Viewing an API MACRO

[JimM]

Hey guys... it has been a long time since I posted here. Anyway, I got an email the other day about my Moorestown Scenery (found here at TOH). and this fellow says he sees the OLD CARS when he flies in FS9 but when he flies using FS54 the OLD CAR textures are not there. So, I cannot remember much about scenery design, but was wondering if... IF the files for the OLD cars are INSIDE a BGL file? OR should they have a TEXTURE inside the texture folder I "THINK" that the files I used for the OLD cars in Moorestown are these:

34tourstatblu.api
34tourstatblk.api
34tourstatred.api
34tourstatcan.api
34tourstattxi.api

So... I tried to see how to view them, but, I cannot remember "how" to view it/them. Can someone let me know if these would have a TEXTURE inside the texture folder OR... would they be included in one of the .BGL files instead? YES, I KNOW that they are a TEXT file and can be read... but that doesn't tell me 'how' to view it. OR if someone can confirm that they are INSIDE a BGL file, that would be good too!!

Been a LOOOONNNGGG time since I made this OR any scenery and now... sorry to say, I FORGOT how to do it!

IF you download my Moorestown scenery, you can SEE the OLD cars I am talking about near the buildings.

Jim

[Tom Constantine]

Hi Jim-
You can read API files with Notepad

[Deleted]

The texture files aren't included in a bgl - bgl files go in the addon scenery 'scenery' folder. Textures for the APIs included in the scenery have to go in the addon scenery 'texture' folder.

[JimM]

Thanks guys, what I found was... IN EACH of the API files it only has TWO texture files:

"shad2.bmp"
"decalnavy.bmp"
and ONE TIME it uses "flatroof_1.bmp"

HOWEVER, "IF" I remove them, the cars are STILL there with COLOR!!! The only thing those textures do is remove what the car sits on. I suppose it must somehow use some generic 'color' used somewhere inside FS9? Does that make sense?

Oh... for a final TEST, I REMOVED the WHOLE texture file from my Moorestown scenery too; so, I know the color textures are NOT in there, and also at the same time, I removed the "Static Scenery Objects" folder as well. Not a big deal, just bringing you guys up to date.

Thanks!

Jim

[Deleted]

Yes, that's possible with FS9. Objects can just be textured with colours that are available as default in FS9. However, not so with FSX. Every polygon in an FSX model has to be textured with an FSX material, which can be just a colour, but the texture has to be included in the scenery.

And that's why lots of otherwise 'compatible' FS9 models/sceneries have large expanses of black when installed in FSX - the model builder originally just applied a colour (eg yellow, blue, red, green etc) to the area showing as black and colours are no longer available in FSX.

You have to wonder at the mentality of the people who created FSX and broke such simple things. They obviously knew very little about what had gone before and were intent on more or less starting from scratch I guess.

[JimM]

Interesting note about FSX... I don't have FSX, so, that wouldn't have occurred to me... I "believe" in my READ ME I stated that the scenery was tested and designed for FS9.
Thanks for the help and input!

Remember the old saying... "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"!

Jim

[Slide]

Hi Jim, good to see you here!

[JimM]

Jan 19, 2009 5:36:35 GMT -5 Slide said:

Hi Jim, good to see you here!

I never really went away, just sort of stopped posting for a LOONNGG time. I would stop by (without signing in) and do a bit of reading, but haven't posted in ages. I haven't made any scenery since my MILLS FIELD. Just fell out of the groove that's all. ;D Now... I would have to start over with the learning again.
Jim

[Deleted]

Jan 19, 2009 19:42:53 GMT -5 JimM said:

Now... I would have to start over with the learning again.
Jim

Join the club! But it's fun, Jim

And you know what they say - if you don't use it you lose it. Nothing like keeping those little ole grey cells ticking over Plus you forget what it's like when you see your creation in the sim. Very satisfying and immersive.