background maps

[Joe]

Hi there,

When importing a background bitmap for use in knowing where to place objects, what is the best scale to use? I use a scale of 20, because that is what most looks like the size of the map when I took the screenshot, but when placing objects, they don't appear in the right place when I compile the scenery. I have to place the runway, then go in and make sure it is in the right place, then go back and add objects a few at a time, and compile it then check their placement. Would really like to have them show up in the right place.

I make my scenery for CFS1, if it makes a difference.

Thanks,
Joe

[b_bonnett]

Open Airport 2.6, go to Help -> Search for help on ... and click the 'Find' tab. Type in 'background' and select the first word in the list. Double-click the entry in the lower box named 'Import background map' and scroll down the page which opens, until you find Tip 2 : How to compute the bitmap scale?

Hope this helps.

[hr]
Blair Bonnett, PWA 8021
http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3bf5903218cc5564.gif

[WeBad]

Hi Joe
Doing the math calculations from the Airport help menu to figure background image scale is probably the most accurate way however, with just few graphical steps you can place and scale your background image very nicely.

1. In the Airport working screen place a temporary runway of any length and heading, then compile the scenery.bgl and startup FS.

2. In FS, right click the screen and select the "top down view" and adjust the "Altitude" setting to view your entire scenery area and temporary runway. It's important to adjust your heading to North because the top of the Airport working screen is also north.

3. Once you find the proper placement of your view, press P pause then click the "Flights" menu and select "SAVE FLIGHT". This will give you the ability to take other screenshots that are setup in the exact same location.

4. Take the screenshot in 1024x768 pixel resolution then exit FS. Save the image in bitmap (.bmp) format and place it within your main Airport for Windows directory folder.

5. Start Airport and add the background image. Now all you have left to do is set the scale so the image fits the temporary runway perfectly. Once completed you can remove the runway and re-compile another scenery.bgl then go to the saved flight for another screenshot. Done

OK I lied, it's more than a few steps but it's really easy and that's the way I do it. The scale setting needs to be adjusted differently for different altitude settings of your FS view.

I hope this helps ya too
Ken