Monir - follow George's method with the bgl's.
Shep |
My WEB Site: http://www.shepsshed.com/autogentrees.htm |
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Doug Shaw
664 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2006 : 09:36:21
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Hi guys,
This is a very useful thread for duffers like me who keep having senior moments and forgetting things. But what about Garry Summon's airports. Is it recommended that they be included in the AIO or kept separate?
Doug
P.S. I almost forget..... Is the placement of the AIO folder important in the scenery library i.e. should it go in place of the disabled VFR Scenery entires and above the VFRTerrain Land Class entry ?
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Edited by - Doug Shaw on 28 Jan 2006 09:57:03 |
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ananda
4851 Posts |
Posted - 28 Jan 2006 : 09:53:49
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Hi Doug,
I keep the UK2000 files in a separate folder on the same drive as the VFR scenery and not in the FS folder as placed by the installer.
George
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Monir Geadah
1529 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jan 2006 : 23:16:16
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quote:
Originally posted by Shep
quote:
There is one exta than what Shep's previos posting suggested??
Monir
As I explained on the 'phone Monir - follow George's method with the bgl's.
Shep
Followed your advice and George's .
See my test flights with screenshots on the multiplayer forum posting.
Any comments and advice would be greatfully received
Monir |
Monir |
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Ken Pratt
907 Posts |
Posted - 31 Jan 2006 : 16:42:39
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Thanks to both Ray and George for all the help and advice they have given for those of us who thought creating the AIO Folder was something to dread.
I was intending to psyche myself up to give it a go in a few days time ... and then thought nah...lets go for it!
The plan of attack worked beautifully and all is well with FS9 running far smoother with a somewhat increased frame rate, no sign of the blurries and no errors to date.
I have now got my files on a dedicated 20GB partition on the outer edge of the drive ...yes I know 65% free space is way over the top, but I now will transfer my UK2000 scenery folder to that drive also, and there is,every day almost,yet another tempting add-on scenery offer on http://vfraddons.co.uk/vfrtable_view.php
Gee...it just gets better and better! |
Ken VFR11
"Up in the wild blue yonder."
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Monir Geadah
1529 Posts |
Posted - 01 Feb 2006 : 10:11:31
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quote:
Originally posted by Ken Pratt
Thanks to both Ray and George for all the help and advice they have given for those of us who thought creating the AIO Folder was something to dread
Gee...it just gets better and better!
Glad to to confirm that Ken.
My posting on our multiplayer forum testify to that as the screenshots of my test flights over London with the AIO in use confirms. No blurries,decent frame rates,no CTD[touch wood]. I stress the facts that I do not edit my screen shots and they are taken 95 percent while actively flying and only the odd one after a momentary pause to capture the event properly, as in the one flying in between the pillars of London tower bridge.
Regards
Monir
Ps.Plenty more test flighs needed,possibly and preferably may be,with the multiplayer group of flyers. |
Monir |
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Monir Geadah
1529 Posts |
Posted - 02 Feb 2006 : 13:49:23
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I have vfr original mesh for the 4 volumes still ticked on in the fs library scenery and below vfr terrain; Which arrangement was recommended in my self installer of my vfr terrain disc and the boocklet which came with it states in page 2 that for users of vfr,the terrain features reinforce the visual cues provided by the photographic scenery,to give a combined effect which is greater than the sum of the parts. Also in page 20 of the terrain boocklet it states that vfr terrain is believed to be compatible with most terrain mesh sceneries of the UK. This set up worked fine for me while using the old set up. So when I changed to the AIO VFR FOLDER,I put the folder below the vfr volumes and ticked it . I unticked the 12 vfr parts of the 4 volumes in fs scenery library but left the original mesh of the 4 volumes ticked on where they were . Then exited fs and restarted it again.
So far I am happy with this set up of mine. However I would welcome comments on that by out gurus if I may call them that?Especally John,Shep And George.
Regards and thanks in advance for any replies
Monir |
Monir |
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by admin — last
modified 2006-04-17 16:44
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How To: All-In-One VFR Combined folder
