Need Help - FS9 to FSX Scenery Converters

[stewstewart]

The greatest barrier to my converting to FSX is the fact that I have and have built so very much scenery for FS9 (I'll leave out the part that every time I look at what's available for FSX I've been very disappointed).

If I could convert my "downloaded from the web" (FlightSim, Avsim, etc), and/or my commercial scenery from FS9 to FSX, I'd be hard pressed to find a reason not to go to FSX as my primary Flight Simulator (GW3 notwithstanding, of course!!!)

I've come across AFX Airport Facilitator and Instant Scenery 2. Both promise to built just about anything I want in both FS9 and FSX - Scenery Builder 2 promises to convert FS9 scenery to FSX.

The conversion promise is hard to believe.

Does anybody have any experience with either of these - any quick reviews before I spend (or decide not to spend) my hard earned $$$ on either???

Can anyone suggest a converter program?? Anyone know a good FSX runway/taxiway/facilities/scenery building program?

Many thanx!!!

Stew

[Tom Constantine]

There's 2-3 different issues here Stewart. AFX & IS2 are fine programs and they do a decent job for casual scenery. AFX has a learning curve that matches AFCAD2 and IS2 is just an object placer. I highly recommend ADE by Scruffyduck www.airportdesigneditor.co.uk/
It's free and has more capability than both AFX & IS2 though it is therefore more complex.
That takes care of building your own.

I don't have a clue about scenery builder 2.

Conversion is a whole 'nuther thang. For example, you can't take a piece of FS9 scenery that someone else has made and either sold or uploaded and run it through a converter. Not possible. When people say "convert" they probably mean (for example) running an AFCAD through AFX to make it more compatible with FSX. BUT that is basically rebuilding it, not converting it. 3D scenery is a whole different problem since FSX simulates curvature of the earth so FS9 scenery is likely to have objects both above and below ground depending on location. FSX mesh is several factors more complex which also creates problems. Finally, there is no equivalent of the ground polygon that is native to FSX. What most scenery designers use is from FS8 and it does not sit well without major adjustments. Again, ADE is your best jumping off point, but it is not a case of running files through a converter. It really is rebuilding. Obviously you can't rebuild payware or other scenery for which you don't have source code.

I hope AirCoaster and/or Scruffyduck will pop in and add/correct etc.

[stewstewart]

Yeah, well, the reply I was working on just disappeared into the ether - I don't know which combination of buttons my clumsy fingers found to do that!!!

Good thing, too. It was becoming a dissertation. Doug Pouk's FS Architect (I think I had the most current FS2K2 version...) just stopped working after a complete system cleanup and streamlining yesterday. Half of my earlier work for my personal purposes is in LAGO (at least that still works).

I decided not to try to fix FSArch. I had an emotional (OK, I just don't want to have to learn a new program) catharsis just before looking for a new scenery/airport/runway builder - I guess it's probably time to change to something that is more current, say within the last decade.

I knew in my heart I couldn't convert my FS9 to FSX. Your comments confirmed my beliefs and I had to face the plunge into something new. I did just download ADE. I'll consider purchasing the Pro Key (?) addition after I get going and find myself doing well with it.

OK, this is getting too long again. I do appreciate your reply and I'll get to "learning and building" after I get through my correspondence!

Stew

[stewstewart]

ADE

The good news is that the lingo is very familiar.

Boy, this is a conprehensive program!!! I haven't yet decided to print large portions of the manual to have in front of me (so I don't have to go back and forth between the actual work screen and the manual).

I am very confident that I shall get used to it, enjoy the very advanced capabilities, and, perhaps, crank out an airport or two!

Many thanx, again,

Stew

[scubakobe]

Definitely suggest Scruffyduck's software such as ADE. He brought everything into one program and it's fairly straightforward to use. You can jump back and forth between FS9 and FSX upon loading the program each time.

Like Tom said there is no direct conversion program. I'd bring FS9 files into ADE and rebuild them for FSX. Ground polygons are especially incompatible, they must be broken down into 100meter squares if I remember correctly.

On the other hand, FSX makes scenery design much easier in some aspects.

[stewstewart]

Many thanx!!!

I think I'm there.

Nothing I tried to "build" was visible on my screen yesterday, though I think I got something compiled and saved.

Once I get through the tasks of the day (honey-dos, check accounts, clean up some glass in the yard, etc, etc,), I'll sit down with the manual and see if there isn't a "Let's Build Your First Airport" section.

In any case, I'm gonna hit the manual and do the first effort by strictly reading and following the instructions - actually, I must be getting older than I thought because I've never done anything as assimine as reading the instructions before the first attempt - it usually takes me 6 or 8 attempts before I use the manual as a last resort....

Again, thanx!!!

Stew

[ScruffyDuck]

Sorry - late reply. If you need more help with ADE then we have a support forum over at www.fsdeveloper.com . The Folks there will surely be able to help out

[stewstewart]

Once again, many thanx!!!

I've downloaded all the pertinent files and every tutorial I can lay my hands on.

I've been asked to do a couple of "Quick" projects which are taking up far too much time, but I'm building Abbottabad Air Base (it supports the various military schools on the academy grounds and also supports officers on R&R rushing to Abbottabad for the sabbatical season of golf, mountains, golf, relaxation, and golf.)(Oh, and the air base exists nowhere on earth except in my head as yet!!!)

I know where you all are and I'll scream if I get hung up!!!

Again, I shy away from "new" stuff that I have to learn in most cases, but this is one where I know there's support almost immediately available!!!

Stew